A VISION FOR REACHING OUT
ACTS 1:8
[Y]ou will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.
INTRODUCTION
1. What do you think of Pleasant Ridge [Your Church]?
Is it just a place for gathering on Sundays, to have some fellowship, sing songs of praise, have prayer, a message, and then just go home?
Are we satisfied with the number of people who attend our services or do we want to see more people from our area come here and worship God with us?
Are we an "inward only" church or are we a "reaching out" NT church?
A local NT church of the Lord Jesus Christ is a called out assembly (Greek - ekklesia) - [This is translated "church" in our English Translations] - of baptized believers who have covenanted together in faith and fellowship of the gospel to worship our Savior. These disciples go forth proclaiming His gospel to make new disciples, baptizing them, and teaching them all things as commanded by Him.
Pleasant Ridge B C’s Covenant:
Having been led, as we believe by the Spirit of God, to receive the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, and on the profession of our faith, having been baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we do now in the presence of God, angels, and this assembly, most solemnly and joyfully enter into covenant with one another, as one body in Christ.
We engage, therefore, by the aid of the Holy Spirit, to walk together in Christian love: to strive for the advancement of this church in knowledge, holiness, and comfort; to promote its posterity and spirituality; to sustain its worship, ordinances, discipline, and doctrines; to contribute cheerfully and regularly to the support of the ministry, the expenses of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the gospel through all nations.
We also engage to maintain family and private devotions; to religiously educate our children; to seek the salvation of our kindred and acquaintances; to conduct ourselves carefully in the world; to uphold the sanctity of human life from conception to the grave; to affirm the faithful union of one man to one woman in marriage and celibacy in singleness; to be just in our dealings, faithful in our commitments, and exemplary in our deportment; to avoid all tattling, backbiting, and excessive anger; to avoid physical, mental and spiritual enslavements, and to be zealous in our efforts to advance the Kingdom of our Savior.
We further engage to watch over one another in brotherly love, to remember each other in prayer, to aid each other in sickness and distress; to cultivate Christian sympathy in feeling and courtesy in speech; to be slow to take offense, but always ready for reconciliation, and mindful of the rules of our Savior to secure it without delay.
We moreover engage that, when we remove ourselves from this place, we will as soon as possible unite with some other church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s word. (Taken from: Constitution and By-Laws of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, dtd. October 27, 1996)
2. What is your vision for Pleasant Ridge?
Ten years
Five years
One year
One month
3. How much of the status quo do you wish to maintain?
☼ If you would like for the current situation to stay as it is - do nothing.
☼ If you would like for the current situation to change - do something.
Do What? ---- Imitate the A T & T commercial [Bell-South would have been better since my son, Jason, works for them, but ...]: Reach out and touch someone!
Psalm 145
I will extol You, my God, O King, and I will bless Your name forever and ever.
Every day I will bless You, and I will praise your name forever and ever.
Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised, and His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wonderful works, I will meditate.
Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts, and I will tell of Your greatness.
They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.
The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and great in lovingkindness.
The Lord is good to all, and His mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall give thanks to You, O Lord, and your godly ones shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom and talk of Your power; to make known to the sons of men Your mighty acts and the glory of the majesty of Your kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The Lord sustains all who fall and raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time.
You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them.
The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord, and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever.
This Psalm by David illustrates to us two things -
1) That God is worthy to be proclaimed.
2) That God should be proclaimed.
THOT:
☼ If you were David would these verses describe your thoughts about our God?
☼ Would you have a similar passion for others to know about this God we serve?
MISSION OF THE LORD’S CHURCH
1. Our text along with these parallel passages speaks of the mission for the Lord’s church.
Jesus was about to leave and return to His Father in heaven. Just before His ascension He gathered His disciples together and issues to them their purpose or mission during this age until He returns for them.
Matthew 28:18-20
All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Mark 16:15
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.
Luke 24:44-49
Now He said to them, These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled. ... Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.
John 20:21
Jesus said to them ... Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.
2. The Great Commission tells us in [...] to:
Matthew - Go
Mark - Preach
Luke - Proclaim
John - Sent
Acts - Witness
According to these passages the mission of a NT Church is not a difficult thing to determine - it seems quite evident that it is to reach out - go - make disciples - and teach them to do the same until Christ returns.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study will be to look at what this "Vision for Reaching Out" entails for us here at Pleasant Ridge B C.
However, to those who have never come to a saving knowledge of Christ. May you this day realise that it is the Savior Himself who is reaching out to you.
What hinders you today? Repent of your sins and come to Him!
PART II
THE WITNESS
Acts 1:8
1. What is a witness?
According to F & W Dictionary it is a person who has seen or knows something and is therefore competent to give evidence concerning it; he is a spectator.
Simply stated a witness is someone who states the facts as he knows them.
Please note a witness:
a) Is not a prosecutor - it is not the witness’ task to charge men with sin; he is not to press charges.
b) Is not a defender - it is not the witness’ task to make excuses for sinful men; he is not to make a plea.
c) Is not the judge or juror - it is not the witness’ task to pronounce judgment upon a man’s sin; he is not to decide the outcome.
d) Is not an executioner - it is not the witness’ task to carry out any judgment upon sinful men; he is not God’s means of punishment.
A witness is none of these, instead he/she is one who has observed something and then relates it to another. To do otherwise, makes him no longer a witness but a perjurer and then becomes a criminal in the eyes of the court. (Adapted from Daniel Parks’ message "The Call To World Missions" - 11/23/79 @ Calvary B C Bible Conference - Ashland, KY).
2. What is the purpose of a NT Witness?
That God might be glorified through the Lord Jesus ¨C
Isaiah 40:1-5
Comfort, O comfort My people, says your God. Speak ... A voice is calling ... Then the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.
1 Peter 4:11
Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
So what is our purpose . . . it is to tell:
1) His Pre-existence - John 1:1-4 - In the beginning ...
2) His Birth - Luke 2:1-11 - There has been born for you a Savior ...
3) His Life - 1 Peter 2:21-22 - Who committed no sin ...
4) His Death - Romans 5:6-8 - Christ died for the ungodly ...
5) His Resurrection - Mark 16:6 - He has risen; He is not here ...
6) His Intercession - Romans 8:34 - He who died ¡ also intercedes for us.
7) His Returning - John 14:1-3 - I will come again and receive you ...
Indeed we are to proclaim His message for salvation to all who will listen - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4.
My friend if you know Christ and you must if you wish to tell of Him - tell others about Jesus - Glory In HIM!!
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
But let him who glories glory in this,
That he understands and knows Me,
That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.
For in these things I delight, says the Lord.
3. What is the work of a witness?
Evangelize -
The Greek verb evangelizo means to proclaim good news (glad tidings) [Vine’s Exp. Dict., 208]. Forms of this verb are found in Acts 21:8, Ephesians 4:11, 2 Timothy 4:5 - literally meaning one who is a messenger of the good news. That is what a NT witness does - declare the good news of Jesus Christ.
The Evangelist [i.e. the witness] has a -
a) A Message - Romans 1:16
The Gospel - [To] present Jesus Christ to sinful man, in order that they may come to put their trust in God, through Him to receive Him as their Saviour and serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His church. (J. I. Packer - taken from Today’s Evangelism by Ernie Reisinger, p. 1).
*** Different message - the message of the gospel is God centered, not man centered.
Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
b) Goal - Matthew 28:16-20
1. Go & make disciples - we are to seek bringing men into the right relationship with Christ, (disciples are: learners of the teacher, followers of the teacher and conforming to the teacher).
2. Baptizing them - an ordinance bringing disciples into the right relationship of the local church and a declaration to others of what has taken place in their lives, it is their badge.
3. Teaching them - bringing disciples into the right relationship w/the Word of God.
c) Scope & Result - Mark 16:15-16
1. Scope - All the world & every creature - consider Revelation 22:17 - "who-so-ever will" - such is the gospel addressed.
2. Results -
Salvation - 1) he that believes & is baptized shall be saved
Damnation - 2) he that believes not shall be damned
d) Doctrinal Content - Luke 24:46-48
1. Christ would suffer - The Cross
2. Rise again from - The Resurrection of the dead
3. Repentance - The Forgiveness and Remission of sin
Repentance - lit. to perceive afterwards (i.e. in contrast to perceive beforehand; in a sense - an after thought) carries with it then: to change one’s mind or purpose.
Remission - a dismissal, a release - at times translated forgiveness.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
e) Authority & Power - John 20:21-22
1. Authority - Even so I send you - given by the Son of God, none other.
2. Power - He breathed on them - the sovereign, empowering breath of God (compare - Genesis 2:7). - Only this breath can empower us and give life to dead sinners.
f) Application - Acts 1:8
We have been called to be witnesses of Christ - let us therefore be about this calling.
Proverbs 11:30 - he who is wise wins souls. - [The Hebrew for "wins" literally means to take (Strong)]
This is accomplished by:
1) Worship of God - Matthew 28:17 - they worshipped Him
2) Prayer - Psalm 126:5-6 - sow in tears ... reap in joy
3) Study of God’s Word - Isaiah 28:10 - line on line, little here, little there
4) Patience - Psalms 27:14 - Wait for the Lord
4. Effective witnessing calls for -
a) Understand what it means to be a witness.
b) Understand the purpose of a witness.
c) Understand the work of a witness.
THOT:
Acts 16:9-10
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, Come over to Macedonia and help us. When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
5. What is your vision?
George Martin [Pastor, Kosmosdale B C 1985] while speaking about Joshua viewing the Promised Land - stated:
"There is a land before us - just beyond the river and God has given it to us. But, we must go and claim it - are you willing to cross the river - are you willing to take the land. I wonder who will go?"
CLOSING THOTS
I wonder too - who at Pleasant Ridge B C is willing to go to take on our vision for reaching out by their witness.
I wonder of those who do not know of this one that we witness about - His name is Jesus. May He become your vision for salvation. For there is no other name given among men ... where by you must be saved - Acts 4:10-12.
PART III
THE EXAMPLE OF OTHERS
Acts 1:8
INTRODUCTION
When I was a young child I used to dress up like the Lone Ranger or Superman. I still remember trying to talk and walk just like John Wayne. Even though I am sure that I did not look anything like these heroes of mine, I still did my very best in trying to imitate them. By imitating these famous characters (though I did not know it at the time) I was paying them the highest compliment possible. I was witnessing to everyone I saw who I had believed in and trusted.
This is what the disciples at Antioch were doing. For at Antioch they were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26) due to their following after the teachings of Christ – they were seen as being “Christ-Like” or “Christ-Imitators” which is what the word indicates.
This is what the saints at Corinth were encourage to do when Paul said, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul wanted the disciples of the Lord at Corinth to do all things for the glory of the Lord (10:31-33) and he knew that if they imitated him (because he was imitating Christ) their lives would be a witness to any and all that they may come in contact with that Jesus Christ is the Savior for mankind.
No one disputes that we are to share our faith with others. This is how disciples are made (Matthew 28:18-20). Witnessing programs such as FAITH, GROW, or SHARE JESUS WITHOUT FEAR have become the key elements of our evangelism and outreach. They have become so effective, that many do not think that effective evangelism and outreach can be accomplished today without their aid. It is simply, No Program – No Outreach! May we always remember that nothing is perfect outside of the Scriptures and as good as these programs are, may we never think that evangelism or outreach of the Lord’s churches must be reliant upon them to tell others of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Since the Bible is the final authority for us concerning God’s message to mankind it certainly behooves us then to look at some of its examples of those who desired to share the good news. By making such an examination we should then be able to glean much on how we too can become effective witnesses of our Lord.
1. Some Are Commanded to Witness
Jeremiah the Prophet
Jeremiah 1:4-8
“Now the word of the Lord came to me saying, ‘Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations … all that I command you, you shall speak. …”
God’s witnesses are commanded to speak His message. Acts 17:26 says that God has determined our appointed times and the boundaries of our habitation – do not think that you are living in this day and age by accident. Know that it is God, who is sovereign that has so placed you here so that you can be His witness to a lost and dying world.
2. Some Are Sent to Witness
John the Baptist
John 1:6-8
”There came a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the Light, but he came to testify about the Light.”
All of God’s witnesses are sent to testify of Christ. John 20:21 says “… as the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” The Baptist knew that he was not to receive glory, but only the one for whom he was sent to tell about. So too are we sent to glorify His name, not our own.
3. Some Desire to Go Witness
Isaiah the Prophet
Isaiah 6:8-9a
“Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’ He said, ‘Go, and tell this people: …”
What hinders you today from saying these words – “Here am I. Send me!”? All of God’s witnesses should be willing to go to the ends of the earth, or across the street to the neighbor next door. We do not need to fear what to say – we need only to repeat God’s message, “Christ is the Savior!”
4. Some Just Go and Witness
a) The Samaritan Women
John 4:28-30
“So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, ‘Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done, this is not the Christ, is it?’ They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. … From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, ‘He told me all the things that I have done.”
This woman was not a theologian with a great deal of Bible knowledge. She was just a person who had an encounter with the Messiah and because of that she wanted everyone to know what had happened to her. What of you? Have you had a saving encounter with the Messiah? If so, do you want everyone you know to learn about it? As witnesses of Christ – we should be willing to set down our waterpot and go into the city and say to others – “Come, see a man …”
b) The Gadarene Man
Mark 5:18-20
“As [Jesus] was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, ‘Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in Decapolis what great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed.”
We need to be willing like this man to go and tell “our people” what GREAT things the Lord has done for us --- there is no doubt that the results would be exactly the same as here in Mark, “everyone was amazed.” Do you have a story to tell?
c) “Amazing Grace” - This song was written by John Newton, an old slave trader – he had come to understand that God could reach to any depth to save a sinner and he had a story to tell.
d) “Pilgrims Progress” – This book was written by John Bunyan, an old English shoe cobbler – he was thrown into the town jail at Bedford, England for many years because he preached the gospel – he had a story to tell.
5. Some Are Led by the Holy Spirit to Witness
Paul & Barnabas
Acts 13:2
“While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for Me, Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Here we see an instance where the Holy Spirit is leading men to witness. Have you ever been in a situation that you just had to tell that person next to you about Jesus Christ? What causes such desires to come to your mind – I would say that it is the Holy Spirit testifying to your spirit to share that good news of salvation which is only found in Jesus Christ. [The Spirit’s work is described – John 16:5-15]
What causes a person to give up their life and have it spent in the service of the Lord? – “Separate them unto the work that I have called them to …” – Because they know God and have to share that with others.
William Cary – began the modern day missionary work
David Brainerd – went to the Indians
Lottie Moon - spent her whole life in China
6. Some Give Their Lives to Witness
a) Stephen
Acts 7:54-60
“… stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord … he fell asleep [died].”
b) Other witnesses called upon to give the ultimate testimony.
John the Baptist – Beheaded
James - Slew by Herod’s sword
Fox’s Bk of Martyrs - Yesterday
Voice of Martyrs - Today - (Martin Burnham – the latest to die)
??????????? - Tomorrow
*** What about you? What are you willing to give up to witness for the Lord.?
THOT:
Hebrews 12:1-2
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
CLOSING THOTS
Pleasant Ridge Baptist as a NT church of the Lord Jesus Christ, it is your duty to go and inform others of the saving grace that has been wrought within our hearts. There is not a one of us who can come up with any reasonable excuse not to be a witness for Christ’s sake. As others have gone on before us making a path way to follow - let us now take our place and also leave a trail so those who will come after us will have no trouble finding their way.
To my unconverted friends - pay heed to these examples spoken of today. May you be willing to follow their lead and flee to Jesus Christ the surety of salvation.
PART IV
OUR STORY IS ABOUT JESUS
Acts 1:8
INTRODUCTION
1. Earlier (in this series) we discussed in detail what it means to be a witness.
We said that a witness is one who observes and then relates that information to another without altering the facts. Basically - we said a witness just simply tells what he knows.
2. What are we as witnesses suppose to know - according to our text it is about Jesus.
▪ If someone would come up to you and ask who Jesus is, what would you say?
▪ What would you tell them?
▪ How would you describe Him?
▪ Would you say that He is the Savior, the Son of God or would your conversation perhaps cause others to think He is no one of importance at all?
Matthew 16:13-17
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, Who do men say that the Son of Man is? And they said, Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.
He said to them, But who do you say that I am?
Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bajona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
*** JESUS IS: The Christ - the Anointed One - The Messiah - The Promised One - The Son of God.
Acts 4:10-12
Let it be known to you all ... that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth ... [that] there is no other name under heaven given among men by which you must be saved.
*** Seeing that is the only name under heaven by which we are saved - it then is paramount that men learn who this Jesus of Nazareth is so that they can be saved!
WHO HE IS!
1. Jesus is God
John 1:1 & 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God ... And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Here see Jesus is declared to be God. Greek for God is Theos - this means a deity, one with divine attributes (Vine Exp. Dict.).
2. Jesus is the Lamb of God
John 1:29
The next day he [John] saw Jesus coming to him and said, Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
In John the Baptist’s day, all of Israel understood what it meant to be the sacrificial lamb for the atonement of sins before God. When John made this statement concerning who Jesus was - all who were within the sound of his voice would have understood what he was saying.
*** By being the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, Jesus -
▪Shall save His people from their sins - Matthew 1:21
▪Shall become their propitiation [mercy seat] - Romans 3:21-26
3. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, & the Life
John 14:6
Jesus said ... I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Truth today is denied as being absolute. Our society cries out that we are to be tolerant of each other’s views and that no one --- again, no one --- can say that they are completely correct in the opinion.
However as we can see here - Jesus is the truth and He has always been the truth and He will forever be the truth - for with God there is no shadow of turning and in the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth - James 1:17-18.
4. Jesus is our Advocate
1 John 2:1
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
Advocate - Greek is parakeltos = a comforter - literally means - called to one’s side - as used in a court of justice to denote a legal assistant, counsel for defense - one who pleads another’s cause (Vine).
*** This is what Jesus is doing for those who are His - He is pleading their cause before the court of God’s justice.
▪ Tell others as a believer you have nothing to fear because Jesus is your advocate!
5. Jesus is our Intercessor
Hebrews 7:25
Therefore He [Jesus] is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.
Intercessor ¨C Greek is entunchano = literally to fall in with ... in order to converse, then to make petition, especially to make intercession - plead with a person (Vine).
Understand here that as believers Jesus has literally fallen in with us - He is conversing (interacting) with us and then He is petitioning God to make a plea on our behalf.
*** Agree with others that you are not perfect - but, let them know that the one whom (Jesus) you have trusted with your soul is the only one who is able to intercede (plea on your behalf) before God. "Hallelujah - What a Savior!"
6. Jesus will be our Judge
2 Timothy 4:1
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead.
When you break the law - what is the one thing you fear the most?
Usually it is the knowledge that you will be standing before someone who has the power to determine whether you are innocent or guilty based on the evidence concerning your situation.
This verse here declares that we are to stand one day before Jesus and be judged.
▪ Everyone needs to understand that there is a day coming when "every idle word" that has been spoken will be accounted for - Matthew 12:36-37.
*** May God have mercy on our souls!
7. Jesus is our Lord & King
Revelation 19:11-16
And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
I would like for all of us to stop at this moment and consider that someday we will be standing before Jesus of Nazareth.
Philippians 2:10-11
That at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on the earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
▪ What concerns me - some of you will wait until that last day to do this.
▪ Why?
▪ What hinders you from coming to Christ at this very moment?
▪ May God be please to grant you the grace to repent and believe the gospel of His Son - Ephesians 1:3-14.
CLOSING THOTS
*** Our story is about no one other than Jesus. This is the only message that you - Pleasant Ridge - have to proclaim to a lost and dying world. Come let us go forth and tell others of our Savior.
*** Perhaps some of you listening today have heard for the first time who this man, Jesus really is. If that is so - I urge you to call to God in His name. Jesus is your only hope - flee to Him today for mercy.
Surely, if God has spoken to your heart today - let us know.
PART V
OUR CALL TO REACH OUT
Acts 1:8
INTRODUCTION
1. With this lesson we will now complete our series on reaching out.
2. The purpose of the five messages of this series from the beginning to now has had a goal of helping us to understand the importance of reaching out to others around us with the gospel of Christ.
3. I hope that by the end of today we will be able to say we have obtained our goal or at least as a church have started our journey in that direction.
*** The Series’ Journey -
I. The Mission of the Lord’s Church
II. The Witness
III. The Example of Others
IV. Our Story Is About Jesus
V. Our Call to Reach Out
WHAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO -
1. Hard Call - Isaiah 6:8-11
We need to realize that we are called to witness to those who do not want to hear our message.
*** They have ears to hear - but no understanding.
*** They have eyes to see - but no perception.
▪ One would think that those who do not know about Christ would rejoice concerning the good news.
▪ But they do not! They do not anticipate nor desire the "good news" - they will not accept it.
John 1:5, 11
The Light shines in the darkness & the darkness did not comprehend it ... He came to His own, and ... His own did not receive Him.
*** Know that it is the same for us today:
THE LOST DO NOT WANT TO HEAR OR SEE THE GOSPEL MESSAGE!
However, despite their negative reactions - we are to continue to go forth proclaiming the Gospel until the end just as Isaiah - vs. 11.
*** Always remember - the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation. - (Romans 1:16b).
2. Glorious Call - Ezekiel 1:26-2:7
When Ezekiel saw God he became so overwhelmed with His glory that he could do nothing else but fall to his face.
The way we view God will determine how we present Him to others and respond to how they receive our message.
Galatians 6:14
God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16a
For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ.
*** God has called us to a glorious proclamation of the gospel - let us be about this call
Romans 10:9-17 - declares that the lost must [again, they must] hear the gospel to be saved.
3. Blinding Call - Acts 26:12-18
Paul was blinded to one thing - telling the good news of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 1:17
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.
*** This is what we are to do!
1 Corinthians 2:1-2
And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
Christ ----- is our message today to the lost - that salvation is found in no other name (Acts 4:10-12).
4. Humbling Call - Revelation 1:10-19
Consider if you will what God has called us to do - i.e. to proclaim Christ to a fallen and lost world - we are to be His witnesses.
*** Nothing should humble us more than to realize that - that God has been pleased to use us as His witnesses.
John 5:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that you should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.
Remember that God is sufficient in and of Himself - He needs nothing from us in any fashion to bring glory to His name.
We should rejoice and become humble knowing that God has decided to use us to be His witness - Acts 1:8 ... you shall be my witnesses.
5. Active Call - Psalms 126:5-6
▪ Those who sow in tears
Shall reap in joy
▪ He who continually goes forth weeping
Bearing seed for sowing
▪ Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing
Bringing his sheaves with him.
*** My friend, God has called us to be active in His service - what are you doing - TODAY ----- WITH YOUR LIFE - to share the Gospel with others?
CONCLUSION
We began this series by stating-
"There is a land before us, just beyond the river and God has given it to us --- But --- [by faith] We must go and claim it!"
*** We have seen that we have an active call from God - are you willing to go and be witnesses for Christ?
*** If so you need to begin here at home with your Jerusalem, then to your Judea, your Samaria, and then to the utter most parts of the world.
GO BE HIS WITNESSESS!
CLOSING THOTS
God is worthy to be known - therefore those of us who know Christ, let us make Him known to others - May this church begin "reaching out" and telling others of the saving grace of God towards sinners that is found in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.
May all of us today see Jesus as our Savior.
Bruce Allen
bea0210@hotmail.com
June - 2003
