Leaving Our Comfort Zone

Series

raising children to be adults

time to let go;

the reality of suffering: brokenness (prayer list; prescription drugs indicator; household dysfunction; poverty; really need to look far?

one of the main characters in the story: lame problem and needs were obvious (physical suffering and poverty)

how to address?

Sermon Intro -

the reality of suffering; how to address?

not by staying put - sticking to the familiar; God is a missionary God (sent Jesus, sent HS; sends us, we are a missionary people

What keeps us from going? what might have kept Peter and John from reaching out to this man?

1)The irony of Good things (Pentecost); success - what good things does God want us to leave behind?

staying put and succeed??? leaving success? leave a place where you succeed? job promotion? ministry you are good at? church that is growing?

Sermon Intro

2) main question: fear that comes from past failures - what past failures keep us from leaving our comfort zones?

Peter and John - 2 failiures that did not keep them from stepping out in faith

disciples failed at healing: (post Transfiguration)

Acts 3:1–10 NIV

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Acts

ran from dangerous authority

disciples failed at healing;

ran from dangerous authority

we see none of that here

Acts 4:7–13 NIV

They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: “By what power or what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: “Rulers and elders of the people! If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a man who was lame and are being asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’ Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:

the point: failures keep us in our comfort zones - make us stick with the familiar, the predictable,

what are some things we are good at, so we want to settle there?

Disciples’ taking the next step:

healing; confronting

faithfulness outweighs expectations

faithfulness does not mean cultural acceptance

Next steps:

Small: (not small for some)

serving meals in the church v. serving meals to the poor?

serving meals in the church v. serving meals to the poor?

attending worship -0 attending regularly - signing up for ministry / small group

prayer is a first step - private v. public prayer

leaving behind the good, but comfortable

Big: (overcoming fear from past failures)

volunteer v. starting a mission

listening v. leading

Acts 4:13 NIV

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.

difference? HS

last week: stay, receive - that’s the how

and go - that’s the what

Acts 1:4 NIV

On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.

Acts 1:

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

conclusion

Acts 4:13 NIV

When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.