The Fruit Of Changed Lives

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)

The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. Matthew 13:20-21 (NIV)

If I Will Go ________ My Influence Will Go ________.

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” 33 He told them another parable. “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, till it was all leavened.” Matthew 13:31-33 (ESV)

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace. Colossians 1:6 (NLT)

________ People ________ People.

_____________ People ____________ People.

I WILL SEE THE FRUIT OF CHANGED LIVES WHEN…

• I START WITH THE __________ IN THE ____________.

What a miserable wretch I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Romans 7:24 (EHV)

• I STOP ____________ & START ________________.

…train yourself to be godly. 8 Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:7b-8 (NLT)

• I PRAY ________ DOORS OF ______________________.

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Colossians 4:3 (NIV)

• I ________ TO __________ GOD’S MESSAGE.

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.  Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)

WHEN UNITED BY GOD’S MISSION & CHANGED, GOD WILL…

• USE US TO ________ PEOPLE’S ________.

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized… Acts‬ 9‬:17-18 ‬(NIV)‬

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God… Acts 26:17-18a (NIV)

• USE US TO SHOW __________________ THEY CAN ____________.

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. Acts 9:26-28 (NIV)

I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: “The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they praised God because of me. Galatians 1:22-24 (NIV)

When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Romans 12:13 (NLT)

Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 (NASB)

• USE US TO __________ OTHERS FOR ______________.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. Acts 11:25-26 (NIV)

Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker. Acts 14:12 (NIV)

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up Ephesians 4:11-12 (NIV)

• USE US AS HIS ______________________ __________.

As the rocks rained down, Stephen prayed, “Master Jesus, take my life.” 60 Then he knelt down, praying loud enough for everyone to hear, “Master, don’t blame them for this sin”—his last words. Then he died. Saul was right there, congratulating the killers. Acts 7:59-60 (MSG)

On that very day a great storm of persecution burst upon the Church in Jerusalem. All Church members except the apostles were scattered…Saul harassed the Church bitterly. He would go from house to house, drag out both men and women and have them committed to prison. Those who were dispersed by this action went throughout the country, preaching the good news of the message as they went. Acts 8:1b-4 (PHILLIPS)

For two full years, he lived there in Rome, paying all his own expenses, receiving all who came to him. 31 With great confidence and with no hindrance, he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the ultimate authority—the Lord Jesus, God’s Anointed, the Liberating King. Acts 28:30-31 (VOICE)