Week 4 – Jeff Maness – October 6, 2019
Why? Impact
Vision — We exist to guide people to experience life to its fullest, connect into meaningful relationships and make a lasting impact.
Big Idea: Lasting impact does not begin with what we do, it begins with who we are.
Big Question: Who do we need to be to make an impact?
Main Scripture: Acts 4:23-35
Acts 4:23-29a 23 As soon as they were freed, Peter and John returned to the other believers and told them what the leading priests and elders had said. 24 When they heard the report, all the believers lifted their voices together in prayer to God: “O Sovereign Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them— 25 you spoke long ago by the Holy Spirit through our ancestor David, your servant, saying, ‘Why were the nations so angry? Why did they waste their time with futile plans? 26 The kings of the earth prepared for battle; the rulers gathered together against the Lord and against his Messiah.’ 27 “In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, whom you anointed. 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants,
Acts 4:29 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
Acts 4:30 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
Acts 4:31 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
1. We need to be people of courage
Obedience is our success — Success is not determined by outcome, but by our obedience to God.
Acts 4:32a 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind.
2. We need to be people of unity
Acts 6:7 7 So God’s message continued to spread. The number of believers greatly increased in Jerusalem, and many of the Jewish priests were converted, too.
Acts 4:32b-35 32b And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. 34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
3. We need to be people of generosity
Leading the way in generosity — We serve a radically generous God so we will be radically generous people.
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