Recent Post And A Sunday School Lesson

[1Timothy115]

1611mac's question about the local church and Paul's baptism brought to mind a recent SS lesson I taught. It dealt with the freedom of a Holy Spirit filled individual going out on evangelism alone. I'll post the lesson if anyone's interested.

 

Anyway...

 

Phillip went alone. Christ taught his disciples to go 2x2 however, its apparent from Luke's description of Philip we do not have to be 2x2 to perform the work of an evangelist. Such is the case in my Door2Door evangelism. I do make a report to my pastor each time I go with the names, address, and prospect thoughts (well received, would like more information, etc.) Although I have been invited in, I stop at the threshold and tell them I have other visits I have to make.

 

So, does anyone have comment on going door2door alone? 

[quinkie]

My husband got saved because one man came to his home every Saturday for two years witnessing to him.   When you have no one to go with, if you should not go alone, should you just not go either?  That doesn't seem right.  I would say if the Lord has laid it on your heart, and you have no one to go with you, go alone.  I agree with not going into homes by yourself.

[swathdiver]

Did he?  Doesn't the Bible teach that missions are under the authority of the NT church?

 

I think there should be 2 and not more than 3.  Who cares what I think, what else does the Bible say on numbers?

[JerryNumbers]

If you go alone use caution. If a wife or underage children are home alone it would probably be best not to enter the house, do what witness you can standing outside of the door.

[John81]

If the Holy Ghost calls you to go alone, that's the right thing to do. As you already stated, you use caution when alone and report to your pastor.

 

Most often going in pairs is the way to go, but we must always leave room for the working and leading of the Spirit. I've gone alone when led of the Spirit to do so, but most often it's with another.

[1Timothy115]

Did he?  Doesn't the Bible teach that missions are under the authority of the NT church?

 

I think there should be 2 and not more than 3.  Who cares what I think, what else does the Bible say on numbers?

Missions maybe, but evangelism, I don't think it goes past the individual Christian and what God has called them to do. I believe there is another account of a singular person preaching Christ from city to city (not an Apostle).

[John81]

I forgot to mention this in my previous post, but I would be interested in you posting your lesson as it sounds very interesting. Thank you!

[irishman]

I knocked on 250 doors a week for a time, and usually went alone.  If the lady was home alone, I stayed on the porch, but at the time I did it, we have a snowstorm (my mustache froze even; shaved it off since.

 

I do not recommend going alone though, and "three's a crowd" on the porch when they look out too see who's knocking.

[JerryNumbers]

Did he?  Doesn't the Bible teach that missions are under the authority of the NT church?

 

I think there should be 2 and not more than 3.  Who cares what I think, what else does the Bible say on numbers?

 

I agree, if your not under the authority of a local church, there's no authority, missionaries on any type are sent by the local New Testament Church.

 

But in this day there's many that does not want to fully submit to Jesus, that is submit to Him though His local Church.

 

Now if there were still apostles appointed, called by Jesus, them they would have the authority ot Go, but that authority was not passed on to anyone.

 

Even Saul who is Paul, who was called to be an apostle by Jesus, submitted to a local church, & was sent out by them. 

 

Ac 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.

Ac 13:3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Ac 13:4 ¶ So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.

 

And of course within there we have Barnabas submitting to the authority of that local church as well.

[1Timothy115]

I forgot to mention this in my previous post, but I would be interested in you posting your lesson as it sounds very interesting. Thank you!

 

This was my copy with a personal experience and a few added parts (red) that I didn't print on the class member copies...

 

Sunday School – Auditorium Class

How Wonderful Is Jesus Christ

July 21, 2013

 

I walked into a store the other day; as I passed the clerk I asked how are you today? She said, “I’m wonderful!” I continued on to pick up the groceries I needed. While looking over the choices, I asked God if I could use this casual exchange between clerk and Christian to witness. Two thoughts came to me; first, we are wonderfully made, second, I recalled wonderful used only once referring to a person. When I returned to the counter, I told her something she had said caught my attention. She said what’s that? I said your comment about “wonderful” and proceeded to make the connection. I was able to tell her that the Bible refers to people as “wonderfully made”; also, that I could only remember one time the Bible speaks of “wonderful” referring to a person; Jesus Christ. She finished my order and made a casual comment; by this time others were approaching the check out counter.

 

Thinking back I see the Lord provided two important Bible truths. First, we are miraculously created beings; second Jesus Christ is wonderful. I didn’t give the exact scripture references or exact quotations but, I planted a seed for the Holy Spirit to use in the future. Later I found the scriptures Ps. 139:14 and Isa. 9:6 and if I meet her again, I may have a chance to share them.

 

BACKGROUND

Two Philips.

Philip the Evangelist is not to be confused with Philip the Apostle. Philip the Apostle was of Bethsaida while Philip the Evangelist was of the city of Caesarea.

 

We’ll discuss Philip the Evangelist in today’s lesson. Philip the Evangelist was a faithful disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. He was chosen as a servant (Deacon) at Jerusalem because the congregation considered him, “of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom” Acts 6:3-5.

 

LESSON                                       Acts 8:4-13 and 26-40

1. A real Lone Ranger; no Tonto no Hollywood set. (The Lone Ranger is out in a movie)

4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

 

Q1: What version of the Bible did Jesus’ earliest disciples use when they preached? They had none! They used their knowledge of the O.T. writings, Jesus words to them, and personal testimony. (See 2 Corinthians 3:2)

 

6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.

7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.

8 And there was great joy in that city.

 

Q2: What might be a reason for Philip’s effectiveness? (1) He knew the O.T. scriptures, (2) he knew the gospel of the Lord Jesus, (3) and was full of the Holy Ghost.

 

2. Even the most vile sinner can saved.

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:

10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.

12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

 

Q3: Is it really possible to know if a person will reject the gospel of Jesus? No.

 

3. Salvation is color blind to race. (We’ve heard a lot lately about “race” [T. Martin-G. Zimmerman] and we have many different races living here in our area.)

26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert.

 

Q4: Are you listening for God’s direction; if not, ask yourself why? Not to be answered aloud.

 

27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship,

28  Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet.

29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest?

 

Note: He was reading from Isaiah 53.

 

31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

 

Note: The Bible teaches “…faith cometh by hearing” Ro. 10:17; the lost can’t hear our silence.

 

32  The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:

33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man?

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

 

Note: Some O.T. stories (Abraham-faith) can be directly related to Jesus.

 

36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

 

Q5: What happens when we encounter someone of another race? Do we put the gospel truth away until we meet someone like us? Open questions.

 

39 And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.

 

Q6: Is our work finished when we’ve witnessed to one person, our family, friends, neighbors, or at age 62? (See Romans 12:1 “reasonable service”)

 

4. Thoughts To Remember

We’ve been told before Mt. 28:18-20 is a command. It’s not determined by age, sex, literacy, education, wealth, or poverty; there is no caveat; Jesus told the Apostles to teach us to GO!

 

Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

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

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

Go like Philip (1) full of the Holy Ghost, (2) using the word of God, (3) with a sincere desire to see men saved.

 

In the Acts 21:8, Luke refers to Philip as, “Philip the evangelist.” What a testimony to have when you meet Jesus face to face!

 

How wonderful is Jesus Christ to you; wonderful enough to look for opportunity to share the gospel?

 

Jesus sent his disciples out 2x2 but, Philip went alone. Philip was working through persecution by the Jews and Romans, I’m certain he was cautious. We too must exercise caution; not to put ourselves in a position which might jeopardize our honest report, testimony, or dishonor the Lord. 

[Miss Daisy]

The verse that God's word shall not return void...can someone explain that to me in more explanation? What I'm getting at is if an unsaved person has heard the Gospel many times in his life and still doesn't follow Christ and maybe never will how can it be useful or used (?) in that person's life?

[1Timothy115]

The verse that God's word shall not return void...can someone explain that to me in more explanation? What I'm getting at is if an unsaved person has heard the Gospel many times in his life and still doesn't follow Christ and maybe never will how can it be useful or used (?) in that person's life?

 

I think the key to Isa. 55:11 is the verse that proceeds it (Isa. 55:10) and may have something to do with this...

 

Isaiah 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

 

Prosperity isn't the same for everyone, some folks take their prosperity here on earth in this life.

[Miss Daisy]

So the verse doesn't say that the God's word shall not return void? (I didn't know where the reference was)

What does prosperity have to do with it?

[swathdiver]

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." - Isaiah 55:11

 

I was witnessed to and came in contact with many Christians in my youth.  I believed in God and had a reverence for Him, prayed in groups (military setting) and tried reading a JW bible; then I ignored, made fun of, mocked and even ran them off the sidewalk with my car.  It wasn't until years later that those seeds planted and watered began to bear fruit when my heart thawed enough to hear of the things of God.  The biggest was seeing my daughter at 6 weeks on the ultrasound, her little hands and feet and heart beating.  That was the day that I acknowledged God again, began giving reverence to Him and became an opponent of abortion.  It took six more years though to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

As an aside, I do not ever recall a proper biblical plan of salvation being presented to me.  We know that after a time, after someone rejects the Gospel, that the Lord turns them over to their reprobate mind and they will never have eternal life (Romans 1).

[1Timothy115]

"So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." - Isaiah 55:11

 

I was witnessed to and came in contact with many Christians in my youth.  I believed in God and had a reverence for Him, prayed in groups (military setting) and tried reading a JW bible; then I ignored, made fun of, mocked and even ran them off the sidewalk with my car.  It wasn't until years later that those seeds planted and watered began to bear fruit when my heart thawed enough to hear of the things of God.  The biggest was seeing my daughter at 6 weeks on the ultrasound, her little hands and feet and heart beating.  That was the day that I acknowledged God again, began giving reverence to Him and became an opponent of abortion.  It took six more years though to accept Christ as Lord and Savior.

 

As an aside, I do not ever recall a proper biblical plan of salvation being presented to me.  We know that after a time, after someone rejects the Gospel, that the Lord turns them over to their reprobate mind and they will never have eternal life (Romans 1).

Yes, prosperity is from Isa. 55:11. Thank God for faithful witnesses to we folk who were in the military.