Unstoppable - When God Shows Up Series

Unstoppable – When God Shows Up

9/17/17

Acts 1:8, 2:11 – Missions Sunday

The disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw Him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the H.S., teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am w/ you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

I believe the mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity. So w/ every fiber of my being, I’m determined to lead us into our world to be the hands, feet, and voice of Jesus to others. My prayer for us is that we will step out of our pews and into the world under the influence of the H.S. to bear witness to others what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives today.

Welcome to Missions Sunday – a day to celebrate what God is doing in/through us around the world as we personally engage in the GC. If you’re visiting w/ us today, we’re a going church. We’re a church that gives, prays, and goes into our world to give witness to what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives. So today our people and their stories of how we’re going/engaging are the message.

The GC is not an option to be considered but a command to be obeyed. Hudson Taylor

Whatever we do, we must not treat the GC like it is the great suggestion. Charles Swindoll

The GC is the heart/purpose of our existence – and the key element isn’t the ingenuity/ability of people to carry it out, but rather the miraculous movement of the H.S. in us working through us.

In Acts 1:8 – Jesus told his disciples that when the H.S. came upon them – they were going to become witnesses (people who’d give an eyewitness account of what they had experienced w/ Him) in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the world. And this is what the books of Acts is about – it is the story of what happens when the unstoppable force of the H.S. collides w/ a willing soul who is convinced that Jesus is who He said He was and did what He said He would do to provide forgiveness/mercy to all who would believe and by faith receive His grace.

At FBCPTC we define our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and uttermost as our community, counties, country, and continents. And as our lives collide w/ the call of the H.S. and the GC – our lives now become part of His-story.

Baptism – Missions Testimony – Video

Last Sunday we began a new series in the book of Acts entitled – Unstoppable. The heart of this series is built on a promise Jesus made to His disciples that upon His departure, He was going to provide them w/ an amazing gift – the H.S. And once they received this gift they were going to initiate an unstoppable movement that’d carry the good news of God’s love and Jesus sacrifice into the world.

In Acts 2 – we find the story of this transaction, better known as the day of Pentecost. Pentecost is when all heaven broke loose and God showed up in a powerful way to release His church into an unstoppable movement known as the GC.

Let me hit the highlights:

I The Disciples were EMPOWERED

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled w/ the H.S. and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech. Acts 2:1-4

II The Gospel was EXPLAINED

But Peter stood up w/ the (11), raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this to you and pay attention to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only (9) in the morning. On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: Acts 2:14-15

III Lives were ETERNALLY Transformed

When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” “Repent,” Peter said, “and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the H.S. Acts 2:37-38