Story. Part 1

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17

All In One Accord

Yeah... Ok... Dumb joke. But it had to be done.

This past Sunday we looked at 1 Samuel 8 and Acts 1.

In 1 Samuel 8 we heard Israel crying out for a king to rule them "like all the other nations." As God's people, we have a rich history of trying to dodge the responsibilities of relating to God ourselves and standing out among the nation(s) to draw people to God.

What if the way we approach church today reflects that dark past? What if we approach our church structure in such a way that we mimic the world, and find people to go to God on our behalf... instead of going to God all week long and standing out as a representative of Christ?!!!

In Acts 1 we catch a glimpse of Jesus' followers awaiting the baptism of the Holy Spirit after Jesus' ascension back into heaven... and even without this baptism... they were all in one accord... devoted to pray and wait on the Lord.

They hadn't received the Holy Spirit and yet they were of the same mind... devoted to prayer. Unfortunately that sounds like the exact opposite of many of our churches... but it doesn't have to!!!

Haven, let's spend the week in Christ's presence together! Although we may be miles apart, together we'll devote ourselves to prayer and to waiting on the Lord. And when we come to the building at 201 E. Samano, we'll have done "church" all week long. We'll gather together to build each other up and worship our Lord... we will hear and obey... and the world will know that Jesus Christ is Lord by our lives.

Gospel Presentations

We should be ready to give an account of the Gospel.

Your personal testimony is your best witness.

But it is a good thing to meditate on different ways of presenting the good news of Jesus Christ and what his life, death, and resurrection means for all mankind!

Remember... we are not trying to convince people about an idea... we are introducing them to a person. You have to know a person before you can introduce them to someone... You should be walking with Christ if you expect to introduce Him to someone!!!

The presentations in these videos are very probably not how you would present them to a friend. It is up to us to take the information and translate it to someone how they will receive it best.

And never forget... Walk in the Spirit. Follow Him. He is the one who calls, the one who saves, and the one who preserves. Trust the Holy Spirit to do the work in yourself and the other person.

Web site for 3rd Gospel presentation - http://www.matthiasmedia.com.au/2wtl/