People Reaching People

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What God Looks Like

A kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew. She would occasionally walk around to see each child’s artwork. As she go to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what her drawing was.

The girl replied, “I’m drawing God.”

The teacher paused and said, “But no one know what God looks like.”

Without missing a beat or looking up from her drawing, the little girl replied, “they will in a minute!”

You and I have a great privilege and a great responsibility. God wants US to show others what He looks like. Rather than using dreams or angels to share the good news of Jesus with people, God chooses to use people - people like US! People Reaching People.

In fact, that’s why you and I are here today because of that - People Reaching People - showing what God looks like by pointing others to Jesus.

Here’s the incredible reality: The Good News of Jesus spread from a small country 6,000 miles from us, for over 2000 years because of people reaching people. And today we will be encouraged to continue to carry the good news of Jesus to the precious people in our lives.

We see examples of this in the 1st chapter of John’s gospel, where some men who spent their first day hanging out with Jesus came back to tell their family and friends about him.

John 1:40–42 (CSB)

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”), and he brought Simon to Jesus...

Here we have one brother telling another brother about Jesus.

Then we have friends telling friends.

John 1:45–46 (CSB)

Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the law (and so did the prophets): Jesus the son of Joseph, from Nazareth.” “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him. “Come and see,” Philip answered.

Someone might say, “Well sure, if Jesus is walking around in my community, I’d be willing to bring my friends and family to Him as well, but he’s not.”

Thankfully, followers of Jesus continued to recognize that they were tasked to tell others about Jesus and help them grow in Him.

After Jesus had ascended to heaven, Simon Peter whose brother brought him to Jesus, was commanded by God to take Jesus to people of another ethnicity - Gentiles - non-Jews. At first, Peter didn’t want to go, thinking that this good news for just for Jews. So God gave him a dream that helped him understand. Around the same time, some servants of a Gentile man named Cornelius knocked on the door where Peter was staying. Peter journeyed with them and explained to Cornelius how God had corrected and sent him.

Acts 10:28–29 (CSB)

Peter said to them, “You know it’s forbidden for a Jewish man to associate with or visit a foreigner, but God has shown me that I must not call any person impure or unclean. That’s why I came without any objection when I was sent for...

Cornelius had gathered his family and friends to hear what Simon Peter had to say (Acts 10:24), and he shared the good news of Jesus with this gathering of precious people, who were of a different ethnicity.

Acts 10:43–48 (CSB)

[43-44] All the prophets testify about Him that through His Name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came down on all those who heard the message.

[45-46a] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and declaring the greatness of God.

[46b-48] Then Peter responded, “Can anyone withhold water and prevent these people from being baptized, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.

This was an amazing moment in the life of the fledgling followers of Jesus. God gave them clear evidence that these non-Jews had been forgiven and transformed into followers of Jesus.

And some might think, “Well sure, an apostle of Jesus is expected to tell others about him.” But what those who aren’t apostles or who never was able to meet Jesus face to face?

Acts 18:24–28 (CSB)

[24-25] Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism.

[26] He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.

[27-28] When he wanted to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters wrote to the disciples to welcome him. After he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

So here we have a godly couple making time to talk with a new acquaintance.

Because of their obedience, people who weren’t public speakers impacted one who WAS a public speaker, and he began to impact others with the good news of Jesus.

Later, Apollos becomes so well known to the Church in Corinth that some view him as Paul’s competition. To that Paul makes it crystal clear that there is no competition in the Kingdom.

1 Corinthians 3:5–8 (CSB)

What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

The church in Corinth had actually picked favorites - some picked Paul and others picked Apollos. But Paul won’t have any of it! There’s NO competition in the KINGdom! Paul doesn’t change lives. Neither does Apollos. Neither do YOU nor ME. God USES people as part of His plan to impact others for eternity.

Somehow some people have come to the conclusion that people can be “soul winners”, although that term is NEVER used in the New Testament. We can’t win souls - as Paul rightly notes - only God can.

This past week I was talking with a brother who has never ‘led anyone’ to Jesus. I thing several seem frustrated by that - as if they have somehow failed God.

Some people aren’t harvesters, but they plant and water. If you LIVE your faith in Jesus and SHARE your faith in Jesus, then keep it up!

If not, you need to spend time seeking Jesus in the Scriptures and spend time around some Christians who LIVE and SHARE their faith. They can show you how.

And finally, there is the impact of godly families who share the gospel daily with those who live in their homes.

2 Timothy 1:5 (CSB)

I recall your sincere faith that first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and now, I am convinced, is in you also.

Here we see a family legacy, where a grandmother and mother no doubt train Timothy to follow Jesus. Sadly, there is no mention of his father’s faith. Maybe you don’t have a godly mother or father, or grandparent.

Thankfully, even when and Mom or Dad aren’t godly, God puts others in our lives to lead us to know Jesus.

VIDEO: Willy Gamalero

I asked Willy a question:

Name the top 3-5 sermons that have impacted your life. He was silent. Then I asked him to...

Name your top 5 people who have impacted your life.

I want YOU to do the same…Name your top 5 people who have impacted your life.

Then I want you to answer this: When others are asked that question, who would name YOU?

feettofaith

Turn from sin and follow Jesus. What are you waiting on?

Make some time to THANK the 5 people who have impacted your spiritual life.

GROW in Jesus and take opportunities to SHARE Jesus with others.

If We can help you with that, we WANT to!

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Welcome New Members

Brandon & Rachel Abbott

Rey & Tania Ortiz

discussionquestions Take some time to discuss these questions with your family, friends, or group.

What challenged or encouraged you most from today’s teaching or today’s videos? Explain why.

Look back through the Biblical examples from today’s teaching and share which passages most encourage you and why.

Which is easier and more difficult for you - to share the good news of Jesus with 1) family 2) friends 3) people of the same culture 4) people of a different culture?

Why is it easier to name 5 people who have impacted your spiritual life that it is to name 5 sermons that have impacted your spiritual life? Share how some of those people have impacted your life.

Read 1 Cor 3:4-9. Why does Paul need to correct these people? What is the difference between planting and watering? How does it encourage you to know that God - not you - is responsible for the spiritual growth of others?

Share prayer needs. Continue to pray for the Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade.

Make the time to THANK those people who have encouraged you and been examples in how to follow Jesus.