Notes from April 5/6

Sermon Notes for Small Group Leaders
The Jesus Way Part 10 – Something Strange is Happening
Pastor Jim Zippay
5 & 6 April 2008
Acts 2.2-12

Outline
I. The Kingdom is Coming
II. The Spirit is Moving
III. The Church is Emerging

Progression of the Book of Acts
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1.8)
Acts 2-7 – Jerusalem: Jerusalem is reached by contagious contact. (Acts 2.42)
Acts 8-12 – Judea and Samaria: Judea and Samaria are reached by intentional infection. (Acts 8.3-4)
Acts 13-28 – The Ends of the Earth: The ends of the earth are reached by ordained outbreak. (Acts 16.9-10)

Content
1. God is not beyond doing something strange or unorthodox to turn our attention toward Jesus.
2. God purposefully chose Pentecost, the Jewish feast of first fruits, for this strange occurrence because it was the beginning of the harvest yet to come.
3. The gathering of nations in a worldwide community is integral to the Kingdom, and one evidence of the Kingdom coming is diverse and distant people praising Jesus. (Jeremiah 3.7, Revelation 7.9)
4. As a church, let’s pray that God would continue to use us to bring one more voice, one more people group around the throne.
5. Communication is a spiritual thing. When you speak the language of the heart, the Spirit of God is there tearing down barriers so that we can hear and be healed.
6. When we connect with soul-level language spoken in geographic and circumstantial dialects, that communication can reach the remotest part of the world, the human heart.
7. The gift of tongues – speaking in known and unknown languages not previously learned – is real. We shouldn’t limit the Spirit’s power.
8. The gospel of reconciliation can bridge every divide, bringing united community under the banner of Christ.
9. “Jerusalem” represents the people closest to us. “Judea and Samaria” represent our associates and acquaintances. “The ends of the earth” represent a new frontier.
10. Mystery requires faith because it’s beyond our comprehension. Let’s not lessen what Jesus wants to do because we haven’t experienced it.


Aim
The Spirit of God enables us to speak the language of the heart so that others might hear and respond to the gospel of reconciliation.

Application Questions
1. When have you spoken the language of the heart? How were others affected?
2. Who are the people in your Jerusalem? In your Judea and Samaria?
3. What would it take to get you to extend yourself to the ends of the earth?
4. How can you more intentionally reach others with the gospel of reconciliation?
5. When have you allowed real or perceived differences exclude you from God’s people?
6. What has God done in your life that you need to share with others?

Upcoming Events
· Justice Revival – April 16-18, 2008, Columbus, OH www.sojo.net
· God’s Call to Bless the Nations, Heritage Missions Weekend 2008, April 18-20, 2008; register online http://www.heritagecc.org/calendarserviceuregister.php

Supplemental Resource
“Just Walk Across the Room” by Bill Hybels

Welcome to the Sermon Notes Page!

We will begin posting all weekly sermon notes on this page. Our goal will be to have them posted by Sunday @ 2pm. The easist way to print them out will be to copy and paste them into Word or something similar. Feel free to share this with your Life Group Members so they can check the notes also.