The Power
Part 4 of “The Invite” message series
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves, and a tongue rested on each one of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. - Acts 2:1-4 (NASB)
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all the believers were together and had all things in common; 45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:41-47 (NASB)
2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in bright clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? – James 2:2-4 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
When we invite others to worship and when we share our personal faith story with others, we must remember that the real power and authority behind it all is God’s Holy Spirit. We can love others well and show them that they are accepted, but Jesus is the One Who will bring about complete transformation for the follower of Jesus!
ILLUSTRATION: The new media projector that no one plugged up the relay.
ILLUSTRATION: Wayne Cordeiro and the Rainy Outdoor Event.
We must know the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We must embrace the Gospel as Good News.
We must embrace Christ’s imperative to share the Gospel.
We must receive the power to effectively proclaim it.
The first century Biblical model for growing the Church of Jesus is . . .
What is the “Gospel?”
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, 2 by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. – I Corinthians 15:1-5 (NASB)
Obedience puts us in position to receive God’s best for us.
When the Holy Spirit is moving, we don’t have to advertise a lot because word gets out on its own.
God did not call the equipped at Pentecost. God equipped the called!
Becoming a Holy Spirit filled disciple of Jesus Christ will take us against the flow of this culture.
When God moves in powerful ways and when we onboard in Kingdom work, we MUST expect pushback.
Eight Characteristics of the Holy Spirit filled Church.
When we choose to invite others, it is to show the love of Christ in a very practical way.
When we choose to invite others, the invitation alone can be a source of encouragement.
ILLUSTRATION: Mercedes-Benz Commercial
Questions for Reflection
What could you be praying for before inviting a friend to a Worship Experience?
What are some things that stand out to you about the true Pentecost story from Jerusalem?
How can inviting a friend to Church make them feel loved? In what ways would you feel loved by getting an invitation to a faith gathering?
Have you ever felt too “bad” to attend a worship setting? How did you overcome this?
Why can cliques (exclusive groups) be detrimental to the community of faith? Have you ever been part of a Church clique?
Do you love Jesus enough to share Him with people?
Do you love people enough to share Jesus with them?
Will you give God something to bless?
Is your life being transformed by Jesus?
How will you reach out to a friend, neighbor, or coworker this week and invite them to a Worship Experience?
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all the believers were together and had all things in common; 45 and they would sell their property and possessions and share them with all, to the extent that anyone had need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. – Acts 2:41-47 (NASB)
2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and is dressed in bright clothes, and a poor man in dirty clothes also comes in, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the bright clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? – James 2:2-4 (NASB)
The BIG Idea
When we invite others to worship and when we share our personal faith story with others, we must remember that the real power and authority behind it all is God’s Holy Spirit. We can love others well and show them that they are accepted, but Jesus is the One Who will bring about complete transformation for the follower of Jesus!
ILLUSTRATION: The new media projector that no one plugged up the relay.
ILLUSTRATION: Wayne Cordeiro and the Rainy Outdoor Event.
We must know the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We must embrace the Gospel as Good News.
We must embrace Christ’s imperative to share the Gospel.
We must receive the power to effectively proclaim it.
The first century Biblical model for growing the Church of Jesus is . . .
- Make new followers of Jesus.
- Forge new followers of Jesus into disciples.
- Send out followers of Jesus to make new followers of Jesus.
What is the “Gospel?”
Now I make known to you, brothers and sisters, the gospel which I preached to you, which you also received, in which you also stand, 2 by which you also are saved, if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3 For I handed down to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. – I Corinthians 15:1-5 (NASB)
- Jesus died for our sins.
- The Scriptures are accurate testimony.
- Jesus was buried.
- Jesus rose from the dead.
- There were witnesses to the Resurrection.
Obedience puts us in position to receive God’s best for us.
When the Holy Spirit is moving, we don’t have to advertise a lot because word gets out on its own.
God did not call the equipped at Pentecost. God equipped the called!
Becoming a Holy Spirit filled disciple of Jesus Christ will take us against the flow of this culture.
When God moves in powerful ways and when we onboard in Kingdom work, we MUST expect pushback.
Eight Characteristics of the Holy Spirit filled Church.
- WONDER
- MIRACLES
- FELLOWSHIP (COMMUNITY)
- GENEROSITY
- WORSHIP
- GOOD REPUTATION
- GROWTH
When we choose to invite others, it is to show the love of Christ in a very practical way.
When we choose to invite others, the invitation alone can be a source of encouragement.
ILLUSTRATION: Mercedes-Benz Commercial
Questions for Reflection
What could you be praying for before inviting a friend to a Worship Experience?
What are some things that stand out to you about the true Pentecost story from Jerusalem?
How can inviting a friend to Church make them feel loved? In what ways would you feel loved by getting an invitation to a faith gathering?
Have you ever felt too “bad” to attend a worship setting? How did you overcome this?
Why can cliques (exclusive groups) be detrimental to the community of faith? Have you ever been part of a Church clique?
Do you love Jesus enough to share Him with people?
Do you love people enough to share Jesus with them?
Will you give God something to bless?
Is your life being transformed by Jesus?
How will you reach out to a friend, neighbor, or coworker this week and invite them to a Worship Experience?