OUR TASK AND TEMPTATION--ACTS 2:36

OUR TASK AND TEMPTATION

ACTS 2:36

Introduction:

We have a TASK to perform and that task is to preach the Word of God. That includes testifying of our faith and hope in Christ as well as preaching from a pulpit or teaching in Sunday School.

The second part of this is about our TEMPTATION to be argumentative or defensive about what we believe. It does not good to dispute with anyone about the Bible. However, it does great good to discuss and persuade folks to receive Christ as Saviour.

I. OUR TASK

A. To reason from the Scriptures about the Son of God, Acts 9:20, “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”

1. Persuading men, Acts 19:8, “And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.”

a. That Jesus is the Son of God, Acts 9:20, “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.”

b. That Jesus is the Saviour of men, 1 Timothy 4:10, “For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.”

2. Declaring plainly our Saviour, Acts 2:36, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

B. Proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ, Acts 9:22, “But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.”

1. Opening their minds to the truth, Acts 17:3, “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”

2. Expound (EXPOSE) the Word of God to them, Acts 28:23, “Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.”

a. Saying what the Bible says, Acts 26:22, “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:”

b. Witnessing both to small and great, Acts 20:21, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

II. OUR TEMPTATION

A. To strive or engage in a war of words with men, 2 Timothy 2:23-25a, “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25-In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves;”

1. Avoid foolish questions, 2 Timothy 2:14, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

2. We are not to strive, 2 Corinthians 10:4, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)”

3. Be gentle to all men, Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

B. To be defensive, Philippians 1:14, “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”

1. As those who have been with Jesus, Acts 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.”

2. Let our speech “bewray” us, Matthew 26:73, “And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.” [manifest]

C. To be contentious (to put one’s self forward or to be self seeking), Jude 3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.”

CONCLUSION:

Remember to be faithful in all things. The Lord will give us His message to share with others. Our task is set before us, and our testimony will help people to look to the Author and Finisher of our Faith. Remember; we are a reflection of Christ by our lives.