Thank you Scott for the good word to reach out to those that need Jesus.
“International Churches of Europe
• Why Europe?
• Europeans have lost trust in the Christian church
• Europeans do not believe in God – less than 2% attend a religious service
• Europe is only 3% evangelical. This is why we go!
In Matt. 28 (the 12) and Luke 10 (the 72) God has told his disciples to go around the world to teach and train people about Christ.
If all of us are supposed to be active in reaching out, why don’t we do it? Or, why did we stop? Something has stolen our passion for the lost.
A. You’re Offended
1. Conflicts happen. I don’t want you to leave the church or a relationship with God, so I will just tell you now…you will be offended because of something someone inside or outside the church says to you. Tell new converts this!
a. Cain killed Abel, Saul tried to Kill David, and Paul had conflicts with both Barnabas and Peter.
b. John 6 tells us after Jesus taught that He was the bread of life, you must drink my blood and eat my flesh, that many disciples left him.
c. Conflict happens!
2. Truth about conflicts: avoiding conflict is not the same as resolving it.
a. Greg Mundis, AGWM Ex. Director said, “We must deal with issues, or they will deal with us—in a negative way.”
b. “The key is not to pretend the conflict doesn’t exist, but to learn how to reconcile and resolve it in a healthy manner.”
3. Third, Scripture frames a path for resolution for believers.
a. Not my teaching today, but here is a summary of Matt. 5 & 18.
1. Quickly, face to face one to one, get help.
b. James 1:19-20 “19 …Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.”
c. Time does not heal past hurts and we can’t just get over everything. The hurt will come out later in life in a greater intensity.
d. Don’t let hurt steal your passion for God or for the lost.
B. You’re Disappointed
1. Another reason we lose our passion is because we have been disappointed.
2. You fast and pray for a situation and it doesn’t happen – healing, financial provision or a breakthrough in Covid-19.
3. There are many reasons we don’t get what we ask for.
a. We doubt God can or will do it. James 1:6-8
b. Ask with the wrong motives. James 4:3
c. Unconfessed sin. Isaiah 59:1-2
4. Our perspective is so limited. No matter what the situation, we must remember that God is good, he loves us and is the giver of good gifts.
a. I would rather trust God than myself! Are you really that smart?
5. The lessons we learn while waiting are just as important as what we asked for.
6. Also, a clear understanding of how God works will keep you from losing your passion. You have to be in this book!
7. Biblical truth to always pray (Rom. 12, 1 Thess. 5)
C. You’re Busy
1. Are we too busy to invest in people?
2. “It matters little whether you are the mother of active children who drain away your energy, an important executive in a major multinational corporation, a graduate student cramming for impending comprehensives, a plumber working overtime to put your children through college, or a pastor of a large church putting in ninety-hour weeks: at the end of the day, if you are too busy to pray, you are too busy. Cut something out.”
D.A. Carson, A Call to Spiritual Reformation
D. It’s Up to You to Change
1. Rom. 12:11 “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor (boiling), serving the Lord.”
2. Jeremiah 29:13-14 “13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the LORD…”
3. Rom 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer (and fasting).”
4. It’s up to us to keep our spiritual passion.
a. Exception: If you need counseling, seek it out.
b. Our end goal is to find God and help others to find Him.
c. Remember, you can’t give what you don’t have!”