David O. Cofield                           Luke 4: 14, 37; 5:15                       July 7, 2003

                           "Steps to a Mighty Move of God"

I. RUMOR  OF JESUS’ MINISTRY

Greek word is pheme in 4:14 which means a "saying, a rumor in a favorable context."

This shows the importance of two things:

1.) Every person speaking of Christ and His Church.

Acts 2 – speak the language where you are so everyone can understand

Acts 4:31 "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word boldly." Verse 32 "Now the multitude of those who believed….."

Acts 6:7 "The Word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly."

Acts 8:4 "They went everywhere preaching the Word." Verse 6 "And the

multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken…"

Acts 9:20-22 Saul "immediately preached the Christ."

Acts 10:24 Cornelius "called together his relatives and close friends."

Acts 13: 43-44 "Now when the congregation left…And the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the Word of God."

Acts 13: 49 "And the Word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the

region."

 

2.) Every person speaking positively  of Christ and His Church.

Exodus 22:28 "You shall not….curse the ruler of your people."

Psalm 39:1 "I will guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue; I will restrain my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked are before me."

Titus 3:2 "Speak evil of no one." James 4:11 says the same

James 1:26 "If anyone…thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue he is deceived."

Proverbs 10: 11, 19,31,32; 11:11; 15:4; 17:9

We are to speak of good things:

Psalm 77:12 "I will also meditate on all Your work, and talk of your deeds."

Psalm 145: 11-12 "They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, so that everyone will know your mighty deeds and the glorious majesty of your kingdom."

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech always be with grace."

Ephesians 4:29 "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

 

II. ROAR  OF JESUS’ MESSAGE

The word here in 4:37 is aykhos meaning "a roar, a sound."

What do people say about us? Some say we are an unconcerned  people, a fighting  people, a snobby  people, or a perfect  people or at least we think we are.

It is vital for a church to protect its reputation in the community. How?

1. Handling conflict Biblically Matthew 18: 15-20 and seeking the mind of

Christ (Philippians 2:5)

2. By praying and fasting Isaiah 58:8 "Your righteousness shall go before you."

3. Speaking positively about Christ and His Church

Acts 9:31 "Then the churches … had peace and were edified…They were multiplied."

III. REVELATION  OF JESUS’ MIGHT

Luke 5:15 – The word is logos meaning "intelligent communication that can be understood."

Jesus is the Logos of God when He came to express God so that humans can understand Him.

Its God’s will for crowds to come to hear and be changed.

Luke 14:23 "Go out in the highways and hedges and compel them to come in that my house may be filled."

How to Listen to a Sermon

Let it in * Write it down * Think it over * Live it out