Reaching Out Together (Session 2)
Duncan Fudge - March 12, 2006
For followers of the Messiah it is glorious to know that we are not expected to do the work of God alone but that we are part of a community who love God and desire to do His good and perfect will. We are considering the way that we can reach out in our small groups with this love to our wider community.
In Philippians 1:27 we read that we are not alone. We are to stand together with one strong purpose. We are partners sharing the good news as a witnessing community in the Lord Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Let us consider how this may be done using the acrostic PARTNER.
P stands for PRAY TOGETHER:
There are many benefits in praying together as a small group. Firstly, we all grow closer together as we all look to the risen Lord and seek the mind of Messiah Jesus. Secondly, we will receive the power as we are filled with His Holy Spirit. Just as a car is not made to be pushed so the work of the Lord is not to be done by the strength of man but by His Spirit and to His glory.
Many people feel stressed at the very thought of reaching out for Jesus. They think of doing something that will embarrass them or that will cause them to be rejected. Take heart, Peter was stressed at the hard work of fishing all night but the Lord Jesus told him to cast off once more and under the Lord’s direction Peter found that he needed help to bring in all the fish. If we are standing together in prayer the Lord can guide us to where to cast out our nets to catch His fish! He will give us the courage and the security.
Guidance is essential for the effective small group. Partnership with the Lord is of primary importance as the Holy Spirit is He who is building and guiding the construction work. We are merely labourers
ACTION: We should make a prayer list and keep a journal of answered prayer as an encouragement to remain faithful.
Prayer is our vertical connection. Our horizontal connection is with each other.
A stands for APPEAL TO COMMON INTERESTS
The Apostle Paul looked for common ground in which he could build a bridge to share his faith (1 Cor 9:22). This was out of a genuine desire to see others come to know the joy of salvation. Yes, he was a street preacher and he preached in the Synagogues but he also sought to become all things to all men.
As a family of believers we are from a variety of cultures and class backgrounds. Even Jew and Arabs, traditionally fierce opponents, can find peace and reconciliation in the Messiah. So our love for God should be followed by the love of His creation and for those made in His image.
As a small group it is important to find things to do that we all enjoy. We do not have to be purely concerned about the spiritual. Being real with each other means actually enjoying our time together. When the small group finds that cohesiveness then others will see it and be drawn to it. Eating together, going to the theatre, the movies or a sports event are just a few suggestions of the kinds of things that a small group might like to do together. A word of caution though, we are to be holy and above reproach in our activities as well as remembering that we are not only a social group!
Groups in general have been studied and given four stages. These are forming, norming, storming and performing. When the group forms it quickly establishes roles, norms and individual characteristics. These can become the norms and lead to the group performing a function whether it is a social group or for another purpose. The group can go through a testing of the roles and norms as members find them unsatisfactory. Finally if the group remains together it can reach the performing stage. These stages may well alternate. As effective small groups we should remember to follow the Lord’s roles and norms by seeking to be the servants of each other. The leaders are in an important position to establish the culture of love, acceptance and service that will lead to a group that performs to the bearing fruit of a hundred fold.
ACTION: We are to discover common interests
R stands for REACH OUT TOGETHER
R is for reaching out and this done in the spirit of love. The key verse for this has to be John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”. As God has shown such wonderful love to us so we also should give our lives sacrificially to our Lord and Master in service to others, as the Lord leads.
This love is not the kind of love that we have for things, or the kind found in a romance novel. This is the kind of love found in the Greek word agape. This love is unconditional, meaning that it cannot be broken. It may be found in the love a mother has for her child. Sometimes the child does something that is not pleasing and the mother may not like the behaviour of the child. Her love, however, is unconditional.
If we have this love for one another and those outside of the church family this will prevent us from becoming judgemental. We should be seeking to kiss the frog! Many people can reject love and will keep pushing us away in order to confirm their insecurity. Jesus encourages us to keep reaching out for those far off with the encouragement of parables about lost sheep, lost coins and the Prodigal Son.
ACTION: Ask God for His love for others
T stands for TELL YOUR STORY
When we have come to know the Lord Jesus as our saviour it can be the difference from night to day. We pass from death to life, from condemnation to glory. Like beggars who have found food and go to tell others where it is we are messengers in the world of the good news that Jesus is God. That He has paid the price for our sin. By His blood we have atonement (at one ment) and peace with God and by His resurrection we have the hope of eternal life.
This is the good news, the Gospel. By God’s grace it does not end there. We have been sent God the Holy Spirit. He seals us until the day of our rapture. He gives us the power to be His witnesses and guides us in the work of building the body of the Messiah. He gives us the words that we should speak in times of trial and persecution and He comforts us.
When we are born again there are three things a follower of Jesus should be prepared to do. The first is always to be in prayer. Second is to always be ready to witness to God’s work in our lives and thirdly, always be prepared to die for our faith.
In order to witness effectively we should be prepared to share our testimony in a natural manner without boring the listener!
ACTION: Write out your testimony and share it with your small group.
N is for NURTURING OUR FRIENDSHIPS
The wisdom of God teaches us that the most important thing on earth is the care of others. His love for humans is clear in Holy Scripture and His abundant love for the marginalized is even evident in the Nativity story. Jesus was no respecter of persons and neither should we be. The Apostle Paul teaches us to make friends with others never being too proud.
We can make the most of our ‘Nativity Celebrations’! We can invite family and friends to join us in celebrating our new birth. Matthew (Levi) celebrated his new friendship with Jesus by inviting his colleagues and friends for a meal. Jesus was known for His party going and accused of it!
The church has often fallen into two extremes. The first is isolationism where it seeks separation from others, e.g. not eating with those that are regarded as impure. Or imitation of the world where there can be very little difference in the lifestyle of the world and the church. Rather we should imitate our Lord in making the most of every opportunity to declare our joy and celebrate the good news. We are called to transformation by the renewing of the spirit of our mind as we meditate on the word and walk in the Spirit daily, moment by moment.
ACTION: Seek opportunities to celebrate and bring friends along to your party!
E stands for EXPECT GOD TO ACT
To have faith is to be sure of what we hope for. When the friends of the paralysed man climbed on the roof and lowered him down through the hole they had made they had faith Jesus cold heal him. It was on the basis of their faith that Jesus declared that his sins were forgiven! God desires to save the lost. That’s why He sent His Son! He really wants us to be full of hope and so He sends us.
Never give up loving and caring for friends and family. Our lifestyle and witness is key to the salvation of those around us. At times life can feel so hard and depressing but God hears the cries of the oppressed. Those who sow with tears shall reap a harvest of joy. The Lord remains faithful and can always provide us with the love and power to hope. Remember Moses in the wilderness when Israel had no water. God showed His sufficiency in a miracle. Sometimes God takes us to the extremes and beyond to show us His all sufficiency. This is His work and we are His labourers!
ACTION: Pray to never give up but to have faith that God will do His good pleasure
Finally, R stands for REPRESENT JESUS WITH YOUR LIFE
Moses was forty days on the Mount and when He came down his face shone. When we look to the Lord, worshipping Him in spirit and truth our face will shine and our lives will shine and give glory to God. It will not be noticeable to the disciple but those around in darkness will see the light of the Lord shining. Yes, Jesus wants you for a sunbeam! He will use us as we give ourselves fully to Him and He will glorify Himself as we rest in His glorious arms of love.
ACTION: Pray, “God use me for your glory”
Thank you for taking the time to read this sermon. I sincerely hope and pray that by following the advice and encouragement as well as the action points you will know the richest blessing and the greatest bearing of spiritual fruit as you abide in our wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus.