01-10-2017
Acts 11:21New King James Version (NKJV)
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
Acts 11:24New King James Version (NKJV)
24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 11:26New King James Version (NKJV)
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Acts 14:1New King James Version (NKJV)
At Iconium
14 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.
1) People were sharing the gospel. (Acts 11:19-24) (cf Acts 8:4)
Acts 11:19-24New King James Version (NKJV)
Barnabas and Saul at Antioch
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Acts 8:4New King James Version (NKJV)
Christ Is Preached in Samaria
4 Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.
Get out of your comfort zone and share the gospel wherever you go.
In the early days in the Book of Acts, whatever the apostles held in their hearts, they held it with conviction. The gospel is central in their lives.
You and I are cloaked with the gospel.
You should be sharing the gospel. You should be evangelising.
Ordinary people were sharing the gospel. (Acts 11:21)
Acts 11:21New King James Version (NKJV)
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
-Reproducible
-Transmissable
-Simple enough
1 John 1:7New King James Version (NKJV)
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
Do you know for sure that you would be with God in heaven... when you die?
If you were to stand before God, and God were to ask you, "Tell me. Why must I allow you to enter heaven?"
Eternal life is a free gift from God. But all men have sinned. Man cannot deserve it because of sin. God is loving and merciful but He is a just God. He must judge us. Jesus came, He died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sin. He died, He rose to give us this free gift of eternal life.
Would you like to receive this free gift?
Saving faith is trusting. (editor's note: understanding, acceptance, and trust)
Acts 11:22New King James Version (NKJV)
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
Pray for open doors.
Pray for open hearts.
Pray for open mouth -- your mouth.
Mass evangelism is essential. Group evangelism is essential. Personal evangelism is the missing piece.
2) People were becoming disciples. (Acts 11:25-26)
Acts 11:25-26New King James Version (NKJV)
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Paul discipled them so that they become effective witnesses. (Acts 19)
3) People were going out to spread the gospel (Acts 13:1-5)
Acts 13:1-5New King James Version (NKJV)
13 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Preaching in Cyprus
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
4) People were obeying the Lord. (Acts 11:23, Acts 13:1-5)
Acts 11:23New King James Version (NKJV)
23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
Matthew 28:19-20New King James Version (NKJV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.Mark 16:15New King James Version (NKJV)
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.
The Lord is with you.
When Jesus is with you, you would be sharing the gospel.
When you share the gospel, the Lord is with you.
5) People were relentlessly spreading the gospel. (Acts 13:49, Acts 19:10)
Acts 13:49New King James Version (NKJV)
49 And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
Acts 19:10New King James Version (NKJV)
10 And this continued for two years, so that all who dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
Share the gospel. It is the Holy Spirit to convict and convert.
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