Refuge Church Byhalia is a new nondenominational evangelical church located in Byhalia, MS that exists to share the hope of Jesus, grow together, & love our neighbors in Byhalia, Marshall County, Lewisburg, & surrounding areas. Below is a sermon outline from our Launch Training on 2/2/25. From Acts 18:1-17 titled, ‘Fully Going’ that was part of our ‘Preparing to Launch’ series where we are learning what the church should be & do.
Intro
- Good Morning & Welcome to Refuge Church Byhalia
- We are so glad you are here and have been praying that you would leave today with higher thoughts of Jesus and that you would have had an opportunity to make a meaningful connection with someone.
- My name is Michael & serve Refuge Church as the planting pastor.
- It is a joy to be here today as we continue our series ‘Preparing to Launch’
- In this time of renovation and lacing up our boots to reach out to Byhalia, Barton, & Beyond
- We are polishing our skills and passions ot serve the church and our neighbors.
- Our goal is to Lord willing, celebrate with a grand opening soon and until that day, learn the habits and actions of the early church
- And we are doing this by walking through the book of Acts which was written by Dr. Luke
- We are currently following Paul & his missionary team as they take the Gospel out with a major focus on reaching gentiles or non-Jewish people.
- Last week we found Paul in Athens being extremely relatable to the people of Athens.
- Finding ways to learn about them & their way of living and then keying in on that learning to find an open door to sharing the hope of Jesus.
- Paul gave us a great example of how to ‘Be Relatable.’
- And this is something that is of the utmost importance if we want to reach people that are far from God in Byhalia, Barton, & Beyond
- We have to talk and interact with people in a way that they will listen, and not scare them off.
- So I’ve got some practical advice as to how it may look to ‘Be Relatable’ in our current cultural context.
- ‘Be Relatable’ – some practical advice
- First Respect personal space.
- In this post-Covid world & the way us southern Americans relate we all have an imaginary bubble around us
- Outside of the occasional handshake to someone new to us – We should Keep our distance
- Additional, we need to have an open backed up body language.
- We should not be pointed or invasive
- Another good idea when working to be relatable like Paul is to
- Avoid Interrogation.
- People aren’t ready to answer 50 questions when we meet them.
- They aren’t ready to share their life story – so keep the questions to a minimum
- What’s your name?
- How did you hear about Refuge Church?
- Leave it there & then say ‘I’m so glad you were able to come to Refuge today. It was great to meet you’
- Another way to be relatable, is by letting others actually be relatable.
- Trust your brothers and sisters in Christ.
- Trust that God can and will use others to say what needs to be said.
- None of us have the magic words or step by step process to save, it is God who saves.
- So don’t feel pressured to invade other conversations
- But definitely don’t leave someone alone
- If someone isn’t being greeted by someone else before or after service, that’s a great time to step in.
- But if someone you know is already with a person and conversing – be ok staying back.
- In fact – an amazing & wonderful idea if you see someone conversing with someone you don’t know at Refuge Church
- Pray for others conversing with a visitor.
- When we see someone talking to a visitor from a distance. Keep that distance & pray earnestly for that conversation to be fruitful
- Throw a quick – Hey God, bless that conversation. Make it fruitful. Help them love Jesus more after this conversation. & Help me trust my brothers & sisters in Christ and the Holy Spirit working through them. In Jesus Name, Amen.
- You see, when someone else is talking with a visitor we may not realize where that conversation is and we therefore don’t want to disrupt what God may already be doing.
- That visitor may be sharing and seeking answers in the Refuge person they are talking to. And we could interrupt that flow and comfort level if we feel the need to get in the middle of the conversation.
- So instead of stepping in, pray earnestly for God to bless that conversation.
- And finally –
- Trust God with the outcome.
- Jesus promised He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against her.
- This isn’t a call to be apathetic about visitors
- But it is a call to be OK with not talking to every single person.
- Let the door greeters do their job.
- Let the childcare check in folks do their job.
- And definitely let someone who invited a guest, be the main meaningful connection that someone makes.
- And then trust God to do what God has done for over 2,000 years.
- Save sinners & build His church.
- We must have faith that God will do as He pleases with every image bearer that comes to Refuge.
- So again, Don’t feel pressure every time we have a guest.
- Trust the Christ honoring and Gospelicious music, trust the testimony of those partaking in communion, trust the preaching of the Word.
- We don’t have to all get our own Gospel moment with every single person.
- But even as we aim to put our best foot forward,
- we also must trust God if the conversation gets awkward or goes imperfectly.
- Gods got this and He will build His church.
- So again, let’s strive, Refuge Church to all be more relatable as we reach out to our neighbors in Byhalia, Barton & Beyond, that are far from God.
- First Respect personal space.
- Now after Paul leaves Athens we are going to find him in Corinth
- Another crazy city full of a pagan way of life with many, many far from God.
- Let’s open to Acts chapter 18 where we will read the first 17 verses.
- If you don’t have a Bible with you or an App on a device you commonly use, we would love for you to use on of those Blue Bibles near you.
- Page numbers for the verses I reference today as found in those Blue Bibles will be on the screen for easy navigating.
- Let’s go ahead and read Acts 18:1-17
‘After this Paul1 left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named vAquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife vPriscilla, because wClaudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and xbecause he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And yhe reasoned in the synagogue yevery Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. 5 zWhen Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul awas occupied with the word, btestifying to the Jews that the Christ was cJesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, dhe shook out his garments and said to them, e“Your blood be on your own heads! fI am innocent. gFrom now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius hJustus, ia worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 jCrispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together kwith his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul lone night in ma vision, n“Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 nfor I am with you, and ono one will attack you to harm you, for pI have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. 12 But when Gallio was qproconsul of Achaia, rthe Jews2 made a united attack on Paul and sbrought him before the tribunal, 13 saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to tthe law.” 14 But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious ucrime, O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. 15 But vsince it is a matter of questions about words and names and wyour own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” 16 And he drove them from the tribunal. 17 And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.’
Let’s Pray.
- So Paul is at it again.
- Another city.
- Another time period of being pushed by the HOly Spirit to love his new neighbors and share the hope of Jesus with them.
- Then as many are saved & then baptized they grow togethr as a family.
- And the church in Corinth is born.
- And similarly, our hope is that Refuge Church Byhalia
- Will become a healthy, vibrant, life-giving church.
- Our vision or goal, is to by God’s grace, Be a Healthy, Vibrant, Life-Giving Church.
- This is our vision
- This is our goal.
- And we think God will do this as we live out our 3 pillars.
- How will we accomplish our vision?
- The 3 Pillars of Refuge Church Byhalia.’s Mission
- Sharing the Hope of Jesus.
- Loving Neighbors.
- & Growing Together.
- And if we look at Pauls actions here in Corinth.
- We see these things play out.
- A church is born as people come to salvation.
- And God encouraged Paul by letting him know in verse 10, many people here are my people.
- And we absolutely believe, many in Byhalia, Barton & Beyond are God’s people.
- Many of them are far from God currently.
- But our goal is to reach them effectively and relatably in the years we have left
- Until Christ Returns or calls us home.
- I don’t care how bad things look around Marshall COunty
- I don’t care how far people appear to be from God
- I don’t care how messed up someone’s life is
- The God of the universe, who accomplished salvation through the person and work of Jesus
- Chooses who His people are and He paid the bill in full for all of those who would come to faith & repentance in the person and work of Jesus.
- Theologian Matthew Henry says this, ‘Let us not despair concerning any place, when even in wicked Corinth Christ had much people. He will gather in his chosen flock from the places where they are scattered…’
- Paul faced opposition in the city of Corinth, where many were living a life that would look crazy sinful and wild even according to today’s standards of crazy wild and sinful
- Paul even faced opposition from those in the Jewish Synagogue
- Verse 6 says they opposed and reviled him
- Like they got ticked off
- They were angry with Paul
- They were spittin mad
- So much so Paul had to let it go, and washed his hands of their unbelief in the arrival of the long promised messiah
- And sometimes, to be relatable, we have to share the hope of Jesus, and then trust God & let Go like Paul did here
- We cannot keep on pressing and pushing people
- We sew our seed, we share the hope of Jesus
- And then Trust God to bring forth the increase, if it be His will.
- Paul could not continue on being reviled by the Jewish leaders & so he pivots his focus and efforts while also not abandoning the opportunity for a Jewish person to hear the hope of Jesus and repent.
- In fact, what we see is Paul sets up his teaching operations from the house of Titius Justus, which happened to be next to the synagogue
- And so, the Great Commission kept on being executed
- To people far from God
- And People who pushed back on the hope of Jesus
- Paul new Jesus’ command to go and make disciples
- And even in the face of this strong opposition, he kept on going
- Paul was fully going & lived out the Great Commission.
- And this is one of our takeaways today.
- Paul’s example for us today is following the Great Commission.
- Let’s remember that great commission.
- Matthew 18:18-20 Page ____.
- *Gospel Moment*
- Jesus has lived his perfect sinless life, was betrayed by a friend, then died the death we deserved, and rose in victory over sin and death.
- And now He was preparing to depart to sit at the right hand of God the Father and gives a final bit of instruction to His followers.
- And this instruction is what we see Paul do as he was Fully Going.
- ‘18 And Jesus came and said to them, h“All authority iin heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 jGo therefore and kmake disciples of lall nations, jbaptizing them min2 nthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them oto observe all that pI have commanded you. And behold, qI am with you always, to rthe end of the age.”’
- So Jesus establishes His authority
- He said Go Therefore
- Which means as you go.
- And Paul, he sure has been going
- And today we see him in Corinth.
- Now Jesus said, as you go, make disciples
- Paul in verse 4 is reasoning, is talking with people about Jesus
- And in verse 8 in Acts 18 the Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue gets saved
- And then many of the Corinthians who listened to Paul were also saved
- And for those who believed in the the person & work of Jesus, they then were baptized
- Just as Jesus said to do in the great commission.
- But Paul did not skip town after baptizing the new believers
- Verse 11 says he stayed their 18 months & taught the new believers
- What an important example.
- You see if we, Refuge Church, are to be a healthy, vibrant, life-giving church
- We will be people that are continuously ‘fully going’
- Doing every part of the Great Commission
- Going & Sharing the Hope of Jesus
- Making Disciples
- Baptizing Them
- & Teaching Them
- The question for us is, do we fully Go
- Do we love our neighbors enough to follow the command of Jesus to go and make disciples?
- And then are we responsible enough to teach as our church family grows?
- God assured Paul that there were many in Corinth that were God’s People
- And there are many in Byhalia, Barton, & Beyond that are presently far from God but are God’s people
- We don’t know who they are or where we will meet them but we are commanded to Go to them
- Now Paul did not spend his time pondering the how’s and whys of God choosing in salvation.
- Warren Wiersbe says ‘Paul’s responsibility was to obey the commission; God’s responsibility was to save sinners… He got busy and tried to win souls to Christ!’
- The same is true for us.
- So are you fully going?
- IN a relatable & culturally appropriate & culturally relevant way?
- But also – do you know you are not going alone?
- The Christian life is not meant to be alone.
- We have one of our pillars as a church that we will Grow Together.
- This means as people are saved, our church will grow
- And we will grow together by living out the one another commands
- Like teaching one another
- And loving one another
- And sometimes, correcting one another
- And sometimes, bearing burdens with one another
- And other times rejoicing with one another
- You need the church, & the church needs you.
- This isn’t a one man band.
- It’s all of us gifted for the encouragement & building up of the church.
- And skillful & passionate about various things to help the church.
- Paul had amazing help in his missional efforts
- In Corinth we see ‘Aquila & Priscilla’
- The husband and wife dream team
- Here is how ‘Aquila & Priscilla’ & served Christ by helping Paul & the church
- ‘Aquila & Priscilla’ risked their lives. (Romans 16:3-4)
- Helped Paul in Ephesus. (Acts 18:18-28)
- & Opened their home to the church! (1 Corinthians 16:19).
- Amazing church family members, who did much for their local church & the missional efforts to take the Gospel out.
- How far are you willing to fully go to help get the Gospel out to many in Byhalia, Barton, & Beyond?
- I’ve seen it – y’all are chomping at the bit.
- You’re ready to see God move
- You’re ready to see people saved
- You’re ready to see people break chains
- You’re ready to see marriages restored
- You’re ready to see people break free from addiction
- You’re ready to see people love Jesus more than they do today
- And I’m thankful for your zeal & energy
- Warren Wiersbe says ‘Every pastor and missionary thanks God for people like Aquila and Priscilla, people with hands, hearts, and bones dedicated to the work of the Lord.’
- Y’all have put up with a lot and worked so hard for the Kingdom
- Keep Going
- Be Relatable
- And know this – your efforts to share the hope of Jesus, Love Neighbors, & Grow Together are not in vain
- Paul planted, Apollos Watered, & God gave the increase.
- We have a lot on the horizon where we are working to reach out to people with the hope of Jesus.
- Here’s some things that are on the very near horizon
- Some of our outreach team will be visiting some strategic new neighborhoods with a ‘welcome to the area’ gift.
- We will also make door hangers and put them on doors announcing our grand opening celebration.
- Both around where you live & right here around the building.
- Our Crawfish Boil in town is coming in April.
- Lord willing, we will have the opportunity to love on hundreds of neighbors & enjoy delicious crawfish.
- And then we also have a number of smaller efforts to reach out to town.
- So get excited about what God has in store.
- Here’s some things that are on the very near horizon
- & As you fully Go – Give God Glory
- As you remember to be relatable – Give God Glory
- And enjoy life in a growing church family
- God is with you
- And your church family is here for you.
- God will build His church
- He did in Acts 18
- & He will in Marshall County in 2025
- Now as we wrap up today
- Be sure to fill out that Care Card
- Especially if you’re interested in small groups or learning more about helping us launch a healthy, vibrant, life-giving church.
- Mark the Membership/SMall Group box and we will make it happen.
- God is on the move
- And God cares for you.
- If you would like to be prayed for after service, I’ll be here at the front.
- Otherwise, y’all go love some neighbors this week, we are dismissed.