1. STRATEGIC PLANS FOR A SUCCESSFUL MISSION

2. The Mission Moves Out
“The first account I composed, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up, after He through the Holy Spirit had given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive, after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days, and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God.” Acts 1:1-3
The emphasis is on what He began to DO AND TEACH
The mission involves making disciples
We are under orders just like the apostles to follow the mission
Acts is not just Church history, but His-story of transforming people and sending them on to fulfill their part in the mission.
The mission involves transformed people speaking and living
A message of transformation.

3. So, How’s The Mission Going?
“I’ve never met a Christian who planned to live a mediocre life, but I have met plenty of mediocre Christians.”
Dr. Howard Hendricks Dallas Theological Seminary
Mediocre=ordinary, average, middle of the road, second rate.
Opposite is excellent.

4. A Lesson From The Hubble Space Telescope
Launched in 1990, it was the most powerful telescope man had devised at a cost of $1.5 billion.
The main mirror was nearly eight feet in diameter, weighed nearly one ton, and was to view light years into space.
There was a problem—the images were out of focus.
In 1993, corrective optics were applied by the space shuttle Endeavor to correct the problem.
Size is important. Power is important. But focus is everything!

5. Strategic Plans For A Successful Mission
Strategic Opportunities To Speak From
Strategic Hospitality To Serve From

6. Strategic Opportunities
Taking what is available and making the best use out of it.
Seeking strategic opportunities in what is common in the culture.
Taking what is common and turning it into a pulpit to speak from.

7. Paul And Some Idols
“ And Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ What therefore you worship in ignorance this I proclaim to you.” Acts 17:22-23

8. Joshua And A Pile Of Rocks
“And those twelve stones which they had taken from the Jordan, Joshua set up at Gilgal. And he said to the sons of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in time to come, saying,’ What are these stones?’ then you shall inform your children, saying, ‘Israel crossed this Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; That all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.” Joshua 4:19-24

9. Some Common and Available Pulpits Found in Acts
In the temple, outside the temple, before a council, outside the city, in the city streets, next to a chariot, out in a desert, in homes, in prisons, on a ship, and on an island.

10. You and I Current events and issues. Recent movies and entertainment.
Existing circumstances and situations.
Holidays, recent political events
Narnia
Common parenting, neighborhood issues, etc
Taking what is available…what is common…
And using them as opportunities to speak!

11. Obeying the law never made anyone right with God…
But those who have been made
right with God cannot stop
talking about what they have seen and heard!

12. Strategic Hospitality: How Do People Come To Christ?
Walk ins %
Pastor’s Ministry 4-7%
Special Programs 2-4%
City Wide Crusades %
Visitation Ministry 1-2%
Special Needs Met 2-4%
Sunday School %

13. How Do People Come To Christ?
About 70-90% of all Christians are led to Christ through their relationship with a friend or relative.

14. Strategic Hospitality Promotes Primary Relationships
Secondary Relationship-those in our lives that we interact with in one social context.
Primary Relationships-those in our lives that we interact with in more than one social context.
Primary relationships invite ministry opportunities.
The easiest way to change a secondary to a primary is to invite someone to your home.
Notice how much speaking and doing in the book of Acts are done in the context of someone’s home…the same can be true of us.
One of the greatest ministry tools available is our own home!

15. God does not live
in a “house”
But He loves to show up
And work in yours!

16. “And he (Paul) stayed two full years in his own rented quarters, and was welcoming all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all openness, unhindered.” Acts 28:30-31