Preach The Gospel

Jon Winkelman

Acts • Sermon • Submitted 5 years ago

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Introduction

When he was the pastor of the Methodist church in Scarborough, William Sangster had an eccentric member who tried to be a zealous Christian. Unfortunately, the man had a tendency to share the gospel in rather unfortunate ways. While working as a barber the man lathered up a customer for a shave, came at him with the poised razor, and asked, "Are you prepared to meet your God?" The frightened man fled with the lather on his face! - Adapted. W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, p. 215. Sourced from: http://www.sermonillustrations.com/a-z/w/witnessing.htm

How we share the gospel matters.

We are going to learn from Paul some important factors in sharing the gospel.

The bottom line is that we need to be sharing Jesus Christ with others.

According to a Barna survey published in 2018, only 19% of Christians today would say they are proactive in looking for or creating faith-sharing opportunities with non-Christians. - Adapted. https://www.barna.com/research/sharing-faith-increasingly-optional-christians/

We must share our faith.

Why?

Because we have been commanded to. Look at (S).

Matthew 28:18–20 NKJV

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The one who has all power and authority dwells within us. He has commanded us to proclaim the good news of His death burial and resurrection.

He has also empowered us to do what He has commanded.

We are to make disciples. We do this knowing that He is with us always.

We have a gospel mandate. We must share our faith.

Yet, how we share it matters.

Most of what we will read today is a repetition of previous accounts in Acts.

We will highlight a few differences.

Primarily our goal today is to look at what Paul is doing and how he is doing it.

Paul’s example has much to teach us about the gospel.

As we share Christ with others, there are three lessons we must bear in mind.

As we apply these lessons we will be effective in reaching a lost world for Christ.

As we share Christ with others, there are three lessons we must bear in mind.

Today we will only be looking at…

Lesson #1…

1. The Gospel Is Personal vv. 1-11

Sometimes when we think about the Sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we think about Him dying for sin in the abstract.

Meaning, we know He died for sin, but we don’t necessarily state that He died for my sin.

Had I been the only sinner, Jesus would still have died for me.

Jesus would have gone to the Cross even if doing so would only have saved you!

Everything Paul does in these first 11 verses is very personal. He addresses them personally and shares his personal history.

To make the gospel as personal as possible there are three areas we need to emphasize.

Emphasis #1…

a. Personal connection vv. 1-3

READ v. 1

It is interesting that Agrippa is speaking here instead of Festus.

v. 1 – It is interesting that Agrippa is speaking here instead of Festus.

As we have seen several times, the word translated “answered” means defense. What we read here is Paul’s defense.

Paul’s speaking follows the general from of a defense speech from that time period. Paul uses his training in public speaking to his advantage in this instance.

However, what we will see is that Paul’s defense and his public speaking ability are all leveraged as tools for the preaching of the gospel.

God gifts us and equips us through life and training all to be perfectly suited to His purpose.

Nothing is accidental. That random elective course you took may be perfectly aligned with a task God has for you!

Your ability to play an instrument, interest in a hobby, or even the brand of clothing you prefer, can all be leveraged for the gospel!

Paul has an opportunity, and he is going to take it.

This is a divine appointment, he will take full advantage.

As we have already seen, Jesus gave a very specific command about sharing the gospel. (S).

Mark 16:15 NKJV

15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

This is exactly what Paul is doing.

READ v. 2

Paul states that he considers himself blessed or fortunate to be standing before Agrippa.

vv. 2-3 – This is not flattery, this is fact. Paul really is thankful!

This is not flattery, this is fact. Paul really is thankful!

He explains why in v. 3.

READ v. 3

Again, this is not flattery. History shows that this is a verifiable fact. Agrippa was very knowledgeable about Jewish customs and disputes.

This makes him the perfect person to hear Paul’s case.

King Agrippa would understand the nature of the dispute Paul has with the Jewish leaders. This also makes him ripe for the gospel.

Again, there are no accidents. God has been preparing Paul for this meeting, He has also been preparing Agrippa.

Paul pleads with Agrippa to hear him with patience.

While there are many methods and means of sharing the gospel, one of the most effective continues to be making a personal connection with someone.

Notice how Paul is building a personal connection here.

He connects with Agrippa over his knowledge and over a shared understanding of Jewish disputes and customs.

People are more likely to hear us when they know us.

When we get to know someone and do some life together, we build a platform from which to proclaim the gospel.

We cannot ignore the personal nature of the gospel.

To share the gospel effectively, be personal.

Part of this is putting people at ease and helping them to be more receptive of what we have to say.

This can be as simple as noticing they have a giants baseball hat on and connecting around sports.

Or seeing that they have a backpack that is a hiking brand.

Or their shoes, or shirt, or children, or any number of other things.

The point is to make a personal connection so that we can steer the conversation to a discussion of spiritual things.

We need to emphasize personal connection.

ILLUSTRATE: You like the Giants? Yes. My family has always been big giants fans. TALK Baseball has always been a favorite sport of mine. Really? Yeah. Have you ever thought how silly it would be if they tried to play with an imaginary ball? I’ve just always thought about how funny it would look. The ball is kind of the whole point! You know, it reminds me of life. I meet a lot of people who don’t think life has a point.

We need to emphasize personal connection.

Emphasis #2…

b. Personal condition vv. 4-8

READ v. 4

This is an interesting claim.

It is also an interesting thought. What would it be like to have everyone watching you?

Taking a step back, and looking at this as a defense/gospel presentation, what is the point? Paul is setting the stage.

What is the point? Setting the stage.

Remember, Paul is building a personal connection.

Now he is shifting gears. He is going to demonstrate his lost condition.

Despite being a “good Jew” and living according to the law, Paul was still lost!

READ v. 5

Paul wasn’t just nominally religious. He was part of the strictest sect of Judaism!

People who have known him from the beginning could give evidence to his lifestyle.

In the beginning of Paul goes into even more detail of his upbringing and pedigree.

Turn to (p. 1350).

(p. 1350)

Philippians 3:3–6 NKJV

3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

Philippians 3:3–6 NKJV

Paul was top tier in the Jewish religious world!

He was the guy. He had everything going for him and could honestly say he was blameless!

READ v. 6

This word translated “hope” is singular. That’s why it is translated “the hope.”

Hope – ἐλπίς (elpis) A reasonable and confident expectation of a future event.

Hope – ἐλπίς (elpis)

This word translated “hope” is singular. That’s why it is translated “the hope.”

It is singular that’s why it is translated “the hope.”

What was promised by God to Israel?

Land, Seed, Blessing (S). GO THROUGH

In order for this last part to be fulfilled, Christ had to come, suffer and die as Isaiah and David said, and rise again.

The ultimate fulfillment of that promise is when the Messiah has come and is ruling and reigning.

For this promise to be fulfilled, there must be a resurrection.

That is what Paul is talking about here.

In the Psalm’s David prophesied that he would die.

READ v. 7

What is it that the tribes hope to attain? The forgiveness of sin promised in the new covenant (S)!

Therefore, the promise is about resurrection.

All of this hinges on the resurrection.

Paul has repeatedly made it clear that the issue in question here is the resurrection.

Because the text keeps coming back to this, we will as well.

Let’s deal with the most important passage on resurrection.

Why? Because there are some people who will tell you that it isn’t important to believe in miracles. It is in’t important to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. What’s important is what Jesus taught. That is a lie.

While believing and practicing what Jesus taught is vital in the Christian life, the destiny of our eternal souls depends on the resurrection!

Turn to (p. 1323).

(p. 1323)

1 Corinthians 15:1–26 NKJV

1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8 Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. 23 But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.

If Christ is not risen, we have nothing. In fact, we are liars and deceivers! If Christ didn’t rise, our faith is pointless, our sin remains, and all those who have died in Christ have died in vain!

But Christ did rise! And because He rose, we will as well. In Christ all shall be made alive!

Jesus talked about this in (S).

Jesus talked about this - not of the dead but of the living.

Matthew 22:31–32 NKJV

31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

God is going to keep His promises, that means the dead will rise.

That means that Christ is risen!

READ v. 8

I love this question. Especially to those who are either Jewish, or familiar with Jewish religion and history.

If God sent the plagues to Egypt, parted the Red Sea, fed them in the wilderness, brought water out of a rock, caused and cured leprosy, opened the earth to swallow dissenters, flattened Jericho, and drove out the nations before Israel. If God did all that, raising the dead is no problem.

This is God we are talking about!

Does it ever feel like we forget that in our lives. Hard times and trials hit and it’s almost like God shrinks. He doesn’t change. It is our faith that is weak.

Is anything to hard for God?

Knowing that God is in control gives Paul boldness.

Remember, Paul is setting the stage.

He has made a personal connection, now he is describing his pre-conversion condition.

Paul was a pretty good guy from a human standpoint.

He is sharing his life with Agrippa and those present.

By sharing our own life we build on our connection and create a bridge into their life.

To share the gospel effectively, be relatable.

Paul paints this picture of his early life. In doing so he is drawing everyone in.

He was a pretty good guy who disagrees with some people, and now he is in trouble.

Paul has made a connection, he is describing his condition, now it is time to steer the conversation.

Paul has an agenda, and so should we.

Emphasis #3…

c. Personal confession vv. 9-11

READ v. 9

Paul leaves no doubt about what he is claiming.

Jesus of Nazareth, the one crucified, that is who he now serves.

But how did that happen?

That is the story Paul is telling.

The story of how went from being a persecutor, to a missionary.

This is the natural state of all of us. We live contrary to the name of Jesus.

It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we begin to live differently.

Living for Jesus is a process that begins at salvation and continues throughout our lives.

Paul states here that he thought he must live contrary to Jesus.

“Must” is the idea of being required by obligation, compulsion, or convention.

Because of his life as a Pharisee, Paul thought that opposition to Jesus of Nazareth was required.

And so, that is how he lived.

READ v. 10

One of things Paul slips in here needs to be noted. He refers to those he persecuted as saints.

This means he recognizes them as those set apart for the exclusive use and purpose of Christ.

The contrast present in this verse is striking.

Paul once persecuted and sought the imprisonment and death of all who followed Jesus.

Now he plants churches, calls them saints, and is willing to be arrested and imprisoned for the sake of Jesus!

This is what we want a lost world to see! To see men and women transformed by the grace of God!

To see the need for that transformation.

Paul is making a clear point.

Though he was sincere and passionate about his religion, he was still lost!

There are those who believe sincerity is what makes someone acceptable to God.

That is not true.

Only the blood of Jesus Christ can make us acceptable to God!

; (S).

;

Ephesians 2:13 NKJV

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV

18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Paul followed his religion, and it led him to oppose Jesus Christ.

There is only one way, one truth, one life. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Him.

In his persecution of Christians, Paul even voted for their death.

This word “vote” is important.

Vote – ψῆφος (psēphos) stone; pebble; voting pebble. A small, smooth, rounded rock; often used for voting in judicial cases; white for innocent, black for guilty.

Vote – ψῆφος (psēphos)

This word references the ancient practice of “casting lots.”

This indicates that Paul had an voted for the death of Christians in some official capacity.

Some have taken this to mean that Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. However, that goes beyond the text. It seems to me that had Paul been a member of the Sanhedrin, that fact would have been included in his pre-Christ picture of himself.

Regardless, What we learn here is that Paul not only wanted Christians punished, he wanted them dead.

v. 10 – Paul was a member of the Sanhedrin. He had a vote to cast against Christians.

Paul uses a plural to describe those he voted against.

This means he voted to put Christians to death on more than one occasion. It is possible that the death of Stephen was one such occasion.

Turn back to .

Acts 7:58–8:1 NKJV

58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep. 1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Whether this is one of the people Paul has in mind or not, we know that he was involved with the death of the first martyr of the early church.

Acts 7:58–59 NKJV

Whether this is one of the people Paul has in mind or not, we know that he was involved with the death of the first martyr of the early church.

We also know that there were others.

READ v. 11

Paul punished them, compelled them to blaspheme, and chased them to foreign cities.

A similar description was given in .

Acts 22:3–5 NKJV

3 “I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers’ law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women, 5 as also the high priest bears me witness, and all the council of the elders, from whom I also received letters to the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring in chains even those who were there to Jerusalem to be punished.

Paul uses the word “persecuted” placing himself in the wrong.

What is he doing?

Paul is making his defense. He has been falsely accused, and now is answering for himself.

However, he is also taking this opportunity to proclaim Christ.

We have seen him make a personal connection. We have seen him share his condition. Now he is making a confession of his sin and need of a savior.

As we share the gospel of Jesus Christ it is vital that we describe our personal need of Christ.

Describe your personal need of Christ.

Be showing how you are a sinner and needed a savior, you are able to introduce their need.

Paul doesn’t sugar coat his story. He doesn’t make himself a misguided but well-meaning person. He paints himself as the villain.

Paul is open and honest about his past. He wants them to see that he was a sinner in need of a Savior!

This highlights our lesson.

To share the gospel effectively, be genuine.

Paul wants them to understand the grace of God.

He wants them to know that Jesus Christ can save anyone!

No one is beyond God’s reach!

How do we know? Because God saved a sinner like me!

Next week we will get into Paul’s conversion.

Conclusion

Our lesson for today is that the gospel is personal.

Turn over to (p. 1203).

(p. 1203)

Luke 15:1–7 NKJV

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

This is the heart of our Savior.

He invites tax collectors and sinners in!

He leaves the 99 and goes in search for the 1 lost sheep!

I am that lost sheep! You are that lost sheep!

He sought you! He purchased you with the precious blood of Jesus Christ!

He rejoices over you!

When we trusted in Christ all of heaven burst forth with joy and rejoicing!

The gospel is personal.

And we are to share it personally with others.

Make that personal connection.

Find common ground. Get to know people. Intentionally build redemptive relationships.

When the opportunity presents itself, and it will, steer the conversation to Christ.

Share your condition.

Allow them to see how you thought you were good, thought you were okay.

Make your confession.

Let them see that we are all just sinners in need of a savior.

Be personal, relatable, and genuine.

Share Christ at every opportunity.

Create opportunities

Always be led by the Holy Spirit.

Know the gospel message.

Lesson #2…

Acts 26:1–11 NKJV

1 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.” So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: 2 “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, 3 especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently. 4 “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. 5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. 7 To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead? 9 “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. 11 And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

2. The Gospel Is Purposeful vv. 12-18

a. Purposeful confrontation vv. 12-15

Paul meets Christ and is confronted for the purpose of conversion.

We confront people with the reality of sin and the gift of the gospel.

The goal is to see people converted.

b. Purposeful commission vv. 16-18

vv. 16-18 – This recounting includes things not mentioned in .

Paul was saved for a purpose. He is given that here.

As we share the gospel, part of the joy is that God has a plan and purpose for their life.

The purpose of God can only be realized in Christ.

Lesson #3…

3. The Gospel Is Powerful vv. 19-23

a. Powerful proposition vv. 19-21

Paul is inviting them into transformation.

This is what we too invite unbelievers into.

b. Powerful proclamation vv. 22-23

vv. 22-23 – Paul attests to the fact that the prophets and Moses testified about Christ and how His light would be proclaimed to both Jews and Gentiles.

By the grace of God, we witness to all.

We proclaim that Jesus died, rose, and brings light to all who receive Him.

Conclusion

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