Introduction

·        Illustration: A man tells his doctor five things that are making him exhausted; the doctor fills out a prescription ordering the man to stop doing those five things.

·        Too many people today are weary and burned-out.

      -     Illustration: A boy asked his father in church who the people were whose names appeared on a plaque in the sanctuary. The father explained, “Those are the people who died in the service.” The boy replied, “How can you tell?”

Churches burn out when they focus on trivial issues and truths.

·        Illustration: Conrad lists some interesting, trivial facts.

·        There is no power in trivial pursuits.

·        Too many churches today stand in stark contrast to the early church in Acts.

Pentecost is about expectation, power, and spiritual vitality.          

·        Jesus promised the disciples that the gift of the Holy Spirit would propel the church community into ever broadening circles to be witnesses for him.

·        Acts 1:8

·        Illustration: When Conrad played football in high school, his father told him to play with “fire in his belly.”

·        Joel 2:28–32

·        The problem in the church is that few people are interested in being witnesses for Jesus.

·        Illustration: People still used kerosene lamps after the construction of the Norris Dam because they weren't connected to the new power source yet.

·        Too many Christians and local churches are burned-out because they chose not to link up with the power that Jesus has made available.

Conclusion

·        Illustration: A sick young boy tells his father, “I was reading a prescription from the Bible.”

·        Jesus has promised us power for the purpose of being his witnesses in ever widening circles in the world.

·        Big Idea: With God’s gift of spiritual vitality and a purpose to witness for Christ, we can overcome being burned-out.