Bridging the Gospel to our Community - Lessons from Paul in Ephesus
“Teach the Gospel Persuasively” (Acts 19:8-12)
Jesus has commissioned us to make disciples, baptize them, and teach them how to live and share the Gospel (Mt.28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Together, we must know the Gospel, so we can teach it well. Every believer in our fellowship needs to know the gospel and be teaching it to someone. Yes, you are included in this charge! The Gospel is bridged into our community as we collectively know and teach it boldly and persuasively.
Lessons for Us to Bridge the Gospel to our Community
Personal conviction and decisive Gospel involvement (19:8-9)-
The Gospel matters most and outlasts everything else!
Paul uses an “inside-out” approach: synagogue (known, available
access to a like people group); then, to a lecture hall (w/ broader
access and expansion possibilities).
Notice the serious time commitment Paul makes by investing in
disciple-making (daily x2 yrs+ and, he was bi-vocational too).
Faithful commitment to teach the Gospel (19:9-10)-
It takes time, wisdom, and boldness!
Let us commit ourselves to know the Gospel well.
Let us commit ourselves to faithfully & persuasively teach the Gospel.
Who are you teaching the gospel?
Who are you helping to learn how to follow Jesus?
Let it be said of us: “They know and teach the Gospel.”
“They walk in its truth/grace, love/light.”
Unswerving trust in God to produce a fruitful ministry (19:11-12)-
Paul’s faithful ministry was very favorable and fruitful in Ephesus!
It was a powerful, miraculous time of ministry:
People are changed, healed, and set free!
Gospel expansion, churches planted (in/around Ephesus).
Community impact (including opposition).
We can trust God to produce a fruitful ministry among us!
Let us commit to faithful Gospel ministry for God’s glory!