Just One: Life Changed Forever (2)
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Just One: Life Changed Forever
(Slide Only)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
How are we going to reach Just ONE?
Identify your 8-15 (Oikos Cards)
Pray for them daily (Prayer White Ball)
Do ONE good deed a month for ONE of your oikos (Good Deed Orange Ball)
Invite ONE of your oikos to: A meal, Event, or Church (Invite Green Ball) - Easter Invite (Corinne)
See ONE life changed forever (Red Ball)
Just One: Life Changed Forever
No one is to far gone for Jesus to reach and change their life forever.
One of the greatest biblical examples life change in the bible is Saul’s conversion to Paul :
5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.
Educated under Gamaliel in Jerusalem, trained as a Pharisee
Present at the stoning of Stephen and persecuted Christians
(Slide Only)
1 And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
White Ball: I wonder was anyone praying for Saul? (Is there someone you are not praying for?)
(Bulletin)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” 13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
(Slide)
1 Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
(Slide)
3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” 5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone.
8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Ananias’ role in Saul's transformation, portraying how God uses seemingly ordinary people to accomplish His extraordinary plans. Faith is shown as an active response to God's call, encouraging believers to step out, even when it is inconvenient or frightening. Ananias exemplifies the obedience and courage needed in facilitating transformation.
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
Consider Ananias' initial reluctance and God’s assurance about Saul’s future mission. This segment teaches us about God's sovereignty and foreknowledge, showing that He sees beyond our present fears and failures to the transformative work He will accomplish in us. Encourage trust in God's plan, even when it seems improbable.
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Conclude with Saul’s baptism and subsequent bold proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah. This signifies the complete transformation and new identity Saul embraces in Christ. Challenge believers to live out their faith with the same conviction and urgency, serving as a testament to Christ's power to transform lives.
(Bulletin & Slide)
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
The name change from Saul to Paul signifies a major transformation in his life. Saul, the persecutor of Christians, became Paul, the devoted apostle of Jesus Christ. The name change represents his new identity and mission as a follower of Christ. It’s a powerful symbol of conversion, redemption, and the transformative power of faith.
(Bulletin & Slide)
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
(Slide)
12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Jesus did not mean greater works in power, but in extent. They would become gospel witnesses to all the world through the power of the indwelling and infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8) and would bring many people to salvation because of the Holy Spirit. The focus is on spiritual rather than physical miracles.
Dr. J. Vernon McGee: When Jesus Christ was on earth, He performed the miracle of raising the physical bodies of men, but we have the privilege of preaching Jesus Christ so that men, body and soul, may live eternally. The supreme accomplishment is to bring men and women into a right relationship with God.
You could explore the promise Jesus gives to His followers, assuring them that their faith will enable them to do great works in His name. Emphasizing the transformation in Saul’s life, this point underscores how faith in Christ empowers believers to participate in God's redemptive mission. This serves as a reminder of the potential within every believer to be a vessel for change and impact in the world.
There are two things you will not be able to do in heaven.
Sin. Oh praise God! - Imagine no more lying, no more fake responses.
You will not opportunity to lead Just One to Jesus. The work will be done.
Rick Warren’s Dad’s last night on earth:
"The night before my father died, my wife Kay, my niece, and I were in Dad’s bedroom by his side. Dad suddenly became very agitated and tried to get out of bed," Of course, he was too weak to get up so Kay insisted he lay back down. But he kept persisting in trying to get out of bed. Finally, Kay in exasperation said 'Jimmy, you CANNOT get up! What are you trying to do?'
"My dad replied, 'I've got to save one more for Jesus! I've got to save one more for Jesus! One more for Jesus! One more for Jesus!' He began to repeat that phrase over and over and over. It is no exaggeration to say that during the next hour, he repeated the phrase probably a hundred times: 'Got to save one more for Jesus!'"
Warren said that as he sat by his fathers bed with tears flowing down his cheeks, he bowed his head to thank God for the legacy of his father's compassionate faith.
Rick said, "While my head was bowed, my dad reached out and placed his frail hand on my head and said, as if commissioning me with a sacred calling, 'Reach one more for Jesus! Reach one more for Jesus!' It was a holy moment and I knew what I was supposed to do the rest of my life, regardless of problems, illnesses, conflicts, critics, attacks, delays, difficulties, or any other barriers."
