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A Family of believers making disciples who influence the world by becoming daily followers of Christ.
Episodes
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
Go Beyond- The Lifestyle & Example of David’s Kingdom Work
“Gathering Kingdom Resources for God’s Glory” (1 Chron. 22)
David prepared for a day he would not see, but he could touch. He worked diligently to gather resources and empower others to build the temple. Today, we collectively gather our resources for kingdom ministry. We mutually sacrifice through our Living Beyond Us giving project to cast off debt and accelerate ministry. Let us joyfully embrace the commitment and complete it together. To God be the glory!
Lifestyle Lessons for Living Beyond Us
Permission to dream, yet be directed by God (vv.1, 6-10)
David desired to complete a capstone project at the end of his life.
David wanted to build a house of worship, a temple to honor God:
“I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God.” (v.7)
The Lord had other plans for who would complete the project:
“But this word of the Lord came to me...You are not to build a house for my Name.”(v.8)
Its certainly ok to dream, but let God direct you.
God gets veto power in our lives. His way is better. Trust Him.
God promises David: Solomon will build the dream project (vv.9-10).
Prepare diligently and empower others (vv.2-5)
Perhaps, David was disappointed, but he did not dwell long on it.
David set to work making grand preparations! (v.5). Get to it!
David was diligent. He enlisted partners. He empowered others (vv.2-4).
David’s vision: “(a temple) of great magnificence and fame and splendor” (v.5).
David did what he could/while he could “before his death”(v.5).Get on it!
Participate willingly- however you can (vv.11-16)
David prayed powerfully over Solomon (vv.11-13): Blessing of God’s
presence and prosperity; discretion and understanding; know/
observe God’s word; be strong/courageous (no fear/discouraged)
David took “great pains to provide for the temple” (v.14).
David charged Solomon: “Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you.” (v.15).
Privilege to serve Kingdom purposes together! (vv.17-19)-
Calling- for others to help Solomon (v.17).
Challenge- to trust God: 2 “YES” ?’s and rationale (v.18).
Charge- be devoted; seek the Lord; begin to build (v.19)!
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
Go Beyond- The Lifestyle & Example of David’s Kingdom Work
“Partnering for a Day You May Never See”
David’s life greatly impacted his generation and beyond. He was a great patriarch and prophet (Acts 2:29-30). He was a wise king, who prepared and partnered with Solomon for a day he would never see (1 Kings 2). God enabled David to leave an indelible impression on future generations. Let us learn from David’s example how to serve God’s purpose in our lifetime.
How to Partner for a Day You May Never See, but can Touch
Extend generosity beyond the expected (2 Sam. 9:1)- (Heb., hesed)
David asked, “... to whom can I show kindness?” What a question!
Especially, given his history w/ Saul (!) and Johnathan.
David desired to practice covenant kindness (loyalty/fidelity).
David wanted to be generous to an undeserving candidate.
Be willing to risk to show the kindness of God (2 Sam. 9:2-5)-
David was willing to “show kindness” to Mephibosheth (2 Sam.4:4).
David experienced God’s loyal kindness, so he wished to model it.
What is the cost of such kindness (2 Sam. 9:6-13)?
Kindness costs; even as “a free act of grace” (-J. Baldwin).
David honored his enemy’s g-son, his friend’s son, and his son (Mica).
David freely gave kindness to the undeserved, despite inherent risks.
Walk humbly with God (1 Kings 2)- David prepared for the future he
would not see, but that he could touch. (More next week- 1 Chron. 22!)
Living Beyond Us, serving God’s purpose in our generation, is a...
Dream- God given to stretch towards goals greater than for ourselves.
Partnership- a collaborative work with each person doing their part.
Commitment- together making a mutual sacrifice.
A work of God among us! Opportunity to show His kindness!
Let us pray and seek the Lord about our participation.
Let us commit and invest in Kingdom work together.
To whom will we show kindness by our desire to live beyond us?
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
Go Beyond- The Lifestyle & Example of David’s Kingdom Work
“Serving the Purposes of God Together” (Acts 13:36)
“For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and he saw decay” (Acts 13:36, NIV).
Could it be said you are serving God’s purpose in your generation? The early church was convinced of this truth in David’s life. What does it mean to serve God’s purpose in your generation? If you knew, would you? Our pursuit of Living Beyond Us is to serve God’s purpose in our generation.
I’m captured by Paul’s phrase: “David ... served God’s purpose in his
own generation.”
Is there any evidence that how you are living rises to this standard?
What would you willingly risk serving the Lord to this grand capacity?
How did David do this in His day?
What does it mean to serve God’s purpose in your generation?
It means: to the best of our ability,
with the totality of our lives,
we willingly serve God’s purpose in our lifetime.
God’s purpose is for us: 1) to know Him (Phil.3:7-11)
2) believe in His Son, Jesus, (Jn. 6:29),
3) make Him known (Phil. 3:7-11), and
4) serve Him all our days (Mt.25:21)!
How can we serve the purposes of God together in this worthy quest?
Learn from the ancients in the faith (David, Paul, Luke, early church).
Abandon all for the call to a gospel-centered/enriched life.
Adopt a Beyond Us perspective: mutual trust, sacrifice, joy, and
perseverance in Kingdom work together!
Follow Jesus every day until you see him face to face! (Mt.25:21, 23)!
He is the Life and Resurrection (Jn.11:25; Acts 13:34-35, 37)!
Juxtaposed to David, who, “...fell asleep...was buried...saw
decay” (Acts 13:36).
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
Thursday Nov 07, 2019
“Go Beyond”- The Lifestyle & Example of David’s Kingdom Work
“Living Like Your Days are in God’s Hands”
“But I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me. Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” (- David, Ps. 31:14-16, NIV)
Do you recognize your days are in God’s hands? A Living Beyond Us lifestyle begins with a godly perspective on our lives and times. As we
see our live’s in God’s hands, we can release control to Him, and fully embrace participating in the Kingdom work He has for us to do in our time.
Despite circumstances, humbly confess- “But I trust in you, LORD....”
Though his situation was daunting, David put his confidence in God.
David’s reality was construed through his belief in God (more than his trials).
David defined his life by a formidable faith (in the face of fear and fury).
Unleash the power of public profession- “I say, ‘You are my God....’”
Why is it David felt assured in his close relationship with God?
His profession of trust is in YHWH (God’s covenant name given to Moses):
God reveals Himself and keeps His word/covenant.
God was, is, and would forever be- sovereignly trustworthy.
David’s declarative profession- “You are my God” (v.14) means “right
now in this very moment of trial in my life, I trust You!”
Twin truths to consider: “My times are in your hands...” (v.15):
Our days have limits- times, seasons, and situations change.
Our live’s rest in God’s hands- He is unchanging. He sovereignly
watches over us and carries us. Hands big enough to hold you!
David understood that his life and times were in God’s hands.
David’s confidence, despite trials, was in the One who could utterly be
trusted with all the days of his life.
2 Questions to consider: These twin truths lead us to ask two questions:
- Are we living out of a life-changing perspective that God can be trusted to see us through these days?
- Will we trust God to help us maximize our God-given resources for His purposes?
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Bridging the Gospel to our Community - Lessons from Paul in Ephesus
“Contend for the Gospel” (Acts 19:21-41)
You will never stand and contend for the Gospel without first knowing it, living it (from being taught how to apply it), and being convinced of its prevailing power. The believers were changed by the Gospel, shared it’s truth, and were targets of evil men because of it. Let us be convinced of the hope of the Gospel and contend for it in our day.
The Gospel has a prevailing impact on the community (vv.22-27):
“... there arose a great disturbance about the Way” (v.23).
The Gospel contending with the prevailing cultural values counter to
the Way of Jesus (economic impact felt by idol-worship merchants).
Incident- Demetrius throws an Artemis Party! (business/civic/religious)
“The Gospel is bad for pagan business” (D. Garland).
How believers respond & contend for the Gospel (vv. 28-41):
They exercise... wisdom- they consider what to do before they
respond. 2 brothers, Gaius and Aristarchus, are seized and bum-
rushed into the great theater of Ephesus (v.29).
They employ... patience- they do not respond impulsively. Paul is kept
from intervening/speaking by the brothers (v.29). They do not add
fuel to the fire. They wait out the evil day!
They live... righteously- No charge could legally be brought against
them (v.37- of robbing temples nor speaking against the goddess).
How you live in the culture is seen and matters!
They practice... silence- Without a formal public debate of the issues
or even an informal exchange of ideas. Evidence of prayer!
They await... rescue- Sometimes it’s better to outlast than rush in. The
incident, after hours of riotous chanting, is eventually put down by
the city clerk (vv. 35-41). A discerning sensitivity to the Spirit!
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Bridging the Gospel to our Community - Lessons from Paul in Ephesus
“The Prevailing Power of the Gospel” (Acts 19:13-20)
In Ephesus, the prevailing power of the Gospel is seen in a bizarre episode of a failed exorcism. It reveals how the mighty work of God impacts different people and their community. Today, our great hopes for Living Beyond Us are that a version of the Spirit’s life-changing work might happen among us, revive us, reach the lost, and honor Jesus!
The Prevailing Power of the Gospel Experienced by:
Pretenders/posers (19:13-16)- exposed/embarrassed
In Ephesus, Paul is sharing the Gospel with great favor (vv.10-12).
A strange episode occurs: some Jewish guys are parroting the
Gospel’s power through exorcism, “...trying to invoke the name of
the Lord Jesus” (v.13).
These 7 sons of Sceva (v.14; a self-appointed chief priest), run into a
talkative demon, who verbally confronts, then physically assaults
them (vv.15-16)! “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who
are you?” (v.15). Don’t trifle or toy w/ Jesus!
The prevailing power of the Gospel exposes pseudo-belief.
Believers (19:18-19)- convicted/maturing- sanctification/spiritual growth!
The Spirit’s work through this episode brings conviction & leads to:
*open confession- private conviction & public confession.
*repentance- a turning from sin and their old way of life
by a public act (scroll burning- costly sacrifice!).
How are you growing spiritual?
How is the prevailing power of the Gospel at work in your life?
The prevailing power of the Gospel convicts us of sin, so we lead lives
honoring to Jesus!
Community @ Large (19:17, 20)- awed and honored Jesus!
This powerful episode caused great awe and fear among all the people!
“The name of the Lord Jesus was held in honor” (v.17).
The Gospel’s prevailing impact is observable, powerful, and known!
“... the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” (v.20).
How do you see the prevailing power of the Gospel act work?
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Monday Oct 07, 2019
Bridging the Gospel to our Community - Lessons from Paul in Ephesus
“Teach the Gospel Persuasively” (Acts 19:8-12)
Jesus has commissioned us to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them how to live and share the Gospel (Mt.28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Together, we must know the Gospel, so we can teach it well. Every believer in our fellowship needs to know the gospel and be teaching it to someone. Yes, you are included in this charge! The Gospel is bridged into our community as we collectively know and teach it boldly and persuasively.
Lessons for Us to Bridge the Gospel to our Community
Personal conviction and decisive Gospel involvement (19:8-9)-
The Gospel matters most and outlasts everything else!
Paul uses an “inside-out” approach: synagogue (known, available
access to a like people group); then, to a lecture hall (w/ broader
access and expansion possibilities).
Notice the serious time commitment Paul makes by investing in
disciple-making (daily x2 yrs+ and, he was bi-vocational too).
Faithful commitment to teach the Gospel (19:9-10)-
It takes time, wisdom, and boldness!
Let us commit ourselves to know the Gospel well.
Let us commit ourselves to faithfully & persuasively teach the Gospel.
Who are you teaching the gospel?
Who are you helping to learn how to follow Jesus?
Let it be said of us: “They know and teach the Gospel.”
“They walk in its truth/grace, love/light.”
Unswerving trust in God to produce a fruitful ministry (19:11-12)-
Paul’s faithful ministry was very favorable and fruitful in Ephesus!
It was a powerful, miraculous time of ministry:
People are changed, healed, and set free!
Gospel expansion, churches planted (in/around Ephesus).
Community impact (including opposition).
We can trust God to produce a fruitful ministry among us!
Let us commit to faithful Gospel ministry for God’s glory!
Wednesday Sep 18, 2019
Wednesday Sep 18, 2019
Bridging the Gospel to our Community - Lessons from Paul in Ephesus
“How Well Do You Know the Gospel?” (Acts 19:1-7)
Acts 19 describes the Spirit’s work through Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Later, the Spirit would lead Paul to write to the church there from prison. We call it the “Letter to the Ephesians.” This chapter study will challenge and encourage us to bridge the Gospel to our community... and beyond!
How well do you know the Gospel? It’s crucial we know the Gospel well!
Bridging the Gospel to our community and culture only begins when we
know the Gospel well ourselves.
Let it be said of us collectively, “They know the Gospel well.”
What is the Gospel? Literally = the “good news” about Jesus.
The Gospel is about Jesus’ life, death, burial, & resurrection (1 Cor.
15:1-8).
The Gospel is about who Jesus is, why He has come, what He has
done for us (Mt.1:21; Mk.10:45; Jn.10:10).
The Gospel is about what Jesus continues to do through His people
until He comes again!
Have you been changed by the Gospel (19:1-3; Mk.1:15)?
The Gospel calls us to “repent and believe the good news” (Mk.1:15).
Paul was transformed by the Gospel of Jesus (Acts 9).
Paul was unafraid to ask people about their faith in Jesus (vv.1-3).
How were you changed by the Gospel?
The Gospel must happen to us before it happens through us!
Commit yourself to know the Gospel! (19:4-6)
We will share the Gospel when we have been changed by the Gospel.
It’s good to ask people questions about their conversion (vv.2-3).
Share your story about your conversion (e.g., Acts 22, 26).
Ask people to live the gospel with you (vv.4-6).
Early lessons from Paul on bridging the Gospel in Acts 19-
Willingness to start small- just a group of guys (19:1, 7).
Heart to invest for the long haul- Paul stayed for 3 years (Acts 20:31).
Humility to trust God- confidence in the Gospel’s power (Rom.1:16)!