TITLE: “Three Facts Every Man of God Must Remember”

TEXT: Acts 13:1-52

Introduction:

        If there were one phrase that describes the man called the Apostle Paul, it would be “Man of God”. That phrase is significant in scripture. In fact, it is used 73 times in the scriptures. It is used to describe the man who is a messenger of God.

        Here in our text, we find a record of a part of the life of the man of God, Paul. In this text, we can find three facts that every man of God must remember.

I.             HIS CALL IS FROM GOD (VS. 1-4).

A.    The man of God is called by God to do the work of God (vs. 2).

1.   Men and churches may recognize the call on the man of God’s life; but they are not the origin of that call.

(1 Cor. 1:1) “ Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus by

God’s will…”

2.   The man of God must be concerned only with the will and pleasure of the one who issued his call.

a)       Remembering to whom he will be held accountable

(James 3:1 NKJV) “My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.”

B.     The man of God is sent-out by the Spirit of God (vs. 4).

1.   The man of God is sent-out by the direction and in the power of the Holy Spirit.

2.   The man of God must get his daily instructions from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.

C.    The man of God is undergirded through the prayerful support of God’s people (vs. 1-3).

1.   The role of the church is to facilitate and support the ministry of God’s man through prayer, encouragement, and other means at their disposal. (Criticism is not a spiritual gift).

II.          HIS MINISTRY IS EMPOWERED BY GOD (VS. 5-12).

A.    The key to carrying out the ministry God has given to you is the filling of the Holy Spirit (vs. 9).

1.   It is through the power of the indwelling Spirit that we can witness (Acts 1:8).

2.   It is through the filling of the Holy Spirit that we reflect the character of Christ (Gal. 5:22-23).

B.     The filling of the Holy Spirit provides the boldness to confront the enemy and compassionately witness to those who will listen (vs. 10-12).

1.   When the man of God is full of the Holy Spirit, the bold proclamation of God’s Word will follow. (Note Acts 4:23-31).

2.   The filling of the Holy Spirit only occurs when the man of God is walking with God and seeks it.

III.        HIS MESSAGE IS UNCOMPROMISABLE (VS. 13-41).

A.    The man of God must always be watchful for the opportunity to share the message of salvation (vs. 13-16).

1.   God is at work around you… keep watch for the opportunities to share Christ with people.

a)      Watch the circumstances

b)      Listen to what people are saying

B.     The man of God must always be careful to present the true Gospel of Christ, not a discourse on religion (vs. 17-39).

1.   The message is the salvation God has provided through the death and resurrection of Christ. (vs. 23, 29-30, 38-39)

2.   Not the message of “churchianity”

C.    The man of God must always attempt to call people to receive Christ (vs. 40-41).

1.   An attempt to urge them to accept Christ is needed to move them from information to incarnation.

2.   There is a difference between knowing about Christ and receiving Him as Lord and Savior.

Conclusion:

Preached:

June 3, 2007 @ Windham Baptist Church (Chaplain Commissioning of Carl Bailey)