A PROPHETIC PEOPLE: HOPE FOR A TROUBLED WORLD
(October 2009 – Bible Fellowship Church – Pastor Chris Jordan)
INTRO TO SPEAKER:
Tell brief salvation story, how Jesus Christ changed my life
Three years ago we were at BF when we got the call to go pastor BCC
Since coming to BCC, the church has been growing – people getting saved, delivered, and healed
Talk about what’s new with Liza (bookkeeper, women’s & children’s ministries) and the kids
OPENING TEXT:
“To them (who? v. 26 says “the saints” – that’s us) God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27).
• What does it mean that Christ is in us, the hope of glory?
• If we really believed this truth – how could it transform our lives and our community?
THE LIFE OF JESUS:
• Jesus’ inaugural address: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.” (Luke 4:18).
• The people’s response: “All who were there spoke well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that fell from his lips.” (Luke 4:22, NLT).
• An overview of His ministry: Quote Acts 10:38.
• Jesus said, “I didn’t come to be served, but to serve.” Everywhere He went, He asked people, “Is there anything that I can do for you?” (see Matt. 20:32 & Luke 18:41)
• Jesus was revealing to people what God was like – “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.” But it was almost too good to be true!
• Jesus’ most shocking statement: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away…” (John 16:7a).
• What did Jesus mean by that? “…for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7b).
• However, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples were in hiding for 50 days! Nothing had changed yet. But something was about to change all of that…
THE BOOK OF ACTS:
“When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:1-4).
• This is what Jesus had been talking about – God came to live inside of them!
• In the Old Testament, God was ‘the God out there.’
• When Jesus walked the Earth, He was Emmanuel, ‘God with us.’
• NOW: ‘Christ is IN YOU, the hope of glory!’
THE BIG IDEA: God’s desire is that we would become a prophetic people who bring hope to a troubled world.
THREE POINTS FROM PETER’S SERMON:
1. A PROPHETIC PEOPLE:
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17).
• Peter quoted the prophet Joel and said that God was raising up a community of prophets.
• Young and old, male and female, all would be prophetic. What does that mean?
• Prophetic = simply means someone who sees, hears and speaks from God’s perspective.
• Not just telling the future, but revealing the Father’s loving heart.
• Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27).
• We need to get alone until we’re not alone anymore – in the secret place!
• God wants us filled with the Holy Spirit, ready to meet the needs of those around us.
• John 5:19 – Jesus only said and did what the Father was saying and doing.
2. A TROUBLED WORLD:
“I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.” (Acts 2:19).
• This describes the systems, economies and governments of the world falling apart.
• These are the signs of the last days, and it is the world we’re living in today!
• People are without hope and peace in the world because they don’t know Jesus.
3. HOPE AND SALVATION:
“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21).
• When will people call on the name of the Lord?
• When the world is in chaos and their lives are falling apart.
• This is why we’re on the Earth today – why we have Christ in us, the hope of glory!
• People in the world are hurting, lost, lonely and broken. We are the answer!
• When they call on the name of the Lord (it might just be a ‘help’!) you can help them find salvation: saved (spirit), delivered (soul) and healed (body).
• This might happen when you’re in the workplace, going on a coffee break, and a co-worker starts sharing their problems with you. What do you do? Ask the Jesus question: “Is there anything that I can do for you?” You are filled with the presence of Christ – He is there with you!
BIBLE EXAMPLE – PHILIP:
• Philip was just a regular Christian who heard that he could be used by God.
• He who preached Christ, did many signs and wonders, people got saved, and there was great joy in the city. Let’s take a look at his story:
“So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot." So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.” (Acts 8:25-31).
• Next, the Holy Spirit spoke to Philip and told him to go to the chariot.
• When Philip obeyed the Spirit, he had a God opportunity to minister to someone.
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:35-38).
• Because Philip was led by the Spirit, he had an opportunity to lead someone to the Lord.
• We need to learn to listen for that still small voice, and obey it!
CHALLENGE: Too many people have it backwards in the church and think it’s all about me being blessed. We are blessed to be a blessing, freely we’ve received, let’s freely give!
• Let’s be a prophetic people that takes Jesus to our world!
CLOSING CHALLENGE:
• Challenge to the church: Jesus has called you to COME to Him and GO to the world!
CLOSING BENEDICTION:
“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).
Beausejour Community Church Website: www.beausejourchurch.ca
Pastor Chris Jordan’s Blog: http://thelandofpromise.blogspot.com/
Note: Some of the thoughts in this message were inspired by a message preached by Jerry Cook entitled, "Why I’m Pentecostal."
