Complete Sermon Notes
Every Believer is Called to the Ministry
INTRO: Everyone can have a ministry – God created us to make a difference. The problem is we look at numbers instead of faithfulness.
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Oswald Chambers: “God buries His men [and women] in the midst of paltry things, no monuments are erected to them; they are ignored, not because they are unworthy, but because they are in the place where they cannot be seen.”
Acts 14:8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
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To the needy – it’s not comfortable.
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God restores the humble and those who see their need – it’s our job to point them in the right direction.
Psalm 107:27-28 (NIV), “They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.”
9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
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GOD was his focus. You don’t build faith by being negative.
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Paul was OPEN to what God wanted to do – no we doubt what God wants to do.
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This is the gift of faith.
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He surveyed the situation: Matthew 7:6, paraphrase: Don’t waste your time or things on people who will throw it back in your face. Don’t throw your money or assets to those who act like pigs! They will trample those resources then turn on you.
1. The man had faith 2. In Mark 9:24 – I believe, but… 3. Matthew 8:8 – just say the word.
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In ministry, you’ll need faith – you’ll struggle with faith – and you’ll need to intercede – An intercessor identifies with the pain.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonianlanguage, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
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Key to ministry success: Proverbs 27:2, “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth.” Praise is “accurate acknowledgment.” BUT then you praise G0d AND mean it.
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Heart issue: “Oh shucks…you mean little ole me?”
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Who were Zeus and Hermes – 2 of 12 Greek gods who lived on Mount Olympus. Most of that belief system has now faded.
Who IS Jesus – not who WAS Jesus.
13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
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Nearly all religions make a sacrifice. Knowing we need something to take our place…that we’ve fallen short…that we owe something…is in our DNA.
Argument against Christianity: “All Religions speak of a God and a Sacrifice – so it must not be true – it’s all a myth.”
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT SACRIFICE ….
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them…
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One of the primary goals of the ministry: “turn from these useless things.”
Ministry isn’t always about wiping away the tears – sometimes creates them.
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Feed the stomach but neglect the soul is not ministry – it’s compassionate outreach, but it’s not ministry.
PAUL’S 100% FOCUS WAS THE GOSPEL
Why? Because what you focus on becomes the priority!
16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
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Pagan’s had no knowledge of the Old Testament: In ministry, you’ll need to relate to the hearer.
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The Witness – His invisible attributes.
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False worshippers are set in their ways. God has to open their eyes –
Stoning, Escape to Derbe
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
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Satan doesn’t go on vacation when you decide to get involved.
DISCOURAGEMENT has a purpose.
- Your spouse is not your enemy.
