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📝 = Fill in the Blank
We’re kicking off a brand new series today called UNLEASHED! It’s a study on the book of Acts with the first church. The book of Acts is a book full of action. It’s full of the mighty acts of God! Throughout the book of Acts the Word of God is preached. People are getting saved by the thousands. Baptisms are taken place. Signs, wonders, and miracles are breaking out. The Holy Spirit is on the scene. God’s church is alive, Gods church is on the move, His bride is making a difference, all BECAUSE OF THE THIRD DAY!
They took to heart John 14:12 where it says,
““Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.”
John 14:12
Because of the third day you’ve been UNLEASHED to do GREATER WORKS.
God wants to use you to build His church.
God wants to use you to do greater works.
God wants to use you to do great exploits. God wants to use you to share the gospel. God wants to use you to bring change to your family tree, to this generation, as well as your community.
Why are you ALREADY canceling out what I just said?
Have you ever noticed in the Gospels, that even though there were 12 disciples, that Peter, James, and John are mentioned more frequently?
Peter went on to write two books named after him, 1 & 2nd Peter. James had the book of James. John had the gospel according to John, as well 1 John, 2 John, 3rd John, and the highly sought after book of Revelation.
Time doesn’t allow me to sight all of Peter, James, and John sightings together, but to name a few, when it came to the miracle of raising Jairus’s daughter from the dead, Luke 8:51 says,
“When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except PETER, JOHN and JAMES, and the child’s father and mother.”
Luke 8:51
As Jesus began to ascend to the mountain top for the famous mountain of transfiguration, where Jesus literally turned Himself inside out, Matthew 17:1 reads,
“Now after six days Jesus took PETER, JAMES, and JOHN his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”
Matthew 17:1-2
Then in some of his final moments right before being arrested, Matthew 26:36-37 records,
“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took PETER and Zebedee’s two sons, JAMES and JOHN, and he became anguished and distressed.”
Matthew 26:36-37
“One day PETER and JOHN were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon.”
Acts 3:1
I can go on, and on but I think you can catch my drift. I mean they all received the great commission right??? Yes!
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Matthew 28:18
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.””
Matthew 28:19-20
Huh, maybe I missed something. Let me back up a couple of verses and see what we can find.
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.”
Matthew 28:16
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; BUT SOME DOUBTED.”
Matthew 28:17
This is no disrespect to the other disciples. This is not discrediting their contributions for the Kingdom of God. I merely lifted up this scripture for us to do self inventory inside of our own hearts, for our own races because here’s what I know to be true…
📝 THE MISSION ISN’T THE PROBLEM, IT’S OUR FAITH.
They all had the same great commission. They all witnessed Christ after the resurrection with their own eyes. But the Bible says, “When they saw him, they worshiped him; BUT SOME DOUBTED.”
I can’t help but to think if the reason why we don’t hear as much about some of the other disciples has to do with their doubt that was present at the great commissioning. Even though they still went on to do great things for the Kingdom of God, did they reach their full potential, or did doubt get in the way? Only God can answer that question but here’s what I do know to be true for us today….
📝 When allowed, DOUBT will DEPLETE you of your DESTINY.
“For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, NOT BEING MIXED WITH FAITH in those who heard it.”
Hebrews 4:2
Sermon Title: UNLEASHED FAITH
I believe the reason why we hear so much about Peter, James, and John, is because somewhere along the line, THEIR FAITH BECAME UNLEASHED. But what about you???
HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP YOUR FAITH LEASHED?
He’s the same God that took an Abraham, a Moses, a Gideon, ordinary men, to do extraordinary things! He’s the same God who wants to use you, but you have to unleash your faith.
📝 You’ve been INVITED to the IMPOSSIBLE.
📝 You will never see the IMPOSSIBLE if your faith is on a LEASH.
What’s stopping you from getting out of the boat?
What’s stopping you from being all in?
📝 How you BELIEVE determines what you ACHIEVE.
Because of how Paul believed, look how much he achieved. II Timothy 4:6 says,
“For I AM ALREADY BEING POURED OUT AS A DRINK OFFERING, and the time of my departure is at hand.”
II Timothy 4:6
“I have fought the good fight, I HAVE finished the race, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH.”
II Timothy 4:7
I didn’t allow doubt to deplete me of my destiny. Since I BELIEVED that I could do all things through Christ that strengthens me, I finished what God started in my life. To the point where I’m empty. My life has been poured out as a drink offering unto to God. I have nothing else to offer this world. I have fought the good fight, I HAVE finished the race. How did you accomplish this Paul? I KEPT THE FAITH.
How do you step into the realm of UNLEASHED FAITH?
STAY CLOSE.
When they saw the courage of PETER and JOHN and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that THESE MEN HAD BEEN WITH JESUS. Acts 4:13
STAY FED.
“So then FAITH COMES BY HEARING, and HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.”
Romans 10:17
“But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ””
Matthew 4:4
STAY BOLD.
“Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with GREAT BOLDNESS.”
Acts 4:29
STAY FOCUSED.
“So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to NEGLECTthe ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables.”
Acts 6:2
Through this blueprint of building unleashed faith, you’ll embody this belief system:
📝 GOD IS Who He says He is.
📝 I AM who God says I am.
📝 I CAN DO what God says I can do.
“When Jesus returned to Capernaum, a Roman officer came and pleaded with him, “Lord, my young servant lies in bed, paralyzed and in terrible pain.” Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.””
Matthew 8:5-7
“But the officer said, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. JUST SAY THE WORDfrom where you are, and my servant will be healed.”
Matthew 8:8
“When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, “I tell you the truth, I HAVEN’T SEEN FAITH LIKE THIS in all Israel!”
Matthew 8:10
I HAVEN’T SEEN FAITH LIKE THIS…
WHAT DOES FAITH LOOK LIKE?
📝 Faith looks like taking God at HIS WORD.
📝 Faith looks like believing God beyond your UNDERSTANDING.
“Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, “Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That’s how many descendants you will have!””
Genesis 15:5
“And ABRAM BELIEVED THE LORD, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”
Genesis 15:6
“While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?””
Mark 5:35
“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; ONLY BELIEVE.””
Mark 5:36
After a long night of fishing and catching nothing, Jesus had the audacity to ask the boys to try it again. After a long night of fishing and catching nothing Jesus had the nerve to ask them to launch out into the deep and to try it again. Luke 5:5 says,
“But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; NEVERTHELESS AT YOUR WORD I will let down the net.”” Luke 5:5
“And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.” Luke 5:6
Peter said, NEVERTHELESS AT YOUR WORD I will let down the net…Luke 5:5
📝 Faith looks like taking God at HIS WORD.
📝 Faith looks like believing God beyond your UNDERSTANDING.
I don’t fully understand how you can use me. I don’t fully understand how I can make a difference. I don’t fully understand how you can use me to bring change, BUT NEVERTHELESS AT YOUR WORD, I’LL BELIEVE WHAT YOU SAID, and here’s why...
📝 HIS WORD IS GREATER THAN MY WEAKNESSES.
“When they saw him, they worshiped him; BUT SOME DOUBTED.”
Matthew 28:17
DON’T BE SOME OF THE SOME.
He’s the same God that fed 5,000 plus people with 5 loaves of bread and two fish. He’s the same God that turned water into wine. He’s the same God that told the storm, peace be still. He’s the same God that raised Lazarus from the dead. He’s the same God that healed the women with the 12 year issue of blood.
He’s the same God Who’s unleashed BY FAITH.
“But WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”
Hebrews 11:6
"…But the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
Daniel 11:32
HOW LONG WILL YOU KEEP YOUR FAITH LEASHED?