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Basic Truths. Every Soul is exceedingly important! Genesis 1:27; Matthew 16:25. The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth,” I Timothy 3:15. As such it must sound out the word, as did the church at Thessalonica, I Thess. 1:7-8. “ in Macedonia ,” their own city.
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Basic Truths • Every Soul is exceedingly important! Genesis 1:27; Matthew 16:25. • The church is “the pillar and ground of the truth,” I Timothy 3:15. As such it must sound out the word, as did the church at Thessalonica, I Thess. 1:7-8. • “in Macedonia,” their own city. • “In Achaia,” the general district. • “In every place,” abroad from local area.
Basic Truths (con’t) • The Church is an extension of Christ. • It is “His body,” Ephesians 1:22,23. • Jesus came to “seek and to save the lost,” Luke 19:10. Nothing dissuaded Him! • The Church (collectively) must sound out the word, as did Thessalonica. • The Church (Distributively) must sound out the word! Acts 8:3,4; 11:19-21.
Basic Truths (con’t) • We are heirs to the Great Commission! • Matthew 28:19: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them…. • Mark 16:15: “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.. • Luke 24:47: “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations… • 2 Timothy 2:2: (Teach what you have been taught!)
Rapid Growth in 1st Century! • Acts 2:41: “…added about 3,000 souls.” • Acts 4:4: “…number of the men was about five thousand. • Acts 5:14: “Believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.” • Acts 6:1: “…the number of the disciples was multiplied…”
Rapid Growth – theTiming was right! • Jesus came in “the fulness of the time,” Galatians 4:4. • Daniel 2, 9 taught that the kingdom had to come in that time period. • Common knowledge – a man called Jesus lived; the Master Teacher. He was crucified on a cross; three days later His tomb was empty!
Rapid Growth –But itwas not easy! • Time of Spiritual Darkness, John 3:19 • Sanhedrein Ct. opposed work of the apostles, Acts 5:27-28. • The Political Climate was antagonistic, Acts 16:16-23. • False Teachers were Abundant, 2 Peter 2:1; Acts 15:1.
Rapid Growth – Two Main Reasons: • The Members were Evangelistic Minded; They “went everywhere preaching the word,” Acts 8:4. • The Members made a good impression upon others! • “Acts 2:47: “Praising God and having favor with all the people…” • Acts 4:13: “They took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Things We Must Do if We Succeed in Saving the Lost • We Must Get our Priorities in Order, Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1,2! • We Must Learn to Get out of our Comfort Zone! • Much work is involved in being able to teach others. 2 Tim. 2:15; 2 Peter 3:18. • Some won’t appreciate our mentioning Christ to them, John 12:42-43. • Expect persecution! 2 Timothy 3:12.
Things We Must Do If We Succeed… (Con’t) • We Must Learn to Broaden our Conversation! • We Must Develop a Passion for Souls! Luke 19:41; 2 Corinthians 5:13-14. • Appreciate the Power of the Gospel, Romans 1:16; Luke 8:11. • Not Allow Discouragement to stop us from doing our duty. Deuteronomy 1:28
We Must Follow the Example of Jesus, Luke 19:1-10. • Jesus initiated the conversation, v. 5. • Invited Himself into house, v. 5. • Asked for an early appointment. • Did not allow criticism to deter Him, v.7 • Must have said something to create “godly sorrow” in heart, Luke 19:8. • His efforts were crowned with success, Luke 19:9.
Conclusion: • A steam driven locomotive was about to begin its run from one state to another. The conductor asked, “Do we have enough steam to get started?” • Question: Do we “have enough steam to get started?” • The unsaved need to “get started” by obeying the Gospel of Jesus!