April 9 2017 How Can We Partner To Share The Good News With Others

How Can We Partner To Share The Good News With Others

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.... A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

Memory Verse: Ph. 1:27b (LB)“... you are standing together side by side with one strong purpose – to tell the Good News.”

Ph. 1:5 (NLT)“You’ve been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ.”

HOW CAN WE “PARTNER” TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS WITH OTHERS?

Pray Together

Col. 4:3 (NCV)“Pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people His message.”

-Make a prayer list.

Appeal to a common interests

1 Cor. 9:22-23 (LB) “Whatever a person is like, I try to find common ground with him so that he will let me tell him about Christ and let Christ save him. I do this to get the Gospel to them and also for the blessing I myself receive when I see them come to Christ.”

-Discover the common interests in your group.

Reach out in love

1 Th. 2:8 (NCV) “Because we loved you, we were happy to share not only God's Good News with you, but even our own lives.”

1 Cor. 5:12 (NCV) “It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church.”

2 Cor. 5:14 (LB) “Whatever we do, it is certainly not for our own profit but because Christ's love controls us now.”

-Ask God to give you a deeper love for others.

Tell your stories

1 Peter 2:9 (Mes) “You are... God's instruments to do His work and speak out for Him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference He made for you.”

Ps. 66:16 (NCV) “Listen, and I’ll tell you what God has done for me.”

-Write out your story & share it with your group

Nurture friendships

Rom. 12:16 (CEV)“Be friendly with everyone. Don't be proud and feel that you are smarter than others.

-Make friends with ordinary people.”

Luke 5:29 (CEV) “In his home Levi (Matthew) gave a big dinner party for Jesus. Many fellow tax collectors and other guests were also there.”

2 Tim. 1:7 (LB) “The Holy Spirit does not want you to be afraid of people, but to be wise and strong, and to love them and enjoy being with them.”

-Bring a friend to church. Plan a party

Expect God to Act

Heb. 11:1 (NIV) “Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

Luke 5:20 (NIV) “When Jesus saw their faith, He said, ‘Friend, your sins are forgiven.’”

-Never give up on anyone.

Represent Christ with your life.

Col. 3:17 (NLT) “Whatever you do or say, let it be as a representative of the Lord Jesus.”

1 Thes. 4:11-12a (NCV) “Do all you can to live a peaceful life. Take care of your own business, and do your own work. If you do, people who are not believers will respect you.”

August 23 2015 Helping Others Like Jesus

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HELPING OTHERS LIKE JESUS

The Jesus Model – Part 1

Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me To preach good news to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim freedom for the prisoners, To recover the sight of the blind, To release the oppressed and proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”

THE FOCUS OF A CHRIST-LIKE MINISTRY

Who Jesus came to help:

“THE POOR” The Have Nots

Types of poverty:

  • material poverty
  • moral poverty
  • spiritual poverty

“THE BROKENHEARTED”The Let Down.

“THE IMPRISONED” the Locked Up.

Types of prisons:

  • addictions
  • secrets
  • ignorance
  • fear.

“THE BLIND” the Shut Out.

Types of blindness:

  • night blindness
  • relational blindness
  • spiritual blindness.

“THE OPPRESSED” the Kicked Around

Types:

  • political oppression.
  • Cultural oppression
  • Spiritual oppression

“The year of JUBILEE”

John 13:15 (NLT) “I have given you an example to follow. Now do as I have done to you.”

THE FEATURES OF A CHRISTLIKE MINISTRY

What Jesus came to do

  • “Preach good news” 
  • “Heal the brokenhearted” 
  • “Proclaim freedom”
  • “Provide recovery of sight” 
  • “Release the oppressed”

1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NLT) “… I have become a servant of everyone so that I can bring them to Christ… When I am with those who follow Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with Gentiles… I fit in with them as much as I can… so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this for the sake of the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.” 

February 10 2013 Maintaining Moral Integrity

MAINTAINING MORAL INTEGRITY IN 2013

Exodus 20:14 - You shall not commit adultery.

How To Stay Pure In A Polluted World

1. Make a commitment to God’s standard.
Proverbs 119:9 - How can anyone keep his way pure? By living according to Your Word.

2. Never consider yourself above temptation.
1 Corinthians 10:12 - So be careful if you are thinking, oh I would never behave like that. Let this be a warning to you. For you too may fall into sin.
Proverbs 16:19 - Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

3. Keep a close watch on your Spiritual temperature.
Proverbs 4:23 - Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.
1 Corinthians 9:22 - I discipline my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

4. Maintain your marriage.
Solomon 1:6 - They made me take care of other’s vineyards while my own vineyard I have neglected.
Proverbs 5:15-21 - Drink water from your own cistern.

7 Suggestions
• Involve mate in life, work
• Keep reminders of family around
• Keep lines of communication open
• When attracted, redirect it towards your mate
• Date your mate
• Make much of your marriage in public
• Don’t discuss your marriage problems with someone of the opposite sex

5. Develop healthy outlets for emotional energy.
Romans 12:21 - Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

6. Guard your mind.
James 1:14-15 - Sin begins with the desire and then when it’s conceived it brings forth sin and then when it is finished, brings forth death.
2 Timothy 4:5 1 Corinthians 10:5 Psalm 101:3
1 Peter 1:13 Ephesians 6:17 Romans 16:19

7. Remind yourself of damaging consequences.
James 1:15 - Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

8. Take necessary precautions.
Matthew 26:41 - (Jesus says) watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.

1 Peter 5:8 - Be careful, watch out for attacks from satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion looking for some victim to tear apart.

James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who perseveres under temptation, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the victor’s crown, the life God promised to those who love Him.