NCF Podcast

WWW.NORTHPOINTSB.COM
9/20/09 Sought by God, Philip and the Ethiopian Acts 8
Pastor Paul M. Reinhard

Welcome: Have you ever planned to meet somebody somewhere…
but the plan got all messed up?

Worship: Be creative in opening your hearts to God! Take time for a song, poem, video clip, story, or testimony! Spend some moments in prayer. Invite the Holy Spirit to meet with you as your teacher, friend, encourager, and the giver of great gifts!

Word: This past Sunday we looked at Philips Spirit led meeting with the Ethiopian. We saw how God directed their paths so that they crossed at exactly the right time and place. Today we will explore how God can lead us and use us to His glory!

1. Can you think of a serendipitous, unusual, or unexpected encounter that you have had? This could be that time when you ran into just the right person, at just the right moment! What impact did this meeting have on your life?

2. Have you ever had a sense that you should have done something…
but did not do it? What happened? How would you do it differently?

3. Read Genesis 12:1-6.

A. What did God tell Abram in verse 1?

B. What did Abram do in verse 4?

C. What would you do if God said this to you?

4. This past week I have been reflecting deeply on the possibility of 2,000 Christians occupying our property. I confess to you that it excites me, scares me, and saddens me all at the same time. Spend some time dreaming in your Life Group.

A. How would it influence the North end of San Bernardino to have a 2,000 person church move their ministry to Sierra Way and Parkdale?

B. What could a church that size, with those resources, do with this property?

5. What emotions come into play when you think about this kind of a change?

Witness: Read this quote by J. Vernon Mcgee. How can it apply to your ministry this week? The Spirit of God had gone ahead to prepare the heart and to prepare the messenger. This leading of the Spirit of God is absolutely essential. I'm afraid that a great deal of personal work is done in a haphazard manner and without the leading of the Spirit of God. I believe that we ought to make it a matter of definite prayer before we talk to anyone. We should talk to the Lord about the individual before we talk to the individual about the Lord. It is not simply that we need the Holy Spirit to lead us. What we need is for the Spirit of God to go ahead of us and prepare the way, then to call us up to where He is. We want to go where the Spirit of God is moving.

Close with prayer in the spirit of Philip and Abram:

Oh Lord, we praise you, and we trust you. Forty-four years ago, you moved Calvary Baptist Church from 19th and E. St up to Parkdale and Sierra Way. Now we are experiencing a shifting and a stirring once again. What is your will for your church? Whom do you want on this corner? Where would you have NorthPoint to go? What would you have us to be? Lead us Oh Lord with great clarity and joy. Let us know your will for us. Let us unite our hearts together as your children, and together seek your will for our Fellowship. Give us a sense of excitement and peace about following you!
We love you and we trust you. In Jesus name, AMEN.

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