JESUS’ SUPPORT—Luke 8:1-3
Or Ministering to Ministry
Need:
The ministry will be supported by somebody.
Jesus’ ministry received practical/physical support.
The ministry of the gospel receives practical/physical support.
What practical/physical support does the ministry of the gospel of Christ receive?
What is the promoted thru a support of the gospel of Christ?
Some attitudes promoted by the practical/physical support of the Gospel of Christ.
1—Practical support of the Gospel of Christ promotes
A MISSIONARY ATTITUDE(:1a) Far-reaching
—Explanation:(:1a)
“And it came about soon afterwards, that He began going about from one city & village to another, ...”
“One...to another/Every city & village”—
Methodical approach to spread of ministry.
Mat. 10:5-7—“These twelve[disciples] Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, & do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’”
Mat. 15:24—“But He answered & said, “I[Jesus] was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.””
—Argumentation:
Acts 13:1-4—“Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets & teachers: Barnabas, & Simeon who was called Niger, & Lucius of Cyrene, & Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, & Saul. And while they were ministering to the Lord & fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas & Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, when they had fasted & prayed & laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia & from there they sailed to Cyprus.”—Thus began Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey.
OUR PURPOSE—‘...Reach...others for Christ’
OUR VISION—‘...Developing positive relationships...’
—Illustration:
Pepsi ads with Brittney Spears/Share their product with others/MISSIONARY attitude
—Application:
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ promote a MISSIONARY ATTITUDE?
?What does your support for the Gospel of Christ promote?
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ Practical?
2—Practical support of the Gospel of Christ promotes
A DIVERSE ATTITUDE(:1b) Manifold/Multifold/Multifaceted
—Explanation:(:1b)
“...proclaiming & preaching the kingdom of God;...”
“Proclaiming(Preaching)”—khrussw—To officially Herald, Publish or make known.
“Preaching(Proclaiming)/Bringing/Shewing the glad tidings”—euaggelizw—Bring good news/message.
?How many ways exist in which to bring good news?
“The kingdom of God”—God’s presence, rule & reign.
—Argumentation:
OUR PURPOSE—‘...Reach & Nurture...others for Christ’
OUR VISION—‘...Developing positive relationships...’—No limits on Diversity/Means of accomplishment
—Illustration:
Scuba & Ski Chalet in Savannah/Cover all year with seasonal activities
Farmer/Plants same crop year by year/Starves/But Farmer plants diversity of crops survives
—Application:
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ promote a DIVERSE ATTITUDE?
?What does your support for the Gospel of Christ promote?
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ Practical?
3—Practical support of the Gospel of Christ promotes
A COOPERATIVE ATTITUDE(:1c; 2a; 3c)
—Explanation:(:1c; 2a; 3c)
:1—“And the twelve were with Him...”
:2a—“......& also some women who had been healed of evil spirits & sicknesses...”
:3c—“...& many others...”—Women
Co-laborers with Christ
—Argumentation:
3Jn. 1:5-8—“Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, & especially when they are strangers; & they bear witness to your love before the church; & you will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. For they went out for the sake of the Name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers with the truth.”
2Tim. 1:8—“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me His prisoner; but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,”
—Illustration:
Local Church with no extended family is sick/Cooperative
SBC Cooperative Program encourages Cooperative Attitude
Large business/CEO, Managers, Secretaries, Financial, Experimental, Production, Any organized effort requires cooperation—willingly submit to the organizational structure
—Application:
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ promote a COOPERATIVE ATTITUDE?
?What does your support for the Gospel of Christ promote?
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ Practical?
4—Practical support of the Gospel of Christ promotes
A GRATEFUL ATTITUDE(:2a)
—Explanation:(:2a)
“...& also some women who had been healed of evil spirits & sicknesses:...”
“Women”—Victims of culture
“Healed”—
“Evil Spirits”—
“Sicknesses/Infirmities”—
Affected by & Zealously bound to Jesus’ truth.
—Argumentation:
Ps. 50:23—“He who offers a sacrifice of thanksgiving honors Me; And to him who orders his way aright I shall show the salvation of God.”
Col. 3:16-17—“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching & admonishing one another with psalms & hymns & spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”
Col. 4:2—“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;...”
2Cor. 4:15—“For all things are for your sakes, that the grace which is spreading to more & more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.”
2Cor. 1:5—“For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.”
2Tim. 2:10—“For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus & with it eternal glory.”
2Cor. 9:10-15—“Now He who supplies seed to the sower & bread for food, will supply & multiply your seed for sowing & increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God. Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the gospel of Christ, & for the liberality of your contribution to them & to all, while they also, by prayer on your behalf, yearn for you because of the surpassing grace of God in you. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!”
1Pet. 2:9-10—“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.”
—Illustration:
Graduate College/Profoundly & extremely thankful for all that others have invested in your life/GRATEFUL
—Application:
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ promote a GRATEFUL ATTITUDE?
?What does your support for the Gospel of Christ promote?
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ Practical?
5—Practical support of the Gospel of Christ promotes
A RADICAL ATTITUDE(:2b)
—Explanation:(:2b) Sharp/Extreme/Drastic
“& also some women who had been healed of evil spirits & sicknesses: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,”
We mustn’t confuse ‘unhappy demoniacal possession with the conscious entertainment of diabolic impurity.’
Greater the sin the greater the response.
Different way of viewing the world—worldview
Radically saved people make diligent yokefellows & offer compelling testimonies.
—Argumentation:
Jn. 3:3—“Jesus answered & said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Eph. 3:23—“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us....”
Paul in his defense to King Agrippa—Acts 26:16-18—“But arise, & stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister & a witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you; delivering you from the Jewish people & from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light & from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins & an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’”
*The change from Satan’s dominion to God’s dominion is found in our personal perception/experience of the difference.
—Illustration:
House on rt. on Collins Road just prior to entering Cairo/Entire 2nd story removed & replaced/
My profession as Marine Biologist/Salvation/Convinced God didn’t want me in that profession anymore/RADICAL Attitude
—Application:
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ promote a RADICAL ATTITUDE?
?What does your support for the Gospel of Christ promote?
?Your support for the Gospel of Christ Practical?
—CONCLUSION—
Action:
Practical support of the Gospel of Christ promotes...
A MISSIONARY ATTITUDE(:1a)
A DIVERSE ATTITUDE(:1b)
A COOPERATIVE ATTITUDE(:1c; 2a; 3c)
A GRATEFUL ATTITUDE(:2a)
A RADICAL ATTITUDE(:2b)
Presented 02/24/02am to:
Providence Baptist Church
975 Providence Road
Whigham, GA 31797
