Mission 2 begins - Acts 15:36 - 16:40

Today’s sermon: Acts 15v36-16v40 “Mission 2 begins”

Intro: Christians are about God’s glory rather than their own comfort

 

       1) The gospel needs to capture our hearts (15v36-16v5)

 

Questions about John-Mark’s heart

• Desertion?
• Too high a standard for a volunteer?
• How do you view your partnership in the gospel right now?

 

Clear signs of what is going on in Timothy’s heart

• Spoken well of
• Prepared to be uncomfortable for the sake of the gospel
• Individual people matter in God’s gospel plan. YOU matter.

 

                 2) God opens hearts to the gospel (16v6-15)

 

*Challenge: ask an unbeliever this week what they think they most need*

Lydia is ready to hear the gospel

• The Lord opened her heart (Salvation is God’s work)

 

• To respond to Paul’s message (Telling the gospel is our privilege)

 

Keep your heart committed, your eyes peeled and your tongue bold!

 

               3) Gospel hearts shine brightly in dark places (16v16-40)

 

The darkness of sin – men who see people as commodities

 

The unmissable brightness of gospel joy – “What must I do to be saved?”

Conclusion

Run to Jesus and ask him to;

-Make you a Timothy with a committed heart
-Help you look out for Lydias with open hearts
-Enable you to copy Paul and Silas with a joyful heart
-Grow your expectations of seeing jailor’s hearts

 

Memory verse: Acts 16v30-31

“’Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.’”

 

Life Group Questions:

Read 15v36-16v5. What do you think of John-Marks return home being called desertion?

How do you view your gospel partnership in our church family? Is your heart eager and committed like Timothy’s?

Read 16v11-15. “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” How is this verse a great encouragement to evangelism?

Read 16v25-34. When does light shine brightest? What dark situations are you in and how might you shine brightly?