Extending the Mission of Christ

TEXT:

ETS: God’s mission to the Gentiles is extended powerfully

ESS: Believers must Follow God’s direction in extending the mission of Christ into new places.

OSS: Believers will cheerfully obey God’s directive to take the Gospel to the nations.

PQ: How are we to extend Christ’s mission?

UW: Principles

TOPIC: “Principles For Extending Christ’s Mission”

INTRODUCTION:

How are we to extend Christ’s mission?

I- FOLLOW GOD’S DIRECTIONS TO EXTEND CHRIST’S MISSION ().

A- God’s directions are our defense (vs. 1-12).

1. There may be some who question our missional activity.

2. We are accountable to each other.

2. Obedience to Christ is the only defense we need.

· Text

· Paul’s Accountability to the other apostles ().

B- God will always confirm His directions with His own activity (vs. 13-15).

1- You can only share it if you have received it.

1. God’s directions and activity will always be in line with His word (vs. 16-17).

C- God is glorified when we obey Him (vs. 18).

II- MOVE THROUGH THE DOORS GOD OPENS TO EXTEND CHRIST’S MISSION ().

A- God opens doors even in negative circumstances (vs. 19-21).

1- Some of the greatest moves of God have been in difficult times.

2- Some of the greatest moves of God have occurred with unexpected people.

B- God wants us to work together to extend Christ’s mission (vs. 22-26).

B- God wants us to work together to extend Christ’s mission (vs. 22-26).

1- We need to be open to helping sister churches - especially those trying to get established.

2- We need to be ready to make whatever investment is needed.

III- CHOOSE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SUPPORT OF OTHER BELIEVERS AS THEY SEEK TO EXTEND THE MISSION OF CHRIST ().

A- It is imperative that we follow God’s lead in helping fellow believers as they extend the mission of Christ in other places.

1- It all starts with listening for God to speak.

2- We must have a heart that is willing to respond to the Holy Spirit’s voice.

B- Self-sacrifice is sometimes needed.

1- In the form of giving.

2- In the form of going.

· God’s servants always moved with confidence when they had clear direction from God.

Moses

Joshua

Elijah

David

1- God works on both ends to create a dynamic situation.

situation.

a. He was at work with Cornelius before he worked on Peter to meet the need.

b. He was at work on the Ethiopian Eunich before he commanded Philip to witness to him ()

c. When the Lord commands us to do something, He has already been at work manipulating the circumstances to bring about the desired result.

1) The desired result is what He desires.. not necessarily what we desire.

() “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

B- God confirms his will by acting on our behalf (vs 15).

1- God’s hand becomes obvious in the situation.

a- As Peter followed the direction he received, God confirmed it by pouring out His Spirit.

b- Joshua followed God’s directions, and the walls of Jericho came tumbling down!

A- God’s directions will always move in line with scripture (vs. 16).

1- Scripture is given by a perfect God (). “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God”

2- A perfect God cannot contradict Himself (). “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

3- God’s directions will not contradict His written Word (). "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

1- God will always confirm scripture with action.

() "And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent."

· When he promised to save those who call upon Him () "whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.", he will do so.

· When He promised to provide our needs () “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” .he will.

1- If there is a scriptural principle to base the direction on, it is safe.

A- The mouths of the opposition will be stopped, if they are sensitive to God (vs. 18a)

1- When scriptural, Holy-Spirit-led reasons are given to godly people, they will follow what God has said to do. () “I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart."

a- If a person continues to resist what has been led by the Spirit, and backed up with scripture, they are in rebellion against God after all, He is Lord! () "There are those who rebel against the light; They do not know its ways Nor abide in its paths.”

B- God will be glorified through the action (vs. 18b; )

( KJV) “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

2- A Spirit-led, scripturally based decision will always lead to God being Glorified.

CONCLUSION: