Sermon Central
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The Craziest Strategy Ever Series
Contributed by Dave Bentley on Jun 7, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: I think at some point after we become followers of Christ we become Christianized in a way that insulates us and makes us forget just how “crazy” the claims of Christianity are. This month I want us to revisit some of the stories the in Scripture that be
“That’s Just Crazy!”
The Craziest Strategy Ever!
Think about all of the ways that the Lord could have chosen to get His message or redemption out. Of all the tools of communication that we have at our disposal today, and all the leaders and wise men throughout history that could have carried the Gospel of Grace and the Story of Salvation to the world…
It’s crazy to think that He would choose the men He did.
But…Empowered by the Holy Spirit, these men reached, and continue to reach, the world with the Good News and are witnesses testifying of the story of Christ. Still today, it’s crazy, but God chooses to use us…if we will be willing to follow THE CRAZIEST STRATEGY EVER.
8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Fueled for Function
“...when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…”
Illustration: SLOW AND STEADY
The power of the Holy Spirit is not just for salvation, but transformation, a process that might be slow and gradual. The difference might look like this:
You can take ten gallons of gasoline and release a tremendous amount of power and energy by just dropping a lighted match into it. It makes a dramatic onetime impact. But there is another way to release the energy in that gasoline. Place it in the fuel tank of a new Honda, designed to get 30 miles to the gallon. The high tech engine will use that ten gallons of gasoline to take a person 300 miles or more.
Explosions may be spectacular, but the sustained, controlled burn has staying power. You don’t want to be a flash in the pan, you want to make a difference in this world over time. You want to last for the long haul. You don’t want the Holy Spirit to just save you for heaven, you want Him to use His power to transform your life. You want Him to use you in this world for kingdom purposes.
Energized to Evangelize
“You Will Receive Power…”
• Power from a Person – Holy Spirit (illust: Untapped Reserves right beneath the surface)
• Power for a Purpose – Win the World
• Power to a Passion – Proclaim Good News
Mobilized for Missions
“…you will be my witnesses…”
• Mobilized for What – Witness
• Mobilized Why – Lostness
• Mobilized When – Everyday
• Mobilized to go Where – Everywhere
Required to Respond
“You…You…You…”
• “YOU will receive power…”
• “the Holy Spirit has come upon YOU…”
• “YOU will be my witnesses…”
So…What now? It’s your call whether you will answer His Call!
