Go Ye Means Go Me!
Michael E. Grooms
Intro:
A. Jesus commissioned his disciples with a monumental task Mark 16:15, 16
B. This must have seemed overwhelming to a small group of eleven outcasts
1. How could they preach to people who wanted to kill them?
2. The answer is found in the promise of Christ in Matt. 28:18-20
a. “All power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth”
b. “low I am with you always, even unto the end of the world”
c. This power was demonstrated in Acts 2 on Pentecost
I. Making the Commission Personal
A. To every child of God is given the commission to spread the word
B. What are you doing to spread the Gospel where you are?
1. You may feel insignificant, but God can give you the power you need
2. The stakes are high, and no one can play your part
C. John 20:21 “As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (here am I send me)
D. Jer. 20:7-9 A child of God cannot keep quiet about the Gospel!
II. Those Who Went Before Us
A. Acts 5:17-31 The apostles were arrested for preaching
1. The angel of the Lord rescued them and told them to preach in the temple
2. Acts 5:27-31 They couldn’t keep quiet!
B. The church in Jerusalem faced a great persecution and were scattered
1. Acts 8:1-4 They were running for their lives!
2. Yet, “they that were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word”
C. Remember the example of the Gospel preachers, teachers, and Christians before us
1. They held up the truth and preached the pure Gospel of Christ
2. They often endured ridicule and disfavor
3. Today the church has gained more favor in the eyes of the world, at what price?
4. Luke 6:20-26 We must preach the truth, if it kills us
D. “Before we become excited about our acceptance by the world, let’s be sure we are
excited about our adherence to the Word” (M.G.)
III. The Gospel Message
1. Hear- Rom. 10:17 “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God
2. Believe- Heb. 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please Him”
3. Repent- Acts 17:30 God commands all men everywhere to repent
4. Confess- Acts 8:37 “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Ethiopian)
a.(Read Rom. 10:9-13) Conjuction “for” in 13 links to 12
b. Rom. 10:13 is an echo of Joel 2:32 which was fulfilled in Acts 2:16-21 and clarified in Acts 22:14-16
5. Be baptized- Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5; 1 Peter 3:21
Conclusion: The Gospel is God’s power to save. We have been entrusted with that powerful message. What are you doing to fulfill your commission?
Jer. 20:7 through Jer. 20:9 (KJV) 7O LORD, thou hast deceived me, and I was deceived: thou art stronger than I, and hast prevailed: I am in derision daily, every one mocketh me. 8For since I spake, I cried out, I cried violence and spoil; because the word of the LORD was made a reproach unto me, and a derision, daily. 9Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
Acts 5:27 through Acts 5:31 (KJV) 27And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them, 28Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.
29Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
Acts 8:1 through Acts 8:4 (KJV) 1And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Luke 6:20 through Luke 6:26 (KJV) 20And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. 21Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh. 22Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 24But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your consolation. 25Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. 26Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
Rom. 10:8 through Rom. 10:13 (KJV) 8But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.