The Word of God Preached in the Church Acts 5:27-32
(Once again I lean heavily on the teaching of Mark Driskoll at the Resurgence conference of Feb. 08)
Last week, we made the case for the Gospel – the Word of God which reveals God’s plan for enemies of God to be reconciled to the Holy God of all creation – was to be preached.
In Acts chapter 2, God the Holy Spirit came to those who were waiting in obedience to Jesus’ command to stay in Jerusalem and wait for power from “on high” before they preached. Those who obeyed Jesus received more from God and more of God, that more being the Holy Ghost. They received freedom to preach the testimony of the magnificence of God [Philips translation]… and the church was born.
In Acts 2 the church is described: “They continued steadfastly = in readiness – they met by common consent in the Temple and in homes – Acts 2:42,46
They shared their possessions according to need, their meals, their joy.
They praised God – Acts 2:42,44,47
Therefore they were respected – Acts2:43
THE CHURCH CHARACTERIZED BY PREACHING
Ø Everyone preached. Acts 2:4 proclaimed the message laleo (everyday speech) V.11 the wonderful works of God laleo
Ø Peter preached. V.14 apophthengomai = to speak high things where they can be plainly/understandably… AND 3,000 people accepted the good news and were baptized as a testimony.V.41
ACTS 3 – PETER PREACHES ON THE PORCH OF THE TEMPLE Peter and John went to pray but they wound up preaching, since a crowd had gathered. The message; 3:19 “Repent!” and about 5,000 came to Jesus as savior.
ACTS 4 – PETER PREACHES TO THE RELIGIOUS COURT since they were taken into custody by the court. The message of the sermon to the religious leaders:
Ø 1)Salvation is only in Jesus V.12
Ø 2)Those of us who know about Jesus, cannot but speak V.20
Upon their release, the prayer of the church is for boldness to keep preaching. V.29
ACTS 5 – APOSTLES arrested and FREED FROM PRISON by an angel and they – PREACHED V.20
Ø Arrested twice V.18,and V.27, beaten V.40 and did not cease preaching V.42
ACTS 6 - CHURCH ADMINISTRATION became OVERWHELMING BUT
APOSTLES WILL NOT CEASE PREACHING V.2
Ø The conviction to preach comes from God (V.7 “the word of God continued to grow”). Whereas guilt that draws away from taking care of the first order of business (preaching v.2 and praying v.4) comes from people. V.1 There were people who were worried about distribution of goods. But the apostles decided their best investment of time was in prayer and ministry of the word. Other men could take care of administration.
ACTS 7 – Stephen Preaches - the whole counsel of God beginning in Genesis and continuing through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and the Holy Spirits’ ministry of conviction.
ACTS 8 – Paul Persecutes and Preachers are Scattered … Phillip Preaches… Peter and John Preach in Samaria VV.14-25 -
ACTS 9 – JESUS PREACHES TO SAUL VV.4-6 Saul is born again and
…PAUL STARTS PREACHING V.20 … BOLDLY V.28
ACTS 10 – Peter @Cornelius’ …
ACTS 11 – Antioch; Jews and non-Jews are preached to.
ACTS 13 – team preaching – Paul and Barnabas sent as missionaries
ACTS 13- END OF ACTS Paul and Barnabas, Silas, Apollos, Timothy, Priscilla and Aquila continue spreading the gospel, preaching, and training preachers.
A part of preaching is warning the church of danger from within as well as from without.
ACTS 20:17-ff - Paul warns the preachers in Ephesus:
ONE JOB OF PREACHING in the church – Acts 20:28 WARN OF WOLVES
Ø 1)Rising from their own number … within the churches
Ø 2)Wolves can do much damage among naive flock
Ø 3)Therefore warning about teachers and teachings V.30
ACTS 28:30-31 Paul keeps on PREACHING – the last we hear of Paul
Preachers raise up preachers. One of Paul’s trainees was Timothy.
PAUL’s command TO TIMOTHY, the preacher, - 1ST AND 2ND TIMOTHY
Timothy is to:
Ø Preach and make preachers 2Timothy 2
Ø Honor preacher/teachers who do well and who preach at God’s command 1Timothy 5
o honored and respected in churches.
PREACHING IS CENTERED IN THE CHURCH … either meeting with the church or supported by the church. There was accountability for what was preached. ie.Acts18:24 Apollos
If someone is going to teach about Jesus, they need to know and love Jesus. If someone has no use for Jesus’ bride, they don’t love Jesus. A teacher who does not participate in a church is not teaching Jesus.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A CHURCH?
Ø Align with Bible description
Jesus is recorded having used the word “church” (ekklesia) only twice.
o 1)Church Universal Matthew 16:18-19
o 2)Church Local Matthew 18:17, 1Corinthians 5:4-5, 6:1-6
The church, made up of born again followers of Jesus Christ make up the visible church
and the invisible church
o Church Visible - How God sees and knows the church. God knows who are really His.
o Church Invisible – How we see the church. We cannot know all who love Jesus.
A Christian church is made up of:
Ø 1)God’s people Gathered - Ekklesia = The word came to mean church.
o Meetings and services matter. [Do two guys drinking beer talking about religion equal a church? Or some guys out fishing or on a golf course? Some people quote Matt.18:20 “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” This is in reference to church discipline, not defining a church]
o John Calvin said to be a church: Gospel preached, sacraments (Lord’s Supper and Baptism) faithfully administered
To maintain proper teaching/preaching and faithful service there must be:
Ø 2)God’s people Governed – Shepherds (1Peter5) –called out by God for the care, protection, discipline, guidance of the church under the Chief Shepherd.
o There must be a head of the church – Jesus – Ephesians 5:23; Col. 1:18; Isaiah 6:1,ff
o Must be qualified leaders – Male elders – Female leaders in appropriate places (deacons) Romans 16 Phebe deaconess – Amplified, Philips, Wuest
o Bible rightly preached (Word heard)
o Ordinances rightly observed – baptism in response to new birth, communion in response to repentance (Word seen)
o Church discipline rightly enacted (Word enacted) \no homosexuals, no Buddhists, no pagans in leadership
o Call to repentance by authority from the Head Matt.28:18
Would you want all leaders to follow the example of your leaders? Preaching will be impotent w/o the rest of what constitutes a real church.
Ø 3)God’s people Going. Gospel must be proclaimed with Authority, Clarity, Passion, and Power as we go. Matthew 28:19-20 So that Jesus will be glorified in the church. Eph. 3:21
¿Is an online church a church? Is an event a church? Are two guys in a bar or a bass boat a church? Is there: Preaching? Ordinances? Discipline? Assembling?
Another reason the church needs to gather together - to fortify one another.
Hebrews 10:19-25
Do not waste what is left of the time God has given you on earth to glorify Him! The chief end of man is to glorify God.
Join the bride of Jesus, the church, as they gather, govern, grow, and go out to preach the good news that the enemy of God can become a son of God through trusting Jesus who sacrificed himself on the cross to pay the penalty for your rebellion.
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