The Importance of One

In 1968, Harry Nilsson wrote the lyrics to his song “One” after getting a busy signal. You’ve probably heard the song on various TV shows or animated movies like Shrek. It seems to hint at a response to a breakup.

There are times when it’s true, one can be a lonely number. If you’re an extrovert - if you like being around people, if you get energy from being around people, then being alone might be terrifying!

However, if you’re an introvert, if you gain energy being by yourself, and crowds stress you out, then one seems like the perfect number. It’s paradise.

Can I get an amen?

When you talk to some people, all they like to talk about is numbers - how many people attended this party or that event. I know I can fall into that. Sometimes we think that more is better. We can even sort of feel like if it’s not more then it’s not good.

But, have you ever noticed that it’s very difficult to have conversations with more than one or two people at a time?

We had several people over for a cookout a few weeks ago. It was fun. We had lots of food and a variety of conversations going on. We also had some football and other games. But, I noticed that in a large group, it’s easy for one to get lost. It’s easy for one to get overlooked. It’s easy for one to get left out.

So, as we’ve been asking the question,

“Who’s your one?”,

today, we’re going to consider...

the importance of one.

Sure, bigger numbers of people might mean more - but it doesn’t always mean better.

Instead of looking at just one passage today, we’re going to reflect on the value of one in a couple of different places - mostly in the book of Acts.

Let’s begin by reflecting on...

The appeal of reaching many at once.

Jesus ascension

waiting in Jerusalem

praging

Day of Pentecost - miraculous signs and wonders. Spirit filled sermon by Peter. Spirit inspired response by many:

Acts 2:37–41 (ESV)

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Now - for almost any church leader, this would be an amazing day! I’ve prayed and longed for days like that.

But there are also the challenges of so many coming.

how do you keep track of them

how do you train

how do you invest in them.

It certainly seems like the Spirit was moving powerfully among them.

Acts 2:42–47 (ESV)

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

It wasn’t long after this that persecution broke out against the new and quickly growing church - so the believers prayed for boldness (Acts. 4:23-31).

The persecution forced some to spread out and also cause hardships for others - but resulted in great unity among the church - so much so that they began the sell their possessions in order to contribute to the needs of each other (Acts. 4:32-37).

And yet not everyone was prepared to participate the way that God was moving among others - and so they faked it.

You see...

Non-believing individuals can be swept up in the many.

In Acts 5 - we read of Ananias and Sapphira. It seems they were caught up in the fervor of what was happening, but didn’t truly believe. They sold a piece of land for a certain amount and kept back some - reporting that the amount remaining was they amount they received for the land. In essence, they lied - to the Holy Spirit and to the church.

I bring this up, not because we’re calculating tithes with tax statements - that’s between you and the Lord. You give as the Lord leads.

But I bring it up because it seems that in the many, individuals can be caught up in...

emotionalism - producing a response based on peer pressure rather than a genuine move of the spirit -

this is one reason why we don’t often do invitations following the service - We don’t want people to respond emotionally to the gospel. Yes, there is some emotion involved - we have to be convicted of our sin which should lead us to repentance - but some people can respond emotionally and say a “prayer” and think they are saved. I’d rather take the time to help you understand scripture and respond with your mind, soul, and emotions.

individuals can sometimes be swept up in...

manipulation - There is a scene a bit later in the book of Acts when a man who was a very charismatic speaker and leader saw the works that the Apostles were doing - wanted to pay money so that people he touched would receive the Holy Spirit - it seemed to be a money game for him (Acts 8:9-25).

but there is something about the many that we have to keep in mind:

Not all of us are called or gifted to preach to the many...

There are many people who are especially called and gifted that way. We’ve already seen...

Peter -

Charles Spurgeon - sometimes referred to as the “prince of preachers” was gifted in a profound way to preach to one congregation - overseeing its vast growth over decades.

Billy Graham - at one time called the pastor to the Presidents, preached to tens of millions world-wide - leading millions to respond to the gospel.

George Whitfield - God use his booming voice and powerful rhetoric to lead thousands to Christ on both sides of the Atlantic.

many others are gifted

But not all of us are gifted that way. And that is ok. In fact, I would even suggest

...that’s a good thing!

Even in Scripture, if you look at the Apostle Paul, he seemed to be a gifted preacher, but he was an even better teacher. He could explain scripture in profound ways to smaller groups of people.

He was also an intentional disciple maker - he would rarely do anything alone. Often in his travels he would have 2-3 people with him - but always it seemed at least one. Then when you look at his letters to Philemon, Timothy, and Titus - he was well aware of the needs, strengths, and weaknesses of the one.

I believe there is value in public preaching. God has ordained that to be one way that he calls people. But it is certainly not the only way.

Two weeks ago I read a quote from Robert Coleman in his book Master Plan for Evangelism:

“reaching to the masses, although necessary, will never suffice in the work of preparing leaders for evangelism. Nor can occasional prayer meetings and training classes for Christian workers do this job... Individual women and men are God’s method. God’s plan for discipleship is not something, but someone.”

Which brings to consider...

The importance of obedience to reach the one.

As we have seen in the book of Acts, there are some big events where thousands of people come to faith. But then there are the events that are more personal and intimate.

One such encounter seems to have a miraculous entry and departure, but tradition tells us that it also had a tremendous outcome.

Turn in your Bibles to Acts 8. This is shortly after Stephen was stoned and a great persecution erupted against the church.

Acts 8:26 ESV

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place.

let’s think about a couple of things in this verse that discuss how God speaks and where Philip as sent:

Angel of the Lord - God may still use angels and visions - he certainly uses things like that in the Middle East - but he also uses the gentle nudge of His Holy Spirit to lead us.

Desert place - what!?! - this seems like a foolish thing to do. There aren’t many people there. Wouldn’t a more fruitful ministry be elsewhere? Sometimes the Lord will send us to places that we don’t fully understand.

Philip obeys:

Acts 8:27–29 ESV

And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”

This was an important man. He was given an important role in the house of the Queen of Ethiopia. He was a foreigner, but he seemed to be someone who worshiped God - maybe he was a proselyte to Judaism. And yet - here is a challenging thing to consider - by nature of the man’s position - he would have been unable to enter the temple because his body had been mutilated

In any case, he is reading Scripture.

So, prompted by the Spirit, Philip joins up with the chariot and strikes up a conversation.

Acts 8:30–31 ESV

So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

In opening this conversation - Philip used what was already there - the man was certainly curious about Scripture and wanted to understand.

I think that when we are obedient to reach the one that God is leading us to, God will help us find common ground. We will find places where we can strike up conversations that may lead to gospel presentation.

Being one-on-one - Philip was able to discuss things with him personally.

Acts 8:32–35 ESV

Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

Philip used the Scripture they were considering, the common ground they had, and the man’s own interest to explain the “good news about Jesus.”

What is that good news?

According to Matthew 1:21 - he will “save his people from their sins.” We learn through the gospels that it’s not just his people (yes, it starts there), but it’s now all people.

Matthew 28:19–20 ESV

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

So, here we have this God-fearing Ethiopian returning from the seat of Judaism to his country and he hears the gospel from a man who is obedient to walk into the desert for this divine appointment.

Acts 8:36–40 ESV

And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he passed through he preached the gospel to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

So it seems the Eunuch was convicted of his sins and was prompted to respond with an immediate baptism. No sense in wasting time.

This seems to imply then that Philip’s explanation of the good news of Jesus included discussion of baptism.

Last week, we got to celebrate with Amy and Grace as they were baptized. If you’ve not yet been baptized, let’s talk about it. There are some resources in the book nook that will help you understand what baptism is all about:

Why Should I Be Baptized? - by Bobby Jamieson - a short book that looks at the reason for baptism.

Preparing for Baptism - by Mez McConnel - which is more of a workbook - designed to walk you through the reasons.

Feel free to grab either of those resources if you’ve not yet been baptized or if you’re curious about what baptism is all about or if your kids are expressing an interest in baptism.

The Outcome:

So the Ethiopian man is baptized by Philip and then Philip is caught up by the spirit and seems to be carried to another town - far away. He was obedient to the assignment that God had for him.

The Ethiopian continued to his country. We don’t really hear any more about this man.

According to Irenaeus - an early church father - this Ethiopian went on to share the gospel as a missionary to his people (Bruce, 178). Many Ethiopian Coptic Christians today trace their spiritual heritage to this man. Which means Philip’s obedience to reach this one has had a lasting impact - even to this day!

This is just one example in the book of Acts where a single person was reached by another single person. There is a precedent for reaching one.

In fact, if you read John 1:35-51 - you’ll notice that it was Andrew who brought his brother Peter to Jesus (we’ll talk more about Andrew next week) and Philip who brought Nathanael to Jesus. They each understood the importance of reaching one.

Closing Thoughts

so, who’s your one? Who has God been laying on your heart?

what can you do to be obedient And intentional to reach this one ?

reading scripture together

offering to pray and the praying it right there

invite to church

maybe it even begins with repenting of our own. Complacency and the way have been ignoring the prompting of the Spirit

Earlier we read...

Matthew 13:45–46 ESV

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

You see, there is great value in the Kingdom of God. It is worth giving up everything to be a part of it - even though it was Jesus who gave up so much for us.

When we value the importance of the individual that God has assigned for us, we reflect the value that is in the Kingdom of God.

We are not called to grow the Kingdom through emotional manipulation and crowd pleasing antics. We are called to grow the kingdom by making disciples - not converts. Investing in one. Pouring our lives into one. Leading by example.

close with two brief examples:

story of Tim White and his friend who is an agnostic - times reading scripture, praying, now friend is praying - even asking God to overcome 70+ years of unbelief.

Mandy - friend of Joy Brill and her daughter. 30 years ago Joy led Mandy to Christ. Friday i got to meet Mandy, she is an elementary school teacher at a Christian school, sharing her faith and living it out in front of dozens of kids each year

Sources:

Barry, John D., David Bomar, Derek R. Brown, Rachel Klippenstein, Douglas Mangum, Carrie Sinclair Wolcott, Lazarus Wentz, Elliot Ritzema, and Wendy Widder, eds. “Ethiopian Eunuch.” The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016.