Why Not You?
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Why Not You?
Why Not You?
John 20:21
Introduction
Somewhere along the way I lost my passion.
Somewhere along the way I lost my passion.
As a result I retreated into safe activities.
But I don’t have peace.
I lost my passion to safety.
I became afraid to take risks.
At some point we, as a church, have to step out and take some risks.
At some point we, as a church, have to step out and take some risks.
What we do needs to be dependent upon God, not resources, skills, or the retention of reputation.
It’s not about whether we can, it is about what God wants.
We have to hear the call in our hearts from Jesus that makes us say “I need to go and do this no matter what!” “That cannot remain that way, in the name of Jesus and in His power, I will go and do whatever it takes.”
Every Church, Every Nation
Every Church, Every Nation
We have not been doing our part.
Some of you have been doing some things, but our church hasn’t.
Why not us?
John 20:21
Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Why not Go?
Why not Go?
They were hiding in an upper room.
On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
Come up front, leave your stuff where you are and just come up front and sit together.
Why?
Peace is offered twice but only once received.
Peace is offered twice but only once received.
Why?
John 20:19-21
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.”
Once they had peace, they were sent.
Why?
They knew who was sending them.
Once you know, then you can go!
Once you know, then you can go!
They knew what they had to offer.
Why Go? Because we can’t stay!
Why Go? Because we can’t stay!
Look around.
There is no fruit in here.
Why Not Us?
Why Not Us?
As the Father sent me, So I am sending you all
Why is Jesus sending out ordinary men and women?
Why is Jesus sending out ordinary men and women?
Because that is how He wants to do it.
It becomes about Him, not about us.
No matter what we have, we need more.
No matter how good we are, it is not good enough.
No matter how bad we are, He can make us better.
He is looking to work through you to the broken, hurting, and needy.
John 14:12 (ESV) — 12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
These works can bring joy, but they also bring self-denial and suffering.
These works can bring joy, but they also bring self-denial and suffering.
For future Triumph and Glory!
A Cross in this life for a Crown in the hereafter!
We are laying up treasure for when it counts!
We all have a part to play in the mission
We all have a part to play in the mission
There is giving to support our missionaries abroad
There is prayer support to hold them up before the Lord
But there is always the possibility, that if you listen, that you will be called to go!
“Surrendering to Christ is like signing your name to a blank check and letting the Lord put in the amount.” Billy Graham The Jesus Generation, p. 168
“Surrendering to Christ is like signing your name to a blank check and letting the Lord put in the amount.” Billy Graham The Jesus Generation, p. 168
Why Not You?
Why Not You?
They cowered in the upper room
We cower in the sanctuary.
We cower in the sanctuary.
They all had other forms of employment
We have God given means of income.
We have God given means of income.
What they needed was the presence of Jesus and the Peace He brings
Seek His Presence, and peace will come.
Seek His Presence, and peace will come.
The Peace we are given is meant to Fortify for the Mission.
If not over there, how about right here!
If not over there, how about right here!
Here is the key:All of us have to go.
You can't hide in here forever.
The Times-Reporter of New Philadelphia, Ohio, reported in September 1985 a celebration at a New Orleans municipal pool. The party around the pool was held to celebrate the first summer in memory without a drowning at any New Orleans city pool. In honor of the occasion, two hundred people gathered, including one hundred certified lifeguards.
As the party was breaking up and the four lifeguards on duty began to clear the pool, they found a fully dressed body in the deep end. They tried to revive Jerome Moody, thirty-one, but it was too late. He had drowned surrounded by lifeguards celebrating their successful season.
I wonder how many visitors and strangers are among us drowning in loneliness, hurt, and doubt, while we, who could help them, don’t realize it. We Christians have reason to celebrate,
but our mission, as the old hymn says, is to ”rescue the perishing.” And often they are right next to us.
Why Not You?
Conclusion