GOD EXPECTS CHURCHES TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
(This blog is a word-for-word transcript of what I teach to the pastors in India about “What God Expects of Churches.” This is blog 1 of 5)
There are many churches today and they are all different. Each one things they are doing what God wants but are they? How are we to know how God wants a church to be? What does God expect in our churches?
We must look at His Word to find the answer to that question. There is one New Testament church that was extra special and sets God’s pattern for us. It was the first church started outside Jerusalem. It was also first Gentile church. They sent out missionaries that spread the church to Europe and the USA. They sent out workers that kept the church in India alive.
It was the church in Antioch, 500 kilometers (300 miles) north of Jerusalem. Antioch was the 3rd largest city in the world – 700,000 (7 lakh) people. Eighteen different cultures lived there. More Jews there than anywhere outside Jerusalem. Many Gentiles became Jews there as well. But it was one of the most immoral, corrupt, evil cities of its day – even more than Rome. It wouldn’t seem like a good place for a church, but was greatly needed there. What did the church in Antioch do that God expects from all churches? We’ll look at 6 things each church must have so see if your church does these things.
- FAITHFUL SHARE THE GOSPEL Acts 11:19-21 Acts 11:19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
God allowed persecution to make them go out with the gospel. We need to be forced sometimes as well. Some even shared the gospel with Gentiles. Many Jewish Christians said Gentiles had to become Jews so they could be a Christian. This was not what God said and that’s not what those who went to Antioch believed.
These were common men, not pastors or trained men, just those who obeyed. They talked about Jesus to their neighbors and people they met. Every Christian is responsible to do this, not just pastors and leaders . Train the people in your church to talk with others about Jesus. That is the best way for the Good News to spread. Some will see the lives of the Christians and want to know more about Jesus. It’s like sowing seeds – God will water them and they will grow in people’s hearts.
Notice that they called Jesus “Lord” when all others said only Caesar was “Lord.” It took courage to do that but God honored what they did and many people believed. God’s power was with them. We do needs God’s power in everything we do as well. It takes courage to speak to people about Jesus, more than ever. But we won’t grow and do what God expects if you don’t do it!
Jews and Gentiles from all different cultures became Christians. In 250 years the church grew to 200,000 (2 lakh), 1 out of every 4 people in Antioch. God wants the people in your church to tell others about Him as well. How is a frog and a lizard different in the way they eat? Frogs sit back, fat and lazy, wait for insects to come to them. Lizards always on the go searching out insects. Which is your church like? Frogs who wait for unbelievers to come to them with questions? Lizards who move into cracks and crevices seeking everywhere, always alert? Healthy churches today teach people how to share faith with others.
Pastors need to set an example, let your people see you reaching out to share the Gospel with others. Talk about it in church. Train your people how to do it and then take them with you. The unbelievers in Antioch not only heard their words, they saw the way they lived.
Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
When is the last time you told someone about Jesus?
What can you do to help your church evangelize the people around them?
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling)
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