God's Expanding Kingdom Series

It’s fun to sell something that people really like.

Dad took off for Grinnell, Iowa this afternoon in the rain today to sell asparagus. It didn’t rain all the time he was there, but it wasn’t a pretty day.

While he was gone, I got a phone call asking if this was Sojourn Farm. I said it was. The lady asked if that was my husband selling asparagus in Grinnell and I said it was. She started talking about how she usually washes stuff before eating it, and I’m wondering what possibly she could be complaining about and all of a sudden she said, "It was wonderful! The asparagus is just wonderful and I wanted you to know." I said it was a relief to hear that because I was getting worried. She said, "I realized that possibility while I was talking so hurried to put your mind at ease." She was on the Interstate in her car and nibbling on the asparagus she had just bought.

Another car full of people stopped when I was selling and a nice lady bought some for herself and her sister. They drove away and then there she was again. "The kids were eating it raw in the car and said it was so good we decided to come back and get more!"

I am glad for mom!

Look out world, here comes an asparagus selling MACHINE!

World Domination!

It is hard not to notice that all over the world, countries, corporations, celebrities, even sports teams are out for world influence or domination

World Baseball Classic—OUR Sport, along with momma and apple pie. We didn’t even make the finals. Or semi finals!

Sony PS2/3 vs. Xbox/360 lots of money at stake

Hollywood Movies and Influence span the globe (and are being pirated in China)

Not all posers, pretenders, or pushers make it.

Some have success. My mom is.

But countries, people, businesses come and go. People die. World powers get taken over by newer, more powerful countries and alliances.

There is however, a movement afoot that will achieve world wide influence and domination. But not in a selfish or vain or immoral way, but in a way that will carry out the promise made millennia ago:

To establish a kingdom where God will reign,

where broken men and women will be transformed

where people will be loved by him and love one another,

The book of Acts continues what we have seen unfolding in the Bible: God’s reclaiming of his people and kingdom, damaged by sin and human pride.

We will see today that

Big Idea: God is Behind the Expansion of His Kingdom, Which Will Not be Limited by Anyone or Anything

Acts 5:38 if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; 39 but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them.

Six sections highlighting growth. (also add “Lord added to number” verses too)

1. 6:7--Apostles overcome a community neglect issue and devote themselves to prayer and teaching

2. 9:31--conversion of Saul

3. 12:24—Cornelius conversion

4. 16:5--1st Missionary journey and Jerusalem council

5. 19:20—at the end of two missionary journeys

6. 28:30-31—Paul’s arrival in Rome

“What gives God’s Kingdom limitless expansion?”

He Kingdom has the

1. Power to Overcome all Obstacles

Subpoint: He can’t be stopped by anybody or anything, and can turn the “weakest moment” into the most surprising gain (Paul in Jail, Jesus on Cross, persecution of Jews, etc)

Wait: for HS. Key directive of Jesus so his disciples can complete his monumental assignment.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you,

Recitation of some obstacles:

• without (speaking in tongues/before Sanhedrin/boldness when fearful),

• within (widows, Ananias/Sapphira, Jew/Gentile and Cornelius,)

• natural (snakes, shipwrecks)

It is a big task Jesus gave his disciples: us. It is not a job we do on our own

This is why we are committed to prayer and seeking God in our leadership meetings, on Sunday nights, and why we encourage you to do what many are doing already

His Kingdom has a

2. Lord Exalted Above All Rivals

Jesus has always been the focus of our message, and He is the exalted head of our church—his body.

He has no rival

This is what Peter said, about him

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— 23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.