The Church on Mission: Going Together

The Church On Mission: Going Together

Sermon by Pastor Bob Johnson / Sept 19, 2021

Main Bible Text: Acts 1:1-8

We must evangelize the lost at any cost.

I. God Gave Us a Motive. Acts 1:1-3 = The Resurrection

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:10-11)

A. The resurrection reminds us of the reality of

i. Hell was prepared for Satan and his army of demons

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (Matthew 25:41)

ii. Hell is a place for all who reject Jesus Christ

And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15)

B. The resurrection reminds us of the of God.

i. God’s love is seen through the substitutionary death of Jesus

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

ii. God’s love is experienced through the resurrection of Jesus

That 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. (Romans 10:9)

C. The resurrection reminds us of the shortness of .

i. Time is not a guarantee

Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. (Proverbs 27:1)

ii. Time vanishes away

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. (James 4:14)

D. The resurrection reminds us of the in heaven.

i. There are crowns to be earned

Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Corinthians 9:24-25)

ii. There are souls to be won

For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20)

II. God Gave Us a Message. Acts 1:4-5 = The Gospel

The culmination of the gospel promise was the promise of the Holy Spirit.

a. A message of

i. God promises eternal life to all who believe.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15)

ii. God promises abundant life to all who receive.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

B. A message of

i. Sinners are saved by grace.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

ii. Saints of God live by grace.

To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Colossians 1:2)

C. A message of

i. A hope that anchors the soul

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Hebrews 6:19)

ii. A hope that gives us a reason to live

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Peter 1:3)

III. God Gave Us a Method. Acts 1:6-8 = The Church

A. Dependence upon the Holy Spirit

i. Holy Spirit gives you

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

ii. Holy Spirit you

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

B. Allegiance to the church

i. Allegiance to the universal

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

ii. Allegiance to the local church

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

C. Obedience to the mission

i. obedience

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

(Matthew 28:19)

ii. obedience

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

(Matthew 28:19)