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Introduction:
Many churches look at the worldliness which surrounds us and
become discouraged. How can we, a small group of people, do
anything to change our world? Having become discouraged many just
quit trying. But we must never quit trying. Margaret Mead, an
American anthropologist, said, Never
doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world: indeed, its the only thing that ever has.
As a small group of committed Christians, we can change our
community and even our world for Christ. I know we can, because I
have seen it happen beforein the book of Acts. Discussion: I.
There were three kinds of
people taught in Acts, just like today. A.
Acts 10:1-2:
Like today, some people were seeking the proper way to serve God.
We may have to work hard to find these people today, but they do
exist. B.
Acts 2:5:
Like today, some people were already devoted to a religion. We may
have to teach hard to bring these people out of error, but there
are many who will obey. C.
Acts 17:16-18:
Like today, some people were pagans, idol worshippers and atheists. We
may have to work hard to show these what they are missing, but
some will obey. II.
Acts 17:32-34
demonstrates three responses to the Gospel, just like today. A.
Some rejected the Gospel.
Today we will find this, but we must not focus on this. B.
Some were skeptical.
Most people we meet are at this stage. They have seen so much
confusion and division in religion that they do not know who to
trust. They have heard so many contradictory things about God and
the Bible, they do not know if what we say is true. But those who
are skeptical, can be taught with patience. C.
Some accepted the Gospel.
Despite what many Christians think, there are still people out
there and even in this community who will accept the Gospel if
they are taught. III.
Notice the growth this small group of committed Christians
caused with the help of God. A.
Acts 1:15
The group began with 120 disciples. B.
Acts 2:41
About 3000 were saved on the day of Pentecost. C.
Acts 4:4
The church numbered about 5000 men perhaps up to 10,000
Christians. D.
Acts 5:14
Multitudes were being added to Christs church. E.
Acts 5:16
The cities surrounding Jerusalem were also hearing the Gospel. F.
Acts 6:7
The church kept increasing. Even some of the priests were
being saved. G.
Acts 8:1
A great persecution arose, causing the Christians to be
dispersed from Jerusalem. However, this parallels Pauls point
in Romans 8:28, God would use this dispersion for good for those who
loved Him. The Gospel needed to travel to other cities and
nations. Notice the response of the Christians to the dispersion
in Acts 8:4. They did not give up; they went everywhere preaching the
Gospel. H.
Acts 8:5, 12-13
A church was established in Samaria. I.
Acts
8:26-28 An Ethiopian is taught, who presumably took
the Gospel into Africa. J.
Acts 8:40
The Gospel was preached in Azotus and Caesarea. K.
Acts 9:23-25
A church was present in Damascus. L.
Acts 9:32
A church had been established in Lydda. M.
Acts 9:35
A church was established in Sharon. N.
Acts 9:36, 42
A church was found in Joppa. O.
Acts 10
The church continued to grow because the racial barrier was
broken and the doors of the church were opened by Christ to the
Gentiles. P.
Acts 11:20-26
A church was established and grows in Syrian Antioch. Q.
Acts 13:4-6, 12
A church was established in Paphos on the isle of Cyprus. R.
Acts
13:14, 42-43
A church was established in Pisidian Antioch. S.
Acts 14:1
A church was established in Iconium. T.
Acts 14:8, 19-20
A church existed in Lystra. U.
Acts 14:20-21
A church was established in Derbe. V.
Acts 14:21-23
Amazingly, Paul and Barnabas established elders in the
congregations with which they had worked on this journey. While
several factors contributed to men being qualified so quickly, we
do see the need and urgency of having qualified men to lead the
church. We must never rashly throw men into the eldership whether
qualified or not. However, we must spend time training and
qualifying men for the office. W.
Acts 16:32-34
A church was established in Philippi. X.
Acts 17:1, 4
A church was established in Thessalonica. Y.
Acts 17:10-12
Many Bereans were converted, establishing a church there also. Z.
Acts 17:16, 34
Some in Athens became Christians. AA.
Acts 18:1, 8
A church was established in Corinth. BB.
Acts 18:18-21, 27
A church existed in Ephesus. CC.
Acts 20:6-7
A church was meeting in Troas. DD.
Acts 21:3-4
-- Paul found a church in Tyre. EE.
Acts 21:7
A church also existed in Ptolemais. FF.
Acts 27:3
A church was found in Sidon. GG.
Acts 28:13-14
A church had been established in Puteoli. HH.
Acts 28:15-16, 24
A church had already been established in Rome. II.
When
we go through Acts in
this quick overview fashion, we understand clearly why the enemies
of the church said the Christians had turned the world upside down
(Acts 17:6). They were going everywhere. They were changing the
world. So can we. IV.
How did they accomplish all of this? A.
First, notice what they did not do to accomplish this. They
did not establish world-wide organizations of churches. They did
not storm Rome for a change in legislation. They did not develop
armies to take the world by force. They did not take on social
agendas to conquer social issues. They did not develop parachurch
organizations. In fact, they did not really set out to change the
world. B.
Notice what they did do. 1.
They did not set out to change the world; they
set out to change individuals. While there were groups of
people converted, conversion was always and individual issue. As
more individuals put on the new man (Ephesians
4:22-24) the world was changed. 2.
They
changed individuals by teaching.
In Acts 2, the multitude was changed based on the preaching of the
apostles (Acts 2:40).
In Acts 8, the
Samaritans were changed because of the teaching of Philip (Acts
8:5). The eunuch was changed by teaching (Acts 8:35). Saul was changed by teaching (Acts 9:6). Cornelius was
changed by teaching (Acts
11:14). There is only one way to change people. We must teach
them the gospel. As Romans
10:17 says, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word
of God. 3.
They realized they werent the ones doing the changing.
In I Corinthians 3:5-7, Paul claimed that his job was simply to teach.
God would bring the increase. The early Christians had success
because they leaned on God, not on themselves. They understood
that they could do all things through God who strengthened them (Philippians
4:13). They understood that God would work through them and
accomplish great things (Ephesians
3:20-21). Because of this, the scripture records that the hand
of the Lord was with them (Acts
11:21). If we are going to change people, we must lean on God
to do the changing. Our job is just to do the teaching. If we do,
Gods hand will be with us and He will accomplish great things
for His kingdom through us. Conclusion: We can have this same kind of response and growth, but only if we do what those Christians did, teaching others the Gospel. At the beginning of the book there were only 120 disciples. At the end there were thousands upon thousands and congregations all over the known world. We have the same Gospel. The question is what will we do with it?
Glory
to God in the church by Christ Jesus
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