March 21, 2010 - Messy Church:

Opposition and Opportunities (Acts 1-13)

Kernel Message:

• When Opposition means Opportunity:

When the Holy Spirit moves among God's people, the devil is not going to sit idly by. He will find all sorts of ways to create opposition for growth and health, through up roadblocks in every direction. Yet the Holy Spirit can turn these times of opposition into great opportunity for growth, character, and evangelism.

Practical Emphasis of the Message:

• This week, look for ways that Satan is opposing what God is trying to do in our church's life, especially in the temptations and opposition you face. Keep a running note card of things you notice. Watch especially for ...
  • complaints based in selfish attitudes
  • difficulties caused by external circumstances -- building delays, weather, false information, criticism from outside sources, relabeling of our motives
  • gossip -- the opportunity to talk critically or negatively about brothers and sisters will present themselves
  • resurrection of past pains, owies, and disagreements with others
  • feelings of being overlooked or neglected and complaints about these

Core Ideas:

• The early church in Acts faced opposition almost immediately
  • threats, beatings, and placed in jail by the Jewish authorities
  • faithful leaders murdered as martyrs -- Stephen, James
  • persecution
  • poverty
  • feelings of being neglected based on language and culture
  • racism and bias
• Yet because of their belief in the resurrected Jesus and the powerful leading of the Spirit and the presence of God, God used all of these as opportunities for the church to grow and experience His power

Key Focus:

• So what's the point?
• Glad you asked!
  1. In our simplistic and American view of the will of God, we often see easy times as God's blessing rather than dangerous times from Satan's hand to lull us to sleep and mediocrity.
  2. Difficulties are often the times when we can experience God working with great power and come to a deeper faith and fellowship.

Key Scriptures:

• Acts 6:1-7
• Acts 4:23-31
• Acts 6 & 11
• Acts 8 & 11
• Acts 9

Drama, Media, & Connecting Pieces:

• Pre-video:
• Key Video: (Let's see what folks think about this short video for use!)
• Testimony:

• Scripture Reading:

• Acts 6:1-7
  

Daybreak Planning Team:

Refresh Planning Team:

Sundown: From Max Lucado's Traveling Light

1. Theme:
2. Speaker:
3. Worship Leader: