Today, I want to answer three questions:
- What is the #1 advantage of a crisis?
- How do I find God in crisis?
- What does God want me to do now?
WHAT IS THE ADVANTAGE OF A CRISIS?
The #1 advantage of a crisis is that it creates an opportunity that didn’t exist before.
- You’re watching this sermon and you may not have, had this not happened
- You’re open to God in ways you may not have before
- You’re spending time with family
- You’re more open to creative solutions now to problems that may have previously existed
That’s what God does with the crisis of Stephen’s martyrdom
“Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.” Acts 8:1
“But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.” Acts 8:4
I’m wondering what God could be trying to do in your life right now, through this crisis, that you may not have been open to in another time, in your life.
- What could God be trying to do in your life right now?
- Spend time with Him more regularly?
- Prioritize your family over your career?
- Force you to deal with your control issues?
- Get you beyond your love of money, success, esteem?
- Redirect the entire direction of your life, career, etc?
HOW DO I FIND GOD IN CRISIS?
God comes to you in crisis. HE grabs YOUR attention in Crisis but how YOU respond is on YOU
“Philip, for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah.” Acts 8:5
“Then Simon himself believed and was baptized…” Acts 8:13a
God sends Philip to another whose attention is on God.
- “The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?”” Acts 8:34-36
In John 6:44, Jesus said, “For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me…”
- You don’t get to pick the day God gets your attention but you DO get to CHOOSE your response once he has it.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO NOW?
You’ve got to consider everything at your disposal and find a way to leverage your life to bring Glory to God and Good toward others.
In Acts 9, Saul is on his way to Damascus and Jesus has an intervention.
- “But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.” But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.” Acts 9:13-15
What if you were to ask those same two questions:
- Am I fully leveraging everything I have, know, can do, for the glory of God and the good of others
- If not, what do I have in my hand?
Application Questions
1. What stood out to you from this message and why?
2. What is one thing God is telling you to START doing because of this message?
3. What is one thing God is telling you to STOP doing because of this message?
4. How will this message change how you act at home, work and in the your relationships?