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S-Scripture: Mark 6:12, “So they went out and preached that people should repent.” (NKJV)
O-Observation: In Mark 6:7, Jesus sent the twelve out into the world to preach the message of repentance. Our main Scripture (Mark 6:12) says that they went out (obedience) and preached (they couldn’t keep silent) that people should repent (turn from their sin). Notice: There is no mention of religious deeds or works in their proclamation of the message.
A-Application: Today, we are to take the message of the gospel to our communities and to our world. We are to share God’s love out of a heart of love for God and out of our obedience to His command. Our message is the same message as the Apostles. What was their message? Repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
P-Prayer: Father, help us to be faithful and obedient in sharing the message of Jesus to those who are outside the Christian faith. May all those who hear the Word, Repent, and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name. Amen.
S-Scripture: Mark 5:19, “However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” (NKJV)
O-Observation: Nothing could tame this demon possessed man. Many had tried,but failed. Only Jesus can transform lives. I love this verse because of Jesus’ answer to this man. This man wanted to go with Jesus, but he forbid it. It seems odd (at first glance) that Jesus would forbid him to come. Jesus’ ultimate goal for us (on the earth) is to reach our families and friends with the message of the gospel.
A-Application: I must be diligent in reaching my friends for Christ. I think we learn another strategy here:
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Go home to your friends (People who knew you when you were messed up).
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Tell them what GREAT things the Lord has done for you. Make a list of the great things the Lord has done for you:
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He saved me from my unbelief.
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He forgave me of all my sins.
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He restored me to fellowship with Himself.
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He chastens me when I go astray.
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He sealed me with His Spirit.
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He gave me friends to hold me accountable.
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He called me to serve in the ministry.
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He allows me to serve as a minister of the gospel.
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He gave me a Biblical Education.
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He gave me a wife, and a family to love, hold, and cherish.
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Several ways He has shown compassion for me:
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He knew me, yet He loved me.
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He could have cast me to hell, but He gave me an opportunity to repent and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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He used a friend to invite me to a church that preached the truth about salvation.
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He used parents of a friend to disciple me.
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He gave me a family that loved me and supported me.
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P-Prayer: Father in Heaven, this is a great verse. Thank you for this man of encouragement. Lord, you want to use us to do great things for you. Teach us to follow you and to reach our friends for you. In Jesus name. Amen.
S-Scripture: Acts 25:19, “19 but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.”
O-Observation: Paul is on trial for his faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and for blasphemy of the Jews Religion. One must remember that Paul was a Roman Citizen. Henry Halley said, “Festus succeeded Felix as Governor, 60 AD. The Jews were still plotting to murder Paul. Festus, though convinced of Paul’s innocence, was disposed to turn him over to the Jews; which Paul as a Roman Citizen, he had a right to do, and which appeal Festus had to honor. Paul’s Roman Citizenship, probably conferred on his father for some service to the State, more than once saved his life.” 1. Halley, Henry H., Halley’s Bible Handbook(Minneapolis: Special Edition printed by permission of Zondervan Publishing House, 1962), p. 477
A-Application: The Apostle Paul did his part in taking the Good News to Governors, Kings, Jews, Gentiles, Rich, Poor, Religious and Nonreligious. Now, it’s our turn! We have been given the responsibility of reaching our Generation for Christ. How will we do it? We will do it with the same fervor, the same boldness, the same Spirit in which the Apostle Paul did it! We must be about Life-Style Evangelism! I believe Paul did not have an outline or a program to help him spread the Good News, but what he had was a life that had been radically changed by Jesus! We must learn to pray for boldness, courage and strength to share God’s love with the people in our communities, and in the world.
P-Prayer: Father in Heaven, help us to make known the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who do not know, and those who have yet to believe! Lord, I pray that you’ll give me an opportunity today to make a new disciple for You! I ask this in the precious Name of Jesus! Amen!
S-Scripture: Psalm 26:5, “I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.” (KJV)
O-Observation: It seems in this Psalm that David is not comfortable with the evil doers. As a matter of fact, David pleads his case to the Lord by saying, “I have hated the congregation of evil doers…”. He was not going to associate with the wicked. He was not going to allow the acts of the wicked to hinder his walk with the Lord.
For the most part, David understood the concept of being in the world, but not of the world. This verse made me think a lot about our modern thoughts concerning those who are outside the Christian faith. What is our response to them? Should we hang out in the bars, the clubs, the places where outsiders hang out? I have heard of several people who believe we should do these things. Personally, I find it hard to connect this verse with the modern thoughts of many who believe we should be in these places. There are several reasons for my thoughts.
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The Bars and the Clubs are not the only establishments of evil doers.
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We are told to abstain from the appearance of evil.
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Community is built on relationships, not on being in a place where your interior motives is to “convert” the “sinners” to Christ.
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If I am going to reach people outside of the Christian Faith, it is going to be done through the Power of the Holy Spirit, and the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Nothing else will do it!
A-Application: Some of my application probably came out in the observation, but I wanted to say that I am not trying to be judgmental toward those who are reaching people in these establishments. I am talking personally about my convictions and values. When I am around the “congregation of evil doers” I, personally do not fit in, nor should I want to fit in. My goal is not conformity to the world’s standards and values, my goal is to take the gospel of Jesus Christ, preach it, live it, and love people who do not have it.
P-Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, We are to hate the congregation of evil doers. We are to love people, share Jesus with them, and build a genuine community of friendships with those outside the Christian faith. You have not told us to convert anyone, but you have told us to be witnesses in all the world. Help me to love the lost, care for the dying, and genuinely be a person lost people can feel comfortable around. I need your help in reaching people. I trust You, Lord! In Jesus Name. Amen.
S-Scripture: Acts 18:5-6, “5 And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6And when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean; from henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.” (KJV)
O-Observation: Paul came to Corinth from Athens. He stayed with Aquila and Priscilla (because they were of the same craft); tent-makers by trade. On each Sabbath, Paul went into the Synagogues and persuaded the Jews and the Gentiles by reasoning with them from the Scriptures. Paul preached the gospel each week in the Synagogue. We see several things which Paul did at the Synagogue:
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He reasoned with them from the Scriptures.
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He persuaded the Jews and Greeks (many still did not believe, even though they were persuaded).
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He was pressed or burdened in the Spirit.
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He testified to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ.
They responded by:
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Opposing themselves.
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Blaspheming God.
Paul’s response to their response:
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He shook off his raiment.
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He informed them that they were guilty before God, and had no excuse for their rejection of the gospel.
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He proclaimed his freedom from their guilt. He had shared the message, they rejected, therefore, he was clean. I.E., no blood would be upon his hands for not sharing the message of Christ.
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He forsook the Jews, and proclaimed the message to the Gentiles.
A-Application: In our society where there are “no absolutes” how do we reach this post modern society? We must get back to the Word of God! Hebrews 4:12, “ 12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (KJV)
When we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must not get discouraged, when people “oppose themselves and blaspheme”! We must be faithful at carry the message of the gospel to those outside the Christian faith. We have a responsibility to tell the good news. We are never responsible for the results, but we are responsible for sharing the message. May we have a good conscience before God when it comes to the message of the gospel. May we be able to say as Paul said, “I am clean.”
P-Prayer: Almighty God, Creator of Heaven and Earth. Your gospel is glorious! Your gospel is powerful! Help me to be faithful at sharing Your message with those who are lost! Help me to not worry about the results, but help me to be faithful in telling the wonderful story of Jesus! It is in Jesus Name, I pray. Amen.
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:
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They went to the lost, as was their custom.
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Sharing Christ is what they lived, not just did.
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They used the Scriptures.
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They explained the Scriptures.
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They demonstrated the Scriptures.
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They preached the Scriptures (especially the gospel).
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People joined them in discipleship.
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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:
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Go to the lost.
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Preach the gospel.
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Explain the Word.
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Demonstrate the Word.
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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!
S-Scripture: Acts 16:25, “Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening.” (NLT)
O-Observation: Paul and Silas had been beaten and thrown into prison for casting a demon out of a fortune-teller. The masters’(of this fortune-teller) hopes of wealth were shattered, they grabbed Paul and Silas, and caused an uproar in the city. Paul and Silas were beaten, their feet were placed in stocks, and they were thrown into prison. At Midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and were singing praises to God. The great thing about this story is their personal testimony. They were not only a testimony of the greatness of God with their words, but their actions, and because of this, many came to faith in Christ.
A-Application: I can learn to be more bold in my witness for Christ. Part of the reason many Christians are not being persecuted for their faith (in America) is because we are not bold. We’re not making a difference. We are reacting to culture, instead of creating culture.
P-Prayer: Father in heaven, it is my prayer to be more bold for You! I want to be a testimony of Your greatness with both my words and actions. Help all of your disciples (especially in America) to see that our greatest reason for existence is to see those outside the Christian faith (those who are lost) come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Name. Amen.
S-Scripture: Acts 15:25-26, “it seemed good to us (the local church), being assembled with one accord (unity), to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
O-Observation: Acts 15 is full of good stuff. This chapter deals with salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The local church reassured the believers that the Holy Spirit, and the church did not lay any greater burden on the Gentiles. They were saved the exact same way the Jews were saved. Praise the Lord! As great of a message as salvation by grace is in this chapter, I felt compelled to write about these faithful men who had risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of these men boldly preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. If you’ll remember, Paul was stoned and left for dead in Acts 14:19. These faithful men were willing to go to their grave because of the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A-Application: Today, we aren’t willing to go across the street for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! I need to step it up! I need to be willing to risk my life for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. His Name is above all names. One day, every knee will bow and tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is His name that we represent! Let us be men and women who are found faithful!
P-Prayer: Father, Your Name is above all names! You deserve our best! Help us to be found faithful. Give us boldness to tell of the wonders and the glory of Your name. In Jesus Name. Amen!
S-Scripture: Acts 10:33, “So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come. Now here we are, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” (NLT)
O-Observation: Peter had a captive audience! No one was sleeping during the message. No one was looking around. They had gathered together to hear the message of Christ. Once they heard the Word, they repented of their sins, were baptized, and the Holy Spirit fell upon them.
A-Application: As I follow the Lord, I must look for opportunities to be a witness for Christ. It may mean talking to people that I am not accustomed to dealing with or talking to. It doesn’t matter! God wants, and desires, that all people come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. What I long for is to find a group of people like Cornelius and his household. These folks were eager to gather, to hear, and to believe the message!
P-Prayer: Heavenly Father, there are probably some people in Morgantown who are waiting for StoneBridge Baptist Church to come to them with the life-changing message of the gospel. Lord, I pray that you would reveal these folks to us so that we can be a witness to them. Help us to reach those who do not have a relationship with Your Son, Jesus Christ. In Jesus name. Amen.
S-Scripture: Acts 8:25, “So when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”
O-Observation: When the Apostles at Jerusalem had heard of the lives that were being changed in Samaria, they sent Peter and John there. The words, “when they had testified…” really struck a cord with me. I don’t think I have ever seen those words before.
A-Application: When we share the gospel of Jesus Christ, let us not forget the power of a personal testimony. The Apostle Paul always shared his testimony with those outside the Christian faith. There is a website called 3story, that teaches and encourages people to share God’s Story, Your Story, and ask people outside the Christian faith about Their Story. I think this could be a great tool for helping others come out of their shells when it comes to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
P-Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for revealing this verse to me. I love the power of a personal testimony. Many people can try to debate your Word, but they can not debate the power of a changed life! Thank you for the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my prayer that if anyone surfs on to this site, that they would come to Jesus for Salvation. Help them to understand Your love, and the price Jesus paid for their sins. Help them to repent of their sins and call on You to rescue them! Again, thank you for the testimony of many Christians who impacted my life. In Jesus name. Amen.
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