Lots of Things again :)

Friday 4/13, 7:30pm
Message and Fellowship (In the World, Not of It - Faya Peng)
Pre-Fellowship Dinner, 6:00-7:15pm: Moe's (off of Parmer/I-35)
Post-Fellowship Hangout, 10pm: Moses' Place

Saturday 4/14, 8am-12pm
ACC Church Clean-Up

Sunday 4/15, 11am
Eddie and Ti are getting baptized!
ACC Morrison Hall

Birthdays: Jamie (4/10), Susan (4/15), Faya (4/17), Winston (4/17)

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Faya's Notes:

John 7: 15-18: “¹⁵My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. ¹⁷Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. ¹⁸As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.”

Jesus is praying for the disciples. I see 2 big observations:

1) We’ve been sent into the world the way Jesus was and He doesn’t want us to be taken out of the world.

2) But He makes the point that we are not of it either.

So what’s this mean is that:

1) Am I making an impact? God has us here for a reason otherwise, why didn’t he ask us to be taken out of the world. He wants us here to do something – to have an impact on the world.

2) Am I distinct? While we’re sent into the world, we’re not supposed to look like everyone else – we’re not supposed to conform to the patterns of the world – we’re not of it.

§ 1 John 2:15 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”

§ Matthew 28: 19-20- ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

§ 2 Corinthians 5:20 “²⁰We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

§ 2 Timothy 1:13-14 ¹³What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. ¹⁴Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Salt and the Light

Matthew 5:13-16: ¹³"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. ¹⁴"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

1) Is my light hidden? As a light – we don’t share our light – we hide it. Jesus talks about how a light is no good if it’s covered up by a bowl. For us today, I would say that bowl could be the comfort and security of a church fellowship. It can be other things as well, but I think one thing that is common is that we get so wrapped up into being around people like us that we feel at home with, that we neglect what God has called us to.

a. When God called Abraham, He said He would bless Abraham so that he could be a blessing to others. We’ve been blessed – but are we a blessing to others?

b. What are the reasons we don’t share the gospel? All can be boiled down to:

i. We don’t care

ii. We don’t think Hell is real

iii. We don’t think Jesus is the only way

c. So my question to you is where is your opportunity? Are you engaging in it? It could be your co-workers, maybe you’re on a sports team or have a hobby? But what is that area where you have this opportunity?

d. What are the barriers to me sharing my faith? Matthew 9:37 - ³⁷Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.

2) Am I salty? – the second challenge is to keep our saltiness. Otherwise we’re like the salt that loses the favor. What’s distinct – what’s purposeful about that?

a. Being different isn’t always fun

b. Be intentional

c. Beware of temptation

Do I honor God with my actions and words?

Colossians 3:17 - ¹⁷And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1) Pray – as with anything pray

a. Pray for opportunities and effective words: Col 4: 2-4 - ²Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. ³And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. ⁴Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

b. Support - Seek encouragement and support with others in prayer

i. Share with others

ii. Hold each other accountable

c. Pray that the barriers to people’s belief would be removed

2) Act – Col 4: 5-6 continue to say ⁵Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

a. Commit time to engaging with friends.

i. Meals, coffee – 1x1 interactions give more opportunity

ii. Sports – can be 1x1 or group activity – but drives more interaction; demonstrate godly character during

iii. Community service

iv. Investigative small groups

b. Be intentional in conversation

i. Learn about them

1. Learn what their story is

2. Find out who they are

3. Know what’s going on in their lives

ii. Testimony

iii. FIRE – Family, Interests, Religion, Evangelism

iv. Baits – open ended questions that can naturally lead to spiritual discussion

1. Do you feel fulfilled

2. Do you think people are innately good or evil

v. Hooks – direct questions that have positive or negative response but meant to lead to a specific conversation

1. Do you believe God exists

2. Do you think Jesus died for your sins

vi. Roman road, 4 laws, bridge illustration