Title: How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
1How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- God had a plan that was implemented through the
apostles. (Mk 1615-16 Mt 2819-20)
2How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- Mark 1615-16 (NKJV) - And He said to them, Go
into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will
be saved but he who does not believe will be
condemned.
3How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- Matthew 2819-20 (NKJV) - Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all
things that I have commanded you and lo, I am
with you always, even to the end of the age.
Amen.
4How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- How could a group of Galilean fishermen
accomplish this?
5How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- How could a group of Galilean fishermen
accomplish this? - They understood that go ye means go me!
6How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- How could a group of Galilean fishermen
accomplish this? - They understood that go ye means go me!
- Where do we fit in this work? (Acts 542)
7How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- Acts 542 (NKJV) - And daily in the temple, and
in every house, they did not cease teaching and
preaching Jesus as the Christ.
8How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- The early Christians used their homes to
powerfully teach individuals.
9How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- The early Christians used their homes to
powerfully teach individuals. - How many of you have ever been in a home study?
10How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- The early Christians used their homes to
powerfully teach individuals. - How many of you have ever been in a home study?
- If you had to suddenly move and completely start
over, would you have time to tell others about
the Lord? (Acts 83-4)
11How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- Acts 83-4 (NKJV) - As for Saul, he made havoc
of the church, entering every house, and dragging
off men and women, committing them to prison. 4
Therefore those who were scattered went
everywhere preaching the word.
12How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- There is a reason why these Christians could do
this! The gospel was a part
of them if you came to know them you would
hear the gospel!
13How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- How many of you see this work as yours? Some hear
lessons like this as I would listen to teaching
on cooking or home decorating.
14How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?
- How many of you see this work as yours? Some hear
lessons like this as I would listen to teaching
on cooking or home decorating. - Have you built a biblical faith in your life?
15We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- The issue is not just how much knowledge and
experience I possess.
16We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- The issue is not just how much knowledge and
experience I possess. - Where does successful teaching come? It comes
from a heart of faith.
17We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- The issue is not just how much knowledge and
experience I possess. - Where does successful teaching come? It comes
from a heart of faith. - Many have great knowledge, but that does not
assure one that he will have a strong faith! (1
Cor 81-2)
18We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 1 Corinthians 81-2 (NKJV) - Now concerning
things offered to idols We know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he
knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
19We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Consider two examples during the ministry of
Christ.
20We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Would you have sent a previously maddened, demon
possessed man back to the people to teach having
almost no knowledge? (Mk 517-20 Lk 840)
21We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Mark 517-20 (NKJV) - Then they began to plead
with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when
He got into the boat, he who had been
demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with
Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but
said to him, Go home to your friends, and tell
them what great things the Lord has done for you,
and how He has had compassion on you.
22We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in
Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him and
all marveled.
23We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Luke 840 (NKJV) - So it was, when Jesus
returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for
they were all waiting for Him.
24We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- What made this man successful? How many of you
have greater knowledge than this man?
25We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- (John 425-30) Again, would you use this woman
in evangelism?
26We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- (John 425-30) Again, would you use this woman
in evangelism? - In both of these cases these people served to
open doors for further teaching by someone more
capable. There is not a Christian among us who
cannot be as effective as these if we would have
the same measure of faith!
27We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- The resurrection of Christ was the foundation of
evangelism for the 1st century church.
28We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- The resurrection of Christ was the foundation of
evangelism for the 1st century church. - They heard the evidence and were changed! (Acts
232 314-15 1327-31)
29We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Acts 232 (NKJV) - This Jesus God has raised up,
of which we are all witnesses.
30We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Acts 314 through Acts 315 (NKJV) - But you
denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a
murderer to be granted to you, 15and killed the
Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of
which we are witnesses.
31We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Acts 1327-31 (NKJV) - For those who dwell in
Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not
know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets
which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them
in condemning Him. 28And though they found no
cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He
should be put to death.
32We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was
written concerning Him, they took Him down from
the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God
raised Him from the dead. 31He was seen for many
days by those who came up with Him from Galilee
to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.
33We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- This was not just a social event where people
followed what they had always seen! Genuine faith
is never a blind faith. (Heb 111)
34We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Hebrews 111 (NKJV) - Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen.
35We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- The resurrection of and thus the judgment of all
men is assured. (Acts 1730-31 2 Cor 413-14)
36We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Acts 1730-31 (NKJV) - Truly, these times of
ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all
men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has
appointed a day on which He will judge the world
in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.
He has given assurance of this to all by raising
Him from the dead.
37We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 2 Corinthians 413-14 (NKJV) - And since we have
the same spirit of faith, according to what is
written, I believed and therefore I spoke, we
also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that
He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise
us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.
38We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- We too are raised because of our faith in the
resurrection. (Col 212-13)
39We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Colossians 212-13 (NKJV) - buried with Him in
baptism, in which you also were raised with Him
through faith in the working of God, who raised
Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your
trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
He has made alive together with Him, having
forgiven you all trespasses,
40We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Could you teach someone who is not sure the Bible
is from God the evidence that Jesus is the son
of God? (1 Pt 315)
41We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 1 Peter 315 (NKJV) - But sanctify the Lord God
in your hearts, and always be ready to give a
defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the
hope that is in you, with meekness and fear
42We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- We must have a clear understanding of the grace
of God.
43We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- We must have a clear understanding of the grace
of God. - What ultimately are we teaching? We want others
to trust in God.
44We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- We must have a clear understanding of the grace
of God. - What ultimately are we teaching? We want others
to trust in God. - It is the love of God that brings men to God.
(Psa 367 1 Pt 21-3 1 Jn 419)
45We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Psalm 367 (NKJV) - How precious is Your
lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of
men put their trust under the shadow of Your
wings.
46We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 1 Peter 21-3 (NKJV) - Therefore, laying aside
all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all
evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the
pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is
gracious.
47We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 1 John 419 (NKJV) - We love Him because He
first loved us.
48We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- More specifically we must center on the cross of
Christ. (Gal 614 Phil 37-9)
49We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Galatians 614 (NKJV) - But God forbid that I
should boast except in the cross of our Lord
Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been
crucified to me, and I to the world.
50We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Philippians 37-9 (NKJV) - But what things were
gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the
excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all
things, and count them as rubbish, that I may
gain Christ
51We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 9 and be found in Him, not having my own
righteousness, which is from the law, but that
which is through faith in Christ, the
righteousness which is from God by faith
52We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- Again, we must have a clear view of where we
stand before God or we will present a false view
of the Christian life! (1 John 417-19)
53We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.
- 1 John 417-19 (NKJV) - Love has been perfected
among us in this that we may have boldness in
the day of judgment because as He is, so are we
in this world. 18 There is no fear in love but
perfect love casts out fear, because fear
involves torment. But he who fears has not been
made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He
first loved us.
54We need to change how we see this world.
- We will respond when we clearly see the need.
(Heb 1124-27)
55We need to change how we see this world.
- Hebrews 1124-27 (NKJV) - By faith Moses, when
he became of age, refused to be called the son of
Pharaohs daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer
affliction with the people of God than to enjoy
the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the
reproach of Christ greater riches than the
treasures in Egypt for he looked to the reward.
56We need to change how we see this world.
- 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the
wrath of the king for he endured as seeing Him
who is invisible.
57We need to change how we see this world.
- What if we lived in Samaria at the time of the
Syrian siege? (2 Kgs 624-25)
58We need to change how we see this world.
- 2 Kings 624-25 (NKJV) - And it happened after
this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all
his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. 25
And there was a great famine in Samaria and
indeed they besieged it until a donkeys head was
sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth
of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of
silver.
59We need to change how we see this world.
- Have you ever really been hungry?
60We need to change how we see this world.
- Have you ever really been hungry?
- If you could feed the starving, would you?
61We need to change how we see this world.
- Have you ever really been hungry?
- If you could feed the starving, would you?
- In despair four leprous men find an empty camp!
(2 Kgs 74-5)
62We need to change how we see this world.
- 2 Kings 74-5 (NKJV) - If we say, We will enter
the city, the famine is in the city, and we
shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also.
Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army
of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall
live and if they kill us, we shall only die.
63We need to change how we see this world.
- 5 And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of
the Syrians and when they had come to the
outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise
no one was there.
64We need to change how we see this world.
- Can you imagine a camp filled with provisions for
over 200,000 men? (2 Kgs 78)
65We need to change how we see this world.
- 2 Kings 78 (NKJV) - And when these lepers came
to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one
tent and ate and drank, and carried from it
silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid
them then they came back and entered another
tent, and carried some from there also, and went
and hid it.
66We need to change how we see this world.
- After risking your life for food, what would you
now do?
67We need to change how we see this world.
- After risking your life for food, what would you
now do? - Even the lepers knew what any decent person would
do. (2 Kgs 79)
68We need to change how we see this world.
- 2 Kings 79 (NKJV) - Then they said to one
another, We are not doing right. This day is a
day of good news, and we remain silent. If we
wait until morning light, some punishment will
come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and
tell the kings household.
69We need to change how we see this world.
- Do we have this same decency?
70We need to change how we see this world.
- We do not have to guess, we face a greater famine
and we have the provisions. What is the greatest
need of all men today? (Rom 116-18)
71We need to change how we see this world.
- Romans 116-18 (NKJV) - For I am not ashamed of
the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God
to salvation for everyone who believes, for the
Jew first and also for the Greek. 17For in it the
righteousness of God is revealed from faith to
faith as it is written, The just shall live by
faith.
72We need to change how we see this world.
- 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
73We need to change how we see this world.
- We must believe that there is a hell.
74We need to change how we see this world.
- We must believe that there is a hell.
- When was the last time you seriously considered
the Bible teaching on Hell? (Rom 116-18 Mark
942-48 2 Cor 510-11)
75We need to change how we see this world.
- Mark 942-48 (NKJV) - But whoever causes one of
these little ones who believe in Me to stumble,
it would be better for him if a millstone were
hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the
sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it
off. It is better for you to enter into life
maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to
hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched
76We need to change how we see this world.
- 44 where Their worm does not die And the fire is
not quenched. 45 And if your foot causes you to
sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter
life lame, rather than having two feet, to be
cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be
quenched46 where Their worm does not die And
the fire is not quenched.
77We need to change how we see this world.
- 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it
out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of
God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to
be cast into hell fire48 where Their worm does
not die And the fire is not quenched.
78We need to change how we see this world.
- 2 Corinthians 510-11 (NKJV) - For we must all
appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
each one may receive the things done in the body,
according to what he has done, whether good or
bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the
Lord, we persuade men but we are well known to
God, and I also trust are well known in your
consciences.
79We need to change how we see this world.
- If we really believe this, what will be in our
hearts when we see those whom we love? (James
214-17)
80We need to change how we see this world.
- James 214-17 (NKJV) - What does it profit, my
brethren, if someone says he has faith but does
not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a
brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily
food, 16 and one of you says to them, Depart in
peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give
them the things which are needed for the body,
what does it profit?
81We need to change how we see this world.
- 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have
works, is dead.
82We need to change how we see this world.
- We need a sense of urgency! Listen to the
concerns of our Lord. (Jn 434-38)
83We need to change how we see this world.
- John 434-38 (NKJV) - Jesus said to them, My
food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to
finish His work. 35 Do you not say, There are
still four months and then comes the harvest?
Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look
at the fields, for they are already white for
harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and
gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who
sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.
84We need to change how we see this world.
- 37 For in this the saying is true One sows and
another reaps. 38 I sent you to reap that for
which you have not labored others have labored,
and you have entered into their labors.
85We need real leadership in evangelism
- What are our business meetings like? What are
we really committed to? (Mt 622-24)
86We need real leadership in evangelism
- Matthew 622-24 (NKJV) - The lamp of the body
is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your
whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your
eye is bad, your whole body will be full of
darkness. If therefore the light that is in you
is darkness, how great is that darkness!
87We need real leadership in evangelism
- 24 No one can serve two masters for either he
will hate the one and love the other, or else he
will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and mammon.
88We need real leadership in evangelism
- It means that you will purse it.
89We need real leadership in evangelism
- It means that you will purse it.
- It means that you will build associates based on
that commitment.
90We need real leadership in evangelism
- It means that you will purse it.
- It means that you will build associates based on
that commitment. - It means that your greatest joy will cone from
successes in this cause. (Luke 154-7)
91We need real leadership in evangelism
- Luke 154-7 (NKJV) - What man of you, having a
hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not
leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go
after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5
And when he has found it, he lays it on his
shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home,
he calls together his friends and neighbors,
saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have
found my sheep which was lost!
92We need real leadership in evangelism
- 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more
joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine just persons who need no
repentance.
93We need real leadership in evangelism
- The church is filled with committed people. But
what are they committed to?
94We need real leadership in evangelism
- The church is filled with committed people. But
what are they committed to? - What would someone do if he wanted to learn to
play golf or to fish?
95We need real leadership in evangelism
- Real leadership will provide training! (2 Tim
22)
96We need real leadership in evangelism
- 2 Timothy 22 (NKJV) - And the things that you
have heard from me among many witnesses, commit
these to faithful men who will be able to teach
others also.
97We need real leadership in evangelism
- The best training is done in the home and in
actual studies. (Ex. My training, Navy training)
98We need real leadership in evangelism
- What is your real motive in hearing these
lessons?
99We need real leadership in evangelism
- What is your real motive in hearing these
lessons? - Let your first fruit in evangelism be your own
soul. (Rev 319-20)
100We need real leadership in evangelism
- Revelation 319-20 (NKJV) - As many as I love, I
rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and
repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I
will come in to him and dine with him, and he
with Me.
101We need real leadership in evangelism
- How many need to rediscover the joy of their
salvation? (Psa 5110-13)
102We need real leadership in evangelism
- Psalm 5110-13 (NKJV) - Create in me a clean
heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit
within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your
presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from
me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I
will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners
shall be converted to You.
103We need real leadership in evangelism
- This is the greatest work we can be a part of.
Are you ready to pursue it?