Sunday Sermon

God's Vision for the Church Dave Shaner January 19, 2003

I. Kingdom Principles:

A. Jesus has ______________ His disciples to take on the world.

1. Mark 16:16

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

2. Luke 19:10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

3. Does one really need Jesus or does He just make things better?

4. The many roads to God philosophy contradicts the Bible.

a. Acts 4:12

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.

b. I Timothy 2:4-5

who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

c. I John 5:12

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

d. John 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

B. Jesus is ______________ to reaching the world through His church.

1. Matthew 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

2. Ephesians 3:20-21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

3. Acts 11:19-30

Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

II. Effective Evangelism Demands...

A. ... "Gospel of _______________" churches.

1. Antioch didn't change the message, but the presentation.

2. Acts 15:1-2

Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved." This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question.

3. Acts 15:11

No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.

4. Acts 20:24

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.

B. ... "Every _______________" churches.

1. They spoke to Greeks and many turned to the Lord.

2. When we become Jesus' disciple, we are bothers of each other.

3. John 17:23

I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

C. ... "______________ God's Face" churches.

1. Acts 13:2-3

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

2. Satan's empire is not afraid of our name, but of Jesus' name.

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