Rethink Church - Three Gospel Conversations
Notes
Transcript
Gospel Conversations
Gospel Conversations
By the time we get to Acts 16 - Christianity had spread like wild fire
Some think half the Roman Empire were now Christian
Started with 120 people in a prayer meeting - no money, no power, no influence
They believed Jesu rose from the dead and that His command was not optional
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
They were obedient
Yes there was Peter, Paul, Barnabas, Phillip - it was they people they left behind that changed cities and regions
“I have said that there is nothing in the world or the Church, except it’s disobedience, to render the evangelization of the world in this generation an impossibility.” -Robert Speer
Today we will look at 3 conversations that represent 3 types of people we come in contact with
Acts 16
Today may we get a glimpse on how to reach our community
Lydia - the spiritually interested
On the Sabbath day we went outside the city gate by the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and spoke to the women gathered there.
A God-fearing woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to respond to what Paul was saying.
1. Lydia - the spiritually interested
She was wealthy, influential, business woman
Paul simply starts a conversation
Most people we know - consider themselves spiritual
Reach them - expose them to the Truth
Invite them to church or small group
Start a small group
Read a book together
Who opened her heart - Lord
but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
2. Slave Girl - the physical and spiritual captive
Once, as we were on our way to prayer, a slave girl met us who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She made a large profit for her owners by fortune-telling.
Other end of the Spectrum as Lydia
She was slave and demon possessed -slave were considered less than human
As she followed Paul and us she cried out, “These men, who are proclaiming to you a way of salvation, are the servants of the Most High God.”
She did this for many days. Paul was greatly annoyed. Turning to the spirit, he said, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!” And it came out right away.
Paul was Annoyed
2. Slave Girl - the physical and spiritual captive
We are probably not going to cast out Demons
She was never going to come to church/small group
She new who Paul and Silas was, and knew who they lived for
We need to be strategic going after those in captivity
Porn addiction group, Grief share, divorce care, Financial Peace
We can do more - starts with prayer - God use me!
Be ready - this is a battle
When her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
Notice their reasons
3. The Philippian Jailer - the skeptic
Jailers - older retired military - seen it all
Vs 25 - beaten, cast into jail - worshiping
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the jail were shaken, and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s chains came loose.
3. The Philippian Jailer - the skeptic
Worship breaks chains - discouragement, worry, depression
Worship focuses our attention on God not our situations
Some of you need to Worship more
So what happens - he sees all the doors open and assumes they are all gone
So he gets ready to kill himself
Paul calls out - they stayed -
The jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
3. The Philippian Jailer - the skeptic
He saw Paul and Silas’ joy in the midst of pain
He recieved extravagant grace - they all stayed
His whole household got saved
Gospel Conversations
Gospel Conversations
Why these 3 stories
Shows - the Gospel is for everyone
Jewish prayer - not a woman, not slave, not a Gentile
Share - with those interested
Serve those captive - prayer. walking with them
Show the skeptics God’s love by how we live
Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. --John Wesley
Is it Yes or No
Pray