Called To Shake It Up!
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 12 viewsNotes
Transcript
Pastor Dennis Peery
INTRODUCTION
HUMOR
A family had a reunion on a Saturday in California. On Sunday they all went to church. During the opening hymn, an earthquake hit. The building shook, the overhead lights swung back & forth. In true California style, they never missed a beat, even though they had to grab the pews in front to steady themselves. Following the service the Pastor came over and introduced himself to the out-of-state relatives. One shook the pastor’s hand and said with a suppressed smile, “I can honestly say this was the most moving service I’ve ever attended!”
SCRIPTURE
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 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.”
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
According to verse 9, Christ ascended until He disappeared into a cloud (I’m glad He didn’t vanish).
Evidently the disciples continued to stare at the cloud after He had disappeared.
The angels were puzzled by their continued staring – Jesus was gone! So why did they continue looking up there?
THEY REMEMBERED ALL THE GOOD TIMES WITH JESUS
When we loose a loved one we sit back and remember them the way they were in the past
We celebrate what they did and their accomplishments
Many people see their time with Jesus in the past-tense.
They always speak of the “glory-days” of the past.
For many of them, Jesus was “back there” but not here today.
Really? Jesus hasn’t changed! He’s just as much HERE TODAY as He was on the Sea of Galilee.
The problem is, we’re trying to relive the past and not get a fresh, new experience with Jesus!
POSSIBILITY: THEY WERE THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE
They’d heard Jesus say, “I am going away,” and also, “I will come again.”
They might have continued staring because they thought He would come back at any moment.
Studying Bible prophecy is good
but if that’s as far as our Christianity goes, then our application of it is misguided.
Which does God care more about?
The identity of the 10 toes in Daniel’s vision
or the lost souls in your neighborhood?
So we’re going to look at 3 reasons the angels said, “Men of Galilee, why are you standing there gazing up into heaven?”
The title of this message is “Called To Shake It Up!”
WE MUST HAVE HEAVEN’S VISION OF OUR MISSION
THE NEED FOR A VISION
The angels, with heavenly vision, knew what was truly important in eternity.
They knew there was no time to waste for the Early Church.
We also need corrected vision today
to know the mission
the goal
the right direction for the church and for our lives.
18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.
EVERY CHRISTIAN HAS THE GREAT COMMISSION
Five times in his remaining days on earth, Jesus gave some form of the Great Commission (in all 4 Gospels, Acts):
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”
8 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.”
He said the same thing 5 DIFFERENT TIMES!
We should never forget our commission to spread the good news of Jesus everywhere we go.
PEOPLE DESPERATELY NEED GOD IN THEIR LIVES
THIS LIFE FULL OF SADNESS
We wrongly assume the lost are happy without Christ.
They’re NOT! Job said that our days are
“Few…and full of trouble” Job 14:1.
Marriages fall apart.
Husbands and wives bicker, fight, and are unfaithful.
Divorce rates hover near 50%.
Jobs are lost; loved ones die before their time; there’s never enough money; children go off the deep-end and their lives are hit by a tsunami of problems.
People regularly say to me, “I’m so grateful I have Jesus! I don’t know what people do without the Lord!” They don’t do good!
We look on the outside of people and they look like they’re ok, but statistics show they’re not.
Check out the millions of sedatives and stimulants prescribed.
Psychologist’s offices are jammed.
Everywhere people are sad, filled with tragedy, addictions and depression.
VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHZiR7qCwSE
Your ability to witness and share your faith with just one person can call a chain reaction leading others to Christ.
THE GOSPEL IS THE ONLY HOPE
People will never be fulfilled without God in their lives.
They’re empty without God. There’s a sense of estrangement from the Creator.
The Bible says,
20 But the wicked are like the tossing sea,
which cannot rest,
whose waves cast up mire and mud.
21 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.”
David said, “My soul finds rest in God alone!”
People are hurting and we have the answer. Only Jesus can really improve their lives. We have to tell them!
27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
PEOPLE ARE GOD’S FOCUS
ILLUS. A Missionary was waiting in a Pastor’s office. When the Pastor entered, the missionary commented, “You have an impressive library.” Just as the proud young preacher was about to agree, the missionary said, “Too bad it’s all going to burn up some day!”
You know what, the same can be said of your car, furniture, stereo, computer and house and all the money you have in the bank. It’s all going to burn up someday, so why we invest so much in that what is temporary?
I’m not saying that God doesn’t want us to have fun, to save for our future or have some nice things.
The question is, is that our primarily focus?
Our primary focus should be on God and His kingdom – on reaching PEOPLE. Why?
Because we can take people to heaven when we go.
Because GOD’S focus is on people.
Because Jesus died for people.
Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:15,
15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
Since Jesus so loved people—we also ought to love people.
ILLUS.
Years ago in England, there was a shortage of silver. Someone came to Cromwell one day and said, “There is no more silver. We can’t mint any coins until we get some more silver.”
It was explained that the only silver that could be found was in the statutes of the saints found in the Churches.
Cromwell said, “Well, then, melt down the saints and put them into circulation.”
That’s what God wants us to do: put the “Saints” into circulation!
WE ALL HAVE A HARVEST FIELD
WE ALL HAVE A PLACE OF SERVICE
Jesus said to his disciples
37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
Every one of us has a field we’re supposed to harvest.
It’s the people around us who are separated from God/ Jesus by their sins.
Jesus’ priority; “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Lk. 19:10.
God put you in Florissant St Charles, St Peters, or where ever you are from to wit,ess for Christ!
That is your Mission Field!
GOD put you and I here to reach our neighbors, our co-workers, and our friends with the Good News of the Gospel.
THERE IS URGENCY IN THIS CALL
We should have an insatiable desire to reach people for the kingdom of God.
Many Christians are too busy with earthy pursuits and the things of this world to realize the URGENCY of the multitudes of lost people going to Hell without Christ.
People are dying and going to Hell: 55 million/ year, 153,000/day, 6,400/hour, 106/minute – 9,589 will die and go to Hell during this service! Do you care?
WE MUST SHARE THE GOOD NEWS… ETERNITY MATTERS
HOW CAN I MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
I’ll tell you 4 ways you can easily work your Harvest Field where ever you live.
Simply invite friends and acquaintances to church.
Another way is send out a link on Facebook to a church event inviting people to attend.
Third, develop relationships with your neighbors that can open doors of evangelism.
Learn the “Roman Road” and lead someone to Christ.
Lastly, every believer should give monetarily to get the Gospel to the rest of the world.
Did you know YOU can be a partner in supporting a missionary on a foreign mission field?
May God help us to answer the call to the vineyard God has given us.
CONCLUSION
ILLUSTRATION: STRAYING FROM THE WITNESS SCRIPT IN APHGHANISTAN
Philip Yancey told of an American musical team on a recent tour of the Middle East. The door opened for an engagement in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Their leader strictly warned them not to stray from the prepared script. Dire consequences could follow. They sang folk tunes and songs about God’s love. All was uneventful until one member of the team put down his guitar and began to improvise.
“I’d like to tell you about my best friend, a man named Jesus, and the difference He has made in my life.” From the side of the stage, the team leader motioned wildly for him to stop. He gestured the cut-your-throat motions. The young man went on with his testimony.
Then the Minister of Cultural Affairs for Afghanistan stood and walked to the stage. “We have seen many American young people come through this country,” he said. “Most of them come for drugs, and most look like hippies. We have not seen or heard from people like you. God’s love is a message my country needs. How thrilled I am to hear you!”
Then he publicly invited the group to expand their tour to visit every college and faculty in the nation and to give this same message on Kabul Radio. The minister added, “I will make it happen.”
The response was amazing. Afghan young people crowd around: “Tell me more about this Jesus—we know of Him from the Qur’an.” Some asked to pray with the American teenagers. Many wanted to know how faith had changed them. (Philip Yancey, “A Living Stream in the Desert,” Christianity Today. Nov. 2010, 30-35.) [Austin B. Tucker]
THE CALL
As I was thinking about this message, the Lord laid on me to give YOU the assignment to witness to 3 people in the next two weeks and possibly share it in church if God leads.
How many will raise your hand, saying, “With God’s help, I’ll try to witness to, or invite to church, 3 people in the next two weeks!” Good! Remember, the Lord and me will hold you to your promise.
With every head bowed an eyes closed.
God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life. If you’ve never begun your walk with God, but want to start this morning, raise your hand.
How many of you need a new vision of the Harvest field? Let’s all pray for a burning zeal/urgency to reach our families, co-workers, friends and neighbors before Jesus comes back!
PRAYER.