Do You Need God?
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
How do you know, just by looking at someone,
that they eat healthy and work out?
They look fit!
You don’t need to ask them if they eat healthy or go to the gym—
It’s obvious by looking at them!
You may think that you can get a muscular, toned body without eating healthy/working out—
but I’ve tried it, and you can see how that’s worked out for me!
Callback to Jonah’s Sermon
Last week, Pastor Jonah preached a sermon called,
“Vital Signs”.
True disciples of Jesus will have “Vital Signs”—
that are visible to others and show they are spiritually alive.
Jonah showed us how the early church was:
Devoted to the truth of God’s Word—
Devoted to worshiping Jesus—
Devoted to Christian fellowship (community)— and
Devoted to spreading the Gospel (missions).
Main Point of Sermon
Main Point of Sermon
Today we’re going to see those vital signs in action.
This morning we’re going to see God at work through His people—
when they are devoted to Him.
They were devoted to God because they were dependant on Him—
They knew they needed God!
They knew they needed Him to carry out the mission He called them to.
Do You Need God?
Do You Need God?
Do you need God?
Are you dependant on Him?
You NEED food, water, and air—
This reveals itself in the fact that you eat, drink and breath every day—
all through the day.
Do you NEED God?
Or have you structured a life where you don’t need God?
You get up, have coffee/breakfast—don’t need God for that.
Go to work/get the kids ready—don’t need God for that.
Work all day/cook/clean/organize—don’t really need God for those things.
Take the kids to sports/hang out with friends/chill & Netflix—don’t need God for that.
I mean, let’s be honest—
you can do most of the things you do in a day…
WITHOUT NEEDING GOD!
But then you will be doing them in YOUR flesh—
according to YOUR wisdom—
and in YOUR strength...
And I would ask—
How’s that going for you?
Is your marriage filled with self-sacrificial love?
Do you go about your day with joy and peace?
As you interact with others through the day do you have patience and kindness?
You can live this way with God’s help—
those are fruits of the Spirit!
All to often you are
rushed/impatient;
short-tempered;
lacking joy/peace/patience;
we’re unkind/rude/irritable;
no gentleness or self-control.
WHY?
Because you’re living life in our flesh—
YOU DON’T NEED GOD!
The truth is if you want to live a Spirit-empowered fruit-filled life—
you need God’s help—
You need to be filled with the Spirit
I recently heard a quote something like this:
“If you don’t think you need to be filled by the Spirit, then why are you the way you are?”
Look at:
the weakness in your life—
the inconsistency—
the lack of power—
YOU NEED GOD!
YOU NEED HIS HELP!
YOU NEED HIS SPIRIT!
And that’s the reason:
you don’t really see God at work more in your life—
I don’t see God at work more in my life—
we don’t see God at work more in the life of GNC.
If we want to see God work in our lives—
we need to be fully devoted to Him!
The Good News is—
you are a child of God if you’ve placed your faith and hope in Jesus.
You have His Spirit dwelling within you,
and God WANTS His power to flow in and through you.
This morning we’re going to see how God works in and through His people
When they are devoted to Him and His Church!
BILLBOARD
When you devote yourself to Jesus and His Church:
Jesus’ Power Works Through You
Jesus’ Glory Shines Through You
Jesus’ Grace Reaches Through You
Prayer for Illumination
Prayer for Illumination
Lord…
Transition
When you devote yourself to Jesus and His Church…
1. Jesus’ Power Works Through You
1. Jesus’ Power Works Through You
Acts 3:1—10.
The power of Jesus is working through His disciples,
who are committed to Him and His church.
We saw last week as Jonah preached Acts 2:42-47.
The early church was devoted to Jesus and one another.
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
In our passage this morning we see there continued commitment.
“going up to up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.”
Jews had 3 times of prayer:
Third hour - 9 am
Sixth hour - 12 pm
Ninth hour - 3 pm
It’s through their commitment and devotion to Jesus and the church
that the power of Jesus has an opportunity to work through them.
As they are about to enter through the Beautiful Gate,
they see a lame man begging for money.
Strategic location - expecting generosity from those going to worship God.
We’re told he was lame from birth,
and was carried to the gate daily to ask for money.
He was well known.
He asks Peter and John for money.
Peter says, “Look at us.”
He was reluctant to look — shame?
The man looks up— Peter said,
“I have no silver and gold...” — that’s disappointing!
“what I do have I give to you…” — I’m listening… curious
“In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”
And Peter took him by the hand and raised him up.
His feet and ankles were made strong,
and he jumped up—was standing/walking around.
And he… ENTERED THE TEMPLE WITH THEM!
It’s not clear whether lame people were banned from going in,
but we know that he didn’t — shame?
Now, maybe for the first time in his life, he is able to go in.
His body is restored, and so is his worship!
He follows Peter and John inside,
“walking and leaping and praising God.”
He was causing quite a scene in the temple courts,
and people began to realize who it was.
“That’s the lame beggar from the gate!
How is he walking???”
SUMMARY
This is a miraculous display of Jesus’ power,
working through His disciples who are devoted to Him!
APPLY
APPLY
This is the same way the power of Jesus works through you…
when you are devoted to Him and His church.
This is what Pastor Jonah taught last week…
You can see the vital signs of a church when you look at what the people are committed to.
Are you devoted to the truth of God’s Word and prayer?
Are you devoted to worshipping God together?
Are you devoted to community and spending time together?
Are you devoted to missions; the message of the gospel being spread through you?
Maybe you don’t see the power of Jesus working through your life…
it may be because your vital signs are off!
You’re not devoting/committing yourself to Jesus and His church!
Maybe you’re devoting so little time to Jesus,
you wouldn’t even SEE His power at work in your life!
Jesus is not going to do many works through a heart that doesn’t fully trust Him…
Once, during Jesus’ ministry,
he preached in his hometown,
but his hometown was offended at him.
58 And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
It wasn’t a lack of power,
but a lack of faith.
And when you and I do not devote ourselves to God,
it is because a lack of faith—
If you were honest, you don’t believe it will do anything.
You and I wouldn’t say that out loud—but that’s the truth.
So why would God do a mighty work in and through you?
Devotion to God is a step of faith that says—
“God there’s a hundred things I have to do,
but I’m going to devote myself first and foremost to you!”
THEN… the power of Jesus will work through you!
That doesn’t mean we treat God like some sort of vending machine—
I deposit my devotion/good works in exchange for some blessings.
You don’t get to decide how God chooses to work—
but you can be sure that He will.
It may just not be in ways that you’re expecting…
ILLUSTRATE — Jenn’s Story
ILLUSTRATE — Jenn’s Story
A couple months ago—we had a music team practice here early one Sunday morning.
We happened to be practicing a song we don’t often play,
called “Blessed Be Your Name”.
Someone said, “When was the last time we played this song?”
We talked a bit about it, and nobody could remember.
That’s when Jenn spoke up—she said,
“I know exactly when the last time was that we sang it…
It was in the Fall of 2024.
I was on the team that week,
and we sung it the Sunday after Josh and I found out we had lost Ruben, one of our twins.
God knew we needed to be reminded of God’s goodness,
even when He gives and takes away.”
God worked in and through their faithfulness to Him and His church—
to remind them of His goodness—
that He cared about them in the midst of their pain and loss.
But wait, the story gets better—
Then Jenn said,
“That was the last time we sang that song,
and now it doesn’t seem like a coincidence that we’re singing it again on the day of the parent commissioning,
where we recognize the gift of Greyson.”
Isn’t that so cool!
The power of Jesus was on display through Josh and Jenn’s faithfulness to Him and His church.
He showed them that He loves and cares for them—
And I thought I was just picking songs for us as a church to sing!
I could never have orchestrated that!
SUMMARY
Jesus loves you, and His power will work through you
when you are devoted to Him and His church.
His power worked through His people who were committed to Him then,
and that same power through the Holy Spirit will work through you now,
If you will devote yourself to Jesus and His Church.
Transition
The next thing that happens when you devote yourself to Jesus and His Church…
2. Jesus’ Glory Shines Through You
2. Jesus’ Glory Shines Through You
Acts 3:11—16.
All the people are marvelling at the healing of this man.
They all rush toward him to see the miracle for themselves,
and they are in awe and wonder.
Peter uses this as an opportunity,
not to take the credit for himself,
but to give all the glory to Jesus.
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
Peter begins by saying,
12 “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?
Peter knows it was the power of God,
and directs the glory away from himself.
He gives all the glory to God,
highlighting His covenant faithfulness…
13 The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus
The same God who made a covenant with our fathers,
has been faithful to send His promised servant, Jesus!
But the people denied and rejected Him!
They rejected,
“the Holy and Righteous One”
Messianic terms—
God’s people rejected their Messiah.
Instead they asked for a murderer.
Pilate declared Jesus innocent.
Peter places the blame for Jesus’ death on His own people.
They killed the “Author of life”.
But God raised Him from the dead!
And the disciples are witnesses of this!
And then Peter says,
16 And his name—by faith in his name—has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.
Who’s faith is Peter referring to?
Is it Peter and John’s faith, or the lame man’s faith?
When he is healed, there is no mention of the man expressing faith.
There is disagreement…
Some believe it was Peter’s faith that healed the man.
Others believe when the man heard Jesus’ name, he may have heard of His ministry and had faith.
Others believe it was a combination of Peter and the lame man’s faith.
Ultimately we don’t know,
but the point that Peter is making is that it’s the power of Jesus that healed this lame man!
SUMMARY
As Peter and John are devoting themselves to Jesus and His church,
the power of Jesus works through them,
and His glory shines through them,
as Peter gives Jesus all the credit!
APPLY
APPLY
The more you devote yourself to Jesus and His church,
the more Jesus’ power will work through you.
And those are opportunities for Jesus’ glory to shine through you.
The problem is:
We don’t give Jesus the glory and credit He deserves.
Why not?
Because we take the credit!
We want people to think more highly of us,
therefore we take the honour and glory Jesus should get!
ILLUSTRATE — Hockey Celly’s
ILLUSTRATE — Hockey Celly’s
I really like hockey.
The NHL playoffs are on right now.
The Colorado Avalanche are doing well even though they lost last night…
One of the things I really don’t like:
Excessive goal celebrations.
It just makes me feel uncomfortable.
“Look at ME!
Praise ME!
Look at what I did!”
One of my favourite goal celebrations I love:
When the person who scored turns and points to his teammate who made a good pass/play.
“That was all YOU!
I couldn’t have scored that goal without YOU!”
APPLY CONT.
APPLY CONT.
There are many ways we’re tempted as Christians to take credit—
To say, “Look at ME/what I did!”
Instead of giving the glory to Jesus.
Trying to make a name for yourself/build a brand/business—
Instead of leveraging our lives for the kingdom of God.
Boasting in our spiritual growth—treating it like personal growth—
Instead of relying on the power of the Spirit/giving Him the credit.
Wanting recognition/attention for serving—
Instead of sacrificially serving others for the glory of Jesus—
no matter who ever knows.
You need to ask yourself the question:
“Do I want people to think more highly of me, or Jesus?”
You need to stop seeking the attention/praise/adoration for yourself—
and give it to Jesus!
You need to stop wanting to make YOUR name great—
and seek to make Jesus’ name great!
SUMMARY
As you devote yourself to Jesus and His Church,
He is going to work in you—
He is going to work through you—
and that’s your opportunity for the glory of Jesus to shine through you!
Transition
Which leads to…
3. Jesus’ Grace Reaches Through You
3. Jesus’ Grace Reaches Through You
Acts 3:17—26.
As Peter and John were devoted to Jesus and His church,
Jesus’ power was working through them; as a lame man was healed…
Jesus’ glory was shining through them; as they gave Jesus the glory…
And this led to the opportunity for
Jesus’ grace to reach through them,
through the sharing of the Gospel—
God’s plan to redeem humanity.
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
After telling them the people it was Jesus’ power that healed the lame man,
Peter transitions to what this means for them.
He had just declared them guilty of killing Jesus, but in verse 17-18 he says,
17 “And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. 18 But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.
The people did not fully understand that Jesus was the Son of God,
but that doesn’t mean they are not guilty—THEY ARE!
They were responsible for rejecting and killing Jesus—the Son of God—the Author of life.
But—this was a fulfilment of what God foretold through the prophets.
The crucifixion wasn’t an accident—
God quickly adapting His plan because of man’s sin.
Man was responsible for the rejection and murder of Jesus—AND YET—
This was a part of God’s sovereign plan.
This tells us something very interesting—
as John B. Polhill says speaking on this passage—
“There is no contradiction between divine sovereignty and human responsibility.”
God is sovereign—ordaining and directing all things that come to pass
AND YET…
Humans are responsible—are acting willing, and are morally responsible for their actions.
The Bible holds both of these truths together, without apology.
We saw this back when Ryan preached Acts 2—
23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.
Even though it’s hard for us to understand, there is no contradiction here.
God isn’t forcing people to act against their will.
People are acting in their own free will,
and yet God is sovereignly accomplishing His purposes through those choices.
There is a tension there that we can’t fully understand—
The Bible tells us both these things are true
and we don’t need to try and resolve it.
So Peter tells them they are guilty of killing Jesus—AND
that it was part of God’s plan—
But Peter isn’t letting them off the hook—
They’re still guilty!
So what should they do?
19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, 21 whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.
Peter mentions 3 ways God’s grace is ready to meet them if they repent:
Your sins will be blotted out
Times of refreshing may come
God will send Jesus back
Peter is calling God’s people (Israel) back to God.
He does this by appealing to Moses—
22 Moses said, ‘The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you. 23 And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.’
Moses spoke of the coming Messiah—
and warned them about rejecting Him and His Word.
He appeals to the prophets—
24 And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.
Peter says that all the prophets spoke of the coming Messiah—Jesus.
And finally Peter appeals to Abraham—
25 You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.’
Peter is appealing to God’s own people—
He had given their forefathers the promises and made a covenant with them,
and they have turned away from, and rejected Him.
And yet God offers grace—
26 God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness.”
If they will turn back to Him,
He will forgive them, and bless them with His Spirit.
SUMMARY
This is an incredible sermon from Peter.
A passionate plea for God’s people to turn back to Him—
And if they do, He will forgive them for even killing His Son, Jesus!
Peter was devoted to Jesus and His church—
Because of his devotion, he had this opportunity for Jesus’ grace to reach through him.
APPLY
APPLY
When you are devoted to Jesus and His church,
Jesus’ power will work through you—You will see His hand at work in your life.
That’s your opportunity to give glory to Jesus,
and extend His grace to others.
You and I can be pretty good at the first part of Peter’s sermon—
Calling people out for their sin!
But we neglect to give the Good News of God’s grace.
You and I can all be guilty of this.
Judging others—treating certain sins as “worse” than ours.
Being harsh about public sins and excusing private sins (greed, lust, gossip, etc.)
Assuming someone’s spiritual condition based on appearance, background, past, etc.
Don’t get me wrong, we need to help people understand they are sinners,
so that they will see their need for a Saviour.
But we must not use truth as a weapon to destroy,
rather than means of restoration.
Peter has been painfully blunt about the fact that they killed Jesus,
and yet He offers the Good News of Gospel—
that God will forgive them!
We must expose sin—
but then allow the grace of Jesus to reach through us,
showing them how they can receive forgiveness, and new life.
GOSPEL CALL
Maybe you’re here this morning,
and you know you’ve sinned against God.
Maybe you’re wondering if God could forgive you.
You need to know the heart of Jesus!
He offers mercy and grace—even to those who:
rejected Him…
handed Him over to the authorities...
chose a criminal over Him…and
demanded His crucifixion.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
to ev'ry believer the promise of God;
the vilest offender who truly believes,
that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
It doesn’t matter how bad your sins are—
If you will repent and turn back to God today—
putting your faith in Jesus—
you will be forgiven and receive the Holy Spirit!
This is the heart of Jesus—
even to those who rejected and crucified Him!
Benjamin Grosvener shares Jesus’ heart this way—
“If you meet that poor wretch that thrust the spear into my side, tell him there is another way, a better way, of coming at my heart, if he will repent, and look upon whom he has pierced and will mourn.
I will cherish him in that very bosom he has wounded; he shall find the blood he shed an ample atonement for the sin of shedding it.
And tell him from me, he will put me to more pain and displeasure by refusing this offer of my blood, than when he drew it forth.” Benjamin Grosvenor
This is the heart of God toward sinners!
We need to call out sin before a holy God—
but not at the expense of His incredible grace and mercy!
It’s easy to see sin around us and want to avoid it—
to be repulsed at it.
But God longs to use you—
as salt and light—
His work and glory shining through you—
so that His grace can reach through you.
Don’t just notice sin in others—
but find ways to show them how gracious and loving God is—
if they will repent and turn to Him!
SUMMARY
Jesus longs for sinners to turn to Him—
to find forgiveness, and times of refreshing through His Spirit.
And when you are devoted to Him and His Church,
Jesus’ grace reaches through you to the people around you.
Closing
Closing
There’s a scene in a Christian novel I read recently that felt uncomfortably accurate…
Closing Illustration
Closing Illustration
Yushua was a refugee from Yemen who came to faith in Jesus at tremendous cost.
His love for Jesus cost him his family, his safety, and his home.
He fled persecution and eventually found himself in a Bible study in an American church.
Yushua shared his story of all the ways he saw God work in his young Christian life.
Everyone clapped at the end—
But then an older man stood up and asked,
“Why don’t we see God do things like you experienced in Yemen here at LifePointe?”
Yushua didn’t know what to say—
the pastor was there and tried brushing it off by saying that God works in mysterious ways, and we don’t always see it.
The older man wasn’t satisfied—
“I’ve never seen anything at LifePointe that I couldn’t explain in a business plan. Nothing different than my years at Verizon. I’ve heard stories like yours from missionaries before. Many times. My grandson planted a church in Seattle and then in Vancouver and he has many God stories. They’re amazing. But not here. Never here. I’ve been a part of this church for over 20 years, and I can’t think of a single one. Nothing like your sister’s dream and her healing in the book. Nothing like your escape from prison. Nothing even close.Maybe a good parking spot on a rainy Sunday morning, but that’s about it. Where is God at LifePointe? Why doesn’t he ever move here?”
Yushua didn’t know how to respond—
and remained silent until the pastor’s wife asked him directly,
“Yushua, do you have an opinion on this? Why have you had so many God stories and we hear have had so few?”
Yushua hesitated—
he knew what he wanted to say, but wasn’t sure he should say it.
He decided to speak the truth,
“Maybe we don’t need God’s stories at LifePointe? Maybe, like the man said, we can just roll out smart corporate strategies and grow 5% you’re over a year. But does any of that really require God?
Maybe God’s stories are only for those who need God.”
Yushua didn’t stop there—
“What if we knew for certain, for 100 percent certain, that Jesus was asking us to sell our beautiful church property, give the money to 100 different ministries, and then relocate services to the high school. And what if we knew that this decision would shrink our LifePointe’s Congregation by one half our size. But what if we also knew, for certain, that the kingdom would advance 100 times the size of LifePointe because of that selfless decision. If we knew that, would we lead the charge to follow Jesus in this way? Because if our answer is “no,” or even “maybe,” I shouldn’t expect to see any God stories in our future.”
Land the Plane (Last call to action)
Land the Plane (Last call to action)
Do you need God?
Or is your own effort and hard work enough?
You just work/try harder/longer hours—
You have a problem, but no worries—there’s an app for that—
There’s a YouTube video/professional that can solve your problems—
You don’t need God!
Does GNC need God?
Or are our systems good enough?
We have:
a good structure
a good marketing strategy
a good formula—
We don’t need God!
If we want to see God move in our lives—in our church—
then we need to realize our dependance on God,
and devote ourselves to Him!
