Start to Speak

The proclamation of Christ begins and ends in corporate prayer and worship

Speak

“Preach the gospel at all times, if necessary use words.”

What do you think of that statement?

What do we do with that idea?

Acts 4:23–31 NASB95

23 When they had been released, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. 24 And when they heard this, they lifted their voices to God with one accord and said, “O Lord, it is You who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that is in them, 25 who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father David Your servant, said, ‘Why did the Gentiles rage, And the peoples devise futile things? 26 ‘The kings of the earth took their stand, And the rulers were gathered together Against the Lord and against His Christ.’ 27 “For truly in this city there were gathered together against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur. 29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence, 30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.

Outline the cycle.

Where do you think we tend to derail the most?

Speak to God

Ask for it!

Ephesians 6:18–20 NASB95

18 With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Seek God together

Acts 1:14 NASB95

14 These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

Acts 2:42 NASB95

42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Prayer meeting at Two Rivers

Prayer for people in our congregation in accord with the Psalms

Prayer for the ministry of our church

Praying for the ministries of fellow churches and missionaries.

Speak to that Stranger

Make contact

Being ready to play the long doesn’t exclude intentional engagement.

John 4

“Give Me a drink”

The Woman at the well: “Jesus is more satisfying than this lifestyle of yours.”

Acts 8

“Do you understand what you are reading?”

The Ethiopian Eunuch: “Have you ever thought about who Jesus really is?”

Answer questions

Question their answers

Acts 17:19 NASB95

19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is which you are proclaiming?

Acts 17:22–32 NASB95

22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects. 23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you. 24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; 25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, 27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’ 29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man. 30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, 31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.” 32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.”

In what ways does Paul answer their question, “May we know this new teaching?” In our words, “What do you believe?”

Who is God? He is Creator!

What is his relation to man?

What is God’s intent for man?

The need for repentance!

Christ will judge.

Christ has risen.

In what ways does Paul question their answers?

In what ways does Paul explicitly reference their worldview with the gospel?

Speak of Christ

It’s Christ who saves

1 Corinthians 1:1–5 NASB95

1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge,

—-

The content is Christ

The character is Christ

The confidence of Paul and the church are then in Christ

Speak for the glory of God

Psalm 67:1–5 NASB95

1 God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us— Selah. 2 That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations. 3 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. 4 Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness And guide the nations on the earth. Selah. 5 Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You.

Corporate prayer and worship (vs. 1)

That all the earth may know His way, and His salvation (vs. 2)

That the people of the earth would praise Him! (vs. 3)

That the nations would be satisfied in God! (vs. 4)