Gtcotr/ss032617
John 3 KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Some
Historical Perspectives concerning our Christian faith: (Expound)
·
Jesus
was born in the fall around the year 5BC, give or take …
·
He
was raised living in the town of Nazareth for over 25 years.
·
Jesus
was baptized by John the Baptist when He was 30 years old.
·
He
moved to the town of Capernaum and lived by the Sea of Galilee.
·
He
preached and taught and healed people in Israel for 3½ years.
·
Jesus
was crucified in Jerusalem in the spring about the year AD29.
·
He
was buried in a tomb and was raised to life again after 3 days.
·
The
Holy Spirit was sent by God at the Feast of Pentecost that year.
·
120
Believers in Christ began witnessing about Jesus in the streets.
·
3000
Jews were saved and the Church in Jerusalem was established.
·
The
Church quickly grew to more than 8000 people in the city.
·
The
Church began to have some internal growth related struggles.
·
The
Romans and the Jews perceived the Church as a threat.
·
Followers
of Christ began to be greatly persecuted for their beliefs.
·
Within
the first few years a deacon Stephen was stoned and the Apostle James was
beheaded and many Church members scattered.
·
A
devout Jew, Saul of Tarsus, became a great threat to the future of the Church
and was arresting every Jewish Believer he could find.
·
Saul
saw a great light and heard the voice of Jesus from heaven and was converted to
Christ in about the year AD32, he was 30 years old.
·
Saul
name was changed to Paul and he became the Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles.
·
He
traveled and established Churches throughout Asia Minor and Europe for 35
years.
·
Paul
wrote much of the New Testament and was beheaded by order of the Roman Emperor
Nero in about the year AD67 at the age of 65.
·
Peter
was also martyred about that same time in Rome as well.
·
During
the 1st century AD the Church grew in numbers and strength.
·
The
Apostle John was the last of the original 12 Disciples of Christ to die. He
lived to near 100 years old and he died in Ephesus.
In
every generation throughout history the Church has faced three continuing
challenges. Today we face those same challenges which were encountered by the
early first century Church fathers in Jerusalem. We must answer them in the
same manner as did they. Thankfully we have those written accounts and God’s
Word to guide us and give us answers.
The First
Challenge:
·
How can we as Believers in Jesus present the Church as a blessing
and not as a threat to others?
o Focus our message on
the Good News Gospel … (John 3:17)
o The Gospel of Jesus
Christ is fundamentally a Gospel of love and hope. Our message and faith does
not circle the gates of hell expecting God to condemn our enemies and cast them
into outer darkness. Rather, the message and hope of the Gospel is that every soul
come to the knowledge of the saving grace of God.
§ For this reason we
pray for our enemies and those who persecute us.
§ For this reason we
live a life of love and forgiveness.
§ For this reason we
give our lives to serve those in need.
Matthew 5 KJV
44 But I say unto you, Love
your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the
children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on
the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
The Second
Challenge:
·
How can we keep the Church strong and unified?
Acts 2 KJV
42 ¶ And they continued
stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread,
and in prayers.
o Basic Discipleship
is fundamental to a Functional Family
§
There is something powerful about guidelines
·
Even
in the Garden of Eden, a world without sin, there were guidelines
§
There is something powerful about fellowship
·
It
is not good that man dwell alone …
§
There is something powerful about eating together
·
Whether
it is the Bread of Life – Communion – or –
·
The
bread of death, as Eve shared with Adam
·
The
family table experience cannot be duplicated …
§
There is something powerful about corporate prayer
·
This
is the power Jesus longed for and reached for in the Garden of Gethsemane.
The Third
Challenge:
·
How can we take Gospel around the world?
o The Great Commission
Model
Matthew 28
18 And Jesus came and spake
unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe
all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even
unto the end of the world. Amen.
John 3 KJV
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have
everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to
condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
