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Teaching Our Neighbor
Introduction:
The population of the planet Earth is rapidly growing but
the average church is not. Many are actually declining in
number. There may be several reasons for this lack of
growth. Some are not concerned about the lost condition of
their neighbors so no efforts to evangelize are made. Some
congregations are using ineffective methods of teaching or
just using them in an ineffective manner. Many use programs
to swell their attendance but no true conversions are made.
Also the despicable practice of “stealing” sheep from other
churches reduces the attendance. Other reasons could be
mentioned. Evangelizing our communities is not an option. We
cannot fail at this mission.
Body: I. The Need to Evangelize
·
Acts 1:8
Evangelism must start at home, in our local communities. God
will be glorified when the gospel, the power of God, is
taught. (Romans
1:16)
·
Teaching our neighbor is commanded by our Lord. (Matthew
28:18-20)
The Great Commission is not the “Great Suggestion!” Remember
James 4:17.
·
This command is given to every Christian in every church.
Every believer should be involved in evangelism in some way.
(Mark
16:15-16)
·
This mission is to preach to the whole world: neighbor,
friend, co-worker, family member. . .
II. The Message We Are to Teach
·
The only message with the power to save is the gospel, the
Word of God. (Romans
1:16, James 1:21)
People can’t be saved with any other message.
·
John MacArthur asserts:
“Ignorant
sinners need to be instructed about who God is and why He
has the right to demand their obedience. Self-righteous
sinners need to have their sin exposed by the demands of
God’s law. Careless sinners need to be confronted with the
reality of God’s impending judgment. Fearful sinners need to
hear that God in His mercy has provided a way of
deliverance. All sinners must understand how utterly holy
God is. They must comprehend the basic truths of Christ’s
sacrificial death and the triumph of His resurrection. They
need to be confronted with God’s demand that they turn from
their sin to embrace Christ as Lord and Savior.”
·
Some of the main elements of the gospel include:
1.
Life, death, resurrection and reign of Christ (Acts
2:22-36)
2.
All are sinners and in need of salvation. (Acts
2:40, Romans 3:23)
3.
Christ is the only way of salvation; the only way mankind
could be saved was by the death of Christ on the cross. (Acts
4:12, Acts 10:43)
4.
Sin has consequences. Unforgiven sin leads to an eternal
hell. (Acts
17:30-31)
5.
An obedient faith is essential. (Acts
2:38, Acts 20:21)
·
The message of the church should produce true converts to
Christ.
III.
What Should Motivate Us to Evangelize?
·
There are right motives and wrong ones.
o
Wrong motives could include: The church needs more money.
People want a nicer building. The church wants a reputation
for a “happening” church. . .
o
Right motives could include: Because we love God and want to
glorify His name. (II
Corinthians 5:14-15)
We have experienced God’s love and want to share that
knowledge. (Romans
5:8)
Because we have a compassion for the lost. (I
Peter 4:17-18)
·
We have been entrusted with the gospel [good news]. (I
Corinthians 9:16-17)
IV.
Ways We Can Evangelize
·
Our world deeply needs the gospel. We need to do our best to
effectively teach it from all locations and with all
methods.
o
Church building (Acts
5:42)
o
Houses (Acts
5:42, Acts 10:24)
o
Public (Acts
20:20)
o
Personal [Philip and the Ethiopian] (Acts
8)
o
Public forums (Acts
17:22)
o
Jails (Acts
16:23-40)
o
Print [Pamphlets, Tracts, Magazines, Books] (John
20:30-31)
o
Internet/Emails
o
CD/DVD
Conclusion:
We have a God-given mandate to take the gospel to our
community, where the church is located.
Bobby Stafford
January 26, 2014
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The
church of Christ
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