ETERNAL IMPACT

1
ETERNAL IMPACT
2
United in Prayer and Empowered by the Spirit

• And they devoted themselves to the apostles
  teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of
  bread, and to prayers. Then fear came over
  everyone. Acts 242-43a

3
The Pattern of Acts

• The word continually not only denotes duration,
  it also points to devotion.
• Prayer is the key to spiritual boldness. Acts
  431
• Prayer is essential to pastoral leadership. Acts
  64

4
The Pattern of Acts

• Prayer is the birthplace of mission passion. Acts
  132
• Prayer was both planned and spontaneous.

5
Jesus the Prayer Mentor

• Prayer provided empowering and direction. Mark
  135-37
• The singular request of the disciples. Luke 111

6
The Continuing Patternof the Early Church

• Paul prayed constantly for the churches.
  Ephesians 116
• Paul taught his churches to pray for him.
  Ephesians 619-20

7
The Continuing Patternof the Early Church

• Praying for those in authority is related to the
  advance of the kingdom. 1 Tim 21-3
• Kingdom-centered churches pray kingdom-focused
  prayers.

8
Practical Considerations

• Praying Kingdom-centered prayers.
• Pray for those in authority.
• Pray for boldness and safety for all sharing the
  gospel.
• Pray for the unsaved by name.

9
Practical Considerations

• Praying Kingdom-centered prayers.
• Pray that church members will appropriate full
  resources of God.
• Pray that church members will walk worthy of
  their calling.
• Ask the Lord of the harvest to compel workers to
  go into the fields.
• Pray for specific ministry needs of the church.

10
Practical Considerations

• Organize the church to pray.
• Prayer leaders in every Bible study group.
• Prayer chains.
• Days of prayer and fasting.
• Prayer partners.

11
Practical Considerations

• Organize the church to pray.
• Revitalize existing prayer meetings.
• Set aside a prayer room.
• Prayer hotline and e-mail alerts.

12
United in Prayer and Empowered by the Spirit (2)

• Carnality is the attempt to do supernatural
  ministry by human power.
• Church growth is the result of supernatural
  empowering.

13
The Pattern of Acts

• The Lord added to them those who were being
  saved. Acts 247b
• The first message was preceded by the manifest
  power of God. Acts 312
• The linking of prayer, the Holy Spirit, and bold
  witness is a consistent theme. Acts 431.

14
The Testimony of Paul

• Only God gives the growth. 1 Cor. 37
• Each of us will be held accountable for the
  building materials we use.
• Paul boasted in human weakness as the platform of
  supernatural empowering. 2 Cor. 129

15
Pauls Prayers for His Churches

• The prayer for comprehending supernatural
  empowering. Eph. 117-23
• The prayer for comprehending the unlimited
  potential. Ephesians 314-21

16
Teaches Sound Doctrine

• And they devoted themselves to the apostles
  teaching Acts 242

17
A Look at the Early Church

• Book of Acts reveals a constant vigilance for
  doctrinal integrity.
• Paul was instructed so that he would prove that
  Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 922, 1312
• That taught the converts in Antioch for an entire
  year. Acts 1126

18
A Look at the Early Church

• The summary statement of Acts 1421.
• Pauls passion for doctrinal purity is seen in
  farewell address to leaders in Ephesus. Acts
  2027-32.

19
Doctrine and Balanced Growth

• The Pauline letters were written to provide for
  doctrinal integrity.
• The Pastoral letters contain more than 30
  distinct references to doctrinal teaching.

20
The Implications

• Church growth must be measured by depth as well
  as size.
• Are we loading up on the carbs of compromise?
• Are we strong or just obese?

21
Worship to the Ends of the Earth

• Let all the peoples praise You, God, let all the
  peoples praise You. Psalm 675

22
A Brief Look at the Early Church

• Worship was part and parcel of the life of the
  early church. Acts 246-47
• After an early arrest an impromptu worship
  service breaks out. Acts 424, 29
• The vision for the world was given as the church
  ministered to the Lord. Acts 132

23
A Biblical Pattern

• The Old Testament is replete with planned and
  spontaneous worship events. Genesis 2623-24 and
  Exodus 15
• Nehemiah leads worship at the base of the wall.
  Nehemiah 8-10, 1039
• Isaiah was worshipping when he volunteered to go
  for the Lord. Isaiah 6

24
A Biblical Pattern

• Worship and missions are inextricably bound
  throughout the Psalms. Psalm 671-2
• Worship was the first response to the birth and
  resurrection of the Lord.

25
Worship and the Kingdom Centered Church

• Authentic worship is the believers response to
  the self-revelation of God.
• True worship is balanced, involving the mind,
  emotions, and the will.
• Authentic worship will always demand a response
  and commitment.

26
Final Reflections

• If worship is a divine encounter at Gods
  personal invitation, why do we treat it with such
  casual disdain?
• If we have truly rediscovered worship, how do we
  explain our lack of commitment?

27
Intentionally Evangelistic

• But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
  is come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in
  Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the
  ends of the earth. Acts 18

28
Learning from the Early Church

• Witness is not something we do, it is who we are.
• No one else has your story and no one can refute
  your story.
• A pattern to follow
• Seize the kingdom opportunities. Acts 232, 315,
  48, 542
• Develop an intentional strategy. Acts 825

29
Principles We Must Apply

• Ask the Holy Spirit to allow you to see
  opportunities and to give you boldness.
• Witnessing must become a part of our life style.
• Think in terms of multiplication and not
  addition.
• A multiplicity of persons will multiply the
  impact of our witness.

30
Principles We Must Apply

• We must embrace a joyous lifestyle.
• The church must provide training opportunities.
• Maximize daily opportunities and develop an
  intentional strategy.
• Pray for a passion for Christ, His Word, and His
  world.

31
Developing an Intentional Plan

• Must be a family issue as well as a church issue.
• All efforts must be preceded and under-girded by
  prayer.

32
Fundamental Convictions

• Christ provides the only access to the Father.
• Those who die without Christ will spend eternity
  in hell.
• The fields are ripe for harvest.
• The Great Commission is not a divine suggestion.

33
Fundamental Convictions

• Every believer is a witness.
• The Holy Spirit empowers us to witness.
• God produces results through us.
• We must be obedient and accept ownership for the
  lost.

34
Nurtures Biblical Fellowship

• And they devoted themselvesto fellowship.
  Acts 242

35
A Few Foundational Truths

• Fellowship is not optional in biblical
  Christianity.
• Fellowship with other believers is essential to
  personal spiritual growth.
• Fellowship is essential to the ministry of the
  church.

36
A Few Foundational Truths

• Authentic fellowship can only be found in Christ.
• Fellowship is essential to Kingdom expansion
  through the local church.

37
The Acts Model

• They were continually united in prayer. Acts
  114
• The key word is devoted. Acts 242, 46
• Fellowship always has practical results. Acts
  244-45, 432-35
• Fellowship is a work of grace. Acts 433, 1132

38
Breaking Down the Barriers to Fellowship

• Recognize Gods sovereign design. 1
  Corinthians 1212-26
• Only God can break down barriers. Ephesians
  213-14, 19-21

39
The Basis of Our Unity

• Unity is a work of the Spirit. Eph. 42-3
• A seven-fold cord binds us together. Eph.
  44-6
• We are one family because we have one Father.

40
The Attitude Necessary to
Maintain Unity

• Humility is the foundation for unity.
  Philippians 21-4
• Unity is based on the ability to focus on a
  single goal Gods kingdom and His glory.
• An illustration on the attitude necessary for
  unity. Philippians 25-11

41
Generous Stewardship

• Now the multitude of those who believed were of
  one heart and soul, and no one said that any of
  his possessions was his own, but instead they
  held everything in common. Acts 432

42
The Pattern of Acts

• They were together and they had everything in
  common. Acts 244
• No one said that any of his possessions was his
  own. Acts 432
• Generosity was evidence of the resurrection.
  Acts 433

43
A Contrasting Case Study

• Barnabas, the son of encouragement, gives
  generously. Acts 436-37
• Ananias and Sapphira embezzle from the King.
  Acts 51-6
• The name Ananias means God has graciously
  given.

44
The Famine in Jerusalem

• This event provides the opportunity for generous
  stewardship.
• 1 Cor.16 teaches systematic giving.
• 2 Cor. 8 teaches grace giving.

45
The Famine in Jerusalem

• 2 Cor. 9 gives us the four laws of giving.
• The law of
• Sowing and reaping
• Cheerful giving
• Sufficiency
• Multiplication

46
A Kingdom-Centered Challenge

• We should allocate at least 20 of our resources
  for outreach to the four quadrants of the Acts
  18 challenge.
• Could we imagine a 50/50 church?
• Consider the promise of Eph. 320-21

47
Global Missions Strategy

• But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
  has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses
  in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to
  the ends of the earth. Acts 18

48
Acts 18 Sets the Scope of our
Ministry

• Being a witness is not an option.
• The scope of our witness is also a divine
  prerogative.

49
Pentecost Declares the
Global Scope of our Mission

• The miracle of Pentecost makes it clear that
  Gods concern is for every nation and people
  group.
• Pentecost signifies the church has been launched
  with power.
• The curse of Babel has been reversed and the
  gathering of the nations is underway.

50
The Pattern Displayed in Acts Demonstrates the
Global Mission

• The progression is concentric in progression but
  simultaneous in application.

51
The Global Task is Centered in the Local
Church

• The story of reaching the ends of the earth
  begins in Acts 1119 and the key is the church in
  Antioch.
• The hand of the Lord.
• First called Christians.
• The passion was birthed as they prayed and
  worshipped. Acts 131-3

52
Practical Ramifications

• The four tasks of the missional church.
• Pray
• Go
• Send
• Give

53
Practical Ramifications

• The four stages of missions maturation.
• The supporting church.
• The exploring church.
• The engaging church.
• The multiplying church.

54
Works Cooperatively for Kingdom Advance

• Everyone should look out not only for his own
  interests, but also for the interests of others.
  Philippians 24

55
From Antioch to Jerusalem with Love

• The famine in Jerusalem ignited a cooperative
  strategy that united the churches of Achaia and
  Macedonia.
• If we are serious about kingdom advance, we must
  jettison our desire to do it alone and rediscover
  the biblical pattern of cooperative ministry.

56
Cooperation and the Letters of Paul

• The collection and distribution of the letters of
  Paul were a stimulus for cooperation.
• Cooperation is a vital necessity for the health
  of the individual church and for the linking of
  churches for kingdom causes.

57
The Attitude for Cooperation

• What would change if we took Philippians 2
  seriously?

58
Seven Reasons We Must Nurture Cooperative
Partnerships

• It is biblical.
• It provides for strength and stability.
• It promotes unity in diversity.
• It enables strategic thinking thus minimizing
  waste and maximizing effectiveness.

59
Seven Reasons We Must Nurture Cooperative
Partnerships

• It provides a biblical model for other churches.
• It enables kingdom advance.
• It ensures that God will receive all the glory.

60
The Unifying Purpose Disciple the Nations

• All authority has been given to Me in heaven and
  on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of
  all nations Matthew 2818-19b

61
Make Disciples is a Command and not an Option

• The seeming defeat of Golgotha has been
  transformed into radical victory. It is all
  authority that is the basis for the mission to
  all nations.
• The only imperative in the Great Commission is
  make disciples.

62
The Characteristics of the Disciple

• Recognizes and submits to the Kingship of Jesus.
• Follows the King at any and every cost.
• Lives all of life as a citizen of the Kingdom.
• Fully devoted to fishing for men.

63
The Characteristics of the Disciple

• Loves the Lord totally.
• Studies and grows in the knowledge of Gods Word.
• Loves others.
• Serves the King through His body, the church.

64
What will be Required?

• We must make a commitment to the process.
• We must combine demonstration with instruction.

65
Discipling the Nations Requires a Global
Commitment
66
The Command Comes with the Promise
of Supernatural Empowering
67
ETERNAL IMPACT