IF “ACTS CHURCH” IMPACT IS TO BE CONTINUED I MUST…
1. MAKE SHARING THE GOSPEL MY GREATEST PRIORITY.
Three days later Paul called a meeting of the Jewish leaders. So they came. Paul said to them, "My brothers, I have done nothing against our people. I have also done nothing against what our people of long ago practiced. But I was arrested in Jerusalem. I was handed over to the Romans. "They questioned me. And they wanted to let me go. They saw I wasn't guilty of any crime worthy of death. But the Jews objected, so I had to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not mean to bring any charge against my own people.
Acts 28:17-19 (NIrV)
I share Israel's hope. That is why I am held with this chain. So I have asked to see you and talk with you." They replied, "We have not received any letters from Judea about you. None of our companions who came from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your ideas are. We know that people everywhere are talking against those who believe as you do." At that time even more people came to the place where he was staying. From morning until evening, he told them about God's kingdom…
Acts 28:20-22, 23b (NIrV)
I am not lying when I say that my conscience and the Holy Spirit are witnesses It may sound extreme; but I wish that I were lost, cursed, and totally separated from the Anointed—if that would change the eternal destination of my brothers and sisters, my flesh and countrymen.
Romans 9:1b-3 (VOICE)
2. UNDERSTAND WHAT THE GOSPEL INVOLVES.
… he told them about God's kingdom and explained it to them. Using the Law of Moses and the Prophets, he tried to get them to believe in Jesus.
Acts 28:23b
• You should not embrace what you don’t understand.
• You cannot teach what you don’t understand.
As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!
Galatians 1:9(AMPC)
• The “gospel” involves a kingdom. Those under charge.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world…
Matthew 24:14a (NIV)
• The “gospel” (good news) involves a King. One in charge.
• The “gospel” involves salvation. The result of trusting the king.
3. KNOW WHAT MY RESPONSIBILITY IS, AND WHAT IT ISN’T.
• It is my responsibility to share the truth. In love.
God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love…
Ephesians 4:15a (MP)
• It is not my responsibility to determine the response.
Some believed what he said. Others did not. They didn't agree with each other. They began to leave after Paul had made a final statement. He said, "The Holy Spirit was right when he spoke to your people long ago. Through Isaiah the prophet the Spirit said, "'Go to your people. Say to them, "You will hear but never understand. You will see but never know what you are seeing." These people's hearts have become stubborn. They can barely hear with their ears. They have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes. They might hear with their ears. They might understand with their hearts. They might turn, and then I would heal them.' (Isaiah 6:9,10)"Here is what I want you to know. God has sent his salvation to people who are not Jews. And they will listen!"
Acts 28:24-28 (NIrV)
4. DETERMINE TO NEVER ABANDON MY MISSION.
For two whole years Paul stayed there in a house he rented. He welcomed all who came to see him. 31 He preached boldly about God's kingdom. No one could keep him from teaching people about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 28:24-28 (NIRV)
Do you see what this means--all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we'd better get on with it. Strip down, start running--and never quit!
Hebrews 12:1 (MP)