The Church Is a Discipling People
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
· An ordinary creekbank where the world changed…
· A story: no drama, no conflict, or fight; no healing… just Paul’s witness to a handful of women
WE’VE SAYING THAT THE CHURCH IS A “WITNESSING COMMUNITY.” LET’S LOOK AT GOD’S STRATEGY, THE WORK, AND THE FRUIT OF WITNESSING.
I) The Strategy for Witnessing
I) The Strategy for Witnessing
A. God uses the Key Cultural Inroads of the Day
A. God uses the Key Cultural Inroads of the Day
i. Paul’s strategy: Bring the gospel to a Key Cultural City (vs. 11-12)
1. From Troas, to Neapolis with a stopover in Samothrace (PICTURE)
2. Philippi: the Coral Gables, Salem, & Seattle of the day
ii. Paul’s strategy: Bring the Gospel to The Religious Core (vs. 13)
1. Normally: reach the men in the Synagogue…but there are neither
2. Calvin: how discouraging (but does God care about size?)
B. God uses the Unexpected Inroads of the Day
B. God uses the Unexpected Inroads of the Day
i. The Gospel extends to a prominent person in the city (vs. 14)
1. Paul unknowingly connects with a respected & influential artisan
2. In a “do big things for the Lord” world, God uses ordinary means to advance his Kingdom
ii. Therefore, Our witnessing…
1. …Can & should consider ways to reach influential parts of culture
2. …Can and should witness to those God puts in our path
3. EXAMPLE: Dinner devotions? A friend going through a divorce?
THAT’S THE STRATEGY; NOW THE QUESTION IS – WHO DOES THE WORK?
II) The Work of Witness
II) The Work of Witness
A. God’s Sovereign Work of Drawing People towards Jesus
A. God’s Sovereign Work of Drawing People towards Jesus
i. From God-Fearer to God-Worshipper…(vs. 14B)
1. Categories of believers – God-fearers, and God worshippers
2. EXAMPLE: People who believe in God… some of us even worship
ii. And why this isn’t enough!
1. Lydia probably read the OT the way many of us do: “Be like…”
2. What did Paul say? You need Jesus! (as was the message of the Apostles)
B. God’s Sovereign Work of Opening the Hearts of His People
B. God’s Sovereign Work of Opening the Hearts of His People
i. We depend on God to Open The hearts of His people (vs. 14c)
1. Unless the Spirit of God works, even the best sermon is a “dead letter”
2. But it is the power of God’s Spirit who opens the hearts of his people!
ii. Therefore: Not just Good news fo preachers!
1. Some of us are burdened by loved ones…and you worry what to say
2. Fatalism? Or Liberty? God’s sovereignty frees us up to WITNESS!
TWO THINGS HAPPEN WHEN GOD’S SPIRIT LEADS A PERSON TO FAITH.
III) The Fruits of Witnessing
III) The Fruits of Witnessing
A. The Fruit of Witnessing is Identification with the Body of Christ (vs. 15a)
A. The Fruit of Witnessing is Identification with the Body of Christ (vs. 15a)
i. Baptism identifies a person with the death 7 resurrection of Christ
1. Baptism: public identification with Christ’s death & resurrection
2. APPLICATION: Some of us need to respond in faith!
ii. Baptism Identifies a Person with a Community
1. A whole household baptized – why?
2. Baptism also identifies a person with a community shaped by the gospel
B. The Fruit of Witnessing is Hospitality (vs. 15b, 16:40)
B. The Fruit of Witnessing is Hospitality (vs. 15b, 16:40)
i. Hospitality is a reflection of the gospel
1. Lydia insisted on showing hospitality as a mark of her conversion
2. Hospitality is a welcome you don’t deserve, kindness that refreshes
ii. Hospitality is an invitation to the gospel
1. Hospitality says: “I care about you as a person.”
2. People aren’t won to Christ by “door to door” Jesus sellers, but friends
iii. Therefore: Practice hospitality! (see Rom. 12:13)
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
1. Hospitality isn’t an option for those with clean homes and good cooking
2. APPLICATION: Post-Covid this is so important- welcome visitors to our church; open your home to church family etc.
Transition:
Conclusion
Who is God putting in your life, as someone to witness to?