Normal or Supernatural – 6

Normal or Supernatural – 6

Subject – Ordinary Men Transformed to the Supernatural

by Rick Welborne

Acts 6:1-7 (NKJV)
¹  Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
²  Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.
³  Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;
⁴  but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word."
⁵  And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,
⁶  whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.
⁷  Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 

--The early church was no different than our churches in that they had issues just like we do. The good news was that their problems were an issue because the church was growing so quickly.

--God, give us problems like that. Many of our problems are because we circle the wagons, no one gets out and no one comes in. Our problems cause us to devour one another.

--The Hellenist widows were being neglected in the daily distribution of food. The scriptures are pretty clear about what real religion is all about.

James 1:27 (NIV)
²⁷  Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

--The disciples needed help because the church was multiplying. They recognized for the church to be successful, they would have to give themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. 

--I truly believe the need is still the same. Too many pastors are doing way too much stuff that is absolutely important but should be done by others in the body of Christ.

--Yes, some pastors have difficulty with turning people lose to do ministry (they are insecure) but to go from normal to supernatural, others will have to be raised up to shoulder the load.

--On the other hand, some churches believe the pastors should do pretty much everything because that is what we pay them, for goodness sake. The lady in Stavros.

--What has to be understood between those called into the ministry as pastors and those raised up as the laity, to go from normal to supernatural, there has to be love and co-operation. There has to be more.

--Today I want to focus on what will make laity, deacons, board members, ushers, greeters, choir members, department heads, elders, missions, and everyone who serves in church go from normal to supernatural. HOH!

--Of course, it has to be understood between laity and pastors that there is a divine connection which causes them to work together for the ultimate good for the Kingdom of God.

--Let me establish from the “get go” that the common bond for this divine purpose and mission to be accomplished has to be Holy Spirit. Supernatural power.

John 16:7 (NIV)
⁷  But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

--For simplicity today, I will place all of those who serve in the local church as laity. It will get very redundant to attempt in naming every aspect of ministry every time I mention them. 

1. Going from Normal to Supernatural Requires Laity to be Spirit-filled.

--Of course, I am not saying that if you have never been baptized in Holy Spirit power, that you have no place to serve in the Body of Christ. 

--But what I am saying, based on God’s Word, is that when the church needed people who would serve and truly take care of the widows, they chose people filled with Holy Spirit. Their qualifications:

Acts 6:3 (NKJV)
³  Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;

--Understand this, the church was looking for people to serve widows food every day and make sure they were treated fairly. The disciples said this job is so important that these people must have these qualifications.

--Men of good reputation, men full of Holy Spirit power, and full of wisdom. Also, they must know the Word of God. Read Stephen’s biblical history lesson in chp.7. Philip guided the Ethiopian Eunuch in the scriptures. 

--Again, no one is telling you not to serve if you do not have these qualifications. What we are saying is to seek God until He baptizes you in Holy Spirit power so that you can be more effective in your ministry.

--Let me give you an example. Your pastor and Board of Deacons were going thru a list of names of potential Board Members so their names could be voted on in February. 

--One of the men who was approached let us know he wanted to serve on the Board but he had not been baptized in the Spirit. Instead of getting hurt or discouraged, he started seeking God.

--Every time there was an opportunity to seek God, he was at the altar praying. Guess what? God baptized with Holy Spirit power and he was voted onto the Board and is now serving. A great blessing.

--There is no good reason that we should not want what God has for us to take us from normal to supernatural. Holy Spirit baptism does not make you perfect. Nicolas did not turn out that well. One of the deacons. 

--To serve as laity in the church there is obviously a need to have help beyond yourself. Wouldn’t you want to be best equipped to serve? Right after Jesus said it is necessary for Him to go away He said this about the Spirit.

John 16:8&13-15 (NKJV)
⁸  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
¹³  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.
¹⁴  He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.
¹⁵  All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

--Many in the church need to get rid of their pride and fear when it comes to Holy Spirit baptism. You have seen abuses in the church so therefore you dismiss everything about Him. Very sad!

--People abuse cars, they speed, they drive reckless, they drive drunk, they pull out in front of you, they text while they drive, but I am not going to start walking because of crazy people. They’ll run over you!

2. Going from Normal to Supernatural will Require the Laity to be Focused on the Great Commission.

--I want to make sure you understand before we talk about Stephen and Phillip that they were chosen to be deacons by the people. They were not pastors or missionaries in the traditional sense. They were laity.

--Here your pastor, just because God has not called you to be a pastor or missionary does not mean God cannot use you in an amazing way. That has been God’s intention sense the beginning.

--Way back when God first transformed my life and filled me with Holy Spirit power, I had no intention of going into full time ministry but I wanted to be used by God for His glory.

--Holy Spirit was given so we could be witnesses. I started going everywhere telling everyone about Jesus. Many were coming to church and giving their hearts to the Lord.

--The pastor calls me into his office and tells me he wants to make me the evangelism director. I said “no thanks” I would rather just go out and tell people about Jesus. I didn’t know the lingo. Stephen was laity:

Acts 6:8-10 (NKJV)
⁸  And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
⁹  Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen.
¹⁰  And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke.

--Here is a board member, a deacon, who is full of Holy Spirit, full of power, full of wisdom, and being used by God to do signs and wonders. Stephen could have been anything in the church but he wanted God to use him.

--You know the story, Stephen got much opposition from the people and they brought him before the council.

Acts 6:15 (NKJV)
¹⁵  And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel.

--Stephen displayed the presence of God and then, he preached a beautiful sermon giving all these religious leaders a history lesson from Abraham to Jesus. Could we do that?

--Remember how Jesus told Peter that going from the normal to the supernatural would cost him his life. The same was true with Stephen. They stoned him as he cried out for their forgiveness. He was laity.

--Paul was there consenting to Stephen’s death. I believe Stephen left his soul print on Paul. Changed him.

Acts 8:3-5 (NKJV)
³  As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.
⁴  Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
⁵  Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 

--Again, Philip was a deacon but he was being used by God in such an incredible way. Why? Same reason. He was full of Holy Spirit, full of power, full of wisdom, and being used by God to preach the Word.

--The power of Holy Spirit was never to be exclusively for the pastors, missionaries, and evangelist. You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you was intended for everyone in the church.

3. Going from Normal to Supernatural took Philip into a Chariot Ministry.

Acts 8:26-29 (NKJV)
²⁶  Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.
²⁷  So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship,
²⁸  was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.
²⁹  Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."

--Your ministry as a layman or as a pastor may be a chariot ministry or a golf ministry or shopping ministry but the point is to go from normal to supernatural you must be filled with Holy Spirit and willing to go. 

A. Philip was sensitive to hear the voice of the Lord and to do what He said.

--This is key in being used by God to witness to the lost. Holy Spirit will guide you where you need to go.

John 16:13 (NKJV)
¹³  However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 

--We must be sensitive to Holy Spirit at all times. He will guide you where you need to be. My sister Barbara.

B. Philip was observant to what was happening with the person he was trying to share Jesus.

Acts 8:29-31 (NKJV)
²⁹  Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go near and overtake this chariot."
³⁰  So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?"
³¹  And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

--Philip saw he was reading Isaiah and because he was being led by God he asked him if he understood what he was reading. The door swings wide open. He gets the invitation to sit with him.

--This is crucial in witnessing. As a pastor or as laity we must be able to recognize opportunities when presented. So many push themselves on people at the wrong time. You do more damage than good.

C. Philip was sensitive to know “now was the time to preach Jesus.”

Acts 8:34-35 (NKJV)
³⁴  So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?"
³⁵  Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.

--All of us have the opportunity to go from normal to supernatural if we are filled with Holy Spirit power and wisdom. People need Jesus and we need to reach them. All of us. What’s your ministry?

Do Not Be Afraid – 6

Do Not Be Afraid – 6

Subject: Fear Can Be Paralyzing

by Rick Welborne

Matthew 14:25‑33 (NKJV) 

25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 

26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid." 

28 And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 

29 So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 

30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 

33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God." 

–Last week we looked at “Fear the Lord Your God” and how learning to fear Him causes us to grow and trust Him. Tonight I want to take us where we can deal with our fears.

Herman Melville - He who has never failed somewhere, that man cannot be great. Failure is the test of greatness.

1. Afraid of Falling as We Get Older.

–When we were younger failure did not seem to affect us as much...we actually thought that falling or messing up was pretty much a given.

–It is a good thing that children do not give up on walking just because they fall over and over again.

–As we grow older we become more and more afraid of messing up...why is that...we become the child who decides to crawl instead of walk.

–Peter was like a small child...He was about to attempt something that looked like it was doomed to destruction...something that he had a high chance of failing at.

–Here is the key early in this message...Peter was willing to risk failure for the adventure of trusting Christ more fully.

–Know this...even if Peter fails Jesus is not going to use his failure as grounds for dismissal...Jesus takes Peter’s faith seriously...he is learning and because of that Jesus rescues him when he begins to sink.

–Very important that you notice this about Jesus...He saves before He disciplines...but the saving and the disciplining are proof of Jesus’ love for Peter...He wants him to learn. He wants us to learn.

John Ortberg - I believe this is one of the most important questions in life: Why is it that for some people failure is energizing, while for others failure is paralyzing?

–News flash - All of us experience failure, and no one likes it. For some it is the push they need to go on to new learning, deeper persistence, vigorous commitment, and more courageous hearts. Jumping off the pier. 

–For others failure produces utter defeat–a sense of discouragement, a loss of hope, a desire to hide, a secret resolve to never step out like that again.

–Years ago at a conference Joni Eareckson Tada did a question and answer after speaking and someone asked her how she kept going, how she kept leading, serving, and creating despite her obvious physical challenges?

Tada - This is the one and only time in history when I get to fight for God. This is the only part of my eternal story when I am actually in the battle. Once I die, I will be in celebration mode in a glorified body in a whole different set of circumstances. But this is my limited window of opportunity, and I am going to fight the good fight for all I am worth.

–Our perception of our failures and how we respond when it seems we have stepped out to do what we think we should be doing and find ourselves sinking...is critical. She fought! We must fight!

2. Dealing with the Fear When Life Heads South.

–I am so glad for the real-ness of the Word of God...example King David.

–We see a shepherd boy’s life seemly take off...He is anointed by Samuel to be king of Israel, he defeats Israel’s greatest enemy (Goliath), King Saul chose him to be a warrior and musician.

–The army loved him, the ladies wrote songs about him...Saul has killed thousands ...David his tens of thousands.  Everything he did seem to turn to gold...He was on his way to being King

–Something happened, life happened and it happened suddenly! David lost his job...he went from shepherd to musician and warrior...the most successful officer in Israel’s army. Now he is out of a job again…heading south

–Talk about fear...Saul is jealous and starts throwing spears, and David is unemployed. He loses his income and security...He would never serve in Saul’s army again.

–This is bad...wait a minute...now he loses his wife...Saul’s daughter...and now his father-in-law is sending soldiers to kill him.

–He runs to his mentor Samuel who had anointed him to be king...Saul hears of it...and David has to escape again...Samuel dies not long after this...David’s life is upside down.

–He runs to his BFF Jonathan who confronts his father...He risked his life for David...He could not leave the court...He could not or would not raise a sword against his own father.

–Once more David is on the run and he is on his own. Can you imagine the fear and emotions?

–His job, his marriage ends in failure...His mentor dies...His best friend is out of his life. Then things get worse.

–You know it is bad when the only place David felt that he could flee to was to Gath...the hometown of Goliath the Philistine whom he had killed. How did that go?

1 Samuel 21:11‑15 (NIV) 

11 But the servants of Achish said to him, "Isn't this David, the king of the land? Isn't he the one they sing about in their dances: "'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands'?" 

12 David took these words to heart and was very much afraid of Achish king of Gath. 

13 So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. 

14 Achish said to his servants, "Look at the man! He is insane! Why bring him to me? 

15 Am I so short of madmen that you have to bring this fellow here to carry on like this in front of me? Must this man come into my house?" 

–This is the time when David wrote Ps. 34...I will bless the Lord at all times.

3. We Want to Run and Hide in a Cave

1 Samuel 22:1 (NIV) 

1 David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam...

–David, not too long ago had wealth, power, fame, friends, security, and what he thought was a guaranteed future, now he is running for his life and living in a cave.

–I counsel with people like this quite often...usually because of a failed marriage...people feel they need to run to a cave called “Failure” and hide.

–This is the cave you end up in when all your props, supports, and crutches are stripped away. You thought you were going to do great things, have a great family, a great life, and you realize that dreams are evaporating. 

–Maybe you are in the cave because you made bad choices or you are there as a result of circumstances that you had no control over. Usually it is a combination of the two.

–There may be someone who is in a cave right now...lost your job...your finances...family life in disarray ...personal relationships seem to have gone south...maybe it is physical or maybe you are all alone.

–For whatever reason...you are in a cave...everyone ends up there at some point in their lives...it is the way life is. Again, everyone ends up in a cave at some point!

–The hardest thing about the cave is that you begin to wonder if God has lost track of you. Did He forget His promises? Does He remember where I am? Will I ever be anywhere but in this cave?  Will I die here?

This is key - You need to know that it is when we are in the cave that God does His best work in molding and shaping us. 

–When all of our props and crutches in our lives are stripped away we find that God is all we have and we discover that He is enough! More than enough!

–Hear me...it is a good thing to discover our worst fears have come true and that we find ourselves totally inadequate in a certain situation and that we are out of our league in how to deal or cope.

–How so? You find that it actually can be liberating to know you do not have the answer or the resources to make happen what you think needs to happen because God specializes in flowing through our weaknesses.

2 Corinthians 12:8‑10 (NLT) 

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 

9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 

10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

--God says...My power works best in weakness.  Oh, if we could grasp this and believe it with all our hearts.

–David knew weakness and he knew what it felt like to be a failure...He spent about ten years of his life in the wilderness on the run.  It looked as though God’s promises would never become true.  

–Have you ever heard “Misery attracts company.” 

1 Samuel 22:2 (NKJV) 

2 And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. 

–I am a failure and everyone around me is a failure.

–One day they return home (Zicklag) and discover their village is burned, their wives and children are gone...David and all his men raise their voices and weep until they had no more strength to weep...been there?

–Things get worse...His men speak of stoning him...tough being leader sometimes. David did what we have to do:

1 Samuel 30:6 (NKJV) 

6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 

–This is one of those great spiritual lessons in life...when all your resources are gone, when every prop is kicked out from underneath you, every crutch is taken away, when you have reached the point of utter failure...You encourage yourself in the Lord!  How?

–A Psalm of David when he was in the cave:

Psalm 142:1‑7 (NLT) 

1 I cry out to the LORD; I plead for the LORD’s mercy. 

2 I pour out my complaints before Him and tell Him all my troubles. 

3 When I am overwhelmed, You alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. 

4 I look for someone to come and help me, but no one gives me a passing thought! No one will help me; no one cares a bit what happens to me. 

5 Then I pray to You, O LORD. I say, “You are my place of refuge. You are all I really want in life. 

6 Hear my cry, for I am very low. Rescue me from my persecutors, for they are too strong for me. 

7 Bring me out of prison so I can thank You. The godly will crowd around me, for You are good to me.” 

Normal or Supernatural - 5

Normal or Supernatural - 5

Subject – Pentecost and Our Distinctives 

by Rick Welborne

Acts 5:29-39 (NKJV)
²⁹  But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
³⁰  The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree.
³¹  Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.
³²  And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."
³³  When they heard this, they were furious and plotted to kill them.
³⁴  Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while.
³⁵  And he said to them: "Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men.
³⁶  For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing.
³⁷  After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed.
³⁸  And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
³⁹  but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it--lest you even be found to fight against God." 

--Last Sunday the last verse we shared with you was about us keeping our focus as a church and not being distracted about what our mission is. 

Hebrews 12:2-3 (NIV)
²  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
³  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

--Through the Book of Acts we see the Apostles walking out what it meant to go from natural to supernatural. Today I want us to look at how they did that and how that ties to our Distinctives as a church.

--Years ago we were trying to formulate our mission, our vision, and those things which are most important to us. Our staff began to say the things which they considered was my heart and my passion. Our Distinctives:

1. Our First Distinctive: We should be passionate about the lost.

2. Our Second Distinctive: Home and world missions.

3. Our Third Distinctive: Being filled with Holy Spirit.

4. Our Fourth Distinctive: Generous giving.

5. Our Fifth Distinctive: Worship.

--As I began to pray about and consider Life Church going from normal to supernatural I questioned whether or not our distinctives lined up with the Word of God in the Book of Acts and in Luke. An example:

Luke 24:47-53 (NKJV)
⁴⁷  and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
⁴⁸  And you are witnesses of these things.
⁴⁹  Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
⁵⁰  And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
⁵¹  Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
⁵²  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
⁵³  and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. 

--In verse 47 we see Our First Distinctive – We should be passionate about the lost and we see Our Second Distinctive – Home and world missions. 

--In verse 49 we see Our Third Distinctive – Being filled with Holy Spirit. In verse 52-53 we see Our Fifth Distinctive – Worship. Early in the Book of Acts we see Our Fourth Distinctive – Generous Giving.

Acts 4:32&36-37 (NIV)
³²  All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.
³⁶  Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),
³⁷  sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. 

--I guess this is the question we need to ask as we go from normal to supernatural, are our distinctives of God? Listen to the wisdom of Gamaliel and the power of his words.

Acts 5:38-39 (NIV)
³⁸  Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
³⁹  But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

--So here is an amazing thought or question for us as the church as we face Covid 19…Is what we are doing, as a church, of God or human effort? If it is human effort it will fail but if it is of God, they can’t stop us. 

--Matter of fact, they will find themselves fighting against God. Our job, our mission, our vision is to make sure that what we are doing as a church is biblical, focused on the Great Commission, and Holy Spirit driven.

1. Our First Distinctive: We should be passionate about the lost.

Luke 19:10 (NKJV)
¹⁰  for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." 

--What does it mean to be passionate about the lost? It means we love them, pray for them, share with them, and live in such away in front of them that exemplifies Christ.

--A couple of Sundays ago we went with another family to lunch after church and one of the kids from the other family asked, “Will we see your restaurant in operation today?”

--This young person got a good example of reaching out to the lost as soon as we got seated. Tricia was the first to get to the restaurant, the waitress was hurting, and Tricia had already prayed for her before we arrived.

--Being passionate about the lost is not just a onetime event where the skies part, a great light shines from heaven, the person falls to their knees, and repents. 

--Evangelism is all about caring and seeing felt needs the person has and meeting them. This lady shared one time her husband was in the hospital. Guess who showed up to pray for him. She was touched. 

2. Our Second Distinctive: Home and world missions.

Mark 16:15&20 (NKJV)
¹⁵  And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
²⁰  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. 

--I know all of you have heard the story of the master who was going away but before he left, he gave responsibilities to his servant to take care of his house and his servants. Matthew 24.

--Jesus said, if I am faithful to do what He has given me responsibility to do, I will be rewarded. His word to me on the mountain. If I do not do what He says…He will cut me in pieces and place me with the hypocrites. 

--Doing what Jesus says is very serious indeed. He says to go, and to send those willing to go. Missions!

3. Our Third Distinctive: Being filled with Holy Spirit.

Acts 4:31 (NKJV)
³¹  And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. 

--The disciples had been initially filled with Holy Spirit power in Acts 2, they are going from normal to supernatural, and they are getting opposition and persecution. 

--The authorities, whether then or now, are not fighting against us but fighting against God. The more they try to stop us, the more the gospel spreads. Don’t worry but pray until you are filled with Holy Spirit power.

--Notice God did not prevent the persecution from coming but every time Peter or Paul spoke before the councils or leaders the Bible has a familiar statement: Peter or Paul filled with the Holy Spirit spoke…

--When you are filled with Holy Spirit power you get to work with God in His wonderful garden. One plants, one waters, but it is God Who gives the increase. These distinctives cross over to one another. 

4. Our Fourth Distinctive: Generous giving.

Acts 2:44-47 (NLT2)
⁴⁴  And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had.
⁴⁵  They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need.
⁴⁶  They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—
⁴⁷  all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.

--Notice this is Acts 2 where Holy Spirit was poured out and where He is promised to all believers. Generosity was one of the first signs they were Spirit-filled. 

--Again the distinctives cross over…Generous giving leads to the Great Commission and Missions. We could not do what we are doing without Holy Spirit and without generous givers. You guys are amazing!

2 Corinthians 9:10-12 (NIV)
¹⁰  Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.
¹¹  You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
¹²  This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 

5. Our Fifth Distinctive: Worship.

Luke 24:49-53 (NKJV)
⁴⁹  Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high."
⁵⁰  And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
⁵¹  Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.
⁵²  And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,
⁵³  and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen. 

--Again watch the overlapping of the distinctives. Jesus promises the gift of the Father, Holy Spirit so what do they do? They worshiped. To receive Holy Spirit power…worship!

Do Not be Afraid – 5

Do Not be Afraid – 5

Subject – The Fear of the Lord

by Rick Welborne

Deuteronomy 6:1‑15 (NKJV) 

1 "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, 

2 that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged. 

3 Therefore hear, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you‑‑'a land flowing with milk and honey.' 

4 "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! 

5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 

6 "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 

7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 

8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. 

10 "So it shall be, when the LORD your God brings you into the land of which He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give you large and beautiful cities which you did not build, 

11 houses full of all good things, which you did not fill, hewn‑out wells which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant‑‑when you have eaten and are full‑‑ 

12 then beware, lest you forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 

13 You shall fear the LORD your God and serve Him, and shall take oaths in His name. 

14 You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you 

15 (for the LORD your God is a jealous God among you), lest the anger of the LORD your God be aroused against you and destroy you from the face of the earth. 

1. You are to “Fear the Lord Your God” and to keep all His commandments.

Dake’s Definition of the Fear of The Lord: This kind of fear is not the dread of a vengeful Being standing over man to punish for the least infraction of His law; it is more to do with respect and reverence of God as Father and Provider. Men must learn to respect God as the Lawgiver and Judge, keeping in mind the justice of God as well as His mercy and longsuffering. No man can walk with Him conscientiously or safely who has lost the fear of God.

–We exemplify our fear of Him by our obedience to His Word...His commandments.

–One of the benefits of fearing God is prolonged lives...that is directly related to God’s blessings and our choices because we love Him...we will choose what is best for us.

–Fear the Lord your God is manifested by your love for Him (all your heart) and by your willingness to teach his laws to your children at home and church.

–He says to be faithful even when you inherit cites you did not build and blessings you did not work for...a word for us...be faithful because others paved the way.

–To fear Him is to understand that He is a jealous God...you can’t be His bride and run around with the world ...He will not tolerate it.

2. You are to “Fear The Lord Your God” in such a way that you have influence on those around you.

Deuteronomy 10:11‑13 (NKJV) 

11 Then the LORD said to me, 'Arise, begin your journey before the people, that they may go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.' 

12 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 

13 and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good? 

–Possessing only happens as we follow the Lord...Israel was to go in and possess the land.

–What is it you want to possess? Your children being saved, family members right with God, reconciliation with family, a new job...etc. Then Fear the Lord your God!

–Respect and honor God in all you do...how do we do that...walk in all His ways. How do we do that...Know His Word and walk in the Spirit.

–When Saul was converted to Paul and began to preach and the rest of the church accepted him:

Acts 9:31 (NKJV) 

31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. 

–When they walked in the fear of the Lord and in the Spirit...they were multiplied...souls were being saved ...they were possessing the land.

Galatians 5:16, 22-25 (NKJV) 

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

23 gentleness, self‑control. Against such there is no law. 

24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

–If you want to have influence and possess the lost around you...fear the Lord and walk in Holy Spirit.

3. You are to “Fear the Lord Your God” in such a way that you never let Him go.

Deuteronomy 10:20‑22 (NKJV) 

20 You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. 

21 He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen. 

22 Your fathers went down to Egypt with seventy persons, and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of heaven in multitude. 

–How hard is it to see someone who fears the Lord? Find someone who is serving Him with all their hearts and who is holding on to Him no matter what is going on.

–Someone who only makes oaths to Him: a solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior. To fear the Lord your God is someone who is willing to hold fast in these last days.

Hebrews 10:21‑25 (NKJV) 

21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 

24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 

25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 

4. You are to “Fear the Lord Your God” by bringing your tithe to Him every week.

Deuteronomy 14:22‑23 (NLT) 

22 “You must set aside a tithe of your crops—one‑tenth of all the crops you harvest each year. 

23 Bring this tithe to the designated place of worship—the place the LORD your God chooses for his name to be honored—and eat it there in his presence. This applies to your tithes of grain, new wine, olive oil, and the firstborn males of your flocks and herds. Doing this will teach you always to fear the LORD your God. 

–At the Experience Conference we went to in Lakeland...a pastor teaching in one of the breakout sessions said...the very first thing that should be taught to someone just saved was tithing.

–Most of us probably thought praying or reading your Bible...why tithing?

–He said right from the get go this new believer needs to understand Lordship and obedience...who he is (a servant) and what he has belongs to God.

–If we cannot get this...it will be hard to be a disciple...this sets forth discipline in our lives and shows that we fear the Lord our God because we honor Him first.

–Putting God first in our finances is a ‘biggy’ because if we can trust Him with our money we can trust Him with everything else...shows we really fear (respect) Him.

–Just came to my heart...I guess many fear the bank, the electric company, the cable company, the insurance company more than God...we fear them first.

5. You are to “Fear the Lord Your God” and realize that it is something that can be learned.

Deuteronomy 31:10‑13 (NKJV) 

10 And Moses commanded them, saying: "At the end of every seven years, at the appointed time in the year of release, at the Feast of Tabernacles, 

11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God in the place which He chooses, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 

12 Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, 

13 and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess." 

–Gather the people to hear...hear what? The Law or the Word of God. Hearing God’s Word taught, preached, or even read will help us learn to fear the Lord our God. I wonder if we know His Word is enough?

Psalm 119:9‑16 (NIV) 

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. 

10 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 

11 I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 

12 Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees. 

13 With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 

14 I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 

15 I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 

16 I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word. 

–It is imperative that our children hear and learn God’s Word...not just from Pastor Mark or Sunday School teachers but also from parents who share His Word with their children.

–Children grow up with a healthy reverence and respect for God and His Word because mom and dad have read it and modeled it in front of them. They can learn to fear God.

6. You are to “Fear the Lord Your God” and to set up memorials for your children so they can learn to fear Him also. 

Joshua 4:20‑24 (NKJV) 

20 And those twelve stones which they took out of the Jordan, Joshua set up in Gilgal. 

21 Then he spoke to the children of Israel, saying: "When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying, 'What are these stones?' 

22 then you shall let your children know, saying, 'Israel crossed over this Jordan on dry land'; 

23 for the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, as the LORD your God did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over, 

24 that all the peoples of the earth may know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty, that you may fear the LORD your God forever." 

–I hope you are setting up memorials for your children so that they will fear the Lord...it may be reminding them how God touched them in children’s church, youth, or on a mission’s trip.

–It may be telling them stories of God’s visitation and miracles in your life...how He came thru just in time.

–It may be reminding them how the doctor had given them such a bad report but the Healer (Jesus) showed up and showed off and healed their body.

–It may be reminding them that “code blue” was called on them in the hospital but God spared them for a reason...for a purpose...a destiny.

–It may be when they received salvation or were baptized in Holy Spirit...keep reminding them...keeping building memorials...keep teaching them to fear the Lord.

Ecclesiastes 3:11‑14 (NKJV) 

11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 

12 I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, 

13 and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor‑‑it is the gift of God. 

14 I know that whatever God does, It shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, And nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him.