The Church on Mission: "Spirit-led Transformation"

The Church on Mission: “Spirit-led Transformation”

Acts 9:1-31    

2-17-19

The Gospel is God rescuing rebellious sinners and restoring us to be sons and daughters of God who now combat idolatry and injustice.

I. Religious and Rebellious. (Acts 9:1-2)

~Religion is belief in God or gods, combined with religious performance, rituals and rule keeping.

II. Rescued and Obeying. (Acts 9:3-9)

Saving grace is God freely choosing to show us undeserved love in forgiving our sins and in giving us His satisfying presence.

Romans 3:24 – “(we) are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 15:15 – “…because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles…”

1 Corinthians 15:10 - “But by the grace of God I am what I am…I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.”

Galatians 2:9 – “…when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship…”

Ephesians 1:6 – “… to the praise of his glorious grace…he has blessed us in the Beloved.”

Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.”

Ephesians 3:2 – “Assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you.”

2 Timothy 1:9 – “(God) saved us and called us toa holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.”

Galatians 1:15 (Msg) - “… when I was still in my mother's womb he chose and called me out of sheer generosity!”                     

III.  Connecting and Mentoring.   (Acts 9:10-19)

IV. Proclaiming and Growing. (Acts 9:20-22)

Galatians 1:17-18  I did not go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia… after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit (Peter) for fifteen days. 

V. Mistreated and Faithful. (Acts 9:23-31)

Acts 20:24 - "But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God.”

1. I will acknowledge my life only counts because God has it.

2. I have received purpose and ministry from the Lord.

3. I will proclaim God’s grace to everyone.

 Discussion Questions for This Week

1. In what ways would others say your life has changed in Christ this past year?

2. God used a pretty unique collision with Saul to get his attention. In what ways do you see the Lord “colliding” with people today?

3. Are you willing to make an impact in people’s lives and even collide with them if needed? Explain. Read Philippians 1:29. Why is this verse important to remember for our daily walk in this life?

4. We normally think of being sent by God as being sent to share the gospel with unbelievers. How does God also send us to believers with the Gospel message? (Romans 14:19, Ephesians 4:29, Colossians 3:16-17, 1 Thessalonians 4:17-18, 5:11, Hebrews 3:13 and 10:24-25)

5. Who is the Lord calling you to connect with often and mentor? How is it going?

6. What is your story of following Jesus? (tell your family or group this week) How can you tell your story in a compelling way to those outside the faith? Pray for everyone to have a Gospel Conversation this week. Discuss the results next week.