Ambassadors for God s Glory

1. Ambassadors for God�s Glory 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 Acts 1:1-9

2. What�s it all about? �God has placed eternity in every heart.� (Barbara Yandell) �Worship is ultimate. Missions exists where worship does not. Worship is the fuel for missions. Missions begins and ends in worship.� (John Piper)

3. What�s it all about? 1 Timothy 2:1-7� 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 The whole church. The whole gospel. The whole world.

4. What�s it all about? Jesus taught his disciples to pray, �Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be your name.� 2 Chronicles 7:1-3 Isaiah 6:1-4 Exodus 19:16-19 IT�S ABOUT GOD�S GLORY !

5. Key Principles of Revival Revival is the starting line, not the finish line. After revival begins, the real work starts. Revival bestows power. Our call is to transform that power into lasting change. True revival penetrates culture. Genuine revival changes people, churches, and society.

6. Key Principles of Revival 1. Deepened Personal Spiritual Devotion When revival comes, people experience a greater love for God (that overflows into a resulting greater love for others).

7. Key Principles of Revival 2. The Place and Importance of Scripture God�s Word becomes more central and more precious.

8. Key Principles of Revival 3. The Place and Importance of Prayer Prayer gives birth to revival, and then it guides, guards, & empowers the continuing work God longs to do (which is the reason he brought revival in the first place).

9. Key Principles of Revival 4. The Place and Importance of the Person and Work of Christ Revival always raises the general level of esteem for the importance of the person and work of Christ. (Once again Jesus becomes the central, pivotal person in history.)

10. Key Principles of Revival 5. The Renewal of the Church Enhanced ministry effectiveness flows out of the strength of renewed Biblical community. (The greater the Church�s depth and unity, the greater its ability to be salt and light within its community.)

11. Key Principles of Revival 6. Social Influence In history, revival always produces greater efforts to meet social need. When God�s people are renewed, they love him with more heart, soul, mind, and strength� Out of this greater depth of love for God springs a greater depth of love for our neighbor.

12. 2 Chronicles 7 �There is no mistaking when God inhabits a place. God�s glorious presence fills a place, and it is impossible to carry on business as usual.� (H. Blackaby)

13. Zeeland Classis & Sacred Assembly �You will receive power��

14. Arriving @ an Acts 1:8 Vision ��and you will be my witnesses.�

15. Understanding Acts 1:8 It�s about receiving power� and being Christ�s witnesses. in Jerusalem in Judea in Samaria to the ends of the earth

16. The most common �picture� of Acts 1:8

17. A more accurate understanding�

18. Consider Acts 8�

19. Jerusalem = the city Concern for Cities �Water runs downhill, and the highest hills are the great cities. If we can stir them, we shall stir the whole country. (D. L. Moody)

20. Jerusalem = the city Concern for Cities Jesus recognized the strategic significance of the city. He told his disciples that their witness would begin in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was nearly 200 miles from home for the Galilean peasants who formed Jesus� inner circle.

21. Jerusalem = the city Concern for Cities These leaders were not comfortable with the city. In fact it was in Jerusalem that Jesus had been crucified only weeks before. Nevertheless, Jesus was telling them that their ministry was to begin in the city. They obeyed. Pentecost happened in the city. The church was born in the city. From the city the church spread to other places, people groups, and countries.

22. Jerusalem = the city Concern for Cities The city is a kaleidoscope of cultures, peoples, businesses, philosophies, & travelers. Cities are the centers of power � economic, political, cultural, religious, and educational. Cities are the change agents of the nations. Churches that thrive in cities touch the entire countryside. Churches planted in cities potentially touch the heartbeat of an entire region.

23. Jerusalem = the city Concern for Cities The Great Commission begins with a city � Jerusalem, and culminates when another city - the new Jerusalem - becomes God�s eternal dwelling with His people.

24. Our �Jerusalem,� the city God is calling us to influence � is Holland. What will you do to bless Holland?

25. Judea = the countryside The church is called to bring witnessing power to areas that surround cities. We care for people�s spiritual needs, but also for the broader needs of an area.

26. Judea = the countryside We become involved in issues that affect regions. We seek to impact areas such as: government economy housing transportation employment education environment

27. Judea = the countryside A description of the 7 mountains of culture� government education church business family communication recreation

28. Our �Judea,� the region God is calling us to influence � is West Michigan. What will you do to bless West Michigan?

29. Samaria = reconciliation John 4 Jews and Samaritans were blood relatives who had hurt and wounded each other for generations. Samaria represents all those places where relational healing is needed, or where injustices remain.

30. Samaria = reconciliation Ministry in �Samaria� is often needed in marriages, within families, and between neighbors. Reconciliation is often needed within churches and between churches� Reconciliation is necessary when there is ethnic or racial injustice.

31. Our �Samaria� is found wherever there is relational hurt that needs healing. What will you do to engage in ministry in Samaria?

32. To the ends of the earth = Missions Revivals have birthed mission agencies and have led many to lay down their lives and go to far reaches of God�s creation. History can tell when God has come near. It notices the number of those who determine to travel far.

33. Conclusions Each time God brings revival, his people receive the original and persisting assignment. In the end, genuine revival is about loving God more deeply, and loving others more purposefully.

34. Conclusions What happened as part of our Sacred Assembly was one necessary aspect of revival. We received into our corporate midst the power of the Holy Spirit. And yet, as important as Sacred Assembly was, revival also includes transformation. The power of God changes hearts, and so redirects our priorities.

35. A final question� It comes down to this: How will we respond to God�s call upon this classis? Jerusalem� Judea� Samaria� The ends of the earth�