The Journey

The Journey

Acts 14:21-28 (ESV)

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Our Journey is to

Share and teach

Acts 14:21a (ESV)

21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples,

Paul And Barnabus Journey in life was two-fold

Preach the gospel and Make Disciples (gomakedo)

Share and Teach

Acts 14:22 (ESV)

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Apostasy.. deconstructing. Christianity.. abandonment of ones faith or beliefs of ones principles..

Strengthen Souls

Hebrews 5:12-14 (ESV)

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Paul had to walk 1000’s of miles and write letters that would take years to get around to the churches to instruct them and the church was growing!

We live in a day with more resources to study the bible then ever before and the truth is the church in America are dying. 65% of church are declining.

Why do people stay at church..

Top 3 reasons:

In a 2017 survey, Gallup asked people to rate factors that might encourage them to attend a specific church. Here is how they responded:

Sermons that teach you more about Scripture: 76% Sermons that help connect religion to everyday life: 75%  Spiritual programs geared toward children and teenagers: 64%

But its not just on the church its on you to.. read, memorize and know scripture.. base your relationship on Jesus and his word and not just the church you attend

Africa had 37,825 new Christ Followers every day over the last 20 years Latin America had 16,988 Asia had 13,443  North America had 1,999 Oceania had 473 Europe had 8

Whats the difference.. those in Africa

A huge study was done and these were the 5 things they identified

Prayer and fasting

Discipling Conversion

We think in terms of forgiveness of sins eternal life altar calls

They think in. terms of dsicipling people to Jesus (LEW)

Obedience based discipleship

Not just knowing Jesus but following him

Empowering ordinary people for Ministry

Leadership training that never ends

Encourage Faith

Now knowledge is not enough we also have to have faith..

Spies in Canaan Joshua and caleb

How can we not trust God for all he has already done

Sometimes we focus on the giants in front of us and we forget the God behind us, the God who dwells with us and the God who died for us!

Romans 15:4 (ESV)

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Share our Trials

1 Peter 3:15 (ESV)

15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Funny reviews

Our stories show how God is working our stories show how God is using us our stories show God’s glory

Its not just your testimony on how you are saved but also how you get through trials, how God uses those trial to grow you, to serve others.

If we are strengthening our souls and encouraging each others faith we are able to share our trials .. its not all good matter fact scripture says it will be hard and in some ways it should be hard..our sin is destroying us our desire for self is strong and it is not for the weak to turn away from that and go all in on Christ and his word and be obedient to it but this is the Journey.

Acts 14:27-28 (ESV)

27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

Our Journey is to

Share all God is doing

Our Journey is to

Go the extra mile

Acts 14:21b;24 (ESV)

, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.

Both of these are just as important as the other.

Constantly in the mission of the disciples they go out and come back. They send others like Timothy to run the church.

The journey we are on is not the easy road and sometimes we are asked to go out of our way to serve the Lord.

Paul map

Paul leaves Antioch of Pisidian

They were headed back to Antioch and could of gone the easy route home but Paul and his team desire to go the extra mile and when you look at the mountainous terrain the hard way so they can visit the churches the establish and help the set the churches up.

Somee of these places did not welcome paul and his team the first time. Some of these places wanted to beat them and arrest them. Yet they went back because the church was there.

How is God asking you to go the extra mile this year. Maybe it is time to serve and give up some time.. my kids are young.. we are busy..

Work is crazy right now.. my marriage is not at a good place..

Our Journey is

Go to God in everything

Acts 14:23b (ESV)

with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Matthew 6:31-33 (ESV)

31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Lets start this year in prayer..

3 x5 cards doont put your name on it … I just want you to write down a confession.. a reason why you are grateful for God, something you desire from God this year..

Maybe a prayer for God to use you..

Bring them up.. put them across the stage..

After last song..i will go up and ask people to come up and grab oone tthing card to pray for!