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 7 2016 Prevailing In Personal Relationships

Prevailing In Personal Relationships

Romans 12:14-21

Six Ways to Win in Personal Relationships

1. Return good for evil.

Romans 12:14 – Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.

Matthew 5:44 – Jesus said, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

Two Examples:

  • Jesus
  • Stephen

2. Identify with others.

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.

3. Be open minded to others.

Romans 12:16 – Live in harmony with one another.  Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.  Do not be conceited.

4. Treat others with respect.

Romans 12:17 – Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

5. Do all you can to keep the peace.

Romans 12:18 – If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Two Qualifications

  • If it is possible
  • As far

6. Remove revenge from our life.

Romans 12:19-21 – Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is Mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord.  On the contrary if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.  In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Three Reasons

  • It’s the Lord’s task.
  • May move that person to Christ.
  • Vengeance means we are conquered by evil.