The Invitation
Come & See • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 11 viewsNotes
Transcript
Time of Prayer with Eric and Rebecca Elrod
Time of Prayer with Eric and Rebecca Elrod
Invite Eric to share how God is directing his steps.
We will spend time in prayer thanking God for how God worked in and through this family.
we will thank God for them returning safely.
We will thank God for ordering their steps.
1 Thess 1:2-3 “2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers;
3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;
Ceasing your work of faith
Indicates that God is involved in what they did.
God is the decisive cause behind their life.
If you did something nice for me and I looked at your friend and thanked them. It would be odd. Unless they had been instrumental in your kindness to me.
labour of love
Whats relationship between work of faith and labor of love? A work that flows from faith. A labor that comes from our love.
The work that faith produced was a loving work.
How is faith, love, and hope related? Love comes from our faith. Gal 5:6 “6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
Story of the tin can
patience of hope
How is faith, love, and hope related? Love comes from our faith. Gal 5:6 “6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.”
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Hope is faith in the future tense.
You moved forward because of what Jesus has done. You move forward with hope in what God will do in your life.
Ask staff, deacons, and their wives to join us for prayer.
Bible speaks of the Gospel spreading
Acts 12:24 “24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.”
24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.
Acts 13:49 “49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.”
49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Acts 19:20 “20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.”
20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
There are times that does not seem to be a good description of what we are experiencing
There are times that does not seem to be a good description of what we are experiencing
Acts 6:1 “1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.”
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
We overcome obstacles together, not alone. Hebrews 10:24 “24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Acts 6:5 “5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:”
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
Four Steps to Sharing More
Four Steps to Sharing More
1. Pray Together for the Lost
1. Pray Together for the Lost
Acts 4:29 “29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”
29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
2. Discuss the gospel together
2. Discuss the gospel together
2 Timothy 2:8 “8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:”
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
3. Apply the gospel together
3. Apply the gospel together
Gal 2:14 “14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?”
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
Within the context of Christian community, another believer can speak and remind us of the very truths we need to hear. Dietrich Bonhoeffer put it this way:
We speak to one another on the basis of the help we both need. We admonish one another to go the way that Christ bids us to go. We warn one another against the disobedience that is our common destruction. We are gentle and we are severe with one another, for we know both God’s kindness and God’s severity. (Life Together, 106)
4. Remind one another of the power of the Gospel
4. Remind one another of the power of the Gospel
If we do not believe the sufficiency of the gospel, we will never share it boldly and simply.
With fellow believers, we must remind each other of the sufficiency of God’s word to do his work for his purposes.
How do we get to this table?
How do we get to this table?
Planned conversations about Jesus.
Response to a question - foundational to understanding.
Counseling opportunity - foundational life.
Is there any hope?
Is there any hope?
The future is uncertain
Schools are protected by armed guards
Many don’t feel safe in their homes
Yes! There is hope! Jesus cares for you!
Yes! There is hope! Jesus cares for you!
Romans 15:13 “13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
In God’s Word, we find the road to hope. Let’s start on p. 150
God’s power can save us.
God’s power can save us.
Romans 1:16 “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
God’s power can result in change
God’s power can result in change
Romans 2:4 “4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”
4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
Sin makes change necessary
Sin makes change necessary
Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
God still loves us.
God still loves us.
Romans 5:8 “8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Sin brigs death, but Jesus brings life.
Sin brigs death, but Jesus brings life.
Romans 6:23 “23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Confess, Repent, Believe, Call
Confess, Repent, Believe, Call
Romans 10:9-10 “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:13 “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Are you ready to receive God’s gift of eternal life and hope?
Are you ready to receive God’s gift of eternal life and hope?
“Dear God, I know that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross and rose from the dead. Because I have sinned and need forgiveness. I ask Jesus to forgive me of my sins. I repent of my sins and turn to You. Thank you for your gift of forgiveness and eternal life. In Jesus name I come to you. Amen”
You are assured of eternal life and hope
You are assured of eternal life and hope
You can trust God’s promises.
Romans 10:13 “13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
You can live eternally secure in God.
Romans 8:38-39 “38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
