Making Disciples
Turning Stumbling Blocks Into Stepping Stones

Sunday October 21st, 2018 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Acts 16

THE CONTEXT

THE MAIN POINT

INTRODUCTION

This week I prayed with a man who had lost his wife, lost his job, and was worried about how to take care of his daughters. I also met a man who had no money for gas to go to Salinas and look for a job on a farm. I also had a conversation with a friend who is on the verge of divorce. Life is not easy. As a follower of Jesus, how do you help others with God's way of living?

A joyful live that is full of purpose and meaning does not mean a perfect life all the time. It means you are living a God-intended life. You are living in alignment with God's values. Making disciples of Jesus is to teach people how to follow Jesus and live a God-intended life. We will follow Paul in his second missionary journey and learn how he showed and helped others with God's way of living.

"Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy... Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek." (Acts 16:1-3)

TURNING STUMBLING BLOCKS INTO STEPPING STONES

When You Disciple Someone Turn Their Stumbling Blocks Into Stepping Stones
Paul removed the stumbling block to the ministry of Timothy. He circumcised Timothy.

IMPACT

"So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily." v5

"And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there." v13

DO NOT DESPISE SMALL BEGINNINGS

When You Disciple Someone, Be Faithful With Small Beginnings
Paul had a small beginning. You Will Not Always Have An Inspiring Beginning. Paul preached to only a group of women who were not worthy to some preachers.

IMPACT

"And when she and her household were baptized..." v15

Paul delivered a young girl possessed by evil spirits

"'I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.'" And he came out that very hour." v18

"...and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.' Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods." v 21-22

GENUINE ZEAL FOR JESUS AND THE GOSPEL

IMPACT

God showed up "Big Time"

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed." v26

"Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household." v34

CONCLUSION

Life is not easy. We will face trials and hardships. But there is glory in trials and tribulations. One can overcome trials and find joy. There is a process to have a joyful life and to have it abundantly. It begins with Jesus. With Jesus there is joy in suffering and trials. Suffering produces proven perseverance. Perseverance produces proven character. Character produces proven hope and hope does not disappoint.