Start Right Here: By Stepping Up

Start Right Here: By Stepping Up – Acts 2:14-36
Sunday, September 12, 2021

Pastor Chris Laughlin

Introduction

It doesn’t take long to realize… Turn on the TV, scroll social media, spend time in the community around you, and you’ll see it: problems that seemingly have no solution. Love becomes an emotion — one easily replaced with other temptations; hatred runs rampant; families divide; children live without parents; marriages disintegrate without a fight. Our world seems to defend sin more than God’s truth — yet we cannot live anywhere else. In fact, we are called to live in our communities and engage with the people around us. So what do we do with the brokenness surrounding us? The book of Acts teaches us that God’s organized answer for this problem is the Church. And if we want to find new hope in our family and community, it has to start right here, with the Church.

August 22 – Start Right Here – By Partnering

August 29 – Start Right Here – By Working

September 5 – Start Right Here – By Sharing

September 12 – Start Right Here – By Stepping Up

September 19 – Start Right Here – A New Opportunity

IMPACT Church 101 E. First Ave. Parkesburg, PA 19365
(610) 857-3887 [email protected]

THE FIRST SERMON

1. When: Festival of the —Feast of Weeks

“From the day after the Sabbath—the day you bring the bundle of grain to be lifted up as a special offering—count off seven full weeks. Keep counting until the day after the seventh Sabbath, fifty days later”  Lev. 23:15-16

2. Where: The of Jewish Faith—Jerusalem

Instead, you will see Zion as a place of holy festivals. You will see Jerusalem, a city quiet and secure. It will be like a tent whose ropes are taut and whose stakes are firmly fixed. Isaiah 33:20

3. Who:

One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” Matt. 4:18-19

4. How: He was with the Holy Spirit

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

5. What: To Jesus as Messiah

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matt. 16:15-16

6. Why: To & Salvation through Christ

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Our Response:

What: and tell others about Jesus

How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. James 4:14

How: how He has changed your life

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20

Who: , with the leading of the Holy Spirit!

“But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26

Where: with family, friends, and neighbors

“No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39

When: Now is the time – Start – Start Right

“But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.” Acts 20:24

Closing: Our freedom from the penalty of sin is based on the life, death, & resurrection of Christ!

Will you step up and declare Jesus Christ as Lord!?