Living Outwardly Focused Lives

• We are sent ones. Acts 13:47; John 17:18; Matthew 28:19; Acts 1:8; Isaiah 6:1-8
• 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
• New Creation – new life (born again, John 3)
• Reconciliation – to restore to a harmonious relationship
• Ambassadors – a representative of another tasked to pass on the messages from their superior/nation, etc.
• Some excuses we give for not going – Exodus 3:9-14, 4:1-5, 10:
• Excuse#1 – “I am inadequate.” 3:11 – “Who am I?”  Romans 8:38-39
• Excuse #2 – “They will reject me.” 4:1 – “What if they will not believe me or listen to me?”
• Excuse #3 – “I am not good at explaining the message.” 4:10 – “I’m not very good with words”
• We are not sent out to be Jesus’ public relations agents.
• We are not Christ’s sales force.
• We are not God’s marketing consultants.
•  We are salt and light. Matthew 5:13-16
• Salt changes things.
• Salt melts ice.
• Salt enhances the flavor of food.
• Salt preserves food.
• Salt makes people thirsty.
• Salt must be poured out of its container.
• Light draws all eyes toward its source.
• Every Christian is meant to bring light into someone’s darkness, every day.
• Even the smallest light can help lead someone home.
• We are seed sowers. Matthew 13:3-8
• Successful planters sow lots of seed, unconcerned about waste.

Reaching Your Community

Living Outwardly Focused Lives in an Inwardly Focused World

Luke 15

Setting: Luke 15:1, 2
 

• God wants us to be extravagant in seeking His lost sheep. Luke 15:4-6
•  God wants us to rejoice in every lost person’s return. Luke 15:8-10
• God wants us to embrace His vision for our community. Luke 15:11-32; Isaiah 53:6; Isaiah 55:2; Romans 2:4

Reaching Family and Friends

Theme: Living Outwardly Focused Lives in an Inwardly Focused World

“ …I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others,

and to give My life as a ransom for many”

(Mark 10:45, NLT).

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.

My purpose is to give life in all its fullness”

(John 10:10, NLT).

Reaching Family

• John 4:47-53 - Jesus heals a son and the entire household believes in Jesus.
• Acts 16:14-15 – Lydia was baptized along with members of her household.
• Acts 16:16-34 – A jailer and his family were baptized by Paul and Silas.

How to reach family and friends:

• Get real about what you cannot do. Acts 16:16-34

• You cannot undo the past.
• You cannot control the future. Luke 12:25-26
• You cannot make anyone believe. 1 Corinthians 3:6
• Get on with what you can do.
• You can pray for them.
• You can listen and love them.
• You can share and serve them.
• You can be ready to dialogue about spiritual matters. 1 Peter 3:15

• Get ready to see God move. Acts 10:21-48

“There are two things God very seldom does: everything at once and nothing at all.”

“…Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit” (John 3:8, NLT).

Recommended reading:  God Space by Doug Pollock

The Foundation

Living Outwardly Focused Lives In An Inwardly Focused World

John 15:1-16 

“…I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45, NLT

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.” John 10:10 NLT

Foundation Principle: To live the outwardly focused overflowing life Jesus has for us, we must dwell with Him

Indicators that You are Dwelling with Jesus:

• Spending devoted time with Him Psalm 27:4
• Set apart time that will build relationship.
• Feed on God’s Word. Colossians 3:16
• Talk to and listen to a person.
• Write down what God is doing in your life.
• A moment by moment attentiveness to His presence 1 Thessalonians 5:17

The Impact of Dwelling in Him:

• Dwelling helps you to sense the leading of the Lord. 1 Kings 19:11-12
• Dwelling helps you to tap into God’s power. Acts 4:13
• Dwelling carries with it answered prayer. John 15:7, 8 

Pastor Charlie

An Introduction

Living Outwardly Focused In An Inwardly Focused World

“ …I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give My life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45, NLT

• Jesus turns funerals into parties. Luke 7:12-16
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes Good News to us when it connects with the bad news in our lives. Psalm 30:11
• God is about real joy and lots of it. Luke 15:7
• Jesus turns emptiness into overflowing life. John 10:10; Ephesians 3:20; John 4:13-15
• Jesus turns self-focused lives outward. Acts 1:8

Pastor Charlie