Preach the Gospel (3 things)

• 1^st – Today is the day… vs. 1-2

• Partners with Christ… vs. 1
  • In light of the fact that we are new creations – and Ambassadors for Jesus…
  • We have in effect become co-workers with God – we are his partners in the ministry…
  • We (us and God) both plead with the world not to receive the Grace of God in vain…
  • Jesus died for the sins of the whole world – John 3:16 – that all might be saved!
  • It is a free gift/grace from God we present to everyone – but it is their choice…
  • They have the power to refuse – they can negate God’s grace – reject His salvation!
• The day of salvation – Isaiah 49:8… vs. 2
  • Paul exhorts – ‘today is the day’ – today is the day to be saved – believe in Jesus!
  • No one thinking clearly wants to go to hell – a place of eternal suffering / separation…
  • But most people just don’t think about it – they put off the decision till another day…
  • The plan is one day – after they have had ‘some fun’ – enjoyed the ‘good things’ in life…
  • Then they will make the time to ‘get right’ with God – address the issue of salvation…
  • The problem is God does not guarantee anyone tomorrow!
  • There are many people who wait till 12:00 to receive Jesus – only to die at 11:59…
  • No one plans to have a heart attack/stoke – or have a car accident…
  • Right now is the time to believe – to receive the free gift/grace of God!
    
• 2^nd – Not keeping others from Christ… vs. 3-10

• Paul was extremely careful not to stumble others by his example… vs. 3
  • He did not want to do anything that would cause people to reject the Gospel message…
  • It is a sobering thought that although the Gospel has the power to save the lost…
  • Often those who are going to hell reject salvation – because of who shares it with them!
  • If a person lies / backbites / steals / cheats / or is just not a nice person…
  • Then turns around and tells you about the ‘Grace of God’ – would you listen…
  • Our example is far more powerful than our words – people see before they hear…
  • If we are not showing the lost a life that matches our words – why would they listen
• Paul describes a good example – three different aspects…
  • 1^st – The challenges faced for the sake of the Gospel… vs. 4-5 (4 things)
    • The need for patience – people do not receive the Gospel the first time…
      • Often when someone rejects the Gospel message – we give up trying…
      • We need to be patient – realizing it can take time for someone to come to Jesus!
    • The reality of tribulations – having needs – and extreme hardships…
      • John 15:18 – “If the world hates you, you know it hated Me before it hated you.”
      • Like a light shining in the darkness – Jesus reveals the sin of the world…
      • Because men LOVE sin they hate the light that reveals their sinfulness…
      • We have Jesus in us – so as they hate the light – Jesus – they also hate us…
    • Being put in prison – beaten for the sake of the Gospel – political uprisings…
      • Paul was thrown into prison and beaten for sharing Jesus in Philippi – Acts 16…
      • He also started a riot by sharing the Gospel in Ephesus – Acts 19…
      • Even today the Gospel can get you arrested and beaten – China / Saudi Arabia…
      • Are we willing to suffer for the sake of the Gospel – maybe not end up prison…
      • But it might mean we loose friendships – it might mean people don’t like us
    • Intense labor / no sleep / fasting…
      • Paul worked hard to ensure as many people as possible would go to heaven…
      • It meant many a night lying awake in bed – concerned about those trapped in sin…
      • It meant many a day going with out food – in fasting and prayer for the lost…
      • What are we willing to give up so that those we love come to know Jesus…
      • Are we willing to go without some sleep / food – praying for those who are lost…
  • 2^nd – The resources given to be able to spread the Gospel… vs. 6-7 (7 things)
    • Purity – we are no longer the unclean/unrighteous man we used to be…
      • One of the greatest barriers for us sharing Jesus – we don’t think we are worthy…
      • Who are we to tell someone about God – we see all our flaws and shortcomings…
      • Yet we are not the old sinful man we used to be – we are new in Jesus…
      • And we are not preaching ourselves as the answer – we are preaching Jesus!
    • Knowledge – we know the truth – we are no longer blinded…
      • We know there is only one way to get to heaven – and only one alternative – hell…
      • Knowing the truth – how can we hold back from sharing – how can we keep silent!
      • * Jeremiah 20:9 – “Then I said, ‘I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.’ But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not.”
    • Longsuffering and kindness – we know we are fighting for people’s eternal salvation…
      • The people we are reaching out to – are currently working for our enemy – satan…
      • That means they will say and do many hurtful things to us…
      • Rather than react – we need to be longsuffering – and show them kindness…
      • Because it is the goodness of the Lord that brings them to Jesus – Romans 2:4
    • The Holy Spirit – we have the power of God giving us strength…
      • Many times we are to shy to share Jesus – we are afraid of what people might say…
      • But we do not go out in our own strength – we go out in the power of the Spirit…
      • The number one result of being filled with the Holy Spirit – is boldness!
    • The Word of truth – we have the power of the Word of God
      • Many times we are also shy because we don’t know what to say…
      • But it is not our words people need to hear – they need the Word of God…
      • The Gospel is what has the power to soften a sinners heart – Romans 1:16
    • Sincere Love – the motivation that can crack the hardest heart…
      • Before people are wiling to listen to what we say – they need to see we care…
      • When the men preach on the Ceres about the love of God – we do not listen…
      • Because we know their real motive is to pass out the offering envelope afterwards!
    • The armor of righteousness – one the right hand (offensive) and the left (defensive)…
      • The idea is that we are heading out into a battle – fighting to save the lost…
      • Like any good soldier we need to prepare ourselves for the battles…
      • * Ephesians 6:13 – “Therefore take up the whole armor of God…”
      • What is the armor of righteousness – Jesus – Romans 13:14…
      • He is both our offense (power to save) – and our defense (keeps us safe)!
  • 3^rd – The contrasting perspectives others have of us when we share the Gospel… (8 things)
    • We are honorable – through others will try to shame us…
      • Don’t be surprised when people mock you for your faith in Jesus…
      • Accuse you of changing religions – try to shame you into silence
    • We have a good reputation – but others will speak badly about us…
      • People will attempt to discredit you through spreading untrue rumors…
      • Dave Matthews – was accused of being the cause of bagios hitting his Island…
      • The purpose is to justify why they are unwilling to come around or listen to you…
      • It is also to try and keep others away from hearing the Gospel
    • We have the truth – but others will say we are lying…
      • Everyone thinks they have the truth – Mormons / JWs / Iglesias / Muslims…
      • And of course they assume everyone else is wrong – especially us…
      • But we have the one and only truth – we have Jesus – John 14:6
    • People know who we are – but do their best to ignore us…
      • When you walk down the street and even family pretends you are not there…
      • It is not us we they are ignoring – it is the conviction we bring because of Jesus!
    • We are attacked/killed – but still we are alive…
      • The worst they can do is kill us – then we go to heaven (not a bad thing)…
      • In most cases the worst thing that happens if we preach Jesus – we are made fun of…
      • But keeping people from Hell is worth a little ridicule – worth being made fun of…
      • We are talking about men’s eternal destination – people are worth fighting for!
    • We are sad because of people’s disbelief – but rejoice when someone gets saved…
      • 100 people might break our hearts by refusing the wonderful Gospel of grace…
      • But when that one person says yes – even the Angels in heaven rejoice!
    • We are poor – but we make many rich through the Gospel…
      • The Gospel is not a means to gaining wealth – we are not here for money…
      • We preach not to take – but to give the riches of the Kingdom of God…
    • We have nothing – but we are the Children of the King…
      • We will not receive our reward for our work here in earth…
      • Our reward is far greater – beyond imagination – our reward wait for us in heaven…
      • We are heirs to all that God has – joint heirs with Jesus Christ – Romans 8:17
      • Meaning God will give us EVERYTHING – His KINGDOM – Luke 12:32
      • To the extent we will even sit on Jesus throne with Him – Revelation 3:21
• 3^rd – Do not be unequally yoked… vs. 11-18

It is only as we are HOLY – that we are able to shine and point others to Christ!

Paul was being completely open with the church – transparent… vs. 11-13

He had great love for the whole church – he was not hurt by them – or offended…

But the church had been affected by the influence of the false teachers…

These men had managed to harden the hearts of the believers towards Paul…

So Paul encouraged the church to be careful who they spent their time with…

Do not be friends with unbelievers – do not be yoked to them… vs. 14

The pictures of a yoke is when an ox and goat are attached to plow a field…

Deuteronomy 22:10  – “You shall not plow with an ox and a [goat] together.”

If the ox were not ‘equally yoked’ the goat would pull down the ox…

It is a powerful picture – you cannot have a friendship with an unbeliever…

They are not the same as you are – they are going to pull you down!

Paul was not talking about avoiding people who don’t know Jesus…

In order to avoid them – you would have to leave this world!

We need to be interacting with those who do not know Jesus…

If we are not out in the world – we cannot show the world the hope of Jesus!

But though we are in the world – we should not be like the world – John 17:15

He is saying be careful who you spend your time with…

Don’t spend all your time with ‘friends’ and family who don’t follow Jesus…

Don’t seek their counsel or advice – they are not going to point you to the Word

People will either draw you closer to – or father away from Jesus…

I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”

Surround yourself with godly men – those who encourage your walk in the Lord…

That includes not get married to an unbeliever…

Be very careful whom you choose to be your spouse – it is a permanent decision…

If someone is ‘religious’ and knows ‘about Jesus’ does not mean they are saved…

Don’t marry someone just because they are cute – marry one who loves the Lord…

Find a man/woman who loves the Lord – not just in words – but also in actions…

Otherwise they might end up drawing you away from your walk with Jesus…

That includes a business partnership…

An unbeliever may think it is alright to ‘pass a bribe’ / or ‘doctor the books’…

Do not get involved in a business with unbelievers – you have different values…

We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit… vs. 15-18

Paul gives five contrasts to illustrate his point…

What fellowship does righteousness have with lawlessness…

What communion does light have with darkness – or agreement Jesus with satan…

What part does a believer have with and unbeliever – or the Temple of God with idols…

Jesus dwells in our hearts – we are the Temple of God – we are His people!

Therefore come out from among them – be separate – and we will be the sons of God…

God calls us to be Holy – saints/hagios – means to be holy – set apart…

We are called saints – it means we are to be set apart from the world for God!

The NT word for church – ekklesia – mean to be called out – of the world…

If we as Christians look and act just like those who do not know Jesus…

Why would anyone want to hear about Jesus – come to church…