We were reminded this last week not to get distracted by peripheral matters, but to focus on Jesus Christ and His Gospel. Whenever the church gets distracted by secondary matters it allows the enemy to build inroads into our churches and our hearts.
Last week we learned that our identity should be defined by our faith in Jesus Christ. The 4 main points of the sermon were:
- Who You Are: Not Where, When or What
- Who You Are: Faith through Grace
- Who You Are: One Body
- Who You Are: It’s Worth Protecting
Spend some time applying the message from this last week. If you haven’t had a chance to hear it or need to refresh the sermon is posted below. If you took notes read through your notes.
Pray: Ask God to show you what in your life might be more important than it needs to be. What are you putting above God? Are you letting other things, even good things, become more important than God?
Consider your life for a minute. If someone were to examine your life: how you spend your time, your attitude, your mercy, how you spend your money… What would they see? Would devotion to God be apparent?
Read: Acts 15:36-18:21
Ask: If you read the reading above you will be reading about Paul’s 2nd missionary journey. This is a long mission trip, several years that he spends on the road traveling between cities preaching the gospel.
- What do you learn about ministry?
- Who does Paul take with him?
- What is the most striking part of the story to you?
Do: Find one act of service you can do in the next few weeks. If you have kids, try to find something your family can do together that helps someone else.
Question 1:
*Ministry is always changing. Sometimes Paul was preaching the gospel while others he was seeking out believers to encourage them.
*Ministry requires us to be flexible.
Paul & Barnabas were working well together until the disagreement which had them part ways. But it didn’t stop Paul from partnering with Silas and Timothy, & others to continue the mission work. We are called to serve in different capacities, with different partnerships & different roles.
*Your ministry won’t always be accepted by others.
Even when we are trying to do good, there may be opposition! It seems like Paul was “on the run” throughout most of his ministry!
LikeLike