All Staff 1/23/24

YouDa

Jim McElmurray

Brandon Burcham

How We Will Reach People For Christ this Year

Go In God’s Authority

Matthew 10:1 NLT

Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.

I imagine these guys leaning in for their instructions - maybe we’ll pass out some fliers to Jesus’ next big sermon - maybe we’ll be greeters - maybe we’ll be on the prayer team.

Jesus - here’s what you’ll be doing - casting out demons and healing every kind of disease and illness. What? That’s not on my resume. I don’t know how to do that.

If I’m only leading out of my own authority, one of two things is going to happen.

1. I’ll play it safe. I’ll only take risks that I think I can accomplish in my own power. nobody changes the world playing it safe.

2. I’ll try to lead outside of where I’m anointed.

Example - 10 years ago - recently took over leadership at Seacoast. Was invited to go preach for a church in North Carolina. It’s not that the sermon sucked. I was faithful to the text. Had some good humor. It just lacked any power. It was such a bad feeling. The next weekend, I preached at Seacoast - felt completely opposite - humor and faithfulness to the text was similar, but I sensed an authority from God that I didn’t feel in NC - felt like God spoke to me - this is where I’ve given you authority. This is where I’ve anointed you. That may change in the coming years, but stay where I’ve empowered you to lead.

Biblical example

Acts 19:11–12 NLT

God gave Paul the power to perform unusual miracles. When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.

Acts 19:13–16 NLT

A group of Jews was traveling from town to town casting out evil spirits. They tried to use the name of the Lord Jesus in their incantation, saying, “I command you in the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, to come out!” Seven sons of Sceva, a leading priest, were doing this. But one time when they tried it, the evil spirit replied, “I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?” Then the man with the evil spirit leaped on them, overpowered them, and attacked them with such violence that they fled from the house, naked and battered.

Moral of the story - go in God’s authority. What has He called you to lead?

2. Don’t try to Give what you haven’t Received

Matthew 10:5–7 NLT

Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, but only to the people of Israel—God’s lost sheep. Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near.