Porter Podcast

Series: Made New—Ezekiel 

A Vision of God

Ezekiel 1-3

Ezekiel is a difficult book to read; nevertheless, it either develops or supports many key doctrines of the Christian faith. 

An Overview of Ezekiel

Ezekiel reveals that God is in control even when the world seems out of control.

The book of Ezekiel is guided by four visions that the prophet encounters.

Ezekiel’s life and message are intermingled.  He not only gives the word, but he lives the word.

Key phrases in the book are:  Sovereign Lord, the Hand of the Lord, Son of Man, and the Word of the Lord.

The people thought that their captivity was their major problem, but Ezekiel shows that their problem is the hardness of their hearts. 

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 36:26

Ezekiel 1        The First Vision 

·      God is vastly different from us.

·      God is more capable than we can imagine.

·      God is holier than we understand.

·      Seeing God more clearly allows us to see ourselves more clearly.

Ezekiel 2-3      The Prophet’s Call

Lessons for Us

To serve God wholeheartedly, a person must know God deeply. 

Keeping focus on God helps keep problems in perspective.

No matter what, God is with His people.

Matthew 28:18-20, John 20:21-22

Series: Shareable

Sharing with your Network

John 4

JOHN 4

biblical truths

God uses brokenness to lead us to repentance. 

Only a relationship with Jesus can truly and permanently satisfy the soul.

Jesus saves people and then mobilizes people to share the good news.

Our past does not exclude us from sharing. 

Our personal testimony is a crucial tool when sharing with our network.  

The Goal is to lead people to Jesus, not to ourselves. 

Most people feel unqualified to share.

helpful tips 

·      Listen for brokenness

·      Learn to turn conversations to spiritual things.

·      Have a Go-To Method

3 Circles

key questions

key questions

“where do you see yourself in the 3 Circles?”   

“Is there anything that would keep you from repenting and believing the Gospel right now?”

Be gracious, regardless of the answers. 

Series: Shareable

Sharing with the World

Romans 15:13-24

Circles of Impact

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.                                                                                Romans 15:13

When Saul is converted, he is given a new name (Paul) and a new purpose. 

Hitting the Target

To hit the target, we must remember our primary mission. 

To hit the target, we have to be Gospel-centric.

 What is the gospel?

Jesus died for our sins, so we don’t have to. 

To hit the target, we must focus on people who are unengaged and unreached. 

To hit the target, we must live sacrificially for the spread of the gospel.

Ways to Take the Gospel to the World

·      Give

·      Pray

·      Go

·      Engage locally

Today’s Takeaways

1.    Every person, in every place, needs the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2.    Christ in us will always call us to focus beyond our immediate circle. 

3.    Sacrificial living, going and giving are a part of the call of every follower of Jesus.

Series: Shareable

Sharing with your Family

Colossians 4:2-6

The New Testament expectation is for us to share the gospel with our family. 

Jesus did not let him but told him, “Go home to your own people, and report to them how much the Lord has done for you and how he has had mercy on you.”

Mark 5:19

the struggle of sharing with family

·      We think that our families won’t accept Christ.

·      We are afraid we will damage our relationship.

·      We feel ill-equipped.   

No one will love your family more than you do.

family dynamics

Age and nature of relationship affect how you share the gospel with your family.

If you are sharing with a child, repetition and influence are vital. 

If you are sharing with an adult, a singular, clear presentation undergirded by a loving lifestyleis often better. 

2 Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains, 4 so that I may make it known as I should. 5 Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.

Colossians 4:2-6

Universal Advice 

Devote yourself to praying for your loved one. 

Give thanks for your family.  

Remember what sharing the gospel means.

      4 Key Words

                        God –             God made us & loves us.

                        Us –                We blew it and must pay for it. 

                        Christ –          Christ paid for it. 

                        You –              You (and I) must receive Him. 

Strive to live like a believer. 

Be kind and respectful.  

Until they believe 

1.        Do not take the blame for unbelief. 

2.        Don’t give up.

Series: Shareable

Is it Shareable?

Romans 1:16-17

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

Romans 1:16-17

the Gospel is Shareable 

Because we can be proud of the Gospel

But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God

I Corinthians 1:23-24

Because the Gospel is good news

Gospel content:

·      There is a holy, creator God to whom all people are accountable.

·      Man, by his own will, has become sinful.

·      Through Christ’s death and resurrection, the price for sin has been paid. 

·      Man has to respond in faith.  

Because the gospel is powerful

the righteousness of God

changed lives = demonstrated/transformative righteousness

changed verdict = declared/forensic righteousness

Because the gospel only requires faith

But to the one who does not work, but believes on him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited for righteousness.

Romans 4:5  

Because the gospel is available to everyone who believes.

You cannot share what you do not have.

EASTER 2022

Luke 24:1-11

The first Easter began with disappointment and death.

The Christian faith hinges on an historical, physical resurrection of Jesus.  

resurrection “proof”

·      Post-resurrection appearances

·      The persecution and martyrdom of the disciples

·      The rapid advance of the gospel

·      The faith of Jesus’ brothers

·      The importance of women in the resurrection accounts

Luke 24:1-12

lessons from the tomb

Humanity seeks to cover the stench of pain. 

Humanity seeks relief from pain, but we are prone to look for life in dying places. 

Only faith in the resurrection of Christ brings enduring hope.

My Next Step ___________________