The Impact of the Gospel, Acts 14-16

The impact of the Gospel

Acts 14

Next sermon series is 1 Timothy. And in preparation I have been spending some time in the book of Acts. While in the book of Acts I have felt led to preach this sermon in an anticipation of what is to come in 1 Timothy.

Our study in 1 Timothy will focus on the purpose or mission of the church, the household of God. In 1 Timothy we will see God’s call for the church to proclaim and protect the gospel of Jesus Christ!

Acts 16 record the call of 1 Timothy to join Paul and Silas in their missionary work. To understand the book of 1 Timothy we can benefit from understanding the context of the church in that time… and since we have record of the church during that time it only makes sense to be familiar with the circumstances in and around the church during Timothy’s life.

Acts 14-16 are directly connected to Timothy through Paul’s missionary journeys. In Acts 14 Paul goes to Lystra (Timothy’s hometown) and preaches the gospel. Then in Acts 16, as Paul and Silas make their way through Lystra for a second time, young Timothy joins them in their missionary journey.

Timothy is a part of the 1st missionary journey, then he joins the second missionary journey, and eventually ends up as a pastor in the church at Ephesus.

So, let’s look at Paul’s missionary journeys for a moment to see something that undergirds the message of Paul’s letter to Timothy.

Paul’s missionary journeys didn’t just lead people to faith in Jesus, he started churches. Paul preached the gospel, people were saved and churches were established… Because the churches are the result of the proclamation of the gospel, we are going to look at 5 impacts of proclaiming the Gospel.

5 Impacts of proclaiming the Gospel

Proclaiming the Gospel displays God’s power.

Acts 14:1

Acts 14:8-10

Acts 14:24-28

Proclaiming the Gospel divides to the point of persecution.

Acts 14:2-6

Acts 14:19-20

Proclaiming the Gospel demands a commitment to protect & preserve the truth.

Acts 14:5-6

Acts 14:23

Acts 15

Protect by teaching the truth.

Protect through leadership and organization

Protect by calling out heresy, correcting false teaching, and standing up for the truth.

Proclaiming the Gospel strengthens and encourages the church to persevere.

Acs 14:21-23

To be strengthened and encouraged through tribulations.

To be strengthened and encouraged when others fall away or teach false doctrines.

To be strengthened and encouraged through the teaching of many words!

To be strengthened and encouraged in person.

To be strengthened and encouraged by more than one person.

Proclaiming the Gospel keeps Jesus at the center of our lives and the church.

Acts 14:14-15

Reminds us what is vain.

Reminds us what is truly worth it.

Reminds us why we do what we do.

Reminds us to order our lives around Jesus

Exposes our idols and immorality

Exalts Jesus to the joy and fulfillment of our souls.