Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Revolutionary significance week 1





     The book of Acts begins with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the commencement of proclaiming salvation in Jesus Christ.
     This Spirit-inspired evangelism began in Jerusalem with a small group of disciples, the message traveled across the globe, turning the world upside down.
     Empowered by the Holy Spirit, these courageous passionate followers preached, taught and healed.
     Demonstrating love in synagogues, schools, homes, marketplaces, and courtrooms; on streets, hills, ships, and desert roads wherever God sent them, lives and history were changed.
     God has created that desire in each one of our hearts.
     True happiness and fulfillment is found in discovering that specific purpose then pursuing it passionately.   

Acts 9:36-42 NLT [36] "There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. [37] About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. [38] But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, "Please come as soon as possible!" [39] So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Tabitha had made for them. [40] But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, "Get up, Tabitha." And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! [41] He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive. [42] The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord."

This is an amazing story. Tabitha was having a compelling impact on her world, living a life of revolutionary significance.
     How do we live a life of revolutionary significance?

1.      Start following Jesus.
1.      Tabitha was a disciple, a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ.
1.      Most likely, she became a Christian as a result of other believers coming to her town and sharing the good news about Jesus Christ.
Acts 8:1, 4 NLT 1b "A great wave of persecution began that day, [4] But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went."

2.      We live in a world that seeks significance through prestige, possessions or pleasure.
1.      These things, though not necessarily wrong in themselves, dont have eternal value.
2.      What matters most is "knowing God" and living to love and please Him.
3.      Jesus Himself said a number of times that many people who seem "first" in this life will be ‘"last" in eternity while many people who seem "last" in this life will be "first", or truly significant, in eternity.
1.      We must live our life from an eternal perspective.
4.      Its also imperative to realize that it is not doing "good works" that saves us.
1.      It is making a decision to receive the forgiveness of our sins from Jesus our Savior and make Him the Leader of our life.
2.      ‘Good worksare to be the result of our salvation.
1.      Are you a follower, a disciple, a believer of Jesus Christ?
1.      If not, why not start today.
1.      Hes calling out to you “Come, follow me!”
2.      Recognize and respond to His call.
2.      Engage in "Good Works" wherever you are.
1.      Vs. 36 tells us that Tabitha "was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor."
2.      Once you start following Jesus, something happens on the inside of you.
1.      You no longer live for yourself but you begin to have a heart of compassion to help others.
2.      Forever altered.
1.      Following in the steps of Jesus who “went about doing good and healing all.” 

Acts 10:38 "And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus "went around doing good and healing all" who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. 39 "And we apostles are witnesses of all He did throughout Judea and in Jerusalem. They put Him to death by hanging Him on a cross, 40a but God raised Him to life on the third day. 
42 And He ordered us to preach everywhere and to testify that Jesus is the one appointed by God to be the judge of all—the living and the dead. 43 He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in Him will have their sins forgiven through His name."

3.      We are not saved by our works but we are saved to do good works for the benefit of others.
1.      God has a unique contribution for each one of us to make and part of our significance comes from the difference we make in the lives of others.
1.      The Christian life is not just about "knowing" certain things, theology or doctrine, or "being" a certain kind of person, character.
1.      It is about actively going around and ‘doinggood every day of our life.

Titus 2:7 NLT "And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching."

2.      The world should be a better place because of us.
1.      God is interested in our daily work.
2.      It is a sacred part of our worship.
3.      Service is a vital part of our witness because it reflects who God is.
4.      We have no record of any of the words that Tabitha said, not one, though she probably said many good things.
1.      It was her deeds, her good works that she is remembered for.
2.      Having never written a book or preached a sermon, like the disciples yet she had an enormous impact on her community.
1.      It was her life, her actions toward others, that were significant.
1.      She simply devoted herself to always doing good, acts that benefited the needy and the less fortunate.
3.      You are the only Bible some people will ever read.
1.      Whose life is better off because of yours?
2.      What good thing, kind word or helpful deed have you done this week?
4.      Tabitha made clothes for widows who lived in her city, some of the poorest people in society.
1.      They had no one to represent them or protect them.
2.      They couldnt get much of a job to buy food let alone buy other things they needed.
1.      Tabitha stepped in to become their advocate.
2.      Strategically placed in the right location at the right time to minister to needs of others.
1.      You, too, have been strategically placed here at this time in history to in very practical ways carry the good news to needy people in both word and deed.
2.      Showing compassion just as Tabitha did.

James 1:27 NLT "Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."

3.      Rise above your limitations.
1.      We don’t know a lot about Tabitha.
2.      What we do know is that she rose above any limitations she had; to make a difference in the lives of others.
3.      She was a woman, it was a mans world back in the first century, yet Jesus valued women and released them into ministry.
1.      Tabitha didnt jump on the excuse train, “Well, Im just a woman, what can I do?”
4.      She might have even been single, we have no mention of a husband or even a family.
1.      Maybe a widow herself.
2.      People like Jesus and Paul demonstrated that you dont need marriage to be complete or to be significant.
3.      Tabitha didnt say, “Well, I need a husband before I can do anything with my life.”
5.      She might have been overwhelmed by all the needs around her.
1.      Sometimes there are so many needs, that we can become paralyzed and not know what to do or where to start.
1.      Tempted to feel that our efforts really wouldnt make a difference anyway.
6.      There may have been lots of things that Tabitha couldnt do.
1.      But she didnt focus on what she couldnt do.
2.      She looked at what was in her hand.
3.      Remember, when God called Moses to help him rescue Israel out of Egypt.
1.      Moses was full of excuses and he had a whole list of reasons why he wasnt qualified and why he shouldnt go.
2.      In the end, God said to Moses, “What is in your hand?”
1.      Moses said, “A rod."
3.      As a shepherd, he had a rod or staff that he carried around.
1.      God used what was in his hand.
4.      Maybe God asked Tabitha what's in your hand.
1.      She would have said, “A needle!”
1.      I can sew.
2.      I can make clothes.
3.      Thats what I love to do and thats what Im good at.
7.      Tabitha didnt belittle the little she had.
1.      She took what was in her hand and she used it to meet the needs of those around and about her.
1.      Whats in your hand?
1.      Rise above your own limitations.
2.      Move beyond the excuses.
4.      Value faithfulness.
1.      Tabitha did not just help one person, one time, or engage in one mission trip.
1.      She made it a lifestyle.
1.      She was "always" doing good and helping the poor.
1.      Living out revolutionary significance!
2.      Scripture makes it clear that Tabitha was full of good works and charitable deeds, which she did. 
1.      Some people are full of good works and charitable deeds, but they are only full of them in their minds and hearts.
1.      I refuse to die with all my good intentions and dreams unfulfilled.
1.      This is why scripture records, which she did.
3.      When she died, the room was filled with mourners, people she had helped.
1.      There, around the body of Tabitha were found more than the family; poor widows and needy ones were standing, weeping.
1.      They had lost a friend, and who could replace her?
2.      Every one of them had a testimony to the loving heart and ready hand which had labored day and night, to help them.
1.      Coats, and garments, soothed and strengthened hearts, were witnesses to the usefulness of her life.
2.      Do you have this kind of impact on your community, friends, family, or enemies?
1.      When you live life like this no one wants you gone!
1.      Serving is something we do for the long haul, faithfully living a life of service for others.
5.      Endeavor to leave a legacy.
1.      When Tabitha died, she had left a legacy, lives she had touched with Gods love.
2.      Tabitha was truly a revolutionary significant woman.
1.      A woman so great in her community that they could not bear to lose her to death.
1.      Acts 9:39 When she became sick and died, her good works ceased.
1.      CWC Joppa was devastated.
1.      Should we assume that God no longer works in such dynamic ways?
2.      It is wrong to make that assumption.
1.      Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
2.      I do not believe that we should fault God for the lack of power in the church.
3.      I think that we should fault ourselves.
2.      This power is still available today.
1.      I still believe in the power of God to change and transform lives, to turn people around 180 degrees.
2.      I believe in the power of God to raise people out of beds of infirmity, to deliver people from the bondage of things that are destroying them, and set people free.
3.      I believe in the power of God to raise the dead.
1.      God is more than able.
1.      I will forever impart that.
2.      "Nothing shall be impossible to them that believe."
3.      They were willing to go to any length to get her back, she was too wonderful to lose!
1.      What a legacy, what will you be remembered for?
2.      What are some of the limitations that cause people to hold back today?
1.      Time, talent, and treasure.
1.      Imagine your own funeral.
2.      Four people are going to give a tribute about you, a family member, a friend, a church member and a work (or school) associate.
1.      What would you want them to say?
1.      He served Christ's cause with all his heart, soul, mind and strength and he loved his neighbor as himself.

How do you live a life of revolutionary significance?
1.      Follow Jesus!
2.      Engage in good works wherever you are!
3.      Rise above your limitations!
4.      Value faithfulness!
5.      Endeavor to leave a legacy!






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