Bridging the Gospel to our Community - Lessons from Paul in Ephesus “How Well Do You Know the Gospel?” (Billy Russell 09/15/19)

Bridging the Gospel to our Community - Lessons from Paul in Ephesus
“How Well Do You Know the Gospel?” (Acts 19:1-7)

Acts 19 describes the Spirit’s work through Paul’s ministry in Ephesus. Later, the Spirit would lead Paul to write to the church there from prison. We call it the “Letter to the Ephesians.” This chapter study will challenge and encourage us to bridge the Gospel to our community... and beyond!

How well do you know the Gospel? It’s crucial we know the Gospel well!
Bridging the Gospel to our community and culture only begins when we
know the Gospel well ourselves.
Let it be said of us collectively, “They know the Gospel well.”

What is the Gospel? Literally = the “good news” about Jesus.
The Gospel is about Jesus’ life, death, burial, & resurrection (1 Cor.
15:1-8).
The Gospel is about who Jesus is, why He has come, what He has
done for us (Mt.1:21; Mk.10:45; Jn.10:10).
The Gospel is about what Jesus continues to do through His people
until He comes again!

Have you been changed by the Gospel (19:1-3; Mk.1:15)?
The Gospel calls us to “repent and believe the good news” (Mk.1:15).
Paul was transformed by the Gospel of Jesus (Acts 9).
Paul was unafraid to ask people about their faith in Jesus (vv.1-3).
How were you changed by the Gospel?
The Gospel must happen to us before it happens through us!

Commit yourself to know the Gospel! (19:4-6)
We will share the Gospel when we have been changed by the Gospel.
It’s good to ask people questions about their conversion (vv.2-3).
Share your story about your conversion (e.g., Acts 22, 26).
Ask people to live the gospel with you (vv.4-6).

Early lessons from Paul on bridging the Gospel in Acts 19-
Willingness to start small- just a group of guys (19:1, 7).
Heart to invest for the long haul- Paul stayed for 3 years (Acts 20:31).
Humility to trust God- confidence in the Gospel’s power (Rom.1:16)!