James 4:7-10

So humble yourselves before God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  Come close to God, and God will come close to you.  Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  Let there be tears for what you have done.  Let there be sorrow and deep grief.  Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

1. Humble yourselves before god.

2. Commit your life to him and his control.

Matthew 6:25-27

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life–whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear.  Isn’t life more than food and your body more than clothing.  Look at the birds.  They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly father feeds them.  And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are.  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”

Matthew 18:1-5

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child, whom he placed among them.  And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.  Therefore, whoever takes a humble place — becoming like this child — is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven,.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”

Matthew 11:25-26

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.  Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.”

Matthew 19:13-14

Then people brought little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them.  But the disciples rebuked them.  Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

The top three reasons not to work with kids:

1. I’m not good with kids.

2. It’s low-status.

3. Who has time?

The top three reasons to work with kids:

1. It’s the road to your own growth and joy.

2. It’s a real kick to influence the next generation.

3. It’s great practice for parenting.

How can I take some small steps?

1. Get on their level (literally) and talk with a kid.

2. Shoot the breeze with someone who works with kids.

Acts 10

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment.  He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.  One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision.  He distinctly say an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear.  “What is it Lord?” he asked.  The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.  Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.  He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”  When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants.  He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa.  About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city,  Peter went up on the roof to pray.  He became hungary and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance.  He saw heaven opened and contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds.  Then a voice told him, “Get up Peter.  Kill and eat.”  “Surely not Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”  This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.  While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate.    They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.  While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you.  So get up and go downstairs.  Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”  Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one your looking for.  Why have you come?” The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion.  He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is repected by all the Jewish people.  A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.  The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.  The following day he arrived in Caesarea.  Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.  As Peter entered the house, Cornelius met him and fell at his feet in reverence.  But Peter made him get up. “Stand up,” he said, “I am only human myself.”  While talking with him, Peter went inside and found a large gathering of people.  He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associaate with gentiles or visit them.  But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection.  May I ask you why you sent for me?”  While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy-Spirit came on all who heard the message.  The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.  For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.  Then Peter said, “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water.  They have recieved the Holy Spirit just as we have.”  So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.

What happens when we coss cultural boundaries?

Our picture of God’s goodness and bigness is expanded.

Luke 10:1-9

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.  Go!  I am sending out like lambs among wolves.  Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.  “When you enter a house, first say ‘Peace to this house.’  If the head of the house loves peace, your peace will rest o whatevere they give you, for workers deserve their wages.  Do not move around from house to house.  “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you.  Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘ The kingdom of God has come near to you.”

What does it take to ‘eat what is set before you’?

1. Stubbornly resolve to see the good.

2. Especially avoid starting with disagreements.

3. Give and take.

How do we get started?

1. Choose people group to pray for

a. .. and listen for guidence from God.

2. Do something now

3. Take seriously any signs of hospitality.

4. Bless your new friends at every opportunity.

2 Timothy 2:2

Take the things you heard me say in front of many other witnesses and pass them on to faithful people who are also capable of teaching others.

Acts 18:1-4, 7-11

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome.  Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.  Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks… Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titus Justus, a worshiper of God.  Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.  One night the lord spoke to Paul in a vision; “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.  For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”  So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God… Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the believers ahd sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.  They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.  When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.  But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.”  Then he set sail for Ephesus.  When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.  After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.  Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus.  He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the scriptures.  He has been instructed in the way of the lord, and he spoked with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.  When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God mor adequately.  When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him.  When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.

Acts’ simple plan for lifelong personal growth in God:

1. Train others in whatever God has given you.  Pay attention to Faithful Available Teachable people.

2. Encourage them to do the same thing to others.  Ying Kai calls the “T4T’… training for trainers.

How can you get started passing on what you know to faithful people who can teach others?

1. Try stuff.  Ask around

2. Don’t sweat failure. Evaluate and try again

3. Don’t forget to encourage them to train others themselves

4. Start now

5. Keep getting trained yourself

“Taste and see that the lord is good.  Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalm 34:8

Jesus  doesn’t just wat to help us with our lives by giving us some great guidelines or prescriptions for living.  He also wants us to experience life in him.

Tip: Know and call him by his name.

Three names or phrases that I’ve found helpful are the Lord is my Banner, the Lord is my Provider, and I AM that I AM.

Calling on the name of God is the same as seeking his presence.

Some realities to remember when it comes to experiencing Jesus:

• Jesus is pursuing a real, loving relationship with you
• Jesus is always working in and around you
• Jesus invites us to join him in God’s work
• Jesus’ invitation to a lifestyle of faith work requires major changes in our lives
• A lifestyle of faith or doing God’s work requires major changes in our lives
• As you experience Jesus more, you’ll know more about him and your relationship with God will blossom

Tip: Stop running and allow yourself to be caught by Jesus

Tip: Pray to see God’s activity everywhere you go and in everyone you meet

Tip: Pray for Jesus to give you an assignment that will have even the smallest impact on introducing others to the kingdom of God

Tip: Figure out what changes will need to be made for you to accept your assignment from Jesus

Tip: Enjoy the ride!

Matthew 19:16

Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied.  “There is only one who is good.

1 John 3:5

But you know that (Jesus) appeared so that he might take away our sins.

How can we still get the life we always wanted?

1. Face our self-sabatoge head on.

a. Do  confession, get forgiveness and repent towards God’s leadership.

Psalm 32:1

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!  Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleard of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.  My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt.  I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”  And you forgave me!  All my guilt is gone.

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.  See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

b. Consider how God is only saying yes not no.

2 Corinthians 1:18-20

But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “yes” and “no.”  For the son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us – by me and Silas and Timothy was not “Yes” and “No” but in him it has always been “Yes” in Christ.

E. Embrace the opportunity that God has an appealing and real alternative to all temptations.

1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you exept what is common to us all.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

f. Don’t hesitate to get additional help.

How can we still get the life we always wanted?

2. Remember rule #6

John 9:1-3

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Nehemiah 8:10

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared.  This day is holy to our Lord.  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

c. Embrace the good that God’s offering you right now.

d. Pray for both joy and holiness.

John 10:10

My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.

Luke 10:25-37

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”  Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”  The man answered, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” “Right!”  Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”  The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor? Jesus replied with a story: ” A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jerich, and he was attacked by bandits.  They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.  “By chance a priest came along.  But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by.  A temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him.  Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them.  Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him.  The next day he handed the inkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘take care of this man.  If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.  The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.”  Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

Genesis 3:7

…they sewed fig leaves together and mad coverings for themselves.

Genesis 3:8

… they hid from the LORD God

Genesis 3:12

… the woman you put here with me.

The parable of the Good Samaritan tells us that life in all its fullness comes from connection.

Practical Considerations:

1. Discover what can draw you in meaningfully.

2. Make it your priority to build bridges.

3. Hear God’s voice for others.

4.  Join us next Sunday.

Acts1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 2:4-12

All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.  Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken.  Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?  Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Acts 7:2, 9, 16, 30, 44

To this he replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham while he was still in Mesopotamia, before he lived in Harran… Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt.  But God was with him… Their bodies were brought back to Shechem and placed in the tomb that Abraham had bought… After forty years had passed, an angel appeared to Moses in the flames of a burning bush in the desert near Mount Sinai… Our ancestors had the tabernacle of the covenant law with them in the wilderness.

Stephen’s big insight:

Jesus wasn’t primarily a Jew.  Or, even les, a Christian.

The game-changing implication of Stephen’s big insight:

It is not necessary to give up your own culture to follow Jesus

Acts 8:1-8, 14-17

And Saul approved of their killing him.  On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.  Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him.  But Saul began to destroy the church.  Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.  Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.  Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.  When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed.  So there was great joy in that city… When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to Samaria.  When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them, and they received the Holy Spirit… After they had further proclaimed the word of the Lord and testified about Jesus, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages.

How can I get the benefits from this insight?

1. Ask yourself what sort of ” ‘culture x’ who follows Jesus” you are.

2. Ask yourself if the apostles’ story is your story.

3. Ask yourself how this view of mission might give focus and purpose to you.

4. Ask yourself if this might empower you to “fail for God” more often.

5. Pray for a booming Sunday service as a means of offering this to many people who’d have no other access to it.

Luke 15:11-32

Jesus Continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.”  Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.  After he spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.  When he came to his senses he said “How many of my father’s servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him:  Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.  I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.” So he got up and went to his father.  But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.  The son said to him “Father I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” But the father said to his servants “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”  So they began to celebrate.  Meanwhile, the older sone was in the field.  When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. “Your brother has come,” he replied, “and your father has killed the fattened calf bvecause he has him back safe and sound.”  The older brother became angry and refused to go in.  So his father went out and pleaded with him.  But he answered his father  “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.  Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours  who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fatted calf for him!” “My son,” the father said, “you are always with me and everything I have is yours.  But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

1 John 4:8

…God is Love.

Practical Suggestions:

1. God is Good

2. Give Trust and Gratitude a shot

3. Stick with us.

Acts1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 10:38

“And no doubt you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.  Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with him.”

Two immediate effects that the Holy Spirit had on them:

1, An Empowered Will

2. A need for that will.

Acts 3:1-12, 16, 4:1, 3-4

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon.  Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  Then Peter said “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you.  In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”  Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong.  He jumped to his feet and began to walk.  Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.  When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognmized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.  While the man held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon’s Colonnade.  When Peter saw this, he said to them: “People of Israel, why does this surprise you?  Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had mad this man walk?  The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servand Jesus. … It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.  The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees… seized Peter and John, and because it was evening, they put them in jail until the next believed grew to about five thousand… Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges!  As for us, we can not help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”  After further threats they let them go.  They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old.  On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to then.  When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God.”… Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”  After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken.  And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

Two items of interest about the impact God is offering us

1. The big impact offered us, sadly, isn’t about personal gain.

2. This big impact assumes failure.

How can you experience a spritual kick behind your life mission in God?

1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit daily.

2. Invite God to lead you into your life mission in Him.

3. Try fast, fail fast, evaluate fast, try again fast.

a. Each attempt towards impact for God carries spiritual power, whatever happens.

4. Where possible, do it as a group.

5. Don’t give up.

“Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous states have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of the Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.  We shall go on to the end.  We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, what ever the cost may be.  We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grunds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the Brittish Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the new world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.” – Winston Churchill