Title: Evangelism is the greatest power
Contents
Text: Acts 16:11-14
Evangelism is Jesus' great command and the greatest mission of believers. In other words, evangelism is expanding the scope of Jesus' ministry. In order for the Lord's realm to take root in our homes and the Lord to become the Australia of our families, we must evangelize to establish ourselves in society and become the rulers of our society, and to spread the power of the Lord throughout the world. We must strive for missionary work. The text records what happened when Paul went to a place called Philippi in Macedonia for this purpose. “And he went out to the river, and sat there and spoke to the women who had gathered” (verse 13). It was a small stream and was a laundry for women. So, if we express the text in our own way, it is like this: ‘Paul went out to evangelize, and while he was walking around, he sat by the river and preached to the local women who were washing clothes.’ The power of Paul's evangelism was revealed.
1. It is the ability to open the mind.
In verse 14 of the text, it is recorded that the Lord “opened the heart of a woman named Lydia (seller of purple cloth),” who was a merchant in the city of Thyatira, and obeyed Paul. δι 剩畑耀宰也?(dienoiksen) means “to open thoroughly, to open”. You have opened the door to your heart so that you can firmly believe in the Word of God. We believe that our faith in Jesus is also because the Lord has opened the door of our hearts. I hope that you will continue to pray thoroughly to open the hearts of those who are being evangelized.
2. The ability to cast out demons.
3. It is the ability to overcome persecution.
Even after doing a good job of casting out demons, Paul and Silas are accused of being beaten, starved, and imprisoned. How upset are you? They were beaten and imprisoned for preaching the gospel, but they rather praise and pray and rely more on God. It is the ability to keep the faith even in the face of persecution like this. That's why Jesus said, "Blessed are you when they curse and persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven" (Matthew 5:11). . Therefore, even if Paul and Silas were beaten and imprisoned, they prayed and praised in prison that night. This is the ability. Evangelism without yielding to persecution is the work of God's great power.
4. Even angels have the ability to move.
When you go out to evangelize, the angels also go out to give you strength and help. While Paul and Silas were praying and praising in prison, God sent an angel to cause an earthquake, move the courthouse, open the prison doors, and release the lockers. Those who evangelize! Please be bold. Even if we receive the tract and slander, we are already in the power of the Lord. God works the greatest when evangelizing. Jesus also said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Please ask for the power to evangelize.
5. It is the power to save even the Gentiles.
The jailer who was guarding the prison gate asked, trembling in fear. “What must I do to be saved?” (30) He is a Gentile and is excluded from the class of salvation. However, a shocking announcement is made. “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you and your household will be saved” (31). Evangelism saves robbers, playboys, and even sinners. Also, like Mary Magdalene, even though she was possessed by seven demons, she was saved. Evangelism is the power of God to save the poor, the rich, the good, the bad, the lowly, and the high.
Dear Shepherd Church members, evangelism is the greatest power.