One Encounter

Who's Your One? • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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Welcome to Week 2 of our Series “Who’s Your One?”

And Who’s Your One is the main question we’ll contemplate, work through, talk about, and discover the answer for throughout this series……

Last week we laid the basis for the question and I showed you how Jesus made his One’s with 2 sets of brothers (Peter and Andrew, James and John)

- We asked the question “What comes to mind when you hear the word “Christian?” and we learned that…..

- …..the first Christians called themselves “disciples”

- disciples live for Jesus, live for others, they love our Savior …. they love others… they ARE focused on God… they ARE centered on Him and serving Him and those He loves

- We heard that following Jesus means you subject everything in your life to His lordship.

- To be a disciple means you’ll forsake all that He has forbidden and do what He asks.

- Disciples show they love God by doing what He says …. They follow Jesus . …. they follow His commands….

- Disciples don’t just gain knowledge……they live out what they learn……they put it into practice…….

- To be on His mission means that just like He was a fisher of men, His followers are also fishers of men.

- We the contemplated another question: “Do I have an eternal perspective and seek to do God’s will first and foremost?”

- We asked this question because we learned that disciples have an eternal perspective…..they don’t see this world as the be all and end all

- Disciples seek God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven….

- Christians that are guided by love seek to do God’s will

- Remember … we have a debt / debtor relationship to love God and love others ….. we love God by doing what He commands ….. we love others by sharing the life and love of our Savior…. making disciples and baptizing them so that they too will love God and obey His commands ….. all to the glory of our Savior

- The third question we asked is this: “Do you think everyone that fills the pews and seats on Sundays and consistently serves in church are Christians?”

- We learned not everyone in our church is a Christian…

- we discovered it through a story of an 80 year old lady, who was a founding member of her church and had served in that church week after week, until she heard and responded to faithfully delivered message of the Gospel …. The live saving message concerning the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus. She made the decision before it was too late ….. because there are no second chance when we leave this earth ….. and her response to the Gospel caused great rejoicing in heaven

…and that led us to the main question for this series….“Who’s your One?”

We read from Matthew 4:18-22 ….. remember, and I showed you how Jesus made his One’s with 2 sets of brothers (Peter and Andrew, James and John)……. He said to each set of brothers “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they immediately left and followed Him.

So…. Who’s you One?

- Who did God place in your heart to pray for

- To love on

- To share life with

- To be there for

- To help snatch them from the fire

- To help them recognize the need to know Jesus before it's too late

- Who is it that God wants you to make a disciple….

Have you prayed? Who did God lay on your heart? Have you discovered Who Your One is?

So…. This week the subject of our sermon is “One Encounter”

One encounter is one discussion….one occurrence…..one interaction …… one moment that can change the directory of someone’s life …… one decision that could change someone’s eternal destination ……. one moment of love that changes everything……

Like last week when I asked you to participate in some small mental gymnastics to get your minds working…… I’ll start off today in slightly similar fashion ….. listen to, think about and contemplate this little story….

“Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact, the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry.

“Week after week, month after month and year after year, these who called themselves fishermen met in meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish and how they might go about fishing. Year after year, they carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation and declared that fishing is always to be a primary task of fishermen.

“Continually, they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing. They created witty slogans and displayed them on big, beautiful banners.

“These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called “Fishing Headquarters.” The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn’t do, however: They did not fish.

“In addition to meeting on a regular basis, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. The board hired staff and appointed committees and held many meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing and to decide what new streams should be thought about. But the staff and committee members did not fish.

“Large, elaborate and expensive training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years, courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, where to find fish, the psychological reactions of fish and how to approach and feed fish.

“Those who taught had doctorates in fishology, but the teachers did not fish. They only taught fishing. Year after year, after tedious training, many graduated and were given fishing licenses. They were sent to do full-time fishing, some to distant waters, which were filled with fish. Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. But like the fishermen back home, they never fished.

“They engaged in all kinds of other occupations. Some felt their job was to relate to the fish in a good way, so the fish would know the difference between good and bad fishermen. Others felt that simply letting the fish know they were nice, land-loving neighbors and how loving and kind they were was enough.

“Now it’s true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen’s clubs and the fact that they claimed to be fishermen yet never fished.

“Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who don’t fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fisherman if, year after year, he never fishes? More plainly stated: Is one really following if he isn’t fishing?”

What do you think of that story? Did it hit home? I bet it did for some of us here today ……. I bet it hit home for some of us watching online as well……

Have you contemplated whether or not you have answered the call to be “fishers of men?” Whether or not you participate in the mission Jesus gave us to make disciples ….

Have you contemplated whether or not you identify with Jesus’ mission

…which we read in Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

The first question for today is “Have you considered your personal role in the mission?”

Many of us get caught up in the idea God’s mission…. Many of us like to talk about God’s mission and what it would look like to be on mission …. We gain all kinds of head knowledge… but don’t put what’s been gained into practice …. we don’t act on it

It’s like many of us love sports…… some more than others…

we sit on the sidelines and pull for our favorite teams….. but never step foot on the playing field to make a contribution for ourselves or the team.

Some are awesome cheerleaders from the stands….. but not actual contributors.

Sadly, the same can be said of some Christians as well.

Even 2000 years ago the religious leaders of the time and there followers and the crowds in the city had all the knowledge…… but didn’t get into the game…… didn’t do God’s will….. didn’t participate in His mission…. Their focus was wrongly placed

As a result, those in need did not receive the help they needed.

But….. …. those who focus on our savior …. those that seek God …. those that have identified their “one” and lead their “one” to the Savior … those who participate in His mission…. have considered their personal role in the mission.

Let’s read about one Jesus encounter - of some men of faith that led their “one” - a paralytic man - to Jesus

Please open your bibles to Luke chapter 5 versus 17 to 26

17 On one of those days, as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there, who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, 19 but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the midst before Jesus. 20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

What do we learn from this passage of scripture:

1. THESE MEN HAD A MISSION. They had identified their “one” and pointed Him to Jesus…..they did whatever was necessary…. whatever they could to get their “one” to Jesus.

They could not find their way in through the crowd so they cut a hole in the roof and lowered the paralytic man, placing him in front of Jesus.

It was their faith drove them forward …. They had a mission….

Mission drives us, doesn’t it? It drives us as individuals, and it also drives our culture.

Some of you are All-star Christians. You have a mission statement for your family. You’ve even got pictures or paintings with your personal mission statement, and it hangs over your fireplace.

We develop mission statements for our companies to help keep us on course. When we get off course from our mission statement, all of a sudden, we’re not doing what our company was created to do. It defines the basics and essentials of what drives a company.

For example, INSTAGRAM’s mission statement is

“To capture and share the world’s moments.”

We read Jesus’ mission statement earlier from Luke 19:10

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Our mission statement at LifeSpring Church is:

“To grow the Family of God, by sharing Christ’s love

and life to all generations.”

Here’s another question to think about:

“Do you have kingdom dreams (such as people coming to faith in Christ), or are your dreams all tied to this life?”

The next thing we learn from the scripture is that THESE MEN HAD AN EAGER EXPECTATION.

They actually believed that Jesus could heal this man.

They thought, “Maybe, just maybe. Jesus will do it”

They took a risk because of the mission. Because of their “One”

This is true of men and women throughout the Bible (e.g., Joshua leading the Israelites into the Promised Land or Elijah on Mt. Carmel). They took a risk because of the mission.

We now live on the other side of Jesus’ work on the cross and through the empty tomb. How much greater should our expectations be when we take risks and step outside ourselves for Jesus and the benefit of others?

Those men did not know what Jesus was going to do from His cross to the grave or from His resurrection to His ascension into heaven ….. and yet they took a risk for the mission – and for the benefit of their “one”.

Another QUESTION TO PONDER:

Do you have an eager expectation of someone coming to faith and does it move you to action?

The third thing we learn from the passage …. THESE MEN ENCOUNTERED AN OBSTACLE.

Because of the crowd, there was no way to Jesus.

At this point, many of us would give up. We would throw up the white flag and surrender. There’s no way in—or so it seems.

We assume that an open door is equal to the path of least resistance.

Imagine for a moment if the apostle Paul would have only walked through open doors? Half of the New Testament would have never been written. These men saw the obstacle, but because their hope and belief were so strong, they kicked open that closed door …..

or in this case they improvised, adapted and overcame the obstacle….. they cut a hole in the roof and lowered the paralytic man, placing him in front of Jesus to encounter Jesus.

Here another QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

Do you give up too easy when faced with obstacles or do you improvise to overcome those obstacles?

The last part we’ll discuss concerning the men and their “one”… the paralytic man …….we learn THESE MEN GOT MORE THAN THEY BARGAINED FOR.

People thought the primary need was external – healing the paralytic man….

What Jesus did in this passage is true for everyone - He shows us that the greatest need is an internal posture of a heart ….. a heart that needs to be changed.

Yes the religious leaders grumbled….. yes their hearts were in the wrong place….

They were more focused on their knowledge of the law and rules than they were on the application of their learning ….

They were not focused on God’s intent …. not focused on His heart

And, when Jesus addressed the deeper need, when He got them kingdom focused, the people were filled with awe! And gave glory to God!

Those men and the paralytic placed their faith and trust in Jesus – and others benefitted

And another QUESTION TO PONDER: “How did others play a role in your trusting in Jesus?”

Last week I mentioned Pastor Johnny Hunt. The story of his life before he said yes to Jesus is a typical one involving lying, stealing, cheating, drinking, and the rest.

3 years after he came to know Jesus, he was in seminary and eventually became a pastor of the church where he was discipled….. he was someone’s “one”

He once told of a story of his encounters with his childhood friend, Rex. He gave Rex the gospel message so many times over a 30 year period it wasn’t even funny….

Johnny gave the gospel the same way each time in different situations and different places over those 30 years… each time with Rex saying “no”

The very last time, that last encounter, Johnny gave Rex the gospel, and Johnny asked the question

“Is there any reason why you can’t say “Yes” to Jesus today?”

And Rex said, “I have no reason to say “no” … and he confessed the Lord Jesus at that very moment and was saved….

After being saved, Rex said to his childhood friend

“Thank you for not giving up on me”

Johnny Hunt never gave up on his friend, Rex……

what if he had….what if he had stopped telling Rex about Jesus dying on the Cross for his sins – paying the price for Rex’s sins so Rex wouldn’t have to pay the price…. being able to have eternal life with God forever……

What if Rex had died never saying yes to Jesus because Johnny stopped sharing……

what if Rex had ceased being Johnny’s “one”?

What if Johnny had stopped believing the gospel makes this all possible.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

What if Johnny had stopped believing in the gospel’s power to save his childhood friend.

What if he had become ashamed to tell others of his faith to avoid the reticule that often comes from those of the world….……. what would have come of his friend had Rex never encountered the Cross of Christ…

What if your family member, friend or whomever it was that made you their “one,”…. had not encountered you by faithfully sharing the gospel ….. letting you die in your sins….. what would have come of you…..

Or would have come to those that came to know Jesus as Savior through an encounter with you….

Had you not responded to the gospel when you heard it…. Those you shared with that came to know Jesus may never have known Him……

So now I have another Question: “What stops you from encountering people and sharing your faith?”

We all need to recognize what prevents us from encountering others for Christ……..

Once you recognize whatever it is that prevents you from encountering folks…… whatever it is that you determine to be your excuse for not sharing…..

you need to repent….. you need to repent of that which prevents……..

Here’s a list of 10 reasons or things that might be hindering you:

1. Spiritual Lethargy:

This takes place when we fail to obey. A lack of growth inevitably leads to a diminished desire to share Christ with others.

2. GROWING INCLUSIVENESS

It’s a false belief that “All religions lead to God” and is a prevailing opinion of nonbelievers. this view wrongly affirms Jesus is not the only way to salvation, but He can be found in other “good religions.” It’s a subtle belief that somehow “good” followers will make it to heaven outside of true Christian conversion.

3. DISBELIEF IN HELL or a Downplaying of Hell’s reality

This undermines the urgency of placing one’s faith in Christ alone. One must escape the wrath of God, and Jesus is the only refuge.

4. BUSYNESS

It gets in the way. The unchurched need us to tell them about Jesus. This needs to be on our to-do list. What priority do you give to reaching the lost?

5. FEAR OF REJECTION

Research shows that only one in four unchurched persons will be resistant to faith discussions; 75 percent are open. The few with an antagonistic attitude are not rejecting you personally; their anger is merely a reflection of something in their past.

6. A DESIRE TO BE TOLERANT

The gospel is, in some sense, intolerant. The one true God insists there can be no other gods. He is a jealous God. The Christian message speaks of a “narrow way” and “no other name under heaven” and Jesus says “I am the way...”

7. LOSING THE HABIT OF WITNESSING

For many reasons, you may have quit witnessing. Witnessing is a discipline. It can be regained!

8. LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY

It makes it easy to quit when no one is watching….. When you have someone holding you accountable, it can increase your zeal for witnessing.

9. FAILURE TO INVITE

When was the last time you invited an unchurched person to church? Have you offered to take someone to church or meet them? It’s such a simple gesture that can have a significant outcome.

10. The CHURCH is NOT INTENT ON REACHING THE LOST.

It is said it takes 85 church members to reach an unsaved person. What a terrible ratio. Churches must regain their passion for the lost.

If you have these reasons, or see these excuses, or identify with any of these 10 items…. Pray….seek God…. repent ….. turn from the things that are preventing you from sharing Jesus and finding your “one”

Here is your challenge:

1. Pray God leads you to “one”. You each have a book mark on your chair….. write the name of your one on it…… read and pray through each of the 30 days of scripture listed

2. COMMIT TO BEING AN INTENTIONAL WITNESS.

This will require intentionality on your part. It will not just happen. It will require accountability for you to stick to your commitment. You will need to have partners who join you in the mission.

You will also need maturity as a disciple maker in order to persevere in the mission and point others to the life-transforming hope of the gospel.

Those who accept Christ’s identity will also embrace this important mission—sharing Jesus with others.

3. GO AND TELL.

Each disciple, Christ-follower (church member) invites one unchurched (unsaved) person to breakfast, lunch or dinner this year. Do it virtually if needed….. Share your testimony, and tell the gospel story.

Invite one family in your neighborhood to your home. Choose one of your family members to tell his/her story of coming to Christ.

Invite one unchurched (unsaved) person to attend church with you.

• You can call it “Encounter one, Each one, Bring one.”

Make it your lifestyle ….. your commitment……

And Be Encouraged: The Apostle Paul tells us in 2nd Corinthians chapter 3 verses 2 and 3

2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

Band……

Pray……

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