West Lynchburg

* Invest in the lives of others for the gospel

* Inspire others by living the gospel by loving them toward the gospel

* Invite people through the gospel to a relationship with Jesus and His church

3 Ways God Inspires (in this Passage)

1) God inspires by working for you (v13-14)

2) God inspires by working in you (v13b-15)

3) God inspires by working through you (v16)

* Invest in the lives of others for the gospel

* Inspire others by living the gospel by loving them toward the gospel 

* Invite people through the gospel to a relationship with Jesus and His church

Theme Verse Luke 14:23, "Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled."

We intentionally invest in the lives of others because of…

1) Who Jesus is: His Person/Position (2:10)

2) What Jesus says: His Preaching (2:2)

3) What Jesus does: His Power (2:5)

Attending University in the neighboring Republic of Congo, Rwanda Rise founder Emmanuel Sitaki, narrowly escaped the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis that eradicated his and so many other families across Rwanda.  Although he survived the genocide, he lived with the constant reminders of an unimaginable loss. Emmanuel returned to the neighborhoods where his loved ones once lived, finding the streets lined with orphans in desperate need and barely surviving. That sight clarified his mission. He recognized God's voice and was reminded of the scripture in the Bible (James 1:27) which calls people to care for orphans and widows.  Emmanuel knew that he had to do something when nine orphans ran up to him on the street and begged for help. His thought was to find homes for them with widows who had tragically lost their loved ones in the genocide. Emmanuel was able to provide shelter and love to numerous orphans in this way.

Sermon and Mission Testimonies

Lead as a servant by spreading the gospel around the world  

Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, & you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Testimonies: Dr. Russ Melton (Kenya) & Angela Ripley (Rwanda)

Spreading the gospel around the world requires being….

1) “All in” with your life

* Death (v1)

* Displaced (v1)

2) “All in” with your love

* Love for each other (v2)

* Love for the church (v3)

* Love for the word of God (v4)

3) “All in” with your Lord

* Christ was central to the preaching (He is TRUTH) (v5)

* Christ was central to getting attention (He is WORTHY) (v6)

* Christ was central to the healing of souls and bodies (He is POWER) (v7)

* Christ was central to the joy (He is JOY) (v8)

Lead as a Servant - Sharing - Luke 5:27-32

Lead as a Servant by sharing the gospel in the community

Sharing the gospel in our community requires…

1) A changed and committed life (v27-28)

2) A caring and connecting heart(v29)

J.C. Ryle, “No true Christian ever goes to Heaven alone!”

Charles H. Spurgeon, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you’re not saved yourself, be sure of that!”

- Who in your life needs to know Jesus?

- Who at your workplace? Your neighborhood? Sports club or gym?

- Who do you not know personally, but know there is a need for Jesus?

- Red Truck – Parkview – Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center

3) A clear and compelling purpose (v30-32)

Jesus had a clear purpose

Lead as a servant by establishing the gospel in the household 1 Peter 4:7-11

Key verses: Joshua 24:15 “…choose this day whom you will serve… as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

When the gospel is established in our household, it impacts…

1) Our time (4:7a) - The end of all things is at hand;

Eph 5:15-16

2) Our mind and motives (4:7b) therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded

1 Thes 5:6

3) Our prayers (4:7c) for the sake of your prayers.

Col 4:2 and James 5:16 

4) Our love (4:8a) 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly,

1 Cor 13:4-8, Rom 12:9, 1 Cor 13:7, John 13:35

5) Our forgiveness (4:8b) since love covers a multitude of sins.

James 5:20, Prov 10:12

6) Our attitude (4:9)

7) Our gifts (4:10-11a)

The goal of establishing the gospel in the household (4:11b)

in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Love as a Community by protecting the unity of the church

Protect the unity of the Church by focusing on…

1. the message of the gospel over the ministry of a group (1 Cor 1:10-17)

2. the Spirit’s Wisdom over the Strategy of the World (2:1-5)

3. the Power of God over the performance of a person (3:5-11)

Matthew 20:20-28

What serving is not...

2. Serving is not about pleasure

3. Serving is not about prestige

4. Serving is not about power

What serving is...

1. Serving is greatness

2. Serving is giving (of yourself)

Love as a community by encouraging the people of the church

1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

Key verse: 1 Thess. 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up...”

3 Focus of Encouragers

We need Community Groups of Encouragers focused on…

1) internals over externals (5:8)

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.

- Encouragers Promote Integrity over Prosperity

- Encouragers Promote Attitude over Appearance

2) grace over works (5:9-10)

9 For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.

- Encouragers Promote Acceptance over Accomplishments

- Encouragers Promote Unconditional over Conditional

3) tomorrow over yesterday (5:11)

(5:2, 11)  For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.….11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

- Encouragers Promotes Future Hope over Past Hurts

- Encouragers Promotes Potential over Problems

2 Corinthians 8 and 9 

2 Cor 8:7 But as you excel in everything

1) NEW Will (8:1)     2) MY Will (8:5)   3) FREE Will (8:3)     4) GOOD Will (8:4, 8)

1 Jn 3:16-17 “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 2 Corinthians 8:1-8

1) Financial Stress

2) Financial Freedom

3) Sow Sparingly - 9:6

4) Sow Bountifully - 9:6

5) Cheerfully - 9:7

6) Non-giver

7) Initial Giver

8) Consistent Giver - “on the 1st day of the week” (1 Cor 16:2)

9) Proportional Giver - (8:3)“according to their means” 

10) Sacrificial Giver - (8:3) “beyond their means” 

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake, he became poor so that you by his poverty might become rich.

4-month giving challenge - https://wlbc.life/four