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!