Impact

Matt 11:12 And from the time John the Baptist began preaching and baptizing until now, the Kingdom of Heaven has been forcefully advancing, and violent people attack it.

3 popular interpretations

• Jesus may have been referring to a vast movement towards God which gain momentum when John the Baptist started preaching

• He might have been referring to the Jewish activists who believed He was there to set up His earthly Kingdom and save them from their plight

• Or He may have meant that entering Gods Kingdom takes courage, unwavering faith, determination and endurance because of the growing opposition to those who follow Christ.

1. 5 years ago I did not walk with Christ

a. I did things my way without being concerned of the ramifications

b. Mattered not what I did as long as it satisfied my needs

2. My Damascus road experience changed my life

a. He sought me first (John 6:44 no man comes to the Father that he’s not drawn)

b. Convicted and convinced that I can do all things through Him (3rd March 2001)

c. I was reborn on that day and JAMA was birthed as a ministry to drag racers in the NSCA

d. Not everybody has a Damascus road experience, but everybody has a place they can point to where they said, yes, I will follow Jesus

3. The great commission is the calling out by Christ: Go into all the world and preach the God News to everyone

a. We are first called to fellowship with God (that’s why He created us)

i. Fellowship leads to relationship

ii. But we fell from relationship with sin in the garden

iii. So God sent Christ

b. So first we need right relationship, we get that through fellowship with God

Fellowship: is the companionship of individuals in a congenial atmosphere

Relationship: Connection by blood or marriage; kinship

Example: If you’re married or have a steady boy/girl friend how did that relationship start?

c. Then He calls us to serve - James 2:14 Faith without works is dead That kind of faith will not save anyone

i. This is the call to action, we’re all called to action

1. You’re not signing up for life

2. How we serve changes

d. Not all are called to preach: 1 Peter 4:11 Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to him forever and ever.

4. As you serve a few things to remember: 2 Timothy 2

a. Train those you serve with

i. You never want to become indispensable to the ministry you serve Remember it’s not about you, it’s about Him

b. Follow the Lord’s rules for doing His work

i. Do not manipulate people

1. Money

2. service

3. help

4. equipment

ii. Did Jesus charge? Then why should we?

c. Avoid Godless or foolish discussion (weird religion/snake oil salesman or end times)

i. It cuts through ministry like cancer

d. Die to yourself daily

i. Sin is not going to leave you

ii. There will still be things you will struggle with

e. Be patient with the un-church

i. Be patient with difficult people, remember, we can not apply our standards to those who walk in the world

1. Be gently with those who oppose the truth

2. Be patient with those who struggle with their walk