SEEK25 “One More City”

Seek – Week 4 – One More City

Acts 8:4-8

⁴ So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word.

⁵ Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.

⁶ The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing.

⁷ For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

⁸ So there was great joy in that city.

What is SEEK?

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

It is New City Olathe’s Prayer, Plan, and Cost around the question

What is God asking us to do for his kingdom in 2025?

We have been praying and discerning what God desires ONE MORE of.

“God Ask’s”:

How will you and your household invest financially in our 2025 Ministry Plan? (The Big Give)

How will you and your household partner in serving to accomplish the work outlined in this plan? (The Big Serve)

• This morning, we are going to continue to look at this theme of “One More”

“One More City”

The Vision of New City Church:

We believe God has asked us to Establish a New City in Every City in Kansas City.

Acts 8:8

⁸ So there was great joy in that city.

Great: In the New Testament, “polus” is often used to emphasize abundance. The use of “polus” in the New Testament Reflects a cultural understanding of abundance As a sign of God’s provision and favor. The term is frequently used in contexts That highlight the vastness of God’s kingdom,

The multitude of believers, or the extensive reach of Jesus’ ministry.

Joy- In the New Testament, “chara” is used to describe A deep, abiding sense of joy and gladness That is rooted in spiritual realities rather than external circumstances. It is often associated with the presence of the Holy Spirit and the believer’s relationship with God. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) And is characterized by a sense of inner peace and contentment that transcends worldly troubles.

Is Olathe currently experiencing this kind of Great Joy?

3 ways this Joy came

1. Great Pain

Acts 8:1- 4

Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria.

² Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him.

³ Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.

⁴ So those who were scattered went on their way preaching the word.

Acts 28:1-2

Once safely ashore, we then learned that the island was called Malta.

² The local people showed us extraordinary kindness. They lit a fire and took us all in, since it was raining and cold

Acts 28:7-10

⁷ Now in the area around that place was an estate belonging to the leading man of the island, named Publius, who welcomed us and entertained us hospitably for three days.

⁸ Publius’s father was in bed suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, and praying and laying his hands on him, he healed him.

⁹ After this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed.

¹⁰ So they heaped many honors on us, and when we sailed, they gave us what we needed.

Psalm 30:5

…Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.

• An Old writer preach named AW Tozer said it this way:

“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply”.

2. The Great Gospel Proclaimed–

Acts 8:5

⁵ Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah to them.

John 4:5-9

⁵ so he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph.

⁶ Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from his journey, sat down at the well. It was about noon.

⁷ A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give me a drink,” Jesus said to her,

⁸ because his disciples had gone into town to buy food.

⁹ “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.

John 4:25-26

²⁵ The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

²⁶ Jesus told her, “I, the one speaking to you, am he.”

John 4:28-29

²⁸ Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people,

²⁹ “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”

Matthew 9:36

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd.

Who do you know that cries when they talk about their life?

• They are ready!

Who do you know that gets visibly angry when they talk about their life?

• They are ready!

Who is currently trusting you enough to ask you questions about life or spiritual things?

• They are ready!

Who has asked you to pray for them?

3. Great Evidence of God’s Activity (or the Gospel at work)

Acts 8:6-7

⁶ The crowds were all paying attention to what Philip said, as they listened and saw the signs he was performing.

⁷ For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed, and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.

John 4:39-42

³⁹ Now many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.”

⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days.

⁴¹ Many more believed because of what he said.

⁴² And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, since we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world.”

John 8:8

…there was great joy in that city.

• New City has four values:

1. Known and Be Known
2. Make Disciples
3. We make our city better
4. Extreme Generosity