NZ and Beyond 2014 Conference -

Going the extra mile

Notes by Julie Young

Unity

Unity is God’s will.  There is power in unity. God’s strategy is to unite and conquer.

Ps 133: 1 -3  How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! .... For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forever more.

John 17:20-23 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Pray and fast

It’s the key to God pouring out his Spirit. Acts 2:17

If want to see great and mighty things. Jeremiah 33:3

The greatest tragedy isn’t unanswered prayer. The greatest tragedy is un-asked prayers.

How does God want us to live in this city?

Jeremiah 29:7 – seek the peace and prosperity of the city (shalom), not assimilate or isolate. 

Christians need to ‘go the extra mile’ in loving and serving so people ask why.  Our good works will bring good will, which will bring good conversations. 

Christians need a fresh (up to date) relationship with God so they are effervescent (vivacious and enthusiastic).

Idea - Many to one evangelism: Not-yet-Christians have lots of positive encounters and conversations with lots of different Christians.  It’s like each Christian untightening a jar lid a little bit more each time. One day the jar will open. Failure isn’t people responding.  Failure is not giving people anything to respond to.  First count conversations not conversions.

Humbly.  We are all sinners. Identify with people.  We aren’t better than them, just forgiven.

What are we here for?

Need to have the Samaritan attitude “What will happen to this person if I don’t help them” rather than the Levite attitude of “What will happen to me if I do help this person.”

Every Christian needs to understand they are God’s full-time ambassador.  He has disguised some as accountants to reach accountants, some as construction workers to reach construction workers, some as young mums to reach young mums etc.

Christians are the movie trailer for Christianity that people will be attracted by (or not).

We are here to use the spiritual muscles we grow, not just grow them bigger.  Most Christians have heard at least 200 sermons.  Are they using it for God’s glory?