The Exponential Effect

The Dandelion Effect-Week 1

“The Exponential Effect”

(All Scriptures are in NLT)

The original is always better than the sequel.

That’s the saying anyways

I bet many of you are already thinking of sequels that beat out the original

But that quote USUALLY holds true

But that’s not what Jesus told His disciples

John 14:12-14

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!”

Next three weeks, we will be looking at “the sequel” to the Gospels and the Easter story we just finished.

A very broad overview of what the 1st century church looked like and what they dealt with

Who does God use to accomplish great things for His Kingdom?

The everyday ordinary

A dandelion is just an ordinary weed

But it’s the most beautiful flower in the world to my daughter Lyla

“Dandelions” by Five Iron Frenzy

Acts 1:1-5

“In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach 2 until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. 3 During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God. 4 Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ ”

Fast forward 10 days

Acts 2:1-5

“On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability. 5 At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. 6 When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.”

Peter gets up and preaches—3,000 believed and were baptized that day

They formed a large community in Jerusalem, worshipping and fellowshipping together

Helping each other

The last verse of chapter 2 says that each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved!

1. God wants us to grow where we are planted, while we can.

Peter and John preached often in public

Teaching the Good News of the Gospel and performing miracles

Jewish religious leaders did not like this, and had them arrested

Acts 4:13

“The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”

2. God uses “the ordinary” to shine the brightest for His glory.

They would then threaten them, beat them, and tell them to not talk about it

Acts 4:19

“But Peter and John replied, ‘Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? 20 We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.’ ”

3. Boldness is not an absence of fear, it comes from the knowledge of Who is truly in charge.

In order to change the world, we have to be bold

But it’s normal to feel fear of what may happen.

Church continues to grow and grow in Jerusalem

So much so, the disciples can’t take care of everyone

Stephen is one of seven who were chosen to serve the church

Stephen martyred for his faith (we talked about this story back at the end of March)

Acts 8:1-3

“Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria. 2 (Some devout men came and buried Stephen with great mourning.) 3 But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.”

With all the good things going on in Jerusalem, why would God allow this to happen?

Wasn’t it better for the church to stay together, united as one?

4. God is always at work, even in the darkest moments.

This event is known as “The Diaspora” or great dispersal

You look at this dandelion and see 1 weed

Needing to be destroyed

Another way to look at it

100 potential new dandelions

How is it spread?

When it’s kicked, plucked, blown around

1 little seed, able to exponentially create infinitely more

God used the Roman occupation of “the known world” and of His people for His good

The Romans built the first highway system

Allowed for quicker and safer travel within the Empire

Same roadway system used for Christianity to spread like wildfire through the Empire

What stage are you in? Where may God be preparing for you to “disperse”?