Share Jesus from the Launch Pad of your Church Community
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
When I say Evangelism - most NA 21st Christians, would think huh - myabe share that spirituality is cool, not reiliogus , but here are my spiritual disciplines… @0th century Christians - 1950’s until millenial - after greatest Missionary Centyury - william Carry - to CMA - plant pchurches -… But 1950’s-1990’s perosnal evangelism = out of the salt shaker, navigoators, campus ministries… one to one -Remains true that more people come to Christ by family memeber or friend, often eventually with an invitation to a local church -
Our passage this morning, after the watershed decision in - no compromise of gospel - Jews and Gentiles - alike heart of gospel, evangelism - hearts washed -real cleansing and foreignness in Jesus and gift Holy Spirit new heart new life. Not two different churches, not individualized spiritual paths - but people, all people, must know Jesus - come into tent of His church -
But hard thing - people so different, so many cultural hang ups - Jewish Christians before NT - customs, Gentiles culture tainted by paganism, so much sexual immorality - so with the letter saying No Salv in Jesus alone, not Mosaic rituals, not circumcision - - Second principle that for fellowship - for love of those with weaker consciences you’d refrain … Luther put it this way Paul was strong in faith, and soft in love… Now without this Jersuale COuncil this letteer - possbile not have Christianity - have Jewish spirituality with Jesus thrown in , Gentile with Jesus thrown in .. but instead - but now instead we have the rebuilt tabernacle of David, in human flesh - outsiders seeking the LORD and finding him - and we being built up with them into one unified beuatuiful church!
With that settled - hope you agree with essence of gospel and with the diversity and love needed to build us together in fellowship. Evangelism of the world is goign to begin anew. Paul’s second missionary journey. At its very inception some surprising principles apply to how we are to do evangleism together today too!
God-strengthened churches, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, step into new territory and share Jesus regardless of results!
A. Evangelism Flows out of being a God-Strengthened Church
A. Evangelism Flows out of being a God-Strengthened Church
Too many people see evangelism and discipleship as two separate tasks and both just individual options for super serious Christians. But notice the context of the 2nd Missionary Journey. Paul and Baranabas after returning to Jerusalem with Judas and Silas - travel through churches but remain in Antioch.
It is five years since they planted those churches, Return from Jersuaelm in winter - and they are so anxious to see if thos elders in the churches in Galatia have been able to keep the gospel too- if they have with love in midst of all their diversity -been held together! In context must see, that each place inluding Antioch as they return - with the letter, jusgment of the hcurch - Syria, through Cilician gates to Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch Mnts.STRENGTHENING! 4x, ..
Worth asking do you just care about your spiritual life, do you just care about our congregation? Or do we have a mutaul concern for Sprigndale, Alliston, for …care about Church Plant. Concern for body of Christ. … eveanglism lunached out f regard for this whole broken world comoing to know Jesus - copme into his tent!
see in that is the context in which many are added numerically as they go from twon to twon, sity to city…
So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.
Often with an attractional model of church growth - idea is to dumb down minimize both doctrine and practice in order to gain numbers. Here that is resisted, making people faith in Christ firm inwardly first, then results in outwardly others coming to that same faith!
ii. But second thing I want you to see from the context, is that this evangelism is going to happen with imperfect churches who end up in conflict, but still press on to share the grace of God!
We see this in the SHARP, as sickles diasagreement about taking John Mark, Barnabas’ cousin. Jesus disciples met in that house, John Mark young nephew of Peter? Peter and John fled to her house. But John Mark after going to first leg of 1st missionary Journey , cousin’s home, when land in Asia Minor big port, and Paul has plans to push up into Taursus Mnts to captial of provinec e where Srgio Paulus has family - he abandons Branabas and Paul…
Don’t know exactly - but the upshot is that Paul sees him as unreliable indeed not mature in the faith. Going to be inmporatnt and cant’ rush to say Paul is just bullheaded, and Baranbas encouragr. Paul must be wrong. NO! What we have here - is to great servants of the Lord comiong to a disagrement of values, opinons, Not a confict Saddle calls moral behioviour, or misunderstanding, or competion over limited time or money. Reminder that the best of men, are men at best. Though inspired apostle, not above error.
Paul is just bullheaded, and Baranbas encouragr. Paul must be wrong. What we have here - is to great servants of the Lord comiong to a disagrement of values, opinons, Not a confict Saddle calls moral behioviour, or misunderstanding, or competion over limited time or money. Reminder that the best of men, are men at best. Though inspired apostle, not above error.
Full story they are gonig to recnicle - end of life - calls him co worker, urgeres Timothy to get him to come.
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him),
Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry.
What a great message that No Christian is beyond hope of recovery. No matter how immarture they are now, Nor how badly they have fallen, these is a road back to usefulenss in Christ’s kingdom for them. In the end Mark is refered to by Peter as my son, and writes the gospel with Peter whispering in his ear.
LIsten you maybe failed, in evnagleism, or discipleship, even in moral obeideince. But that doesn’t mean that you ar doomed to live out the rest of your life as a second-rate Christain , never to experie3ne the msile of God’s approval, on real and menaigul servic to him. dESPITE FAILURE, SIN, HUMAN DISAGREEMENTS gOD’S WORK STILL GOES FORWARD, EVEN WITH WEAK STRIFE FILLED CHURCHES WERE THERE IS DIVSION.
Martin Luther writig to a friend distressed about his failures said:”Learn to know Chrit and him crucified. lEARN TO SING TO HIM AND SSAY: “Lord you are my righteouness, I am your sin. You took on you what is mine; you set on me what is yours!”
Martin Luther writig to a friend distressed about his failures said:”Learn to know Chrit and him crucified. lEARN TO SING TO HIM AND SSAY: “Lord you are my righteouness, I am your sin. You took on you what is mine; you set on me what is yours!”
But what wasted reources… And here is the big deal Barnaabas blood is thicker than water… Often in church … As an aside in doing church life, and evangleism included not suprpised by conflict, the breaking of that partneership and work together, remined that oguht to deal with conflict quickly; can’t be so “nice” afraid to confront in love… that has happened here… But also happened to that conflict arisses and rupture created…
If envalgism just personal indivudal thing - go own way end of it. But launch pad is the church - look what happens sent with church commedning them with grace: ,
If envalgism just personal indivudal thing - go own way end of it. But launch pad is the church - look what happens sent with hurch commedning them with grace: ,
God is able to overrule our weakness , now two grace empowered, and strengthen teams sent out
iii. But a third thing we must notice from the context is a most surprising one. People who know Jesus and his grace, are willing to sacrifice to reach their lost neighbours!
iii. But a third thing we must notice from the context is a most surprising one. People who know Jesus and his grace, are willing to sacrifice to reach their lost neighbours!
Paul and Silas begin by heading back to Syria, to Phrygia - kind of reverse order to most recent converts - now it seems from town to town. This region just about all of them Jewish presence, start with synagogue - and Paul in Lystra sees Timothy - and other connection between evangelism and discipleship - best way is COME WITH ME approach. Mind if I bring , he’s a Christian too. Partner in reaching out. Apparently though young, mature beyond - wonder if you young people realize like Timothy gift of growing up in church. Mother who taught him the Scriptures trained him for huge spiritual impact in this world!
But look what Paul does. Why a problem? Just said no way don’t require Gentiles to be circumcised to be saved another gospel . In fact had visited Jerusalem earlier, and Judaizer group saw Titus with Paul, said, got to circumcise him - Paul went toe to toe - , will say circumcision is nothing - when it comes to salvation, not required. But Paul also underlines this principle of evangelism exemplified here but spell out later in Corinthians ,
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
People knew Timothy in this area - knew his mother had married a Greek who hadn’t become a Jew and hadn’t gotten Timothy circumcised, looked as an outsider, not allowed to speak in synagogues -a hinderance. … Paul recognizes free to have Timothy not for salvation, but to be accepted by fellow Jews who had not yet become believers!
So too areas of Christian freedom for us - Shibboleth what Bible Version, whether drink alcohol, go to the movies… forgo what have right o, in order to not to indulge or pretend I’m better or holier or more serious than you - but give up your right to something indifferent in order to share the gospel more fully.
Sacrifice for Paul - bet opponents ridiculing him “compromiser” Pragmatist” … For Timothy imagine …some Jews wanting so badly to fit in with Romans, deny their faith, prove it having circumcision reversed… Timothy gets the circumcision in order to become missionary to his own people.. Paul and the church stand behind him. THink of Deirdre Walters most recent prayer letter - Oasis - basement room … hang out there…
What do we sacrfice to stand beside lost neighbours. Time, join a group, do we cross boundaries -lay aside things indfifrernt to make contact. Desire to reach those outside the faith!
Desire to reach those outside the faith!
B. More briefly - in the next unusal twist of providence, we must learn to B. Follow the Spirit’s guidance in whom We Reach out to!
Of course whole world that needs Jesus. But you are a limited person. We are a limited church. Share it indsicrimaetly to all … but involves choisng were to inviest evangelistic time, energy, relatiship, money. You are like a lego block only som ny connectors… Only so many, good to have at least one free one..
Here great mystery that man proposes but God disposes. Chose to head from Phrygia -after visiting all those Est churches into new terrioty… west into Asia towards Ephesuss -all major cities up coast to Troas … : But road block:
And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia.
Here we need to knwo some geography to know how God through road blocks guided this evangelisitc effort.
Imagine - I’m going to save the world…ultimately road blocks from Spirit of Jesus - careful - OK how about N to Bithynia. when its somehting we want… But as they get to Misia - they go through without preaching. Spirit of Jesus made them wait, commanding them not to go to Asia, Bithynia, wait for great work in Macedonia. So too many great missionaries, ...
But then comes the Spirit’s positive command, the open door.
Though apostlic age - vision, though at night, not just a dream, a supernatural vision and communication like many others he had. Man kept standing and pleading “Help Us”. still principle from the vision holds - purify our desire - want it belive it of the Lord because - what was the cotnent of the vision - NEED help, give hel pof the LORD!
But notice also that Paul didn’t jsut say, listen I have a hunch, filling in bone,s hear this voice, I am calling GOd say - now we got to do it. ie. God is telling me that you should do X. How ? Funny He’s telling me to do Y. All need gospel, but God oepned specific door here! Immediately next morning on ship, from Troas Port, across the Aegean Sea.
Look how the discernment is made:
And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
we (Paul, Silas, Timothy, Luke) sought to go… we concluding that God had called us to … Guidance of the HOly Spirit not a privatize idivudal thing. That word doesn’t mean they juts concured with Paul. It means they had deliberation and analysis - literally - to put together in one’s mind! John Newton in letter - Here are some similar question we should ask ourselves… Is this lawful, It is helpful Does it help me grow as a Christia? Am I open to it just because its easier, when maybe God is asking me to to the hard way but right way - Dsicern ment, counsel of others, word, prayer ask for peace, read providence…
As friends, family, as a church have you concluded/symbibazontes anything about open doors in your life? Gift of discernment, God wants to grow Christains, not just with hunches, but with Word and Spirit led to greater acts of serfice, wittness and impact!
i. ignorance: many hear the word but don’t understand it and wicked one comes and takes away the seed sown
ii. there is the bar of enmity: The carnal mind, is enmity against God, it is not subject to God’s law, neither indeed can it be
iii. there is the bar of unbelief: which rejects the testimony of God
iv. there is is the bar of presumption or pride: “The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God; God is not in all his thoughts.”
v. there is the bar of discouragemtn and despair: you say there is no hope for i have loved strangers and after them I will go
vi. unwillingness - you will not come to me that you would have life
vii. worldly-mindedness “The cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word and it becomes unfruitful.
viii. sloth - a little sleep a little slumber a little folding of the hands, love the light of your tv,
ix. vicisious passion and depraved habits: any one bosom sin being enough to exclude the saving power of truth “For this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world and that men loved darkness rather then the light, because their deeds are evil.”
Applied to evangleism - something we should talk about with each other - who are we feeling called to reach, what open and close doors, God’s providence not just closing doors, BUT OPEN DOORS - on look out and speak about, even more pray about lost together.. discern opprontuity for church as whole!
ie VBS, programs.. concerted effort to reah, neighbourhood outreach, partner with salvation army, appoartments…
Further, the Holy SPirit told them go into new provicne, first conversion in Europe, but didn’t say which city … like in Pamphylia go to key ORman city… so too to leading Roman city, colony Philippi! Determine major pooulation cetnre, centres of culture - Gospel to Rome…
So too engage in this as Jason Tafff church planter -meet with - be in prayer discern Markum to Pickering … possiblity Barrie church’s do this too! Indivudal evenagliesm, but would you commit to church launched outreach to neigbourhood or growing town here?
C. But lastly we are to see a thrid Principle in Reaching out with the Gospel: when church are doing God’s business, God’s way they are not first of all worried about results. C. Faithfulness not Rsults Driven!
Interesting that the “we” passages start here. Luke is on board now. And that his description of leading city, is likely him describing his home city. Loves to describe nautical seafaring adventure. Exact harbours, term “direct voyage literaliy straight run to Samothrace. Like God speeding them on the way. Rush to get there! Not stopping in Newtown, Neopolis Phillpi’s harbour town, in Thrace, rush to get to where that man was from Macedonia! 10 miles on well paved Romans Road
Consider how excited - let’s do a church plant, let’s share gospel - kind of life 5 years agao this time of year., plowing match got out strategy. But imagine showing up -moved location, no line up - … Paul and Silas, and Timothy and Luke - committed excited, just rushed to get there… guess what no synagogue strategy doesn’t seem to b working, About 60 years before became Roman colony settled by leading cvetran retiring soldiers. Now a city in Macedonia, spoke Italian and on par with Itlain cities. Not even 10 Jewish men to constitute synagogue.
so have to go out of town, a mile beyond the city walls by River Gangites, hardly place of influence… and where is that man, all women.
One reason that no men were present may be the fact that, when Claudius expelled the Jews from Rome, the colony city Philippi had followed his example. Only a little group of women—yet Paul did not despise this humble beginning. Let no preacher despise even the smallest audience and imagine that he need not do his best for so few
this is No Cyrprus mssion… And not only is first convert not going to be a man, cross abarririers, she’s from where? Lydia actually a place, Thyraraties… only thseof Caeasra household in purpole trade… lollusks from - leading woman culturally - sounds like she’s agent of that tradie, quite a household -
Bu look at their method, as 4 in turn begin teaching: not rcoket science, not radically different for each settting. it is all there two parts in
One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.
An inward call that she had heard about in Ezekiel - though upstanding woman, spiritual, reigious, faithful, heart closed to Jesus - I wonder if you have discerned the reason for a closed heart to Jesus in those who are lost around you…
Closed heart: i. ignorance, ii. unblief, iii. presumption or pride (will not seek God, nt in his thoughts) iv. idscouragement or despair; v. unwillingness, vi worldly mindedness (care of this world choke thw ord); vii sloth; viii vicious passion and depraved habits
As you pray and talk about, even strategize maybe we should.. discern this.
But as she hears of Jesus she sees this proimse in Ezekiel cmoing true - she’s given a new heart for Jesus!
Pray for that - open eyes and hearts to Jesus, but God uses means, and the most basic means is the second part of evnagliesm that we are responsible for: Paul preached the gospel, he opened up God’s Word, part she knew the OT, part she didn’t - key to understanding Jesus - God usues what we share , what we read with others in explortary Bible study, he uses Word preached form this puplit - inward calling is accompanied with an outward calling that is all about God’s Word, Whether one person or a whole city block, or a whole island like Cyprus - our responsibility isn’t the results but our faithfulness with the doors the Spirit opens and we walk through. Leave the reults to him
And look what happens as this woman and her household are baptized - she is found launched with the burgeoning church in work of evnagliesm too. Do you see it hopsptiality - not entertaining - but joining her self with the church - These aer the things that accompnay salvation:
But
Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things—things that belong to salvation. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.
Launched in serving each other, that we might be launched to reach out to the lost! Churchs strengtheened evangleiism!