The Weblog of Dennis Dawson
Looking for a Great Association? - 2008-12-11
Looking for a Great Association?
Acts 11:19-30
I. Coming to MEBA is awesome!
A. I applaud your commitment and foresight
B. God wants His association to move from better to best….from good to great!
C. What does that mean? What is a great association? (Read Acts 11:19-30)
D. Where do we go from here?
II. A great association is people-focused. (vv. 19-20a)
A. What drives an association?
B. Some associations are tradition-driven.
C. Some are personality-driven.
D. Others are driven by finances. (How much does it cost? How much did we save? Not Who got saved?)
E. Still others are program-driven.
F. Some associations are driven by events. (A lot of activity, but not much productivity)
G. But what about associations that are driven by reaching people for Christ?
III. A great association is Christ-centered (v. 20 b).
A. Preaching the LORD Jesus.
B. The Son of God (NAMES OF GOD)
C. What is our business?
D. How is business?
E. Why does the association exist?
IV. A great association is Spirit-empowered (v. 21).
A. We aren’t God and never will be. We are humans. As believers, we are offered supernatural abilities
B. Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience and trust. Surrendered people are the ones God chooses.
C. Surrender is not the best way to live; it is the only way to live. Nothing else works.
D. “Not by might nor by power, but by MY Spirit” says the Lord of hosts. (Zech. 4:6)
V. A great association is grace-conscious (vv. 22-23).
A. Grace? What’s that? Divine favor. Forgiveness. Ultimate love.
B. We sing about it. We teach and preach it. But how can you describe that amazing grace?
C. But for God’s grace, I could be as lost as anyone you can think of….a Manson or the person down the street.
D. The more we know of the grace of God, the more we speak of it as being decisive in our own life. Have you witnessed the grace of God in your life? In the life of this church?
E. We should rejoice (like Barnabas). We should be encouraged (and encourage others) to remain true to the Lord
VI. A great association is financially generous (vv. 27-30).
A. Facing famine and difficult times, they gave sacrificially.
B. They gave to help the Jews---who hated them!
C. A great association recognizes that everything belongs to God.
D. We are the managers, not the owner.
E. A great people recognizes that we cannot take it with us, but we can send it on ahead.
F. A great association recognizes that the best investment is the Kingdom of God.
VII. A great association is well-known (v. 26).
A. First called Christians—imitators of Christ, little Christs.
B. Others in the community knew who they were, what they stood for and in Whom they believed.
C. Do others in this community know who this association is, what we stand for and in Whom we believe?
D. Let’s be known for what we are for, not what we are against!
VIII. Every great association is made up of great Christians and great churches.
A. What (or who) is your focus?
B. What (or who) is the center of your life? Is Jesus?
C. Is your life powered by self, by others, or by the Spirit of God?
D. Are you conscious of the grace of God in your life?
E. Are you being a good manager of what God has given you?
F. Are you known as one who loves God and acts accordingly?
IX. I ask you, association, will you be good or great?