EVERYONE IS INVITED
Simple Strategy #2
August 19, 2007
Mike Matijevich
mmatevich@aol.com

Intro:
Last week started series about "everybody". When I ask people if they attend church NO one has ever given me a deep theological reason.

* Most people say they don't have a problem with God- it is just with the church.
- I got hurt at a church, my parents, it's irrelevant… something like that.
- The proof is Christmas & Easter. - At least a couple times a year try to connect with God.
* 911 churches were filled for months… after they went for a while they said, "Oh yeah that is why I don’t go to church."
* It was not relevant, done with excellence, I didn't feel like I had anything in common with the guy (he had on a robe) - I felt like everyone there knew what to do…
* I feel comfortable at work, golf-course, the gym, but at church - well…
* Summarize it- "Church is for church people."
* Church is not just for church people…

Acts (The book after the church was launched)
* There is a business meeting - all the original Christians were Jewish…
Most Christians considered that Christianity was an EXTENSION of Judaism.
* Many of them kept their traditions and tacked on the new thing called Christianity.
- As Christianity began to spread the Jews that had become Christians felt like the Gentiles had to become Jewish.
* Meantime Paul & others come along on the fringe & went among the Gentiles, & began to tell the gospel story- this man came from heaven… and they did miracles and many Gentiles began to put their faith in Christ.
* But they WEREN"T Jewish- & many were saved lives were changed…
But word got out that this was happening & those in Jerusalem said they needed to do the Jewish things as well.
* Jesus said my burden is light & whosoever will may come…
*** The Christians were complicating salvation.
SO they all get together & discuss this issue…

Acts 15:1-2 (Background to the meeting)
Acts 15:4-5 The Pharisees (those that had Jesus crucified) had been converted because they had been wrong about Jesus. (Why? He resurrected after the crucifixion)
Acts 15:7 Peter speak & refers to his experience in (Acts 10) (various verses here - the story)
* 15:34 "Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:"
* God made it clear that I want everybody to come to salvation.
Acts 15:8 When accept Christ the Holy Spirit comes to live in their heart…

Acts 15:9 "No difference" once you are in. By FAITH, not the works of the law.

Acts 15:10 Saying God has done something NEW- God has done something SIMPLE -
"None of us Jewish people couldn't even do the law…
Acts 15:11

* Key verse…
Acts 15:19 "Trouble"- "To agitate; to disturb; to put into confused motion."
* God made it simple - so why should we cause "TROUBLE" for these people?
- We need to make the gospel easy & accessible.
(To get on board - on the ladder)
* What we (I) want to happen at Paradise…
People really want "to get it", but they are looking for solutions to their marriage, problems, dealing with their kids, how to survive the work place…etc.
* To make it easy - SIMPLE!

* Peter & James explain this to the church at Jerusalem…
Acts 15:20 They are saying be a little bit sensitive- for the Jewish sensitivities brethren…
They don't have to get circumcised, and keep all those regulations BUT there are a couple things that you Gentiles could do: (690 things no)
(1) Eating meat offered to idols (2) Abstain from sexual sins
Acts 15:30-31 "Everyone consoled…" (Key verse)
* "Consolation" - "Comfort; alleviation of misery, or distress of mind; refreshment of mind or spirits"
* So the message got back to Antioch & they were so happy to NOT have to do all that "Jewish thing".
* We can just put our faith in the risen Messiah Jesus. - SIMPLIFICATION.

* !500's Martin Luther - saved by grace… you don' have to be in HIGH CHURCH (on top the ladder)
- "I don't know Latin, I don't have any money, I didn't understand religion)
* "Faith alone"- millions came to Christ.
*** 100 years later complicated again…
* All the denominations… "This is the way, no this is the way, no this is the way…"
* Non-believers' say, "You guys don't even agree amongst yourselves."

* When they come - they can't get on the ladder… it has been complicated.

Conclusion:
Most people would like to have a connection with God- but they don't know how…
* So at Paradise we have decided that we want all the rungs on the ladder.
So that the church is not just for "church people" BUT people people.