SF864 - I Have A Dream (Joel 1 28-29)
I Have A Dream
Joel 2:28-29
Introduction
Please open your Bibles to Joel 2:28. Let us stand for the reading of God's Word, "It will come about after this That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and daughters will prophesy, Your old men will dream dreams, Your young men will see visions. 29“Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days" (Joel 2:28-29 NASB). This is the text Simon Peter choose for his message on the day of Pentecost. Peter believed that the coming of the Holy Spirit was a direct fulfillment of this promise. Indeed, we are still living in those days, God is still pouring out His Spirit, and consequently His people are still dreaming dreams.
Dreams are wonderful things. In fact, dreams are the stuff of which life is made. We all need to have dreams and visions. The book of Proverbs tells us that dreams/visions are an essential ingredient in life. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Throughout history, men and women who have accomplished great things have been great dreamers. The history of America is filled with many examples of this truth. One of these stories comes to mind this morning.
It was a hot August day, when the large crowd gathered on the Mall in our nation's capital. It had been a busy and eventful summer, but the "movement" was now meeting with a great deal of opposition. In fact, some were calling for the leadership to
either give up or to become more aggressive and violent in their tactics. Tempers were hot and the weather only added to the tension.
Onto the platform that hot of August day in 1963 stepped the leader of the movement and the eyes of a nation were fixed on him. It was at that moment Martin Luther King, Jr. stepped forever onto the pages of American history. He delivered what is arguably one of the ten greatest speeches in the history of this country. King delivered his now famous "I Have a Dream" speech. In his speech he articulated the dream for an America that would live up to its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." He cried out "I have a dream" and the people embraced the dream.
I am here today to declare to you that I too, "Have a dream." However, unlike Dr. King my dream is not simply "rooted in the American dream," as great as that is. My dream is rooted in the eternal, unchanging, and inerrant Word of God. It is a dream conceived in the heart of eternal God, purchased by the blood of the sinless Son of God, and sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. It is a dream that began in the Garden of Eden, continued through the Garden of Gethsemane, and will be consummated in the eternal Garden of God.
It is a dream of God's people united as one, working together as a local body of believers. It is a dream of a church, a first century church in the twenty-first century. I find the basis of my dream in opening chapters of Acts. Please join me in Acts 2.
I Have a Dream of a Church Where Prayer is a Priority not just a Program.
In the Old Testament God speaks through His prophet and proclaims "My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples” (Isaiah 56:7 NASB). Our Lord Jesus quotes Isaiah when in cleansing the Temple courts of the moneychangers He proclaims, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den” (Mark 11:17 NASB). The early church understood the essential nature of prayer and made prayer a priority.
They prayed with persistence.
Look with me at Acts 1:14, "These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers" (Acts 1:14 NASB). The key word is "continually," which means to "attend constantly." These early believers refused to allow prayer to become a fad. They refused to allow their commitment to pray to fade. They persisted, they continued, in short they refused to quit. They prayed with persistence.
They prayed with purpose.
In Acts 4 Luke records for us the purpose in the prayers of the early church. He writes…
23When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things? 26‘The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27“For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” (Acts 4:23-30 (NASB)
They did not pray for protection. They did not pray for peace. They prayed for "confidence" or "boldness" to speak God's Word. Their concern was not their own well being but the Kingdom of God. They prayed with purpose!
They prayed with power.
Luke continues in verse 31, "And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness" (Acts 4:31 NASB). When prayer is a priority, the power of God becomes a reality.
In his book Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, Jim Cybala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle records how God brought that church from near extinction to become one of the greatest churches in America. He attributes the churches turn around entirely to prayer. He writes "Carol (his wife) and I have told each other more than once that if the spirit of brokenness and calling on God ever slacks off in the Brooklyn Tabernacle, we'll know we're in trouble, even if we 10,000 in attendance."[1] I have a dream of a church where prayer is a priority!
I Have a Dream of a Church Where Unity is Founded on Christ not Forced by Rules.
Paul speaks of this type of unity when he writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28 NASB).
They were united in their doctrine.
These early believers knew nothing of the division and schisms of the modern church. They simply accepted the God's Word as the rule for life. They focused more on knowing and living the Word than on trying to make the Word acceptable to a lost world. In fact, in his very first sermon Simon Peter condemned his congregation for murdering Christ. This approach would certainly not be "in style" among the touchy-feely generation of good Lord, good devil preachers we have today. It seems that Simon was more concerned about not offending God than about offending man.
The early church knew what they believed and refused to allow anyone or anything to compromise God's message. They knew what they believe because "they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching" (Acts 2:42, NASB). They were united not by background or tradition but by doctrine and truth. They practice the principle set forth by Amos; "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" (Amos 3:3 NKJV).
They were united in their direction.
Not only was the church united in doctrine they were united in direction. Luke writes that "Day by day (the believers were) continuing with one mind" (Acts 2:46 NASB). They understood their assignment it was simple enough. Jesus had told them "when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NASB). In their mind, they were to continue going and witnessing until they had saturated the world with the gospel. They did not seem to be concerned about the size of the church or the style of the worship. They simply wanted to follow Christ. They were united in their direction. I have a dream of a church unity is founded on Christ not forced by rules.
I Have a Dream of a Church Where the Holy Spirit is Released and not Restrained.
This church was filled with the Holy Spirit from the very beginning. In fact, the filling of the Holy Spirit propelled them into the public eye.
Notice the source of the Spirit’s filling.
Look at Acts 2:2, "And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting" (Acts 2:2 NASB). The filling came from heaven. It was and is a sovereign act of God. God alone can fill us. Paul teaches us in Ephesians 5:18 to seek to be continually filled. Yet, Paul recognizes that the infilling originates with and is controlled by God.
Notice the stipulation for the Spirit’s filling.
Let us continue our reading, "And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them" (Acts 2:3 NASB). In the Scripture, fire represents the cleansing purifying work of God in a person's life. Before they were filled, they had to be cleansed. Before you and I can know the filling of God's Spirit we must experience the fire of God's judgement on our sin.
Notice the subjects of the Spirit’s filling.
Please continue to read, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit …" (Acts 2:4 NASB). The subjects of the filling of the Spirit were "all" the believers. This is not some "second blessing" for the elite, super Christians. This filling by God's Spirit is for all believers who confess their sins and seek the Lord. John MacArthur said it best when he wrote, "The Spirit filled life is yielding every decision to the control of the Spirit." I have a dream of a church where the Holy Spirit is released and not restrained.
I Have a Dream of a Church Where Evangelism is a Daily Experience
not just an Annual Event.
Evangelism in our day has become something that is associated with special events. It may be a special training program or a weeklong revival meeting. This practice bears little resemblance to the practice of the first church. Luke describes their practice for us in Acts 2:40 and following.
40And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 47…And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:40-41, 47 NASB)
It is important to note that they were involved in evangelism on a daily basis. As a result the Lord continued to add, "to their number day by day those who were being saved."
Our Lord’s mandate is clear.
We are not left to wonder what God would have us to do concerning evangelism. He clearly sets forth His mandate in Acts 1:8 "but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NASB). God has called every believer to join Him on mission to redeem this sin-sick world. Therefore, we must join the Apostle Paul in declaring that, “The most important thing is that I complete my mission - the work the Lord gave me to do - to tell people the Good News about God’s grace” (Acts 20:24 NCV).
Our Lord’s method is compelling.
I am told that there are over 350 thousand residents within the city of Pittsburgh and nearly 2.5 million live in the metro-Pittsburgh area. How are we to accomplish the awesome task of proclaiming the gospel to all of Pittsburgh? The Lord has given us a simple yet compelling method. We are to "Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled" (Luke 14:23 NASB). Our task is to compel them to come in. We are simply to go and tell and trust the Father to do the rest! I have a dream of a church where evangelism is a daily experience not just an annual event.
I Have a Dream of a Church Where Discipleship is Practiced not simply Promoted.
We hear a great deal of talk about discipleship in the church. It seems almost daily that new "discipleship" plans and programs are being produced and promoted. The problem is that we have separated evangelism and discipleship. We seem to think that evangelism involves a "decision" and discipleship involves a "system." The truth is the Bible makes no such separation. For a "believer" in the New Testament to refuse baptism and not be actively involved in the church simply did not happen. You will not find any "inactive" church members in the early church. I believe we are plagued today with so called "inactive" church members because we have abandoned the Biblical pattern for evangelism and discipleship. In the first church, every believer was a disciple.
Every believer was expected to participate in Bible study.
The best tool for discipleship is the Bible. Bible study was not optional for the believers in the first century. They were expected to be present and be involved. Not to do so was the same as not believing. Notice how Luke records the emphasis on Bible study in the first church. "They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common" (Acts 2:42, 44 NASB).
Every believer was expected to grow to maturity.
The early church refused to accept the idea that some believers could remain spiritually immature. Paul scolded the Corinthians for such behavior. He wrote, "I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?" (1 Corinthians 3:2-3 NASB). Paul expressed a principle found throughout the entire New Testament, that believers are expected to grow to maturity. Paul tells us that God has given leaders to the church in order to assist in the growth of every believer. He writes that the church exists for "the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13 NASB). I have a dream of a church where discipleship is practiced not simply promoted.
I Have a Dream of a Church Where Ministry Describes What We Do not What We Expect.
The early church knew nothing of our consumer-driven, user-friendly, make-me-feel-good churches. When a person was converted, they joined a local body of believers with the full intention of being a minister not a ministry project.
They were accountable to one another.
In Acts 2:44 we are told that these early believers were "together and had all things in common" (Acts 2:44 NASB). They voluntarily submitted to one another. They were accountable to each other. They did not seek to hoard God's blessing but freely shared with each other. There were no secret agendas or power plays. They held one another accountable for ministry. When some one failed to do their part, their response was to seek to restore them to service. Today when someone fails to do their part more often than not, we seek to ignore them. Accountability is one the great needs of the modern church. Until we are willing to be held accountable for our ministry and actions we will never become the church God has called us to be.
They cared for one another.
They demonstrated their love and concern for each other by meeting one another's needs. They sold "their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need" (Acts 2:45). We see none of the attitude that cries out to the church for more things for my family or me. What we see a group of people who cared for one another and practiced the love of Christ. They had discovered the truth of Romans 12:1. They were indeed "living sacrifices." If we hope to make any impact on our families, our neighborhoods, our schools, our city, or our world we must die to self so that we might live for Christ. I have a dream of a church where ministry describes what we do not what we expect.
I Have a Dream of a Church Where Worship is Designed to Exalt God
not to Entertain Man.
Worship in the first church was all about God. They were not concerned if the lost world enjoyed or appreciated their worship. What concerned these early believers was that God accepted their worship. Notice with me the characteristics of their worship.
When they worshipped, they encountered the power and presence of God.
Acts 2:23 describes worship in the early church. "Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles" (Acts 2:43 NASB). The key word in this verse is the word “awe.” In the original, the word translated "awe" means, "to put to flight." When a person experiences the presence and power of God the only legitimate response is "awe." When we realize His holiness and our sinfulness, we will be "put to flight" because of our sin. True worship will always confront us with our sin and God's purity. True worship will cause us to want to abandon our sin and cast ourselves on God. Oh, that we may again experience the power and presence of God in worship.
Jonathan Edwards, the great preacher, and theologian of the First Great Awakening wrote of God's presence in their meetings. He noted that "the goings of God were then seen in his sanctuary, God's day was a delight, and his tabernacles were amiable."[2] He continues "the assembly in general were, from time to time, in tears while the word was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbors."[3] Indeed, they experienced God in the power of His presence.
When they worshipped, they encouraged faithfulness and fidelity among the believers.
These early believers were not morning glories who came out once a week to bless God with their presence and tip God with their giving. They “continued,” in short they refused to quit. Not only were they faithful but they were joyful. The Scripture says they continued "with gladness and sincerity of heart" (Acts 2:46). Their gladness was not the hollow, temporary kind so often seen today. Too many believers today, are so driven by circumstances that you cannot know from one week to the next if they we be "happy" or mad. These early believers possessed the "gladness or exuberant joy" that can only come from a personal and growing relationship with Christ.
When they worshipped, they evangelized their nonbelieving friends and family.
Luke tells us that these early believers were "praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47 NASB). True worship always witnesses. When nonbelievers observe God's people worshipping Him, God reveals Himself to them and draws them to Himself in repentance and faith. Worship is about God and when we worship God, He will work in and through us to call a lost world to faith in Him. According to Rick Warren, “worship is a powerful witness to unbelievers if God’s presence is felt and if the message is understandable.”[4] I have a dream of a church where worship is designed to exalt God not to entertain man.
Application
I have a dream today…
I have a dream that the gospel of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed in slums and the suburbs of Pittsburgh and in every borough and township around this great city.
I have a dream that the gospel of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed to men and women, boys and girls across this great city without regard of the color of their skin, the location of their home or the balance in their checkbook.
I have a dream today…
I have a dream of a place where hundreds, even thousands will come every weekend to worship and celebrate a living God in spirit and truth.
I have a dream of a place where hurting, broken people can come and find the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ and the new life only He can give.
I have a dream today…
I have a dream of a people committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ not only in the city Pittsburgh but also around the world.
I have a dream of a spiritual family where everyone is welcome and included, A place where members minister in the name of Christ.
I have a dream of a place where families can come and grow closer to one another and where every individual grows closer to God through Bible Study and Worship.
I have a dream today…
I have a dream of a Church, a real Church, a Church committed to Christ and His Word, a Church committed to fulfilling His Purpose and His Plan. A Church that will not be discouraged, distracted, or defeated. A Church, Christ's Church, the Church Victorious!!!!
Come join me and lets live God’s dream together?
Joel 2:28-29
Introduction
The necessity of dreams
Dreams are wonderful things. In fact, dreams are the stuff of which life is made. We all need to have dreams and visions. The book of Proverbs tells us that dreams/visions are an essential ingredient in life. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18 KJV).
The dream for a nation.
It was a hot August day, when the large crowd gathered on the Mall in our nation's capital. It had been a busy and eventful summer, but the "movement" was now meeting with a great deal of opposition.
Onto the platform that hot of August day in 1963 stepped the leader of the movement and the eyes of a nation were fixed on him. It was at that moment Martin Luther King, Jr. stepped forever onto the pages of American history. He delivered what is arguably one of the ten greatest speeches in the history of this country. King delivered his now famous "I Have a Dream" speech. In his speech he articulated the dream for an America that would live up to its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal." He cried out "I have a dream" and the people embraced the dream.
I too “Have a Dream”
But, unlike Dr. King, my dream is not simply "rooted in the American dream," as great as that is. My dream is rooted in the eternal, unchanging, and inerrant Word of God. It is a dream conceived in the heart of eternal God, purchased by the blood of the sinless Son of God, and sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit of God. It is a dream that began in the Garden of Eden, continued through the Garden of Gethsemane, and will be consummated in the eternal Garden of God.
It is a dream of a people, God's people united as one, working together as a local body of believers. It is a dream of a church, a first century church in the twenty-first century. I find the basis of my dream in opening chapters of Acts.
Please join me in Acts 1.
1A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Prayer is a Priority not just a Program.
Isaiah 56:7 (NASB) 7…For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.”
Mark 11:17 (NASB) “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den”
1B. They prayed with persistence. (Acts 1:14)
“continually” = to attend constantly
2B. They prayed with purpose. (Acts 4:23-30, key 29)
They prayed for "confidence" or "boldness" to speak God's Word.
3B. They prayed with power. (Acts 4:31)
When prayer is a priority, the power of God becomes a reality.
Jim Cymbala – Brooklyn Tabernacle, “Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire.”
"Carol (his wife) and I have told each other more than once that if the spirit of brokenness and calling on God ever slacks off in the Brooklyn Tabernacle, we'll know we're in trouble, even if we 10,000 in attendance."[5]
2A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Unity is Founded on Christ not Forced by Rules.
Galatians 3:28 (NASB) "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus"
1B. They were united in their doctrine.
Simon Peter's first sermon condemned the congregation for murdering Christ (Acts 1:22-23)
The early church knew what they believed because…(Acts 2:42)
Amos 3:3 (NKJV) 3Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?
2B. They were united in their direction. (Acts 2:46)
They understood their assignment
(Acts 1:8 NASB) "…when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth”
3A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where the Holy Spirit is Released and not Restrained.
1B. Notice the source of the Spirit’s filling. (Acts 2:2)
The filling was a sovereign act of God
Ephesians 5:18 (NASB) 18…be filled with the Spirit,
2B. Notice the stipulation for the Spirit’s filling. (Acts 2:3)
The fire represents God's judgement on our sin. (Isaiah 6)
3B. Notice the subjects of the Spirit’s filling. (Acts 2:4)
All believers are to be filled.
"The Spirit filled life is yielding every decision to the control of the Spirit." John McArthur.
4A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Evangelism is a Daily Experience not an just Annual Event.
Acts 2:40-41, 47
1B. Our Lord’s mandate is clear. (Acts 1:8)
Acts 20:24 (NCV) “The most important thing is that I complete my mission - the work the Lord gave me to do - to tell people the Good News about God’s grace.”
2B. Our Lord’s method is compelling.
Luke 14:23 (NASB) 23“And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.
5A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Discipleship is Practiced not Simply Promoted.
1B. Every believer was expected to participate in Bible study. (Acts 2:42, 44)
2B. Every believer was expected to grow to maturity.
Paul scolded the Corinthian Christians for their immaturity
1 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NASB)"I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?"
God gives leaders to the church in order to produce maturity
Ephesians 4:12b-13 (NASB) 12… the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
6A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Ministry Describes What We Do not What We Expect.
The early church knew nothing of our consumer-driven, user-friendly, make-me-feel-good churches. When a person was converted, they joined a local body of believers with the full intention of being a minister not a ministry project.
1B. They were accountable to one another. (Acts 2:44)
There were no secret agendas or power plays
Accountability is one the great needs of the modern church.
2B. They cared for one another. (Acts 2:45)
They gave selflessly.
They gave sacrificially.
Romans 12:1 (NASB) 1Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
7A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Worship is Designed to Exalt God not Entertain Man.
1B. When they worshipped, they encountered the power and presence of God. (Acts 2:43)
“awe” to put to flight
True worship will always confront us with our sin and God's purity.
True worship will cause us to want to abandon our sin and cast ourselves on God.
Jonathan Edwards noted that "the goings of God were then seen in his sanctuary, God's day was a delight, and his tabernacles were amiable."[6] He continues "the assembly in general were, from time to time, in tears while the word was preached; some weeping with sorrow and distress, others with joy and love, others with pity and concern for the souls of their neighbors."[7]
2B. When they worshipped, they encouraged faithfulness and fidelity among the believers. (Acts 2:46)
They faithfully participated in worship.
“continued” = they refused to quit.
The gladly participated in worship.
“glad” = exuberant joy
3B. When they worshipped, they evangelized their nonbelieving friends and family. (Acts 2:47)
According to Rick Warren, “worship is a powerful witness to unbelievers if God’s presence is felt and if the message is understandable.”[8]
Application
I have a dream today…
I have a dream that the gospel of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed in slums and the suburbs of Pittsburgh and in every borough and township around this great city.
I have a dream that the gospel of Jesus Christ will be proclaimed to man and woman, boy and girls in this city without regard of the color of their skin, the location of their home or the balance in their checkbook.
I have a dream today…
I have a dream of a place where hundreds, even thousands will come every weekend to worship and celebrate a living God in spirit and truth.
I have a dream of a place where hurting, broken people can come and find the love and acceptance of Jesus Christ and the new life that only He can give.
I have a dream today…
I have a dream of a people committed to sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ not only in the city of Pittsburgh but also around the world.
I have a dream of a spiritual family where everyone is welcome and included, a place where members minister in the name of Christ.
I have a dream of a place where families can come and grow closer to one another and where every individual grows closer to God through Bible Study and Worship.
I have a dream today…
I have a dream of a Church, a real Church, a Church committed to Christ and His Word, a Church committed to fulfill His Purpose and His Plan. A Church that will not be discouraged, distracted, or defeated. A Church, Christ's Church, the Church Victorious!!!!
Come join me and lets live God’s dream together?
I HAVE A DREAM
November 14, 1999 - Joel 2:28-29
1A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Prayer is a _______________ not just a ___________________.
They prayed with _______________________. (Acts 1:14)
They prayed with _____________________. (Acts 4:23-30)
They prayed with _______________________. (Acts 4:31)
2A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Unity is _______________ on Christ not Forced by Rules.
Galatians 3:28
They were united in their ___________________________.
Acts 2:42
Amos 3:3
They were united in their ___________________________.
Acts 2:46
They understood their _____________________ (Acts 1:8)
3A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where the Holy Spirit is _________________ and not Restrained.
Notice the _____________ of the Spirit’s filling. (Acts 2:2)
Notice the stipulation for the Spirit’s filling. (Acts 2:3)
Notice the _____________ of the Spirit’s filling. (Acts 2:4)
4A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Evangelism is a Daily Experience not just an _______________________ ______________________
Acts 2:40-41, 47
Our Lord’s ________________________________ is clear.
Acts 1:8; 20:24
Our Lord’s ___________________________ is compelling.
Luke 14:23
5A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Discipleship is _______________________________ not Simply Promoted.
Every believer was _____________________ to participate in Bible study. (Acts 2:42, 44)
Every believer was expected to _____________ to maturity.
1 Corinthians 3:2-3
Ephesians 4:12b-13
6A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Ministry Describes What We ______________ not What We ______________________.
They were accountable to one another. (Acts 2:44)
They ____________________ for one another. (Acts 2:45)
7A. I Have a Dream of a Church Where Worship is Designed to _____________________________ God not ____________________________ Man.
When they worshipped, they encountered the power and _________________________ of God. (Acts 2:43)
When they worshipped, they encouraged faithfulness and fidelity among the believers. (Acts 2:46)
When they worshipped, they evangelized their nonbelieving ______________________ and family. (Acts 2:47)
----
[1] Jim Cybala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, (Zondervan, Grand Rapids: 1997), 51.
[2] Jonathan Edwards, Jonathan Edwards on Revival, (Banner of Truth Trust, Carlisle, Pennsylvania: 1984), 14.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 241.
[5] Jim Cybala, Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire, (Zondervan, Grand Rapids: 1997), 51.
[6] Jonathan Edwards, Jonathan Edwards on Revival, (Banner of Truth Trust, Carlisle, Pennsylvania: 1984), 14.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995), 241.