“What Happens When You Go With God”, Acts 14.20-28
Introduction, v20
Themes• Numbers converted, word spread • Making disciples everywhere • Opposition / setbacks • “Firsts’ all over the place! • Overall feeling:
Undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God • Resulting in….
1. Bear God’s Fruit• By bringing God’s Word to all kinds of people
A. Converts – variety• Flexibility of approach: Jews / Gentiles / Pagans • Undiminished enthusiasm for winning disciples for Jesus
B. Elders – leadership• Evangelism and strengthening • All churches need both • That’s whey we need to meet up • Leaders are not the most gifted, they are committed to strengthening • Brave to go back to where persecuted • High level of compassion for young Christians / new churches •
Undiminished enthusiasm for the strengthening of disciples
2. Bear With Setbacks• Persevered despite these ….
A. External Setbacks• Opposition; Poisoning; Persecution • Brave to go back to sites of pain • Compassion for young Christians drove them • Undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks
B. Internal Setbacks• Betrayal / Desertion • John Mark • Undiminished enthusiasm despite internal setbacks
Conclusion, 14.26-27• Why did this happen? God – He is the focus. • We don’t know how they felt day to day, but we do know they found their way back to undiminished enthusiasm for the things of God. • Because motivated within the grace of God; • Conscious of the presence of God; • Confident in the love of God • Because confident of the competency of God • His power/strength • His wisdom • Do you believe God is loving and competent? • When we go with God we see the fruit of God in new disciples and strengthened disciples • When we go with God we see undiminished enthusiasm despite external setbacks and internal setbacks • When we go with God we live for him with undiminished enthusiasm
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“Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11)
God bless, Malcolm
PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John
