The Church on Mission: "Spirit-Led Welcome into God's Family"

The Church on Mission: “Spirit-led Welcome into God’s Family”         

Acts 10:34-43       

2-10-19

Missional: Living daily for the mission of Christ to see people love God, love others and become disciple-makers.

Church: Consists of everyone, everywhere, who has a faith relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spirit-led: Living daily relying on the Holy Spirit as we learn from Scripture how to leave our old life behind and walk in our new life in Christ.

I. Trust that the Holy Spirit will prepare others to receive the Gospel. (Acts 10:1-8)

How Peter was Prepared to Share the Gospel:

1. Grew up with God’s Truth.

2. Discipled by a mature Man. (Jesus)

3. Walked continually in community.

4. Benefited from God’s providence.

5. Prepared for ministry by failures and brokenness.

6. Filled with the Spirit.

7. Time and maturity.

II. Receive the truth that we often have an imperfect love for others. (Acts 10:9-23)

Galatians 2:11-14 - “…I opposed (Peter) to his face… For…he was eating with the Gentiles; but he… drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party… (others) acted hypocritically with him…even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy…when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas (Peter) before them all, “If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?

III. Follow the Lord’s call to welcome and disciple others. (Acts 10:23-48)         

How to Welcome People:  

1. Smile.

2. Speak to them.

3. Say their name.

4. Serve and help them.

5. Show them how to connect and go deeper.

Faith Sheet for this Week

1. What boundaries or differences have you seen that separates Christians from one another? How has that hindered the unchurched from hearing the gospel?

2. What are some ways you see those who do not follow Christ seeking a “spiritual” encounter? How can we tap into this with the Gospel message of Jesus Christ?

3. How does knowing that God is sovereign over all encourage you? In what ways does it challenge you?

4. What traditions or preferences might we need to reject or hold loosely to reach others with the Gospel message?

5. Review the five aspects of welcoming others. How are you doing? Do you welcome others on Sunday or tend to go mostly toward familiar friends? Why is being welcoming so important in getting the Gospel out to others? (Genesis 12:1-3, Leviticus 19:33-34, Matthew 10:40, Mark 9:37, Luke 14:7-14, Romans 14:1, 15:7, 1 Peter 4:8-9 and James 5:1-9)