PURSUED: “A Promise Bigger Than You”
God pursuing a people so that, through those people, He can rescue the world.
Genesis 11:4, “Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.”
Genesis 12:2-3, “Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
1. FAITH THAT MOVES
God wasn't just changing Abraham's address.
God was changing Abraham's identity.
Because when God calls you out of the familiar to go, fear will give you a thousand reasons to stay.
Faith doesn't require possession of the entire map.
Faith requires confidence in the One giving the next direction.
Hebrews 11:8, By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.
The deeper the trust, the fewer details needed.
Genesis 12:4, “So Abram went, as the LORD had told him.”
Sometimes obedience is the loudest “amen” you can give God.
FAITH MOVES BEFORE IT HAS THE MAP.
Embracing God's promise does not mean you will make no mistakes in the process.
Abraham's story isn't ultimately the story of a great man holding onto God.
It's the story of a faithful God refusing to let go of a flawed man.
Grace doesn't merely meet you at the destination.
Grace develops you on the journey.
God's blessing is not something you merely possess. It is something you pass.
Galatians 3:8, “The Scripture…preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘In you shall all the nations be blessed.’”
2. FAITH THAT WAITS
Genesis 15:1–6, After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great.” But Abram said, “O Lord GOD, what will you give me, for I continue childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir.” And behold, the word of the LORD came to him: “This man shall not be your heir; your very own son shall be your heir.” And he brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” And he believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:5, “Look toward heaven, and number the stars… So shall your offspring be.”
“Abraham…look up.”
FAITH DOES NOT CREATE GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. FAITH RESTS IN IT.
Genesis 15:6, “He believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness.”
Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.”
James 2:22, “Faith was active along with his works…
Genesis 17:19: “Sarah your wife shall bear you a son… and you shall call his name Isaac.”
Genesis 21:1, “The LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did to Sarah as he had promised.”
Abraham’s mistake wasn’t wanting the promise.
His mistake was trying to control the process.
You can believe in the right promise and still reach for the wrong process.
Faith means trusting God with both the promise and the process.
3. FAITH THAT SURRENDERS
Genesis 22:1-2, “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, "Here I am." He said, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you."
Faith has to trust God with where you came from and where you are going.
Faith is obedience that keeps walking while the heart is breaking.
Genesis 22:6, “Abraham took the wood… and laid it on Isaac his son.”
John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Abraham anticipated the Lamb.
The prophets promised the Lamb.
John identified the Lamb.
Jesus became the Lamb.
THE TESTIMONY ISN’T “LOOK WHAT I GAVE GOD.” IT’S “LOOK WHAT GOD PROVIDED FOR ME.”
Strong faith doesn't come down the mountain mainly talking about what it surrendered.
Strong faith comes down talking about what God supplied.
Isaac is a beloved son.
Jesus is the beloved Son.
Isaac is the son of promise.
Jesus is the fulfillment of God’s promise.
Isaac is offered by his father.
Jesus is given by the Father.
Isaac carries the wood for the sacrifice.
Jesus carries the cross.
Isaac goes willingly with his father.
Jesus willingly goes to the cross.
Isaac asks, “Where is the lamb?”
Jesus is the Lamb.
Abraham says, “God Himself will provide the lamb.”
In Jesus, God provides the sacrifice.
Isaac is bound and laid on the wood.
Jesus is nailed to the cross.
Isaac is received back from death figuratively.
Jesus is raised from the dead literally.
A ram dies in Isaac’s place.
Jesus dies in our place.
Romans 8:32, “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all…”
You are not saved because you climbed Abraham's mountain.
You are saved because Jesus climbed Calvary's hill.
Galatians 3:29, “If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise.”
4. THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Sin often becomes systematic before anyone notices it has become generational.
What one generation leaves unexamined, the next may learn to accept as normal
In Christ, your family history may explain you, but it does not have to imprison you.
What ran in your family can stop at the cross.
What begins at the cross can begin running through your family.
Psalm 78:6-7, “That the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn… so that they should set their hope in God.”
GOD’S PROMISE TO YOU MAY NEVER HAVE BEEN ONLY ABOUT YOU.
CONCLUSION: A PROMISE BIGGER THAN YOU
Faith moves.
The promise is bigger than your comfort.
Faith waits.
The promise is bigger than your timeline.
Faith surrenders.
The promise is bigger than the gift you’re building.
Christianity does not begin with what you surrender to God.
It begins with what God surrendered for you.
What if the faithfulness God is asking from you today becomes the blessing someone else walks in tomorrow?
PURSUED: “Grace In The Storm”
WHEN THE WORLD WAS DROWNING IN SIN, GOD WAS STILL MAKING A WAY TO SAVE.
Genesis 6:5-8, “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. 6 So the Lord was sorry he had ever made them and put them on the earth. It broke his heart. 7 And the Lord said, “I will wipe this human race I have created from the face of the earth. Yes, and I will destroy every living thing—all the people, the large animals, the small animals that scurry along the ground, and even the birds of the sky. I am sorry I ever made them.” 8 But Noah found favor with the Lord.”
Genesis 6:9-13, “This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God. 10 Noah was the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 Now God saw that the earth had become corrupt and was filled with violence. 12 God observed all this corruption in the world, for everyone on earth was corrupt. 13 So God said to Noah, “I have decided to destroy all living creatures, for they have filled the earth with violence. Yes, I will wipe them all out along with the earth!”
Week 1: ADAM HIDES. GOD SEARCHES.
Week 2: HUMANITY FALLS. GOD PROVIDES A WAY
TRUTH: GRACE DOESN’T MEAN THERE IS NO STORM. GRACE MEANS GOD PROVIDES A WAY THROUGH THE STORM
GOD DOESN’T ABANDON PEOPLE IN THE STORM; HE MAKES A WAY THROUGH IT.
1. THE WORLD WAS BROKEN…BUT GOD STILL SAW ONE
Genesis 6:5, “The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.”
Genesis 6:8, “8But Noah found favor with the Lord.”
**NOAH WASN’T LIVING IN A PERFECT WORLD. HE WAS LIVING FAITHFULLY IN A BROKEN ONE.
Genesis 6:9, “Noah was a righteous man, the only blameless person living on earth at the time, and he walked in close fellowship with God.”
**YOU CAN’T CONTROL THE WORLD AROUND YOU…BUT YOU CAN CONTROL HOW YOU WALK THROUGH IT.
2. GRACE BUILDS AN ARK BEFORE THE RAIN
Genesis 6:14, “14Build a large boat from cypress wood and waterproof it with tar, inside and out.”
TRUTH: FAITH MEANS BUILDING BEFORE YOU SEE THE BLESSING
Hebrews 11:7, “It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.”
**FAITH ISN’T PRETENDING SOMETHING EXISTS WHEN IT DOESN’T.
**FAITH IS TRUSTING GOD’S WORD ENOUGH TO BEGIN BUILDING BEFORE YOU SEE THE FINISHED PRODUCT.
3. GOD REMEMBERED NOAH IN THE STORM
Genesis 8:1, “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat.”
TRUTH: WHEN THE BIBLE SAYS, “GOD REMEMBERED,” IT OFTEN MEANS GOD IS ABOUT TO MOVE.
**YOU MAY FEEL FORGOTTEN IN THE STORM, BUT FEELING FORGOTTEN ISN’T THE SAME AS BEING FORGOTTEN.
4. GOD’S GRACE ALWAYS POINTS TOWARD A NEW BEGINNING
Genesis 9:12-13, “Then God said, “I am giving you a sign of my covenant with you and with all living creatures, for all generations to come. 13 I have placed my rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my covenant with you and with all the earth.”
TRUTH: THE RAINBOW ISN’T PRIMARILY A SYMBOL OF A STORM. IT’S A SYMBOL OF GOD’S PROMISE AFTER THE STORM.
1 Peter 3:20-21, “…those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat. Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood. 21 And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
John 10:9, “Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved.”
THE INCREDIBLE PARALLEL:
NOAH HAD AN ARK
WE HAVE CHRIST
NOAH HAD A DOOR
JESUS IS THE DOOR
NOAH ENTERED BY FAITH
WE ENTER BY FAITH
NOAH WAS PRESERVED THROUGH JUDGMENT
JESUS SAVES US FROM THE JUDGMENT OUR SIN DESERVE
PURSUED: “The Search Begins”
Genesis 3:8-9, “When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So, they hid from the Lord God among the trees.9 Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
KEY THOUGHT: SIN MADE HUMANITY HIDE, BUT GRACE MADE GOD SEEK.
BOTTOM LINE: YOU MAY HAVE SPENT YOUR LIFE RUNNING FROM GOD, BUT YOU HAVE NEVER LIVED A MOMENT WHEN GOD STOPPED PURSUING YOU.
Genesis 1: GOD CREATES
Genesis 2: GOD BLESSES. GOD PROVIDES
Genesis 3: THE DEVIL MAKES US QUESTION: GOD’S CREATION, GOD’S BLESSINGS, AND GOD’S PROVISION.
1. SIN MAKES US HIDE
Genesis 3:6-8, “The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. 7 At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.
8When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees.”
*SIN DOESN’T JUST CHANGE WHAT YOU DO. SIN CHANGES HOW YOU SEE YOURSELF.
CONVICTION SAYS: “I DID SOMETHING WRONG.”
SHAME SAYS, “I AM SOMETHING WRONG.”
TRUTH: THE VERY PERSON WHO CAN HEAL WHAT WE’VE BROKEN BECOMES THE VERY PERSON WE’RE AFRAID TO APPROACH.
**YOUR SIN CAN DISRUPT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD, BUT IT CANNOT MAKE GOD STOP LOVING YOU.
2. GOD COMES LOOKING
Genesis 3:9, “9Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
TRUTH: “WHERE ARE YOU?” ISN’T A LOCATION QUESTION. IT’S A RELATIONSHIP QUESTION.
Luke 19:10, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
GRACE: GOD MOVING TOWARD PEOPLE WHO ARE MOVING AWAY FROM HIM.
3. GOD COVERS WHAT WE CANNOT
Genesis 3:21, “And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.”
RELIGION SAYS: “COVER YOURSELF.”
GRACE SAYS: “LET GOD COVER YOU.”
Isaiah 61:10, “I am overwhelmed with joy in the Lord my God! For he has dressed me with the clothing of salvation and draped me in a robe of righteousness. I am like a bridegroom dressed for his wedding or a bride with her jewels.”
Galatians 3:27, “And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.”
Revelation 7:14, “And I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who knows.” Then he said to me, “These are the ones who died in the great tribulation. They have washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white.”
Genesis: Begins with God clothing guilty humanity.
Revelation: Ends with redeemed humanity clothed in righteousness.
4. THE SEARCH WILL END AT HOME
Revelation 21:3-4, “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”
Revelation 22:1-3, “Then the angel showed me a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.
3 No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him.”
**THE BIBLE BEGINS WITH HUMANITY HIDING FROM GOD IN A GARDEN AND ENDS WITH HUMANITY LIVING WITH GOD IN A RESTORED GARDEN.
THE FULL BIBLE IN ONE SENTENCE:
“THE BIBLE IS THE STORY OF GOD PURSUING PEOPLE WHO KEEP RUNNING AWAY FROM HIM UNTIL ONE DAY HE BRINGS THEM HOME.”
WHAT DO I DO?
STOP HIDING
STOP COVERING
START RESPONDING
REMEMBER YOU ARE PURSUED
IT CAN’T HAPPEN ALONE
“God’s Vision Requires Participation”
TRUTH: GOD CAN GIVE YOU A VISION, BUT WON’T BUILD IT WITHOUT YOU
Numbers 14:1-4, “Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night.2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”
Numbers 14:26-30, “6 Then the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, 27 “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me. 28 Now tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say. 29 You will all drop dead in this wilderness! Because you complained against me, every one of you who is twenty years old or older and was included in the registration will die. 30 You will not enter and occupy the land I swore to give you. The only exceptions will be Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.”
Numbers 14:34-35, “‘Because your men explored the land for forty days, you must wander in the wilderness for forty years—a year for each day, suffering the consequences of your sins. Then you will discover what it is like to have me for an enemy.’ 35 I, the Lord, have spoken! I will certainly do these things to every member of the community who has conspired against me. They will be destroyed here in this wilderness, and here they will die!”
THE DISTANCE BETWEEN WHERE GOD HAS BROUGHT US AND WHERE GOD WANTS TO TAKE US ISN’T DETERMINED ONLY BY GOD’S PROMISE…IT IS AFFECTED BY OUR WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE
TRUTH: VISION DOESN’T HAPPEN BECAUSE SOMEBODY SEES IT. VISION HAPPENS BECAUSE SOMEBODY IS WILLING TO BUILD IT
OUR PART
1. GOD GIVES THE PROMISE, BUT PEOPLE HAVE TO POSSESS IT
Deuteronomy 1:6-8, “When we were at Mount Sinai, the Lord our God said to us, ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough. 7 It is time to break camp and move on. Go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the neighboring regions—the Jordan Valley, the hill country, the western foothills, the Negev, and the coastal plain. Go to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon, and all the way to the great Euphrates River. 8 Look, I am giving all this land to you! Go in and occupy it, for it is the land the Lord swore to give to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to all their descendants.’”
GOD PROVIDES THE PROMISE. WE PROVIDE THE PARTICIPATION
TRUTH: A GOD-GIVEN VISION IS NEVER A GOD-ONLY RESPONSIBILITY
2. COMPLAINING CAN TURN AN ELEVEN-DAY JOURNEY INTO FORTY YEARS
Deuteronomy 1:2, “Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir.”
COMPLAINING DOESN’T JUST DESCRIBE A CULTURE…COMPLAINING CREATES A CULTURE.
AND EVENTUALLY A CULTURE OF COMPLAINING BECOMES A CULTURE OF RESISTANCE.
TRUTH: YOU CAN BE PHYSICALLY MOVING WHILE SPIRITUALLY GOING NOWHERE.
3. YOU DON’T JUST ATTEND A VISION; YOU CARRY IT
1 Corinthians 12:14-17, “14Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?”
The Church Was Never Meant To Be: PASTOR + STAFF = MINISTRY
It’s Supposed To Be: PASTOR + STAFF + EVERY BELIEVER = MINISTRY
ASK YOURSELF: “WHAT DO I HAVE IN MY HANDS THAT I’M WILLING TO PUT IN GOD’S HANDS?”
4. VISION REQUIRES ALL OF US
Nehemiah 2:18, “Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.
They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.”
THE VISION IS ONLY AS BIG AS OUR WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN IT
COMMITMENT OF PARTICIPATION
FIND YOUR PLACE
FIND YOUR FAITH
FIND YOUR PEOPLE
FIND YOUR “YES”
DON’T WATCH THE VISION…BUILD THE VISION
ONE TOUCH
Mark 5:25-34, “A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. 26 She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. 28 For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.
30 Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
31 His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’”
32 But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
**JESUS IS STILL THE HEALER, AND WHATEVER PAIN YOU CARRY, YOU CAN BRING IT TO HIM
Psalm 103:2-3, “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. 3 He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.”
GOD STILL HEALS
1.BELIEVE HE CAN
Mark 5:27, “She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.”
Exodus 15:26, “He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.”
**FAITH DOESN’T DENY THE DIAGNOSIS; FAITH DECLARES THAT THE DIAGNOSIS DOESN’T GET THE FINAL WORD
Faith isn’t saying:“I AM NOT SICK.”
Faith says:“I MAY BE SICK, BUT GOD IS STILL GOD.”
2.BRING YOUR PAIN TO JESUS
Mark 5:28, “For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.”
TRUTH: YOU CAN BE CLOSE TO JESUS WITHOUT EVER REACHING FOR JESUS
3.ASK WITH FAITH
Mark 5: 28-29, “For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.”
Mark 11:24, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
TRUTH: PRAYER ISN’T INFORMING GOD ABOUT SOMETHING HE DOESN’T KNOW. PRAYER IS INVITING GOD INTO SOMETHING YOU CANNOT FIX
**FAITH DOESN’T TELL GOD WHAT HE MUST DO; FAITH TRUSTS GOD WITH WHAT HE CHOOSES TO DO
4.TRUST THE HEALER
Mark 5:34, “And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.”
**SOMETIMES THE MIRACLE ISN’T SIMPLY THAT THE PAIN DISAPPEARS; THE MIRACLE IS THAT JESUS MEETS YOU IN THE PAIN.
Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
TRUTH: OUR ULTIMATE HOPE ISN’T THAT JESUS WILL EVENTUALLY HEAL EVERYTHING IN THIS LIFE. OUR ULTIMATE HOPE IS THAT JESUS WILL EVENTUALLY HEAL EVERYTHING FOREVER.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION:
“HOW TO PRAY FOR HEALING”
ASK SPECIFICALLY…“Jesus, heal my…”
ASK BOLDLY…“Jesus, I believe You can.”
ASK PERSISTENTLY…“Keep Praying”
SURRENDER COMPLETELY…“Jesus, I trust You with the outcome.
MISSION POSSIBLE Part 4
My Story
Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
TRUTH: YOU DON’T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT THE BIBLE TO TELL SOMEONE WHAT JESUS HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE.
John 9:1-11, “As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
8 His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9 Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!”
10 They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?”
11 He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!”
John 9:24-25, “24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.” 25 “I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”
BIG IDEA: YOUR TESTIMONY IS SIMPLY THE STORY OF WHAT JESUS HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE…AND NOBODY CAN TELL THAT STORY BETTER THAN YOU.
**YOUR STORY COULD BE THE BRIDGE THAT HELPS SOMEBODY ELSE FIND JESUS.
MY STORY
1. REMEMBER YOUR BEFORE
**YOUR HAVE TO REMEMBER WHERE JESUS FOUND YOU.
Titus 3:3-5, “Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But — When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.”
TRUTH: YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE ASHAMED OF YOUR “BEFORE” TO CELEBRATE YOUR “AFTER”.
Ephesians 2:1-2;4-5, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)”
**YOUR TESTIMONY IS A STORY OF INTERRUPTION
TRUTH: YOUR TESTIMONY ISN’T ABOUT HOW FAR YOU FELL…IT’S ABOUT HOW FAR GRACE REACHED
2. TELL THE MOMENT YOU MET JESUS
**DON’T JUST TELL PEOPLE WHAT CHANGED…TELL THEM WHO CHANGED IT.
John 4:28-30, “The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.”
TRUTH: YOUR TESTIMONY DOESN’T HAVE TO ANSWER EVERY QUESTION TO START A CONVERSATION.
3. SHOW PEOPLE THE DIFFERENCE IN YOU
**YOUR LIFE IS EVIDENCE.
2 Corinthians 5:17, “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
TRUTH: THE GREATEST EVIDENCE THAT JESUS CHANGED YOUR LIFE ISN’T THAT YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT PAST. IT’S THAT YOU’RE BECOMING A DIFFERENT PERSON.
4. SHARE YOUR STORY
Revelation 12:11, “And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.”
1 Peter 3:15, “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
**YOUR TESTIMONY IS NOT JUST WHAT GOD DID FOR YOU…IT’S WHAT GOD WANTS TO DO THROUGH YOU.
TELL YOUR STORY
1. BEFORE – 60 seconds
Who was I?
What was missing?
What was I struggling with?
2. JESUS – 60 seconds
How did I encounter Him?
Who introduced me?
What did I realize? What happened?
3. AFTER – 60 seconds
What’s different?
What is Jesus doing now?
What hope do I have now?
MISSION POSSIBLE Part 3
The Towel
Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
**SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO TELL PEOPLE JESUS LOVES THEM IS TO LOVE THEM WHEN THEY NEED IT THE MOST.
John 13:3-5, “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
BIG IDEA: EVANGELISM ISN’T ONLY TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT JESUS. SOMETIMES EVANGELISM IS SHOWING PEOPLE WHAT JESUS IS LIKE.
BECAUSE…WHEN PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THE LOVE OF JESUS THROUGH US, WE CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO ENCOUNTER JESUS THEMSELVES.
SERVING WITH IMPACT
1.SEE THE NEED
John 13:3-5, “Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. 4 So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.”
Philippians 2:4, “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.”
TRUTH: EVANGELISM BEGINS WITH PAYING ATTENTION.
**COMPASSION ISN’T JUST SEEING SOMEONE’S PAIN. COMPASSION IS ALLOWING THEIR PAIN TO CHANGE YOUR PLANS.
2.SERVE WITHOUT EXPECTING SOMETHING IN RETURN
TRUTH: JESUS SERVED PEOPLE WHO COULDN’T REPAY HIM.
John 13:12-16, “After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am.14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message.”
Luke 6:35, “Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid.”
**JESUS DOESN’T CALL US TO TRANSACTIONAL LOVE…HE CALLS US TO TRANSFORMATIONAL LOVE.
3.MEET THE NEED BEFORE YOU MAKE THE POINT
1 John 3:16-18, “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
TRUTH: SOMETIMES THE GOSPEL SOUNDS BETTER AFTER YOU’VE HELPED CARRY THE BURDEN.
**PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER THE BIBLE VERSE YOU QUOTED, BUT THEY’LL REMEMBER THAT YOU SHOWED UP WHEN THEY NEEDED SOMEBODY.
4.LET YOUR LOVE POINT PEOPLE TO JESUS
Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
John 13:34-35, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
TRUTH: YOUR GOOD WORKS SHOULD CREATE QUESTIONS THAT YOUR WORDS CAN ANSWER.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SERVICE AND CHRISTIAN SERVICE:
SERVICE: ANYBODY CAN SERVE
CHRISTIAN SERVICE: SERVING THAT REVEALS JESUS
PRACTICAL CHRISTIAN SERVICE
NOTICE IT (SEE THE NEED)
NEED IT (ASK GOD HOW YOU CAN MEET IT)
DO IT (SERVE WITHOUT WAITING)
EXPLAIN IT (WHEN THEY ASK, TELL THEM ABOUT JESUS
MISSION POSSIBLE Part 2
Everyday Mission
Matthew 28:18-20, “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
BIG IDEA: YOU DON’T HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE SPECIAL TO LIVE ON MISSION. YOU JUST HAVE TO SEE WHERE YOU ALREADY ARE AS A PLACE GOD HAS SENT YOU.
BIG QUESTION: WHAT IF THE PEOPLE YOU ENCOUNTER EVERY DAY AREN’T INTERRUPTIONS TO YOUR MISSION…WHAT IF THEY ARE YOUR MISSION?
YOUR EVERYDAY MISSION
1.SEE YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE AS YOUR MISSION FIELD
TRUTH: WHERE YOU ARE ISN’T RANDOM.
Acts 17:26-27, “From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.”
Colossians 4:5, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.”
GOD DOESN’T NEED YOU TO CHANGE YOUR LOCATION BEFORE HE CAN USE YOUR LIFE.
**YOUR LOCATION MAY BE ORDINARY, BUT YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS ETERNAL.
2.BUILD RELATIONSHIPS BEFORE YOU BUILD OPPORTUNITIES
TRUTH: EVANGELISM STARTS WITH PEOPLE, NOT PRESENTATIONS.
1 Thessalonians 2:8, “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.”
1 Corinthians 9:22, “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”
**JESUS DIDN’T TREAT PEOPLE LIKE PROJECTS…HE TREATED PEOPLE LIKE PEOPLE.
PEOPLE DON’T NEED ANOTHER CHRISTIAN TALKING AT THEM. THEY NEED A CHRISTIAN WILLING TO WALK WITH THEM.
3.TURN ORDINARY CONVERSATIONS INTO SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS
**LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THE DOORWAY.
Colossians 4:5-6, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.”
1 Peter 3:15, “Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.”
TRUTH: YOU DON’T FORCE SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS. YOU RECOGNIZE SPIRITUAL OPENINGS.
THE SPIRITUAL BRIDGE
LISTEN → ASK → SHARE
4.LET YOUR LIFE MAKE YOUR WORDS BELIEVABLE
TRUTH: YOUR LIFESTYLE IS PART OF YOUR WITNESS.
Matthew 5:16, “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”
John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
YOUR WORKPLACE MAY BE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE EVER READ.
TRUTH: WE BECOME A BAD ADVERTISEMENT FOR A GOOD GOSPEL.
THE EVERYDAY EVANGELISM EQUATION
SEE IT…Recognize your everyday relationships as mission.
LIVE IT…Let your life reflect Jesus.
TALK IT…Learn to have spiritual conversations.
SHARE IT…Tell people what Jesus has done.