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Sharing The Gospel/The Faith Introduction: Matthew, Mark, and Luke records what is commonly called "The Great Commission." The Book of Acts records for us the spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to Judah, to Samaria, and to the end of the earth, Acts 1.8. I) Teaching Passages A) The apostles went out preaching the Gospel 1. Jerusalem being the first place where the Gospel was preached. 2. Judea and Samaria, Acts 8.1 3. Then outward to places such as Antioch, Ephesus, Philippi, Corinth, Thessalonica, Rome, and a host of other places. B) The Apostles were not the only one preaching the Gospel 1. Stephen preached to the crowd at Jerusalem, Acts 7. 2. Phillip taught the Ethiopian Eunuch, Acts 8. 3. Timothy and Titus preached at various places. 4. Brethren as they learned the truth went and taught their neighbors. 5. Congregations were diligent in preaching the Gospel of Christ, 1 Thess. 1.8. C) There are many teaching passages 1. 2 Timothy 2.2 Timothy was to teach others who would be able to teach others who would teach others, etc. 2. 1 Peter 3.15 we are to be ready to give an answer for the hope that is within us. 3. Jude 3 we are to contend earnestly for the faith. 4. Important point: a. There are no apostles around today to preach the word of God. b. Those taught by the apostles in the 1st century are also dead. c. The only ones left to teach the Gospel today are today's Christians. II) Why? A) Because it is commanded. 1. True but is that the only reason? 2. Doing what is commanded without thinking about why, leaves us being pretty superficial. Examples: Lord's Supper, singing, praying, giving, etc. B) Because people are lost without it. 1. The power of the Gospel is for our salvation, Romans 1.16. 2. The Gospel is the "Good News". Have you ever shared some "good news" with someone? a. Wedding announcements b. Birth announcements c. Tell people about being selected as employee of the month, etc. 3. When we have really good news, we tend to share it. 4. Salvation being available to all who will "call upon the name of the Lord" (Acts 2.21) is Good News. III) Sharing Is A Blessing A) We share what we have. 1. How was Thessalonica able to share the Gospel? They had heard it before, Acts 17. 2. Sharing the faith requires us to have "The faith", Luke 18.8 B) We share what brings us joy, what interest us. 1. Does the Gospel bring joy to you? 2. The song "I Love To Tell The Story". a. Of unseen things above, of Jesus and His glory, Of Jesus and His love. I love to tell the story, Because I know tis true; It satisfies my longings, As nothing else can do. b. Tis pleasant to repeat, What seems each time I tell it, More wonderfully sweet; I love to tell the story, For some have never heard, The message of salvation, From God's own holy word. c. For those who know it best, Seem hungering and thirsting, To hear it like the rest; And When, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, Twill be the old, old story, That I have loved so long. C) Sharing is a blessing, Acts20.28; 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 IV) Who Needs The Gospel/The Faith? A) Those who are lost in sin. 1. Unfortunately this means everyone who has not obeyed the Gospel of Christ. 2. We need to share the Gospel with our children. Ephesians 6.4 3. We need to share the Gospel with our spouse, our parents, our neighbors, fellow workers, the person on the street. 1 Peter 3.1ff. B) Disciples went out preaching the Gospel, sharing the faith, Acts 8.1-5, 12 1. Some of the sharing was public preaching and some private, Acts 20.20. 2. We need to have Gospel Meetings but let us be honest about this. When we have a Gospel meeting we can count on 2 hands the number of visitors we have. 3. The most effective means of sharing the Gospel today is by individuals talking to those around them. Conclusion: One of the first lessons parents teach their children is to share. One of the first lessons Jesus taught the Apostles was to share. One of the first lessons the Apostles taught the disciples was to share. We need not keep the Gospel to ourselves but share it.
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