His Choice Witnesses

10/02/2019 12:55

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Date: 4 February, 2019
 
Introduction:
 
 ill. In a trial, the prosecuting attorney will hopefully have a witness whom they call their "star witness." The testimony of that witness is key.
1.) They saw what happened.
2.) They saw who did it.
3.) They know what was said.
4.) They experienced the event that took place.
 
 exp. The testimony of that witness can bring the jury or judge to convincement that what they are saying actually took place.
 note: It is best to have multiple witnesses saying the same thing to verify what happened.
 
The Bible supports this idea of verifying events.
Deu 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
ill. Jesus testimony:
John 5:31  If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.
32  There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
 
Jesus did not depart from the world without witnesses of His work, His Gospel, His teaching.
 
John's declared that they were choice witnesses for Jesus.
John 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
 
Peter declared the same on trial before the Sanhedrin.
Act 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
 
Paul's was saved to be a witness for Jesus.
Acts 9:15... he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
 
 
Our text this morning is the story of Peter bringing the Gospel to Cornelious.
Acts 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
37  That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;
38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40  Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41  Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
exp. "We are witnesses.... witnesses chosen before of God."
note: In every generation God has witnesses chosen to carry the Gospel to the world. (That is how you and I came to saving faith in Jesus. Someone testified to us of Jesus Christ's atoning death for our sin and His victorious resurrection for our life.
 
Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
exp. We got saved because someone was faithful to bring us the witness of Jesus!
 
In our generation, we are God's choice witness. 
ill. I noticed online that their are guides to help people to get ready to be a star witness. 
My message this morning - You need to be ready to be a choice witness for Jesus. 
How prepared are you to testify for Jesus?
 
text: Acts 10 - Peter the Jew going to witness about Jesus to the Gentile Cornelious.
 
You need to be ready to be a choice witness for Jesus.
 
I. You need to be ready for divine appointments. 
20  Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.
ill. In my Bible I have a note written by this verse. "God sent Fraser ______ to me today. 12/6/17"
Evangelism in Edinburgh - sense of being on time - getting off bus at home - I ran...
Inviting him into house, justification, "being justified freely by his grace"....
ill. Michael _________ - got into his building for first time. Contacted me and came to church. Psalm 22.
ill. Witnessing to my saved estate agents brother/dad, husband, husband's cousin.
John 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:
app. God is actively working in men's lives. If you are ready, He will bring men to you to tell them about Jesus.
 
 
II. You need to be ready to carry the Gospel to their homes.
22  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.
exp. Much of what God was doing in these days took place at people's homes.
Acts 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Acts 20:20  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
 exp. It is unlikely that many of those in Loanhead will come through these church doors to hear the Gospel. We've got to have a way of getting the Gospel into their homes.
ill. Jordan's family - knocked on their door.
Connie - divine appointment as I put out flyers.
Joanne's family - divine appointment - followed up or two years - just put a flyer - prayed - they came....
ill. Praise God - most recently - Karen, Timmy (already saved) and Benjamin
note: Two main ways our church does this - door to door, flyers.
app. If we neglect to carry the Gospel to their homes, we have failed to be His witnesses. 
 
III. You need to be ready to help others to carry the Gospel.
23  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.
exp. The disciples rarely went into evangelistic opportunities alone. (Perhaps because in the mouth of two a matter is established.)
Mark 6:7  And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two;
 ill.
Peter and John
Act 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Paul and Barnabus
Acts 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.
3  And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
Paul and Silas
Act 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
Act 16:29  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
Act 17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
other teams - Paul, Timothy and Titus
Paul and Luke
ill. I remember being in the States and hearing pastor's say that their church only supported church planting team ministry.
 note: There is a great husband and wife team in Acts as well.
Acts 18:1  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.
3  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
exp. You may begin a work church planting without a team - BUT AS SOON AS YOU HAVE ONE CONVERT YOU ARE IN A TEAM MINISTRY.
Luk 10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
 App. You are the team God has raised up at Free Baptist Church to witness of Jesus. You need to be ready to help (go with) those who carry the Gospel to people's homes.
 
IV. You need to be ready to encourage families to accept the Gospel.
24  And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.
exp. Cornelious diligently gathered his family and friends to hear the Gospel. 
Act 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
 exp. They all got saved. You get the Spirit after salvation and they had God's Spirit showing that they were saved! Proving that salvation is not by baptism.
note: Praise God for the burden in the heart of this man who was yet to be saved. He got his family where they could hear the Gospel of Jesus.
ill. Philippian Jailer's conversion was a household conversion.
Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
ill. Crispus
Act 18:8  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
 app. We are rightly praying in our church for the conversion of unsaved family members and we ought to anticipate God's working in these hearts. We out to be seeking household conversions in our evangelism.
 
V. You need to be ready to give the Gospel at a moment's notice.
29  Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
exp. Peter was thankfully walking closely with the Lord and ready to enter into this opportunity.
1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
ill. Philip was in the middle of a great revival in Samaria.
Acts 8:26  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.
27  And he arose and went:
 ill. James Stewart up in Northern Scotland - God said for him to go to Riga and capital of Latvia. He went.
ill. J. Edwin Orr - Evagelize the world - started in England, Scotland and Wales, cycling.
app. If God told you to go, would you go? What if He asks you to cross the road and give a Gospel tract? What if he wanted you to write a letter to someone? Would you post it?
 
VI. You need to be ready for God to pick you up and use you.
30  And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,
31  And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.
32  Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.
33  Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. 
exp. Well done Peter. God said you would come and you did. God is using you.
ill. Fishing - going to the bounary waters and snapping my new rod. Josh George spliced it for me with some wire. So good, I didn't return it under warranty - I kept it. That rod was my favourite - It was just the tool I wanted for fishing. 
 question: How favoured are you by God this morning? How convenient are you in his hand?
2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
app. Are you unsanctified? - GOD CAN NOT USE YOU TO CARRY THE GOSPEL. PEOPLE WILL BE IN HELL BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GET YOUR LIFE CLEAN.
If you are sanctified - you will be being used of God to bring men to Himself. You need to be ready for God to pick you up and use you.
 
VII. You need to be ready to let God's Spirit bring life through you.
33. ....Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34  Then Peter opened his mouth,
exp. And out of Peter's mouth came the water of life.
 Ill. People are thirsting for the water of life - and Peter was a conduit for Jesus!
John 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
ill. In our study on Thursday night we looked at Jacob moving the stone from the wells mouth to water the Rachel's flock. Jacob thought it was ridiculous that men were standing at the wells mouth unable to water their flocks.
 exp. Why has the church been content to let the water of life be kept from the thirsting multitude? THEY REFUSED TO MOVE THE ROCK AND LET THE WATER FLOW!
App. You are a well today if you are saved! You need to be ready to let God's Spirit bring life through you to those who are thirsting!
 
VIII. You need to be ready to offer the Gospel call to all.
34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:
35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.
exp. Peter was a Jew! He didn't think the Gentiles could get saved, until God opened his eyes that they could.  
 question: Do you know that some people do not witness because they believe that if God wants someone to get saved they will get saved and if He does not want them saved they can not get saved?
ill. William Carey - "Before the end of 1786, Mr. Carey, accompanied by another minister of the same age and standing with himself, went to a ministers' meeting at Northampton. Toward the close of the evening, when the public services were ended, and the company engaged in a desultory conversation, Mr. Ryland, senior, entered the room, and, with his accustomed freedom, demanded that the two junior ministers, Mr. Carey and his friend, should each propose a question for general discussion. Mr. Carey pleaded several excuses, but a question was imperiously demanded. At length he submitted, 'Whether the command given to the apostles to "teach all nations," was not obligatory on all succeeding ministers to the end of the world, seeing that the accompanying promise was of equal extent?'"
This is the first time Carey had ventured to lay bare the burden of his heart in public, though he had frequently urged the subject in private. As soon as Dr. Ryland could command sufficient composure to reply, he exclaimed, "Young man, sit down; when God is pleased to convert the heathen world, He will do it without your help or mine."
He also said that nothing could be done before another Pentecost; and it is claimed that he called Carey "a most miserable enthusiast" for asking such a question. The cause of earth's perishing millions had evidently not rested very heavily upon Mr. Ryland's conscience up to this time."
  exp. Peter had to get over a preconception that the Gospel was limited and when it was discovered - Peter rejoiced that the Gospel was an EVERY CREATURE GOSPEL.
Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
app. To be a choice witness for Jesus you need to believe that the man or woman you are sharing the Gospel with can by God's grace get saved IF THEY WILL HUMBLE THEIR HEART AND OBEY THE GOSPEL! Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
 
IX. You need to encourage water baptims after salvation.
46 ...Then answered Peter,
47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
exp. In the NT baptism immediately followed a man's decision to take Jesus as His Saviour.
ill. 
Pentecost as Peter preached - Acts 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Philippian jailer - Acts 16:32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
app. If you are saved - why haven't you followed the Lord in believer's baptism. You say you have obeyed the Gospel but you refuse to obey your Lord! Believers - part of Biblical evangelism is challenging converts to obey God and be baptised in His name!
 
conclusion: 
Witnesses play a very important part in our society. They establish the facts of what took place so that the truth can be known.
 
YOU NEED TO BE READY TO BE A CHOICE WITNESS FOR JESUS. We establish the truth before the eyes of men. Without this truth - they can not be saved!
 
You need to be ready....
 
1.) For divine appointments
2.) to carry the Gospel to their homes.
3.) to help others carry the Gospel.
4.) to encourage families to accept the Gospel.
5.) to give the Gospel at a moment's notice.
6.) for God to pick you up and use you.
7.) to let God's Spirit bring life through you.
8.) to offer the Gospel call to all.

Date: 4 February, 2019

 

Introduction:

 

 ill. In a trial, the prosecuting attorney will hopefully have a witness whom they call their "star witness." The testimony of that witness is key.

1.) They saw what happened.

2.) They saw who did it.

3.) They know what was said.

4.) They experienced the event that took place.

 

 exp. The testimony of that witness can bring the jury or judge to convincement that what they are saying actually took place.

 note: It is best to have multiple witnesses saying the same thing to verify what happened.

 

The Bible supports this idea of verifying events.

Deu 19:15  One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

ill. Jesus testimony:

John 5:31  If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.

32  There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true.

 

Jesus did not depart from the world without witnesses of His work, His Gospel, His teaching.

 

John's declared that they were choice witnesses for Jesus.

John 1:1  That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;

2  (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)

3  That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

4  And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

 

Peter declared the same on trial before the Sanhedrin.

Act 5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

 

Paul's was saved to be a witness for Jesus.

Acts 9:15... he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

 

 

Our text this morning is the story of Peter bringing the Gospel to Cornelious.

Acts 10:34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

36  The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

37  That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

38  How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

39  And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

40  Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

41  Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

exp. "We are witnesses.... witnesses chosen before of God."

note: In every generation God has witnesses chosen to carry the Gospel to the world. (That is how you and I came to saving faith in Jesus. Someone testified to us of Jesus Christ's atoning death for our sin and His victorious resurrection for our life.

 

Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

exp. We got saved because someone was faithful to bring us the witness of Jesus!

 

In our generation, we are God's choice witness. 

ill. I noticed online that their are guides to help people to get ready to be a star witness. 

My message this morning - You need to be ready to be a choice witness for Jesus. 

How prepared are you to testify for Jesus?

 

text: Acts 10 - Peter the Jew going to witness about Jesus to the Gentile Cornelious.

 

You need to be ready to be a choice witness for Jesus.

 

I. You need to be ready for divine appointments. 

20  Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them.

ill. In my Bible I have a note written by this verse. "God sent Fraser ______ to me today. 12/6/17"

Evangelism in Edinburgh - sense of being on time - getting off bus at home - I ran...

Inviting him into house, justification, "being justified freely by his grace"....

ill. Michael _________ - got into his building for first time. Contacted me and came to church. Psalm 22.

ill. Witnessing to my saved estate agents brother/dad, husband, husband's cousin.

John 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him:

app. God is actively working in men's lives. If you are ready, He will bring men to you to tell them about Jesus.

 

 

II. You need to be ready to carry the Gospel to their homes.

22  And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

exp. Much of what God was doing in these days took place at people's homes.

Acts 2:46  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,

Acts 20:20  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,

 exp. It is unlikely that many of those in Loanhead will come through these church doors to hear the Gospel. We've got to have a way of getting the Gospel into their homes.

ill. Jordan's family - knocked on their door.

Connie - divine appointment as I put out flyers.

Joanne's family - divine appointment - followed up or two years - just put a flyer - prayed - they came....

ill. Praise God - most recently - Karen, Timmy (already saved) and Benjamin

note: Two main ways our church does this - door to door, flyers.

app. If we neglect to carry the Gospel to their homes, we have failed to be His witnesses. 

 

III. You need to be ready to help others to carry the Gospel.

23  Then called he them in, and lodged them. And on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from Joppa accompanied him.

exp. The disciples rarely went into evangelistic opportunities alone. (Perhaps because in the mouth of two a matter is established.)

Mark 6:7  And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two;

 ill.

Peter and John

Act 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

Paul and Barnabus

Acts 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.

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

Paul and Silas

Act 16:25  And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

Act 16:29  Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

Act 17:4  And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.

other teams - Paul, Timothy and Titus

Paul and Luke

ill. I remember being in the States and hearing pastor's say that their church only supported church planting team ministry.

 note: There is a great husband and wife team in Acts as well.

Acts 18:1  After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;

2  And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them.

3  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.

exp. You may begin a work church planting without a team - BUT AS SOON AS YOU HAVE ONE CONVERT YOU ARE IN A TEAM MINISTRY.

Luk 10:2  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

 App. You are the team God has raised up at Free Baptist Church to witness of Jesus. You need to be ready to help (go with) those who carry the Gospel to people's homes.

 

IV. You need to be ready to encourage families to accept the Gospel.

24  And the morrow after they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends.

exp. Cornelious diligently gathered his family and friends to hear the Gospel. 

Act 10:44  While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

 exp. They all got saved. You get the Spirit after salvation and they had God's Spirit showing that they were saved! Proving that salvation is not by baptism.

note: Praise God for the burden in the heart of this man who was yet to be saved. He got his family where they could hear the Gospel of Jesus.

ill. Philippian Jailer's conversion was a household conversion.

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

ill. Crispus

Act 18:8  And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

 app. We are rightly praying in our church for the conversion of unsaved family members and we ought to anticipate God's working in these hearts. We out to be seeking household conversions in our evangelism.

 

V. You need to be ready to give the Gospel at a moment's notice.

29  Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?

exp. Peter was thankfully walking closely with the Lord and ready to enter into this opportunity.

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

ill. Philip was in the middle of a great revival in Samaria.

Acts 8:26  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.

27  And he arose and went:

 ill. James Stewart up in Northern Scotland - God said for him to go to Riga and capital of Latvia. He went.

ill. J. Edwin Orr - Evagelize the world - started in England, Scotland and Wales, cycling.

app. If God told you to go, would you go? What if He asks you to cross the road and give a Gospel tract? What if he wanted you to write a letter to someone? Would you post it?

 

VI. You need to be ready for God to pick you up and use you.

30  And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing,

31  And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

32  Send therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when he cometh, shall speak unto thee.

33  Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. 

exp. Well done Peter. God said you would come and you did. God is using you.

ill. Fishing - going to the bounary waters and snapping my new rod. Josh George spliced it for me with some wire. So good, I didn't return it under warranty - I kept it. That rod was my favourite - It was just the tool I wanted for fishing. 

 question: How favoured are you by God this morning? How convenient are you in his hand?

2Ti 2:21  If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

app. Are you unsanctified? - GOD CAN NOT USE YOU TO CARRY THE GOSPEL. PEOPLE WILL BE IN HELL BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GET YOUR LIFE CLEAN.

If you are sanctified - you will be being used of God to bring men to Himself. You need to be ready for God to pick you up and use you.

 

VII. You need to be ready to let God's Spirit bring life through you.

33. ....Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. 34  Then Peter opened his mouth,

exp. And out of Peter's mouth came the water of life.

 Ill. People are thirsting for the water of life - and Peter was a conduit for Jesus!

John 7:37  In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.

38  He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

39  (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

ill. In our study on Thursday night we looked at Jacob moving the stone from the wells mouth to water the Rachel's flock. Jacob thought it was ridiculous that men were standing at the wells mouth unable to water their flocks.

 exp. Why has the church been content to let the water of life be kept from the thirsting multitude? THEY REFUSED TO MOVE THE ROCK AND LET THE WATER FLOW!

App. You are a well today if you are saved! You need to be ready to let God's Spirit bring life through you to those who are thirsting!

 

VIII. You need to be ready to offer the Gospel call to all.

34  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

35  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

exp. Peter was a Jew! He didn't think the Gentiles could get saved, until God opened his eyes that they could.  

 question: Do you know that some people do not witness because they believe that if God wants someone to get saved they will get saved and if He does not want them saved they can not get saved?

ill. William Carey - "Before the end of 1786, Mr. Carey, accompanied by another minister of the same age and standing with himself, went to a ministers' meeting at Northampton. Toward the close of the evening, when the public services were ended, and the company engaged in a desultory conversation, Mr. Ryland, senior, entered the room, and, with his accustomed freedom, demanded that the two junior ministers, Mr. Carey and his friend, should each propose a question for general discussion. Mr. Carey pleaded several excuses, but a question was imperiously demanded. At length he submitted, 'Whether the command given to the apostles to "teach all nations," was not obligatory on all succeeding ministers to the end of the world, seeing that the accompanying promise was of equal extent?'"

This is the first time Carey had ventured to lay bare the burden of his heart in public, though he had frequently urged the subject in private. As soon as Dr. Ryland could command sufficient composure to reply, he exclaimed, "Young man, sit down; when God is pleased to convert the heathen world, He will do it without your help or mine."

He also said that nothing could be done before another Pentecost; and it is claimed that he called Carey "a most miserable enthusiast" for asking such a question. The cause of earth's perishing millions had evidently not rested very heavily upon Mr. Ryland's conscience up to this time."

  exp. Peter had to get over a preconception that the Gospel was limited and when it was discovered - Peter rejoiced that the Gospel was an EVERY CREATURE GOSPEL.

Mar 16:15  And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

app. To be a choice witness for Jesus you need to believe that the man or woman you are sharing the Gospel with can by God's grace get saved IF THEY WILL HUMBLE THEIR HEART AND OBEY THE GOSPEL! Rom 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

IX. You need to encourage water baptims after salvation.

46 ...Then answered Peter,

47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

48  And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

exp. In the NT baptism immediately followed a man's decision to take Jesus as His Saviour.

ill. 

Pentecost as Peter preached - Acts 2:41  Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Philippian jailer - Acts 16:32  And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

33  And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.

34  And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

app. If you are saved - why haven't you followed the Lord in believer's baptism. You say you have obeyed the Gospel but you refuse to obey your Lord! Believers - part of Biblical evangelism is challenging converts to obey God and be baptised in His name!

 

conclusion: 

Witnesses play a very important part in our society. They establish the facts of what took place so that the truth can be known.

 

YOU NEED TO BE READY TO BE A CHOICE WITNESS FOR JESUS. We establish the truth before the eyes of men. Without this truth - they can not be saved!

 

You need to be ready....

 

1.) For divine appointments

2.) to carry the Gospel to their homes.

3.) to help others carry the Gospel.

4.) to encourage families to accept the Gospel.

5.) to give the Gospel at a moment's notice.

6.) for God to pick you up and use you.

7.) to let God's Spirit bring life through you.

8.) to offer the Gospel call to all.

 

9.) to encourage water baptism after salvation.

9.) to encourage water baptism after salvation.
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