Unstoppable - Learning to Walk in the Power of God, Part 1

Have you ever felt paralyzed by fear me, there's something you know you want to do you know God wants you to do it, but you're just afraid.

I mean, you're just afraid.

And because you're afraid you don't do it. How do you overcome that fear is welcome to this Edition of Living on the Edge with shipping. The mission of these daily programs is to intentionally disciple Christians, the Bible, thanks for joining us as we continue our series stop God's agenda for including you feel like Chip was just saying a lot of us are in effect because were afraid for the next two programs will talk directly about the problem of fear highlight for specific ways we can overcome it as he addresses this issue. We encourage you to get his message notes chips notes containers outline scripture references and much more will help you remember what you hear and maybe even share what you're learning so that it started their strip with his message. Learning to walk in the power of God from acts chapter 4, I got something in the mail today. Sometimes it comes in uniform his brochures and you're quick to throw Ayanna I got this.

That was from a friend in Dallas is a pastor, Tony Evanson, and everyone has different people that you listen to that God really speaks to you and Tony's like number one or two on my list and and so is a pastors conference and I knew I could make it. I opened it looked and said you know and what Tony's doing.

And there's a quote in here. This is the great quote is this change doesn't happen overnight. It begins with one person seeing a problem and then making a decision to make a difference to become a part of the solution change doesn't happen overnight. It begins with one person who sees a problem, who then makes a decision to be a part of the solution. Tony's a pastor in the inner-city part of Dallas and has since helped pastors and is on the radio, but this is the part that excites me. The national church adopt the school initiative.

They started with one school in downtown Dallas. It was really hurting Tony's naff American pastor and he begin to pair churches with inner-city schools.

One school time, a number of years ago and begin to teach job training and do stuff in homes and I will tell you, America is changing because one person saw a problem made a decision and big thing started happening. He took a baby step right.

There's this amazing mission. This unstoppable grace. Tsunami grace when Jesus died upon the cross. And he rose from the dead, and his passionate love for every human being, forcefully moving forward for the last 2000 years, and he started with about 120 people and their mission about mission impossible reach the world and for 40 days he talks to them and he teaches them and then they watch him chapter 1 ascended to heaven. Chapter 2 he sends the Holy Spirit and then chapter 3 member, like the movie what about Bob right just taking what guys do just normal ordinary people to take baby steps in the baby step was Peter and John just did you know what you normally do. They draw near to God and so there walk on their way to the temple and they see a guy that since they were children have been crippled and but they saw them through new eyes.

They saw him through the eyes of his need and the resources of God and he acted on that good impulse and he speaks and he takes a big step of faith and reaches down and as he reached and pulled the man thing a miracle happens and pretty soon there's thousands of people seeing this man that everyone has seen crippled from birth. What would happen if 100% of us just acted on that Holy Spirit inspired impulse to love someone to communicate to someone hundred and 20 people transform the world. The last 2000 years not to some no big thing came down from heaven, and there was a scroll with a game plan.

That said, what to do. Every moment of every day, it was ordinary people just like you just like me and pretty soon they just draw near to God and begin to look at people differently, the way Jesus looks at him and then acted on those good impulses and when they did, then God begin to do some amazing things and they gave him credit and then they boldly explained we have to tell you this isn't us Jesus, who was killed rose from the dead, and he loves people he wants to help you and he preaches this amazing sermon it done.

Then there last part I want you to remember when you take these baby steps for God is to expect a polarizing response expect a polarizing response.

If you pick it up with me in acts chapter 4 so Peter has just preached the sermon. I mean, the fearful fisherman the uneducated guy that doesn't bring much to the table. The blue-collar worker preaches a sermon to see what happens. Some really good stuff and some really hard stuff. Beginning in chapter 4, the priests and the captain of the guard and the Sadducees came to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people and they were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming Jesus the resurrection of the dead and they seized Peter and John because it was evening and they put them in jail until the next day, but many who heard the message believed in the number of men grew to about 5000 units.

Sometimes it's just a guess human nature. When you do exactly what God wants you to do and you begin to draw near to God and you say you know I'm just gonna I may not be really good at this, but start reading the Bible on a regular basis and you start talking to him and you even while you're driving, you start communicating throughout the day and in the middle of the meeting something comes up and you start saying, Lord, what you want me to do and and pretty soon you start looking at people and set up on the outside and judging them to Jesus eyes and then hook you these little impulses and you think only could be someone else, and you act on one and that he confirms that you act on another.

Pretty soon you find yourself explaining to people explained to people that there's hope and there's life and there's forgiveness. The assumption is that everything is getting a great since you're doing the right thing at the right time and honoring God is can be great. What I want to tell you is it usually produces a polarizing response.

They end up in jail. Negative people come to Christ and the movant is begun. Positive you need to grasp the reality that a student isn't greater than his teacher and Jesus with the perfect life love people perfectly and when he told people the truth out of love from a tender heart.

Some people responded to change the course of their eternity, and other people rejected him and that's how it goes with us because that's true because that down in your psyche. You know that's true.

I want to move from taking baby steps to walking in the power of God as you go through this tsunami movement. Do you see in acts chapter 1 to 3 and four and five and the rest of this book. This little fearful group of people.

They change the world they take on the establishment. They start with baby steps, but they begin to walk in the power of God, they begin to expect God to do supernatural things and he does scripture says Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever. Chapter 3 told us that there's power available, but it starts with baby six chapter 4 is can address the biggest issue.

Why most followers of Christ don't walk in the power of God and with that reason is fear. Fear.

While I would step out and say something I don't know what I would say what someone asked me a question. Fear what it might take a couple steps in. And God has some like bigger plan with me to go someplace I don't want to fear but what if I what if I want to do something but I just don't have what it takes.

Fear what people reject me.

Fear the average follower of Christ is paralyzed by the fear of what might happen or what you don't possess in order to be the person God wants to use and so interesting in acts chapter 4 is for clear lessons about how the spirit of God living inside of you as his follower will help you overcome your fear. Lesson number one fear not the holy spirit will speak through you mean let's face it, all of us are pretty concerned that something ask you something you don't how to respond. Pick up the story with me and chapter 4 verse five the next day the rulers of the elders and the teachers.

The law met in Jerusalem and is the high priest was there and so was Caiaphas and John, and Alexander and the other men of the high priestly family. They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them.

And here's the question by what power or what name did you do this that this man who was crippled and healed. He standing in front of them. It's a semi circle of about 70 it was a council made up the Sanhedrin, which are the Sadducees that they don't believe in the resurrection, and then you have a high priestly family for five different names. During that time and then you have some teachers of the law so you have sort of, that the court of Israel of that day and they made all the recommendations in terms of what would happen to the Roman government. They had authority except for issues of what capital offenses and so they bring these two guys and you've got this testimony of this guy that was crippled knees healed and they're saying no.

By what power or what name. How did you guys pull this off Peter there in verse eight, filled with the Holy Spirit rulers and elders of the people. If are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel. It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. He is the stone which you builders rejected, which has become the capstone is quoting Psalm 118. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved now again we squeak. We put these apostles in stained glass way too quickly. This is a guy that it was less than a month ago or so, maybe six or eight weeks a little servant girl says, do you know any good any start swearing I never seen before. My life and that is filled with the Holy Spirit meets the resurrected Christ and he is no superstar.

All he's doing is going about doing what he knows, the next logical thing and so was on his way to a prayer meeting and God gives in this prompting. In response to that, prompting a miracle occurs and now is in jail and now is in jail and I was brought before the intellects of his day.

This is not going you know before the equivalent of feudal Harvard or Stanford all the PhD's and and and you have named in the college and they can ask you the questions and I'm thinking Peter and his heart of hearts is taken will Lord I do trust your promise like a trust that you'll teach me what to say and I believe because Jesus promised he said the Holy Spirit will bring to mind everything that you need to do. Notice of the promise in their booklet, God promised the disciples he promises us.

Jesus promised in Luke 21 verses 12 to 15 he says, but before all of this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you, they will deliver you to the synagogues and prisons will be brought before kings and governors on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them but make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves, for I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict notice. Make up your mind in advance at the pre-decision was. You don't have to be afraid about what you're to say in a situation at work or with a relative or with a friend or someone that you meet and you don't have to be afraid because in that moment. Make up your mind God so cares about them and is so prepared people put words in your mouth to help them as he once you know enough to be afraid, was to release us as his followers to love and care for people and not be afraid of what we can look how bold Peter was meet notice. The notice is pretty good psychology right all if were on trial for this act of kindness that was a good line wasn't right.

I mean we get your gear down on us for doing something really wonderful and kind and good to someone and then he just goes strong and tells them to quote Scripture. So there's truth behind it and then after he quote Scripture. He looks him dead in the eye and says there is salvation and no other name. These bold these bold because these are Peter's words.

These are the spirit of God speaking through Peter. And that promise is as true for you and me as it was for them. Sadly, sadly, about 8 to 9 out of every 10 Christians who are legitimate followers of Christ have never verbally shared the gospel with another person had never explained to another person, even though we are the possessors and stewards of eternal life had never shared with another person at work or in our family were in her neighborhood, or who we hang out with very specifically how Christ died for them that their sin separates them from God that he died and rose from the dead. He's paid for that and makes an offer by grace of eternal life.

Now I told you were in the series is powerful unlocking.

To do that we need to really start caring about people who don't know about Christ and you know the guilt trip never works, Lord, would you create in my heart a love for people the way you love, especially those that are outside of a relationship with you, Lord, would you give me a boldness that I don't have. Would you help me to see people not to how they appear, how they might intimidate me. Would you just give me your eyes and so I been praying that God answered my prayer this week. Just little I'm just taken gradual baby steps.

As I was working out as I was working out.

A guy came in. We play little to want to and I could tell was from another country. I said where you from he said I'm from Egypt as it had been there a couple times in wherefrom we talked a little bit and I said what's your name.

He said amen I said in a note. At present, but what's your name. He says that his money and assuming a talking little bit in any and it wasn't like I had some big plan anything. I'm just working out he's sweating. I'm sweaty and in United know I just I just heard come out of my mouth I said you know I use your name a lot. This is what you mean.

I said will you and I pray like during the day and at the end.

I say amen size I use your name a lot. He said that's very interesting. He said you know I had a friend invite me nothing about God's working.

I went to a Christian church this last weekend. He told little bit about it and I said where you come in from long story short, the sky came from a wealthy family in Egypt has been in the country for over a decade. Very articulate.

28 years old, has studied Islam and went to etch actually school. Graduate school understands it and we begin to have a dialogue about Jesus and Abraham, Islam and Christianity in and I Sugiura wonder what you know we had a really good conversation.

I I probably spent is hard to believe that 70% of time listening and asking questions and really just realize and I just want to know what's in this guy's hard. I want to learn and and and I finally said you know there's not that much difference between us and and everything else. I swelled to think there really is any civil what you mean. I said what I can. Let me give you the difference in just six letters to six letters is all the difference between Islam and what Jesus taught in the Bible in an accident between Jesus and every other religion in the world and you know her dripping in the basketball court because what is it what the first two letters are what Islam demands and every other religion and the letters RD oh you can do you do do do do right I said you pray five times a day yeah got pray five times a day need to go. What do do do do do do right to earn God's favor. He says right I said how do you know for sure if you've ever done enough and you know it was that moment of he gave me that look I don't know, but we were friends, that's it. Here's what Jesus taught everything he taught can be summed up in four letters DONE done see it's not about now because he said looking you want to tell the truth, don't tell the truth you want to be good husband.

I would be a good husband. You see there's not much difference. Another know you understand. You're doing that to try and earn someone's favor that you're really afraid of. Down deep and I'm doing it because I'm so loved that it's done he died for me. I'm already forgiven. I have a relationship and that flows his life out of me. Finally got done. I said I have learned so much today would would you be open to come hang out and teach me about Islam. Is it because let's face it on both Arthur like idiots and radical extremists in on the name of Christianity or Islam, a new wacko study was yeah I said I would really like to understand is one here everyday.

Is it okay so we exchange little information that I got to tell you where to the six letters come from. They came from the holy sky never shared the gospel like that my life, I didn't.

I'm even bringing stuff to my mind. I study about Islam you know who knows where and what gave me you know Mr. mouth the person who's always gonna say… That I make these recent arguments, who in the world could have me shot up and listen and actually just care about someone, and realize all I want to do is understand where you're coming from and care and allow the love of Christ to come through me to you. I just acted on a good impulse. I saw them through different eyes. God will give you everything you need and he'll speak through you this promise is for you people in your office.

He's preparing them people on the job site.

He's preparing when you walk your dog in the park he's preparing and let it come out of your mouth is just a minute you've been listening to the first part of his message.

Learning to walk in our of God from his series, unstoppable God's agenda for planet Earth, including you. That title comes from chips comparison of God's grace to tsunami.

It's unavoidable, inescapable, unstoppable. That's not meant to sound scary or intimidating, but it really is a perfect picture of God's mission to cover this lost world with his love and grace and theirs were learning to chips teaching in the book of acts.

Chip desires us his church to be a part of that plan. I hope you'll join us for each message in the series to discover your role in God's unstoppable wave of grace visit LivingontheEdge.org or call AAA 333-6003 for information about our resources for this series. Apple is near simply tap special offers will trip. I think we all realize that we've been through a tremendous hardship globally with the Coburg 19 virus. Yet God is actually open some doors and done some incredible things in the lives of people we never thought possible, could you share what God is done through Living on the Edge of the prayers and gifts of our partners. Dave, I have to tell you that covert was such a challenging and and difficult time very difficult here in America but also all around the world and to retreat things happen.

We responded right away.

I think the Lord just gave us an idea and we begin to respond directly to people in their homes with some resources, the daily discipleship and some other things that all talk about maybe later in the month but wanted things that happen as we did a webinar live with all the pastors in all of Egypt, and I think God really use that and then what happened is we found out there were pastors in India and then there was a whole another network in Africa and then it moved to Latin America and then southeast Asia and then partners. You know like right now median movement day and you version they all joined in and I need to spend this miraculous moment of 13 webinars since covert got going in 16 languages to over 60 countries, ones that we didn't know ones that were hurting and we help leaders and pastors make it through this time and trust God and I would remind people that you know sometimes you think pastors have it all together. They don't have struggles.

This has been the most challenging time for pastors I've ever seen. I mean the markets were closed in India, people are dying the situations in Africa were Dyer many people, pastors right here in America were discourage some depressed, some contemplating suicide. There is no exaggeration. There and what we were able to do was to give them hope and direction, and then resources to help them minister the people in their churches all across the globe.

It's been amazing. What is happened. Thank you to each one of you that gave and prayed that allowed us to do that and what it's opened is a door to do far more. We really need you to continue to pray in this month. Would you really pray about giving to Living on the Edge that we might encourage and help the pastors were not out of this pandemic yet and the impact is severe. Help us help them will if you're already praying and supporting the Ministry of Living on the Edge. Thank you. We couldn't do it. We do without you.

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Give us a call a 8883336003, or if you prefer, donate online at http://livingontheedge.org app listeners just Donate on behalf of Chip and the team. Thank you in advance for your generosity will now here's chip as we close today's program. It is a very known fact that most of us who are followers of Christ in our entire lifetime. Never tell other people about our relationship with Christ. Some people and their new Christians.

They have all the seal and they do and but the average follower of Christ doesn't share very much about his or her relationship with Christ and I don't know all the reasons behind that but I know fear is a big one and NSU heard that last story you know sometimes you put pastors in a different category and you think that you know we just get up every day were bold every day were courageous every day. It is just not true.

And I member can picture myself sweating in the middle of that little Jim and talking with this man and then when I heard that EP studied Islamic studies in Saudi Arabia or something like oh, brother, and you know we build a friendship. It was it was easy and open, but those six letters God gave me were just the answer to a prayer that I prayed earlier I found that my own heart was not his concern for lost people as I wanted to be or God wanted to be and I was studying to the book of acts. I said oh God, I just begin to pray God give me a love for people not so much about the doing. Give me a love for people. Help me see them the way you see them happy to really care about people and then the second thing was, would you help me discern opportunities just would you help me not just think okay I can do it.

Or maybe I did this so I don't feel like a failure, but where are you at work. Give me love help me discern opportunities and then the last one I just prayed for courage, just help me to be bold I mean everyone is telling people this is true, that's true.

Life's about this life's about that. We can't be silent. We need to be strong and clear and live it out. But we also need to be verbal and clear about who Jesus is his claim and what he's done and the proof that we have is I just want to encourage you to be bold today okay and if you say to yourself I don't care down deep very much for people outside of Christ will ask God for that. He'll give it to you and then pray for discernment asking for courage but just cross the line this week will you do something that takes you out of your comfort zone that says Lord I may be afraid, but I want to love and care for those outside of Christ, and you might be surprised that the six letters or the insightful idea that you have no idea where it came from in order to share his love with people when you cross that line and take that step of faith just before we close. Would you pray for those who are responding to chips encouragement today. There's always a spiritual battle when we feel prompted to draw near and obey God, thanks for taking a minute to do that and if there's a way we can pray for you. Would you let us know call AAA 83336003 or email chip@livingontheedge.org. We'd love to hear from you all and selects time for everyone here is saying thanks for listening to this Edition of Living on the Edge