Sermon Notes: "Off We Go"

"Off We Go" on another adventure in gleaning from God's Word...and today's message started in Acts 1:7-8, and then traveled around to various other places that we will explore as we arrive there.


Before we get started, here is a picture of the Interlachen Methodist Church from 1895...

picture from Internet www.interlachen-fl.gov

 And here is how it looks today:

I love that this little church has retained the character of it's beginnings, and that it still has a warm, loving spirit that welcomes all who enter its doors.  We feel blessed to be a part of this local gathering of the Body of Christ.  They live up to the Gospel mandate to be a witness for Christ, as we studied in our lesson today.

And so, that being said, let us begin:

Acts 1:7-8

7.  "And He said to them, "It is not for you to know 

times or seasons which 

the Father has put in His own authority.

8.  But you shall receive power 

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; 

and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, 

and in all Judea and Samaria, 

and to the end of the earth."

• What is our calling? 
• What has God called us to do?  
• We are to be witnesses of what we have seen and heard and experienced.

How do we take our every day lives and turn it around and share it as a witness for Jesus Christ?

• We need to PRAY and WORSHIP...
• When a church tries to live for Christ...Satan starts to tremble.  We are supposed to shake him up...

Mark 16:15 says:

"And He said to them,

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature..."

• PRAY
• GO

Read Acts 2:1-4

Why were the disciples in an upper room?  They were waiting...they were listening for and waiting on God...and they were "all with one accord in one place"...in agreement and waiting and worshiping together.  And then the Holy Spirit came and filled them with His Spirit...and gave them the message of salvation to take to the uttermost parts of the world.

Our witness starts with a closer relationship with Jesus Christ...

We can't give what we have not received.  To be a witness means that we must love God like never before...love people like never before...even when people can be difficult to love.  That's what we are called to do.  

When the Holy Spirit came on the day of Pentecost over 3000 souls were added to the Kingdom. (see Acts 2:41)  

In Acts 2:42-47 we see the beginnings of the Christian church...this is what they did:

• They continued steadfastly in the Apostle's doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. (verse 42)
• Many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. (43)
• All who believed  were together, and had all things in common. (44)
• They sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. (45)
• Continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart (46)
• Praising God and having favor with all the people...and the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. (47)

John 13:35 says, 

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Live like never before...live in community with one another...

Acts 3:1-8...The lame man asked Peter and John for "alms" (money), and in verse 4, Peter said to the man:

4.  "Look at us"

6.   "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you;

in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk".

7.  And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, 

and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.8.  So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God."

Matthew 5:16 says:

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Does the Father in heaven see your good works today?  Are you fulfilling the call to worship Him, to work for and serve Him...to witness for Him in the world?  Do others see and ask, "Why are you different?"

Acts 3:12  "So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people:  "Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?"

When is the last time you've done something to "surprise" your neighbors or friends or family regarding your relationship with Christ?

Read  Acts 3:12-16... 

• Can you stand and tell your story? 
• Can you give an answer to everyone who wonders why you are so happy...What has God done for us?  
• Be ready to share...

We should be like a rescue station next to the gates of hell...ready to rescue people from entering into hell by sharing our testimony and witness for Christ and what He has done for us.

• Are you a witness for Jesus Christ today?
• Are you living a life so that others can see Jesus Christ living in you?

Appropriately our closing hymn was "Take the Name of Jesus with You"...

Take the name of Jesus with you,
Child of sorrow and of woe;
It will joy and comfort give you,
Take it then where'er you go. 

    Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
    Hope of earth and joy of heav'n;
    Precious name! Oh, how sweet!
      Hope of earth and joy of heav'n. 

Take the name of Jesus ever,
As a shield from every snare.
If temptations round you gather,
Breathe that holy name in prayer. 

Oh, the precious name of Jesus,
How it thrills our souls with joy;
All the favor of the Father
In this name we may enjoy. 

At the name of Jesus bowing,
Falling prostrate at His feet,
Claim His vict'ry over evil
And the enemy defeat.   Amen!

source: https://www.lyricsondemand.com/miscellaneouslyrics/christianlyrics/takethenameofjesuswithyoulyrics.html

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given.  I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously.  Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said.  Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear...  That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts.  So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.

Sermon Notes 7/15/2018, Pastor A.C. Myers, FUMC, Interlachen, FL.