S-Scripture:  Acts 17:2-4;18, “2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, 3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.” 4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.”  verse 18, “18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.”  (NKJV)

O-Observation:  Paul and Silas preached the gospel.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer to all of our problems.  Notice what Paul and Silas did:

  • They went to the lost, as was their custom.
  • Sharing Christ is what they lived, not just did.
    • They used the Scriptures.
    • They explained the Scriptures.
    • They demonstrated the Scriptures.
    • They preached the Scriptures (especially the gospel).
    • People joined them in discipleship.

A-Application:  Reading the newest books on Evangelism, Discipleship, church planting is good, but the best book to read is the book of Acts, the Bible!  For in it, we see the strategies of the early disciples.  Their mission was pretty simple:

  • Go to the lost.
  • Preach the gospel.
  • Explain the Word.
  • Demonstrate the Word.
  • Make more and better disciples of Jesus!

P-Prayer:  Father in Heaven, help me to remember the simplicity of the strategy.  Remind me, that even though the strategy is simple, the work is hard, long, and rewarding!  Thank you for calling me into the ministry and counting me faithful.  In Jesus Name!  Amen!