How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

1
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• God had a plan that was implemented through the
  apostles. (Mk 1615-16 Mt 2819-20)

2
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• Mark 1615-16 (NKJV) - And He said to them, Go
  into all the world and preach the gospel to every
  creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will
  be saved but he who does not believe will be
  condemned.

3
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• Matthew 2819-20 (NKJV) - 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.

4
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• How could a group of Galilean fishermen
  accomplish this?

5
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• How could a group of Galilean fishermen
  accomplish this?
• They understood that go ye means go me!

6
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• How could a group of Galilean fishermen
  accomplish this?
• They understood that go ye means go me!
• Where do we fit in this work? (Acts 542)

7
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• Acts 542 (NKJV) - And daily in the temple, and
  in every house, they did not cease teaching and
  preaching Jesus as the Christ.

8
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• The early Christians used their homes to
  powerfully teach individuals.

9
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• The early Christians used their homes to
  powerfully teach individuals.
• How many of you have ever been in a home study?

10
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• The early Christians used their homes to
  powerfully teach individuals.
• How many of you have ever been in a home study?
• If you had to suddenly move and completely start
  over, would you have time to tell others about
  the Lord? (Acts 83-4)

11
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• Acts 83-4 (NKJV) - As for Saul, he made havoc
  of the church, entering every house, and dragging
  off men and women, committing them to prison. 4
  Therefore those who were scattered went
  everywhere preaching the word.

12
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• There is a reason why these Christians could do
  this! The gospel was a part
  of them if you came to know them you would
  hear the gospel!

13
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• How many of you see this work as yours? Some hear
  lessons like this as I would listen to teaching
  on cooking or home decorating.

14
How did the gospel spread in the 1st century?

• How many of you see this work as yours? Some hear
  lessons like this as I would listen to teaching
  on cooking or home decorating.
• Have you built a biblical faith in your life?

15
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• The issue is not just how much knowledge and
  experience I possess.

16
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• The issue is not just how much knowledge and
  experience I possess.
• Where does successful teaching come? It comes
  from a heart of faith.

17
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• The issue is not just how much knowledge and
  experience I possess.
• Where does successful teaching come? It comes
  from a heart of faith.
• Many have great knowledge, but that does not
  assure one that he will have a strong faith! (1
  Cor 81-2)

18
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 1 Corinthians 81-2 (NKJV) - Now concerning
  things offered to idols We know that we all have
  knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
  2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he
  knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

19
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Consider two examples during the ministry of
  Christ.

20
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Would you have sent a previously maddened, demon
  possessed man back to the people to teach having
  almost no knowledge? (Mk 517-20 Lk 840)

21
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Mark 517-20 (NKJV) - Then they began to plead
  with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when
  He got into the boat, he who had been
  demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with
  Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but
  said to him, Go home to your friends, and tell
  them what great things the Lord has done for you,
  and how He has had compassion on you.

22
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in
  Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him and
  all marveled.

23
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Luke 840 (NKJV) - So it was, when Jesus
  returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for
  they were all waiting for Him.

24
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• What made this man successful? How many of you
  have greater knowledge than this man?

25
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• (John 425-30) Again, would you use this woman
  in evangelism?

26
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• (John 425-30) Again, would you use this woman
  in evangelism?
• In both of these cases these people served to
  open doors for further teaching by someone more
  capable. There is not a Christian among us who
  cannot be as effective as these if we would have
  the same measure of faith!

27
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• The resurrection of Christ was the foundation of
  evangelism for the 1st century church.

28
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• The resurrection of Christ was the foundation of
  evangelism for the 1st century church.
• They heard the evidence and were changed! (Acts
  232 314-15 1327-31)

29
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Acts 232 (NKJV) - This Jesus God has raised up,
  of which we are all witnesses.

30
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Acts 314 through Acts 315 (NKJV) - But you
  denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a
  murderer to be granted to you, 15and killed the
  Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of
  which we are witnesses.

31
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Acts 1327-31 (NKJV) - For those who dwell in
  Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not
  know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets
  which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them
  in condemning Him. 28And though they found no
  cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He
  should be put to death.

32
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was
  written concerning Him, they took Him down from
  the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God
  raised Him from the dead. 31He was seen for many
  days by those who came up with Him from Galilee
  to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people.

33
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• This was not just a social event where people
  followed what they had always seen! Genuine faith
  is never a blind faith. (Heb 111)

34
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Hebrews 111 (NKJV) - Now faith is the substance
  of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
  seen.

35
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• The resurrection of and thus the judgment of all
  men is assured. (Acts 1730-31 2 Cor 413-14)

36
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Acts 1730-31 (NKJV) - Truly, these times of
  ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all
  men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has
  appointed a day on which He will judge the world
  in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.
  He has given assurance of this to all by raising
  Him from the dead.

37
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 2 Corinthians 413-14 (NKJV) - And since we have
  the same spirit of faith, according to what is
  written, I believed and therefore I spoke, we
  also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that
  He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise
  us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.

38
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• We too are raised because of our faith in the
  resurrection. (Col 212-13)

39
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Colossians 212-13 (NKJV) - buried with Him in
  baptism, in which you also were raised with Him
  through faith in the working of God, who raised
  Him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your
  trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
  He has made alive together with Him, having
  forgiven you all trespasses,

40
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Could you teach someone who is not sure the Bible
  is from God the evidence that Jesus is the son
  of God? (1 Pt 315)

41
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 1 Peter 315 (NKJV) - But sanctify the Lord God
  in your hearts, and always be ready to give a
  defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the
  hope that is in you, with meekness and fear

42
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• We must have a clear understanding of the grace
  of God.

43
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• We must have a clear understanding of the grace
  of God.
• What ultimately are we teaching? We want others
  to trust in God.

44
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• We must have a clear understanding of the grace
  of God.
• What ultimately are we teaching? We want others
  to trust in God.
• It is the love of God that brings men to God.
  (Psa 367 1 Pt 21-3 1 Jn 419)

45
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Psalm 367 (NKJV) - How precious is Your
  lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of
  men put their trust under the shadow of Your
  wings.

46
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 1 Peter 21-3 (NKJV) - Therefore, laying aside
  all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all
  evil speaking, 2 as newborn babes, desire the
  pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,
  3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is
  gracious.

47
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 1 John 419 (NKJV) - We love Him because He
  first loved us.

48
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• More specifically we must center on the cross of
  Christ. (Gal 614 Phil 37-9)

49
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Galatians 614 (NKJV) - But God forbid that I
  should boast except in the cross of our Lord
  Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been
  crucified to me, and I to the world.

50
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Philippians 37-9 (NKJV) - But what things were
  gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
  8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the
  excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
  Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all
  things, and count them as rubbish, that I may
  gain Christ

51
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 9 and be found in Him, not having my own
  righteousness, which is from the law, but that
  which is through faith in Christ, the
  righteousness which is from God by faith

52
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• Again, we must have a clear view of where we
  stand before God or we will present a false view
  of the Christian life! (1 John 417-19)

53
We must be committed to building a strong
foundation for our own faith.

• 1 John 417-19 (NKJV) - Love has been perfected
  among us in this that we may have boldness in
  the day of judgment because as He is, so are we
  in this world. 18 There is no fear in love but
  perfect love casts out fear, because fear
  involves torment. But he who fears has not been
  made perfect in love. 19 We love Him because He
  first loved us.

54
We need to change how we see this world.

• We will respond when we clearly see the need.
  (Heb 1124-27)

55
We need to change how we see this world.

• Hebrews 1124-27 (NKJV) - By faith Moses, when
  he became of age, refused to be called the son of
  Pharaohs daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer
  affliction with the people of God than to enjoy
  the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the
  reproach of Christ greater riches than the
  treasures in Egypt for he looked to the reward.

56
We need to change how we see this world.

• 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the
  wrath of the king for he endured as seeing Him
  who is invisible.

57
We need to change how we see this world.

• What if we lived in Samaria at the time of the
  Syrian siege? (2 Kgs 624-25)

58
We need to change how we see this world.

• 2 Kings 624-25 (NKJV) - And it happened after
  this that Ben-Hadad king of Syria gathered all
  his army, and went up and besieged Samaria. 25
  And there was a great famine in Samaria and
  indeed they besieged it until a donkeys head was
  sold for eighty shekels of silver, and one-fourth
  of a kab of dove droppings for five shekels of
  silver.

59
We need to change how we see this world.

• Have you ever really been hungry?

60
We need to change how we see this world.

• Have you ever really been hungry?
• If you could feed the starving, would you?

61
We need to change how we see this world.

• Have you ever really been hungry?
• If you could feed the starving, would you?
• In despair four leprous men find an empty camp!
  (2 Kgs 74-5)

62
We need to change how we see this world.

• 2 Kings 74-5 (NKJV) - If we say, We will enter
  the city, the famine is in the city, and we
  shall die there. And if we sit here, we die also.
  Now therefore, come, let us surrender to the army
  of the Syrians. If they keep us alive, we shall
  live and if they kill us, we shall only die.

63
We need to change how we see this world.

• 5 And they rose at twilight to go to the camp of
  the Syrians and when they had come to the
  outskirts of the Syrian camp, to their surprise
  no one was there.

64
We need to change how we see this world.

• Can you imagine a camp filled with provisions for
  over 200,000 men? (2 Kgs 78)

65
We need to change how we see this world.

• 2 Kings 78 (NKJV) - And when these lepers came
  to the outskirts of the camp, they went into one
  tent and ate and drank, and carried from it
  silver and gold and clothing, and went and hid
  them then they came back and entered another
  tent, and carried some from there also, and went
  and hid it.

66
We need to change how we see this world.

• After risking your life for food, what would you
  now do?

67
We need to change how we see this world.

• After risking your life for food, what would you
  now do?
• Even the lepers knew what any decent person would
  do. (2 Kgs 79)

68
We need to change how we see this world.

• 2 Kings 79 (NKJV) - Then they said to one
  another, We are not doing right. This day is a
  day of good news, and we remain silent. If we
  wait until morning light, some punishment will
  come upon us. Now therefore, come, let us go and
  tell the kings household.

69
We need to change how we see this world.

• Do we have this same decency?

70
We need to change how we see this world.

• We do not have to guess, we face a greater famine
  and we have the provisions. What is the greatest
  need of all men today? (Rom 116-18)

71
We need to change how we see this world.

• Romans 116-18 (NKJV) - For I am not ashamed of
  the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God
  to salvation for everyone who believes, for the
  Jew first and also for the Greek. 17For in it the
  righteousness of God is revealed from faith to
  faith as it is written, The just shall live by
  faith.

72
We need to change how we see this world.

• 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven
  against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of
  men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

73
We need to change how we see this world.

• We must believe that there is a hell.

74
We need to change how we see this world.

• We must believe that there is a hell.
• When was the last time you seriously considered
  the Bible teaching on Hell? (Rom 116-18 Mark
  942-48 2 Cor 510-11)

75
We need to change how we see this world.

• Mark 942-48 (NKJV) - But whoever causes one of
  these little ones who believe in Me to stumble,
  it would be better for him if a millstone were
  hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the
  sea. 43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it
  off. It is better for you to enter into life
  maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to
  hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched

76
We need to change how we see this world.

• 44 where Their worm does not die And the fire is
  not quenched. 45 And if your foot causes you to
  sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter
  life lame, rather than having two feet, to be
  cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be
  quenched46 where Their worm does not die And
  the fire is not quenched.

77
We need to change how we see this world.

• 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it
  out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of
  God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to
  be cast into hell fire48 where Their worm does
  not die And the fire is not quenched.

78
We need to change how we see this world.

• 2 Corinthians 510-11 (NKJV) - For we must all
  appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that
  each one may receive the things done in the body,
  according to what he has done, whether good or
  bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, the terror of the
  Lord, we persuade men but we are well known to
  God, and I also trust are well known in your
  consciences.

79
We need to change how we see this world.

• If we really believe this, what will be in our
  hearts when we see those whom we love? (James
  214-17)

80
We need to change how we see this world.

• James 214-17 (NKJV) - What does it profit, my
  brethren, if someone says he has faith but does
  not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a
  brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily
  food, 16 and one of you says to them, Depart in
  peace, be warmed and filled, but you do not give
  them the things which are needed for the body,
  what does it profit?

81
We need to change how we see this world.

• 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have
  works, is dead.

82
We need to change how we see this world.

• We need a sense of urgency! Listen to the
  concerns of our Lord. (Jn 434-38)

83
We need to change how we see this world.

• John 434-38 (NKJV) - Jesus said to them, My
  food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to
  finish His work. 35 Do you not say, There are
  still four months and then comes the harvest?
  Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look
  at the fields, for they are already white for
  harvest! 36 And he who reaps receives wages, and
  gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who
  sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.

84
We need to change how we see this world.

• 37 For in this the saying is true One sows and
  another reaps. 38 I sent you to reap that for
  which you have not labored others have labored,
  and you have entered into their labors.

85
We need real leadership in evangelism

• What are our business meetings like? What are
  we really committed to? (Mt 622-24)

86
We need real leadership in evangelism

• Matthew 622-24 (NKJV) - The lamp of the body
  is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your
  whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your
  eye is bad, your whole body will be full of
  darkness. If therefore the light that is in you
  is darkness, how great is that darkness!

87
We need real leadership in evangelism

• 24 No one can serve two masters for either he
  will hate the one and love the other, or else he
  will be loyal to the one and despise the other.
  You cannot serve God and mammon.

88
We need real leadership in evangelism

• It means that you will purse it.

89
We need real leadership in evangelism

• It means that you will purse it.
• It means that you will build associates based on
  that commitment.

90
We need real leadership in evangelism

• It means that you will purse it.
• It means that you will build associates based on
  that commitment.
• It means that your greatest joy will cone from
  successes in this cause. (Luke 154-7)

91
We need real leadership in evangelism

• Luke 154-7 (NKJV) - What man of you, having a
  hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not
  leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go
  after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5
  And when he has found it, he lays it on his
  shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home,
  he calls together his friends and neighbors,
  saying to them, Rejoice with me, for I have
  found my sheep which was lost!

92
We need real leadership in evangelism

• 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more
  joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than
  over ninety-nine just persons who need no
  repentance.

93
We need real leadership in evangelism

• The church is filled with committed people. But
  what are they committed to?

94
We need real leadership in evangelism

• The church is filled with committed people. But
  what are they committed to?
• What would someone do if he wanted to learn to
  play golf or to fish?

95
We need real leadership in evangelism

• Real leadership will provide training! (2 Tim
  22)

96
We need real leadership in evangelism

• 2 Timothy 22 (NKJV) - And the things that you
  have heard from me among many witnesses, commit
  these to faithful men who will be able to teach
  others also.

97
We need real leadership in evangelism

• The best training is done in the home and in
  actual studies. (Ex. My training, Navy training)

98
We need real leadership in evangelism

• What is your real motive in hearing these
  lessons?

99
We need real leadership in evangelism

• What is your real motive in hearing these
  lessons?
• Let your first fruit in evangelism be your own
  soul. (Rev 319-20)

100
We need real leadership in evangelism

• Revelation 319-20 (NKJV) - As many as I love, I
  rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and
  repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock.
  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I
  will come in to him and dine with him, and he
  with Me.

101
We need real leadership in evangelism

• How many need to rediscover the joy of their
  salvation? (Psa 5110-13)

102
We need real leadership in evangelism

• Psalm 5110-13 (NKJV) - Create in me a clean
  heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit
  within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your
  presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from
  me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
  And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I
  will teach transgressors Your ways, And sinners
  shall be converted to You.

103
We need real leadership in evangelism

• This is the greatest work we can be a part of.
  Are you ready to pursue it?