IntouchUnited - Lawrence

Networking for Good Works

Introduction

We are focusing on the theme of the year - Networking for Good works. There are two aspects in this vision 

  • Networking 
  • Good works

Why is networking important? This is because people are more effective when they connect with each other. So this is important to reach the goal of Good Works. 

One Body - Church

So what is the level of Networking we should achieve?

Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:14, 18, 20, 25

14 For the body is not one part, but many. 

18 But now God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired. 

20 But now there are many parts, but one body.

25 so that there may be no [s]division in the body, but that the parts may have the same care for one another.

The comparison is made between the body and the church. The body has all the members are involved for the right function of the purpose of life. So it is with the church. 

In our observation there are various level of engagement

  • Attend level - Where there is a minimal engagement

  • Function level - Where the members know what the purpose is of the church and functions in unison. And since this is done in unison, if one member suffers, it affects everyone else's function. So there is a deep involvement in each other

And what is that unites us and brings people together? The Lord Jesus

Verse: Acts 2:27

47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were be

Functions - Good works to be a Witnessing Community 

Verse: Acts 1:8

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”

And here is what Jesus brought about in the group (church) that came together. They became a witnessing community

Here are some thoughts of what the church did (good works) to be that witnessing community. We are taking points for each chapter from the book of Acts

  • Chapter 1 - Everyone joined together
  • Chapter 2 - Everyone filled with the Holy Spirit
  • Chapter 3 - Everyone joined in prayer.
  • Chapter 4 - Everyone joined in companionship to face hardship
  • Chapter 5 - Everyone joined together in giving
  • Chapter 6 - Everyone joined to address challenges of the community
  • Chapter 7 - Every joined together in Courage

Chapter 1 - Everyone joined together

Verse: Acts 1:15

15 At this time Peter stood up among the brothers and sisters (a group of about 120 people was there together), and said,

NOTE: While there were many more who loved Jesus, only120 people were involved. Be joined together and be close knit

Chapter 2 - Everyone filled with the Holy Spirit

Verse: 2:1, 4, 46

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place

4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,

NOTE: The people came together (in unity) and filled with the Holy Spirit. Devotion to God must reflect our commitment to one another and so they broke bread and ate together

Chapter 3 - Everyone joined in prayer.

Verse: 3:1

1 One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 

NOTE: Value the time of prayer

Chapter 4 - Everyone joined in companionship to face hardship

Verse: 4:23-24

23 On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them.

24 When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them. 

NOTE: When they had hardship, they went back to their own people and bore one another's burden

Chapter 5 - Everyone joined together in giving

Giving can be in time, talent, treasure. This passage is also of warning and we need to be honest and cheerful about our giving.

Chapter 6 - Everyone joined to address challenges of the community

Verse: 6:3

3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them

NOTE: They addressed challenges and came up with solutions. 

Chapter 7 - Every joined together in Courage

The story of Stephen is of a person who stood firm in the midst of adversity and death. The church is unstoppable. Our Good works never stop!!!

(To be continued....)


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