one plus One pt 2
One Plus One pt 2.doc SD21
June 1, 2008 File: E
Part Four—“The Believers Senior Partner”
One Plus One = ?
(Part Two)
--From a message by John Maxwell--
Review
Story of D.L. Moody—just one man—one regular man who decided to be the man Henry Varley was talking about when he said:
"The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man, who is fully consecrated to Him." – Henry Varley
What is God looking for in a partner? Acts 3:1-10
What can we be doing?
How can we become His partners?
How can His power work through us?
So that 1+1 does not equal two—but equal an unlimited array of possibilities—
What God is looking for in a partner to work with
1. Someone who is already doing the right thing
Acts 3:1 “…on the way to pray…”
2. Someone who is willing to be interrupted. 3:2-3
“…beggar asked for help…”
3. Someone who pays attention to needs—of other people..v4
God is concerned about people
Jesus died for people—People need the Lord!
Are you concerned about people???
And that brings us to today’s message and the fourth quality to be found in the type of people God is looking to partner with to give Himself to the world…
God so loved that He gave!!!
He gave the very best! His one and only Son!
He will teach us to be givers too! To give through us!
4. People who inspire hope in others vv. 4-5
They are encouragers—they motivate people
...And the reason is because whenever they come into the crowd they always have something to pass on...
v.4-5 "...And fixing his eyes on him, with john, Peter said, "Look at us." So he gave them his attention, (and here it is; listen to this) expecting to receive something from them."
Here is the person who always contributes in a positive way to their environment—people expect something from them—something positive!!!!
Work, school, home,
They are fun to be around!
They are thinking more of others than themselves
Do you know what the acid test of a lifestyle-giver is...I am talking about givers in life...not money givers...it has little to do with money...
there are takers and givers and...it has everything to do with what you give and what you take from life...
The acid test of a giver is that people want to be around givers...and the reason is, is that they always receive something...and what they receive most is a good feeling about themselves...when they are around people who are givers...
Here is a little secret to becoming that kind of person---it will take constant vigilance until it becomes second nature…
“Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are in making them feel good about you.”—John Maxwell
Just change your focus from yourself to others...
When you walk into a room don't say to yourself..."I hope I am dressed alright, I hope they accept me, I hope they talk to me. I hope they like me. I hope they see me. I hope they say something to me! Oh, I just hope they do...
Giving people walk into the place and they are not focused on themselves.
They are looking at other people wondering. How can I make their day? What can I say to them that will encourage them. What can I do to help them? They are always other-focused.
And God uses people like that!!!!
You don't have to be talented or smart or good-looking!
All you have to be is concerned about others.
Ask questions about them.
Listen to them!
Hear what they have to say.
Do more listening than talking!!!!!
There are some people that it is hard to be around...they drain you...because they are always talking about themselves and their families and their needs and their problems and their achievements and their goals...on and on and on...and it drains you...
But their are other people who you just want to be with...because they know how to talk to you...and they add to the conversation and they are concerned about something beside themselves...
5. God uses people who use what they have… v.6
Givers always find a way to give...
Peter didn't try to give what he didn't possess...but he did give what he had ...he gave his faith.
A giver is always a giver...even when they don't have anything to give...they will always find a way to give of themselves...
Some way to share...some way to care...
They will write a note, they will call you on the phone...they will encourage you, they will say a kind word...
A giver will always find a way to contribute...and a taker will always find a way to steal...to take!
"There are two kinds of people on earth today,
Just two kinds of people, no more, I say.
Not the good and the bad, for 'tis well understood
That the good are half-bad and the bad half-good
No! The two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are the people who lift and the people who lean."
Are you a lifter or a leaner? God is looking to partner with anyone with a heart to help others…to lift them up!
6. People who realize their source of giving is in God v.6
People who have something to give know that they don't have anything to give that has not come from God...Peter knew that!!
"In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth!!!!"
“Not by might, not by power but by My Spirit,” says the Lord.
Peter and John trusted in and relied on the power and ability of God---not only his ability but His availability to use them where they were…
I don’t know how many times they passed this gate before…this man was brought here daily. Jesus may have passed him by…and not healed him…(God has a time for everything—he has time for you)
But today was the day! It was the time for this beggar and it was the time for Peter and John…and it was time for the Gospel in Jerusalem to spread out more and more!
God uses Peter and John—because they relied on Him and followed the leading of the Holy Spirit…
We don’t have silver and gold---we do have Jesus!
In Jesus Name—get up!
God always partners with man...There is not a significant event since creation that God has brought to pass without the assistance of man...it is an interesting study...
PPT God Partners with people!!! Whose source is in Him!!!
Here is the Partnership:
God supplies we share (Give)
God is the creator we are the channel
God pours it in we pass it on
We are in trouble:
When we become independent and think that we are the source and supply.
Or
When we feel inadequate---and that inadequacy says that there is no source or supply.--
God wants to have a partnership with you!!!!!!
And he really doesn't care much who he flows through as long as they are consecrated...
Any old bush will do if God is in it!
When God is in it he can set it on fire! Without it getting burned
7. God uses people who are willing to try and trust God to do the rest. v.7 (read)
It was an act of faith! Moved by the Spirit. He put his own reputation on the line….more concerned for that man and for God’s glory than himself.
Peter just did what he could! And left the miracle part to God!
8. God uses people who want God to receive the glory vs.11-12
People who are unwilling to take the glory to themselves...
look at verse 11-12 (read)
Peter gave glory to God!!!
He pointed people to Jesus!
Friends we can partner with God to be life-givers today
To be people who are becoming more and more like Christ!
People who are just seeking to walk daily in the Word and Work of the Holy Spirit our Senior Partner…
Wouldn’t you like to the kind of person described in our outline today????
Won’t you say YES to His work in your life and then daily apply yourself to follow the leading of the Lord….
What could happen in your world (your family, your city, your school, your workplace)…if you became the man right where you are that Henry Varley was describing…a partner with God…
"The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man or woman, boy or girl who is fully consecrated to Him."
Will you be just ½ that person????
Will you decide to simply be more???
The Believer’s Senior Partner
Part Five
one + ONE = ???
"The world has yet to see what God will do with and for and through and in and by the man, who is fully consecrated to Him." – Henry Varley
Acts 3:1-10
What type of person does God partner with to bless others?
1. v.1
2. vs.2-3
“Interruptions can be viewed as sources of irritation or opportunities for service, as moments lost or experience gained, as time wasted or horizons widened. They can annoy us or enrich us, get under our skin or give us a shot in the arm, monopolize our minutes or spice our schedules, depending on our attitude toward them.” – William A. Ward (as quoted by John Maxwell)
3. v.4
Givers are not people with less need than others. They are people who believe it is more blessed to give than receive.
4. vs.4-5
“Be more concerned about making others feel good about themselves than you are in making them feel good about you.”—John Maxwell
5. v.6
Giving people always find ways to give
6. v.6
God we
God is the we are the
God we
7. v.7
8. v.11-12