The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective Christians (Acts - Part 29) Series

The Seven Habits of

Highly Effective Christians

Acts Series: ¡§Completely Irreligious, Yet Radically Christian¡¨ Part 28

Pastor Jeff Christopherson

July 27, 2003

Acts 17:1-15

I. The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Christians:

(Understanding Seven Strategic Verbs in Acts 17)

1. Be Proactive.

(Get off the Couch.)

¡§When they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue¡K¡¨ Acts 17:1-2a

2. Seek first to Understand, then to be Understood.

(Initiate a Dialogue.)

¡§¡Kand on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them¡K¡¨ Acts 17:2b

¡§reasoned¡¨: Greek ¡V dialegomai ; to have a dialogue

3. Put First things First.

(Speak from God¡¦s perspective.)

¡§¡Kfrom the Scriptures, explaining¡K¡¨ Acts 17:2c-3a

4. Think Win / Win.

(Carefully answer the Questions people are Asking.)

¡§¡Kand proving that¡K¡¨ Acts 17:3b

5. Continue with the End in Mind.

(Always move toward God¡¦s purpose in the Cross.)

¡§¡Kthe Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. ¡§This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,¡¨ he said.¡¨ Acts 17:3c

6. Synergize.

(Cooperate with God to experience God¡¦s results.)

¡§¡KSome of the Jews were persuaded¡K¡¨ Acts 17:4a

7. Be Inclusive.

(Make room for the Contribution of others.)

¡§¡Kand joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and not a few prominent women.¡¨ Acts 17:4b

II. The Only Two Responses God Will Ever Receive:

(The importance of being honest about where I stand.)

Jesus: ¡§He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.¡¨ Matthew 12:30-31

1. Opposition.

¡§But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason¡¦s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials, shouting: ¡§These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar¡¦s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.¡¨ When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.¡¨ Acts 17:5-9

2. Acceptance.

¡§Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.¡¨ Acts 17:11-12

life lesson from this passage¡K

True Nobility lies in Humility.

¡K I willingly admit my Need.

Jesus: ¡§He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: ¡§I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.¡¨ Matthew 18:2-4

Scripture passages from the New International Version unless otherwise noted.

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Home Church Discussion Guide: Synergizing

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1. What book have you read recently (other than the Bible) that has been most helpful to you? Why? 2. A current trend in business/leadership books today has been promoting the necessity of personal character and tenacity. Why do you think our culture is reviving and celebrating these virtues? 3. In reading Acts 17:1-4, we see seven significant verbs. Ask yourself the following question to each of the seven principles; ¡§If I were to consistently live this principle, what adjustments would I have to make?¡¨ 4. In Acts 17:5-12, we see the two responses to Jesus¡¦ message ¡V opposition and acceptance. From this passage (and others); a) What do I need to know about facing spiritual opposition? b) What do I need to know about surviving spiritual success? 5. Which of the seven principles do you want to personally take home and ask God to help build into your life? 6. Pray for one another.

㦠2003, Jeff Christopherson, The Sanctuary