Whose responsibility is it to share the gospel?
A. Philip the evangelist.
1. Yes, he was called Philip the evangelist. Acts 21:9
He was identified as one of the Seven. He had 4 unmarried daughters who
prophesied. He was able to bring up his daughters do evangelistic work!
2. He was one of the Seven men among the brothers chosen to do daily distribution
of food and to wait on tables in Jerusalem. Ac.6:1-3
This tells us he was an ordinary brother in the church in Jerusalem!
3. Yes, he was known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. Acts 6:3
He was diligent in learning the truth and in prayers!
4. Yes, a brother in the church can grow to be like him, become full of the Spirit
and wisdom become an evangelist and Bible teacher!
Hebrew 5:12 has this to say about this--> For when by reason of the time ye ought
to be teachers, ye have need again that some one teach you the rudiments of the
first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk
and not of solid food.
This “by reason of the time you ought to be teachers” always catch my eyes!
Lots of brothers and sisters in the church for years but did not become teachers
of the truth! Instead they need others to teach them the rudiments of the first
principles of the oracles of God!
Please do not be discouraged! Rise up to become teachers! Do not be timid!
We can help you! The Lord is always here with us! The Bible will always be at
our side! Please rise up, it is never too late!
B. Great persecution could be a great blessing! Acts 8:1-4
1. Great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the
apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria ….
Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.
***It was Jesus followers preached the word throughout Judea and Samaria!
2. Yes, running away from persecution present great opportunity to share the truth
in the Bible!
3. Naturally wherever they ran to, people will ask: Why are you here?
Just like here in NYC when we meet, we ask each other, why are you here!
We decided to follow Jesus in Jerusalem … They said we are craze and heretic!
But we are sure Jesus is the Christ… They had plenty to tell!
4. Now that you have found the church of Christ! Tell your friends why you change
church, why you know the church of Christ is the one…!
C. The tentmaker business couple. Acts 18:1-26
1. Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila.
He was a tentmaker. Paul stayed and worked with them. Acts 18:1-3
2. Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a
thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 18:24
He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor
and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He
began to speak boldly in synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they
invited him to their home and explained to him God’s way more adequately.
3. My point is this: A business Christian couple can become able teachers to a
learned and eloquent man like Apollos!
D. Yes, not all brothers have to become teachers! Ro.12:6-8
God gives us different gifts for different kinds of works! If one’s gift is
preaching, let him preach in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him
serve. If it is teaching, let him teach. If it is encouraging, let him encourage.
If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously. If it is
leading, let him govern diligently. If it is showing mercy, let him do cheerfully.
E. Beware of unqualified people to become teachers!
Yes, in the one hand we need lots of brothers rise up to be teachers!
In the other hand we don’t want dogs to teach a different gospel, evildoers to
preach in the name of the Lord. Acts 15:1, Phil.3:2, Matt.7:21-23
Yes, James 3:1 says --> Let not many of you become teachers, my brothers, for you
know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness. James. 3:1
May the Lord bless you and keep you forever! Dec., 12, 2009