Introduction: Scripture Reading- Acts 6:7
1. Sometimes few words are needed to speak volumes.
2. It speaks of Old Covenant priests obeying Jesus.
DISCUSSION: In this lesson on the transforming power of the Gospel let us note:
I. THE UNMITIGATED, RAW POWER OF THE GOSPEL.
1. These priests were the least likely to obey by worldly standards.
1) All members of the same extended family.
2) Their leaders were dead set against Jesus and His teachings and were proven willing to kill to maintain the status quo.
3) They had to face loss of livelihood if they converted.
4) Loss of position as well.
5) Acts 6:8-15
2. God had preached to them. The Power of God was applied.
1) When Zacharias saw the angel in the temple.
2) They saw the 12-year-old Jesus answering the rabbis.
3) They heard Jesus’ teaching and saw His miracles.
4) They witnessed the tearing of the veil from top to bottom at the death of Christ.
5) They heard the sound from Heaven and heard the apostles speaking in tongues and saw the cloven tongues like as of fire on the Day of Pentecost.
6) They witnessed the healing of the man at the Beautiful Gate. (The Chief Priests couldn’t deny the miracle.)
3. These wonders were designed by God to create faith
1) John 20:30-31 “30. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
4. The power of the Gospel is such that, no matter the circumstances, when it contacts a good and honest heart, there is conversion
1) Rom. 1:16-17 “16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
2) Jer. 23:29 “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
3) Heb. 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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.”
II. THE APPLICATION – FROM WHOM DO WE WITHHOLD THE GOSPEL?
1. From the Northeast because it’s a “Difficult Field.”
2. From our friends? “Wouldn’t be interested.”
3. Europeans? “Won’t believe.”
4. Young people? “Too worldly.”
5. Old people? “Set in their ways.”
6. Family? “Won’t listen.”
7. The Powerful? “Don’t think they need the Gospel.”
8. The Lowly? “Need food, not piety.”
9. We’re running out of people to preach the Gospel to.
10.The determining factor is a good and honest heart (Luke 8:4-15).
1) It is a parable about the soil; not the one planting the seed.
a. Throughout the parable, the sower remains the same.
b. If the sower is doing his job correctly, then the seed remains the same. I Peter 4:11 “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”
c. Therefore, the only variable or changing factor is the soil.
2) Jeremiah 23:30-40
CONCLUSION:
1. We have reason to believe in the saving power of the Gospel.
2. Our own lives testify to it or are evidence of its power.
3. Let’s go forth into the world believing it and teaching it to all.
4. Invitation- Do we truly believe the Word of God, and do we truly believe in its power? If we do, then we will teach it!