The Church on Mission is Effective in Evangelism & Active in Discipleship

Intro:

Acts: The Church on Mission

Today’s Title: The Church on mission is effective in evangelism and active in discipleship

DISCLAIMER ON TERMS (Evangelism & Discipleship)

(no second or third tier Christians! The word Christian, Disciple, Follower of Jesus are all synonomous in my mind) Christian, Disciple, Disciple Maker

So I think what is important is not the terminology, but the reality. People need to become Christians and people need to be taught how to think and feel and act as a Christian.

So we’re talking about Evangelism and Discipleship

“Evangelism has been described as one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.”

Simply put, Evangelism is speaking the Good News (or the Gospel) of Jesus to those who need it.

I think most of us agree… it is the most important news in the world!

So as I think about our normal conversations and the majority of our “news feeds” (those online conversations we have with people) why does it seem like we are much more interested in “other” news?

If we’re going to be a church on mission we have to be effective in evangelism! This message we have is too important to keep to ourselves.

The great preacher C. H. Spurgeon once said, “To preach the gospel boldly is to deliver it as such a message ought to be delivered”

we have to be effective in evangelism and the starting point for effective evangelism is being bold in our sharing.

[“always be sharing the Gospel, and when necessary use words”]

so that’s what we’ll call evangelism

the other word we’re talking about today then is discipleship

Simply…

it means teaching people, from the Bible, how to think, feel and act as a Christian

“this is what following Jesus means to me” NO!! tell them what following Jesus means to Jesus!!!!

Scripture Reading

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Pray

break up the title into 2 main points

Main Point #1 - The Church on mission is effective in Evangelism

One of our core values at Heritage is

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Evangelism

Evangelism has been described as one beggar telling another beggar where to find food.

Relational Evangelism -- An intentional building of relationships with those inside your sphere of influence for the purpose of sharing God's message of love and forgiveness regardless of how they respond

(, ) 

Key Question: With whom am I building an intentional relationship to share Christ’s love?

English Standard Version Chapter 11

The Church in Antioch

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching Evangelism

To preach the gospel boldly is to deliver it as such a message ought to be delivered [C. H. Spurgeon

The Church is effective in evangelism by:

Having a cultural-engagement mentality (vs. 19-20)

tim keller calls these guys “mavericks” - John Stott calls them “daring spirits”

Peter preached to Cornelius but because of his vision from the Lord. this was the first time someone “strategically” took the Gospel to another culture. These men were doing something new!

calls them “daring spirits”

they were effective in evangelism because the were not “anti” anyone! they were “pro” everyone needs to hear about Jesus. they probably asked themselves “how are we going to talk to people about this who are different than us?” They learned, in Paul’s words in 1 Cor., how to be “all things to all people so that they may by every possible means save some”

we have to go to people living in darkness. we can’t sit here in our safe place, waiting for Jesus to return, and basically telling the world to fend for themselves.

how can we be salt and light to the world if we don’t go into the darkness with this message of light?

which brings us to our second point… the church on mission is effective in evangelism by...

Prioritizing the Gospel (vs. 20)

stick to the Gospel… grace is always a better message than judgment

these men proclaimed the Good News of the Lord Jesus. They didn’t talk about the Christ or the Messiah. These gentiles were not Jews waiting for that. They would have had no interest in a messiah. However, the term Kurios, or Lord, was a common word for them. In their mystery religions that term was used to describe a god who could give them salvation. These evangelists used that to tell them about the Lord.... the Kurios… who actually could save them because He is the one true God.

to be a good evangelist, you need to know the Gospel and your audience. you need to consider their interests and knowledge level so that you can best communicate the message of Jesus

and it is HIS message by the way… which brings us to point #3.... the church on mission is effective in evangelism by...

Trusting God to do His part (vs. 21)

before you start to thinking that being successful in evangelism is all about you and your skills, Scripture tells us this whole thing is about Jesus!

Jesus is the hero of the message - vs. 20 - “the good news about the Lord Jesus”

Jesus is the goal of the message - vs. 21 - “turned to the Lord”

Jesus is the source of power behind the message - vs. 21 - “the Lord’s hand was with them”

in order to be effective in evangelism you MUST depend on the Lord’s help…

What does that look like? - (worshipping through fasting and praying) (devoted themselves to apostle’s teaching, fellowship, prayer)

Keeping the Gospel centr

The church on mission is effective in evangelism

Main Point #2 - The Church on mission is active in Discipleship

another one of our core values at Heritage is...

Authentic Community -- Real People living Real Life Together

(, )

Key Question: Am I in a small group for accountability, encouragement and spiritual growth? 

The Church is active in discipleship through:

Encouragement

1. Accountability (vs. 22)

this was an effort Quality control

Teaching

some were probably suspicious

others were probably hopeful and wanted to help

Barnabas was sent

This new group of believers needed accountability… they had no leadership

the church was filled with new believers from all around the world and so the church sent Barnabas

new believers today need accountability… they need leadership… well what kind?

2. Encouragement (vs. 22-24)

Barnabas exhorted or encouraged the new believers. perfect job for Barnabas… his nickname after all was Son of Encouragement! He loved people!

he was the perfect man for the job… some of the other jewish believers may have tried to quench this fire… they would have been suspicious… not Barnabas… he wanted to applaud it!

an inflexible person might have come and (like some past american missionaries) made the mistake of trying to make the new believers just like them… sing the same songs, wear the same clothes, do the same programs....

instead, discipleship should be about helping the believers know the Lord better through His Word!

“remain faithful to the Lord”

Barnabas was a good man… good men ENCOURAGE other saints () “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.”

disciple makers should be known for stirring up others to faith and good works

are you the kind of person who builds up and encourages? how do other believers see you? when they see you, do they say, “Yes! I need that person to speak into my life right now”.... or do they say “Oh no… here comes the cold water committee.”

encourage… build up.... and finally #3.... the church on mission is active in discipleship through...

3. Teaching (vs. 25-26)

Acts 11:19–26 ESV

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Acts 11:19-26

Barnabas knew Saul.... knew his calling was to the Gentiles… knew he was a bridge-builder.... knew he was informed about Scripture… and could communicate it to diverse groups

Barnabas could have made a name for himself… could have been the leader of this new church.... but instead shared the load with a more gifted teacher… Barnabas and Saul became partners in ministry

[my partners in ministry] Face Down & Sid (same and then different)

“who is it in your life that you could see as more than a friend?”

“Who could you partner with in ministry that together you could do more for the Kingdom than you could do on your own?”

teaching is a critical part in the discipleship process (Great Commission)

listening to Christian music alone won’t mature new believers

just coming to a worship gathering on sunday morning won’t either

they need to KNOW and learn how to apply God’s Word in their lives

-

2 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Barnabas and Saul dedicated a year of the lives to train up these new believers so they would be prepared to be on mission themselves

The church on mission is active in discipleship

Authentic Community -- Real People living Real Life Together (

Closing

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

I love the last sentence in our passage this morning.... “And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians.”

,

The Church is active in discipleship through:

1. Accountability

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 4:32–37 ESV

32 Now the full number of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things that belonged to him was his own, but they had everything in common. 33 And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. 34 There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold 35 and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. 36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 4:

3. Teaching

) Key Question: Am I in a small group for accountability, encouragement and spiritual growth? 

we got the Jews

we got the Gentiles

23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

but the followers of Jesus were so different from the culture around them that citizens had to come up with a third classification of people… something new!

Since these Jesus followers were from different cultures they weren’t just Jews

The Church is active in discipleship through:

but since some had converted to following Jesus from Judaism they weren’t just Gentiles either.

1. Accountability

2. Encouragement

people from different nations were worshipping together… a third race of people… Christians

The Christians in Antioch left no one out! and because of their single minded approach to sharing the Gospel with everyone… they were effective in evangelism and active in discipleship!

25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Prayer

The Church is active in discipleship through:

1. Accountability

2. Encouragement

3. Teaching