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1. If you look at a map of the Rocky Mountain States, you will notice a serpentine line that
winds its way from north to south, tracing through some of the highest peaks and roughest
terrain in the United States. If you look close enough, you will see that this line represents
what is commonly called "The Great Divide." It is a watershed that divides one side of the
continent from the other. Several times on skiing and hunting adventures, I have thrilled to
put one foot on one side and one foot on the other side of the Great Divide. What makes the
Divide so special is that all the moisture that falls on one side flows into streams and then
rivers that ultimately lead to the Atlantic Ocean. The moisture that falls on the other side of
the line flows into different rivers and streams that ultimately end in the Pacific.
2. The Great Divide that I want to speak of today is not a winding course across a great
mountain range, but a line that separates men and women, good and evil, even life and death.
There is a Great Divide in all our lives and it is the cross of Christ. The cross and the
message it represents divides us all.
3. The cross of Christ is of course a symbol. Though the ichthus or "the fish" and the dove
were earlier symbols, the cross is the preeminent sign of Christianity because it represents the
sacrificial death of Christ. As we begin this new series entitled The Cross Roads of Life," the
cross will symbolize the gospel message, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried and rose
again (1 Cor.15:3,4).
4. The American poet, Robert Frost wrote of a path that divided in the woods, a confrontation
between two choices. When anyone is confronted with the cross of Christ, he must choose a
new course. He cannot continue on as he always has. He must turn either to the right or left.
He must either choose new life, abundant life and eternal life in Christ or he must choose life
apart from Christ, which is no life at all but spiritual death.
5. In the weeks to come we will examine several people in Scripture who came to that
dramatic fork in the road and made their own decisions. By way of introducing this vital, I
want to show you how the cross divides our paths, thinking, relationships, priorities and
eternity.
6. Perhaps you are standing at that eternal crossroad in your life today. I pray that you
carefully make the right decision, your eternity hangs in the balance.
And both that morning equally lay in leaves no foot had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day! Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back
I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere in ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
3. This path does not have a sign above it reading "This way to
destruction" or "The Road to Hell." If it did, no one would
enter it. Still, this doesn’t change its reality.
good as another.
6. Sadly, Jesus also says "there are many who go" by this path.
It’s the path of least resistance. They follow wrong directions.
Their philosophy is like that of the people of Noah’s day, "They
ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in
marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the
flood came and destroyed them all" (Lk.17:27).
3. This path leads to "life." Jesus said in Jn.14:6, "I am the way,
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through Me." He said in Jn.10:10, "I have come that they may
have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." He
said in Jn.11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who
believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live."
About a week ago, ABC’s 20/20 did a broadcast concerning a 12-year-old Jewish boy from
the Dallas area who attended a Baptist church’s youth event where he claimed to been saved.
His mother was livid, saying the church tried to take away her son’s religion. The reporter
also interviewed Rabbi Eric Yoffie, head of Reform Judaism Union of American Hebrew
Congregations. He said, "Our view is that there are many paths to God." He called the
Baptists’ determination to evangelize Jews "outrageous and an insult to the Jewish
people." Also interviewed was Houston Hindu Amit Mithra who said of an evangelical tract
"The distortions, the misstatements that are in that booklet are offensive because they
are… lies." Further he added, "This kind of religious exclusivity just doesn’t belong in
today’s society anymore." Later in the broadcast, Barbara interjected, "There are other
mainstream churches that have stopped trying to convert people, especially Jews." The
reporter, Peggy Wehmeyer responded, "The Southern Baptists… take the Bible very
literally. So, when they see the NT… say that Jesus is the only way to heaven, they
believe it." Walters asked, "But other Christian denominations… do treat this more
liberally and say that other faiths can go to heaven. Is that it?" "Right," replied the
reporter, "They don’t always interpret it as literally as the Southern Baptist do." Walters
concluded, "Word for word… it’s a tough dilemma for them" (http://abcnews.go.com./
onair/2020/transcripts/2020_000512_baptist_trans.html).
B. Believers believe the Message of the Cross is the Power of God and the
Wisdom of God.
2. The cross is the power of God’s LOVE. God "so loved" the
world that He gave His Son as our sacrifice.
3. When someone accepts the message of the cross, his faith will
automatically offend some. There will be a "sword" of division
in that relationship.
2. Jesus said that to take up the cross is to deny self, to put our
selfish priorities to death and live out his priorities. He said in
Mt.16:24, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
4. Jesus also said His disciples are to "follow after Me." Where
do we go when we take up our cross and follow Christ? We
follow Him to the grave. There we bury our selfish ambition, our
lustful desires and boastful pride. We then rise again with Him
to live a new life that reflects the beauty and glory of God.
A. Jesus said, "He who finds his life will lose it." This is the person who
cherishes temporary material possessions and influence who will lose
everything in eternity. Jesus illustrated this in The parable of the Rich Fool
(Lk.12:13-21). In The Parable of the Rich Man in Hell (Lk.16:19-31), He
spoke of a "great gulf" or chasm in eternity over which no one can pass. That
will be the final division of the cross.
B. Jesus also said, "He who loses His life for My sake will find it." The
person who takes the narrow, difficult road, who becomes a fool in the world’s
eyes, who holds no relationship dearer than Christ’s, who crucifies his
ambition will find a richer life than he ever imagined, both now and in eternity.
1. First, if you have not come to Christ today you stand at the crossroad of
eternity.
3. Third, genuine believers are called to have a passion for the message of the
cross. This week when we heard Russian pastor Nicolai Epishin speak, God
awakened in me a conviction that I have become numbed by my comfortable
suburban lifestyle. I asked God to restore my passion for the message of the
cross.
Years ago George MacLeod penned a marvelous bit of verse called Return the Cross to
Golgotha.
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. When we began Cornerstone Church a little over two years ago, I sat down with a pencil
and blank piece of paper and doodled until I came up with a crude form of the seal or logo of
our church. Don Ketelle, our resident graphic artist and Internet guru took my rough design
and made it much better. The seal is not just a nice logo to help identify our church, it has
much deeper significance. The OUTER CIRCLE represents our place in the unity of the
body of Christ, the family of God, the redeemed of the ages. The INNER CIRCLE signifies
our unity as a local church. The ROCK in the center signifies Christ as our Cornerstone, the
Solid Rock and our commitment to the foundational truths of Scripture. In the very center of
this emblem you see the CROSS. It reminds us of the glorious gospel message that Jesus
died for our sins was buried and rose again (1 Cor.15:4-5). The message of the cross is the
centerpiece of our church. Our very reason for existence is to lift high the cross of Christ in
an unsaved world. The great question before us today is "Do we?"
2. As we continue this series called The Cross Roads of Life, I want to speak very plainly to
our church of our responsibilities as guardians of the gospel. In 1 Tim.3:15, Paul said that
"the church of the living God" is "the pillar and ground of the truth." Today we will
consider the challenge, the commission and the commitment of the cross.
4. Paul says his only focus was "Jesus Christ and Him
crucified." The theme of Paul’s preaching was not five steps to
a better self-image. He preached the cross.
8. He did this that their faith would not be "in the wisdom of
men but in the power of God." He didn’t want to manipulate
the people but magnify the cross.
put their faith in "the wisdom of men" rather than "the power
of God." We need to change to be relevant to our times but we
cannot change or ignore the message of the cross.
I recently read where Joseph Stowell sat down with Billy Graham to discuss what needs to be
changed in how we preach now in comparison with the 1950’s. He said he expected some
profound analysis and contextualization of our societal shifts. Rather the great evangelist
said, "Nothing has really changed in terms of the needs of people. Wherever or what
ever you preach, you must remind people of their sin, speak to them of heaven and hell,
show them the Cross and urge them to come to the Savior" (Shepherding the Church,
p.55).
How do we elevate the cross? We follow The Great Commission. This passage is succinct
statement of the marching orders of the church. Jesus tells us that because of His cross, His
death, burial and resurrection "all authority" has been given to Him. We are to "therefore"
go. "Therefore" means "on the basis of." On the basis of the fact that Jesus won the battle at
the cross and has "all authority" we are to "go" to "all the nations." We need a great
commitment to the Great Commission! Let’s note the three elements of the Commission.
A. Evangelism.
Stowell writes: The NT strategy in that context was simply to be committed to living out
the principles of righteousness in such a way that the results of righteous living –
believer’s good works – became such compelling evidence of the reality of their faith
that those in a world whose unrighteousness brought disintegration and despair noticed
the dramatic contrast and in time came to inquire what it was that had made such a
dramatic difference between believers and the world around them" (p.46).
opportunities.
Church we must keep the gospel in the center! In A Passion for God, Ray Ortlund wrote:
"Imagine the Evangelical church without the gospel… We would have to replace the
centrality of the gospel with something else, naturally… An introspective absorption
with recovery from past emotional traumas, for example. Or a passionate devotion to
the pro-life cause. Or a confident manipulation of modern managerial techniques. Or a
drive toward church growth and ‘success.’ Or a deep concern for the institution of the
family. Or a fascination with the more unusual gifts of the Spirit. Or an appeal to
consumerism by offering a sort of cost-free Christianity Lite… Or a determination to
take America back to its Christian roots through political power… In other words,
evangelicals could marginalize or even lose the gospel and still putter on their way,
perhaps oblivious to their loss." He concludes, "Every generation of Christians must be
retaught afresh the basic truths of our faith. The church is always one generation away
from total ignorance of the gospel… Rather than carefully assume the gospel, we must
aggressively, deliberately, fully and passionately teach and preach the gospel…" (pp.205-
208).
B. Identification.
C. Discipleship.
During the spring, Deb and I enjoy yard work. We fertilize, water and mow our lawn. We
plant and care for flowers, shrubs and trees. The other day, Deb set out some bedding plants
while I was out of town. I usually do the watering and she forgot. The hot weather and dry
winds cooked them until they almost died. In the same sense if new believers are not cared
for, they will wilt.
A. We are Debtors.
A man called the police and reported that all of his wife's credit cards had been stolen. Then
he added, "But don't look too hard for the thief. He's charging less than my wife ever
did."
Not long ago a Doonesbury comic strip featured the pastor of the Little Church of Walden
discussing his church with a prospective couple. He asked, "So what would you like to
know about the little church of Walden, folks? Don’t hold back – I know how difficult it
can be to choose a church." The husband asked, "Well, what is your basic approach here,
Reverend? Is it traditional gospel?" "In a way," said the pastor, "I like to describe it as 12-
step Christianity… Basically, I believe that we’re all recovering sinners. My ministry is
about overcoming denial, it’s about re-commitment, about redemption. It’s all in the
brochure there." The wife interjected, "Wait a minute – sinners? Redemption? Doesn’t
all that imply… guilt?" To which the pastor replied, "Well, yes, I do rely on the occasional
disincentive to keep the flock from going astray. Guilt is a part of that!" The husband
mused, "I dunno. There’s so much negativity in the world as it is." "That’s right," replied
his wife, "We are looking for a church that’s supportive, a place where we can feel good
about ourselves. I’m not sure this guilt thing works for us." The husband observed, "On
the other hand, you do offer racquetball…" The wife interrupted, "So did the Unitarians,
honey. Let’s shop around some more."
The cross is either the centerpiece of our ministry or it isn’t. Which will it be?
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. The word "gospel" comes from the Greek word euaggelizo from which we get our word
"evangelism." It literally means, "to announce good news." The gospel is "good news." The
apostle Paul said in 1 Cor.1:18, "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." The death, burial
and resurrection of Christ is the greatest news ever (1 Cor.15:4-5).
2. As we continue our summer series concerning the cross of Christ, the message of the
gospel, we find ourselves in an obscure OT passage. We find "four leprous men" who
declare in 7:9 what may be true today of many believers, "We are not doing right. This day
is a day of good news, and we remain silent."
3. This is the story of a military siege, or the devastation of starving people and the grace of
the Lord. It is a tale of four desperate lepers, the divinely amplified sound of their march and
the terrified retreat of an army. It speaks of the spoils of war, the greed of men and the good
sense to share the Lord’s blessings.
4. Come, open your Bible. Let’s explore this ancient text together and learn some 21st
century principles of the gospel message.
2. Our text says Beh-Hadad, the king of Syria "gathered all his
army and went up and besieged Samaria."
1. V.25 says there was "a great famine" in the land. Almost
everything that could be eaten had been eaten by this time.
Chapter 7 implies that the only animals left were a few of the
king’s horses.
2. The siege inflated the prices of what little food there was.
V.25 also says that the Syrians "besieged it [Samaria] until a
donkey’s head was sold for eighty shekels of silver [Jesus was
sold out for only 30!], and one-fourth of a kab of dove
droppings for five shekels of silver." Only the wealthiest of
families could afford to dine on "donkey head soup" and "dove
dung cake."
A few years back, Deb and I toured the site of another famous siege - Vicksburg, Mississippi.
As the Union troops blockaded the river and bombarded the city with artillery, the residents
were forced into caves where they subsisted on the flesh of rats and other rodents. Starvation
caused their eventual surrender.
3. If that sounds bad, hang on it gets worse. One day, the king of
Israel, Jehoram was walking the walls of the city, viewing the
misery of his people. A woman called out to him for help. You
can hear the desperation of an exhausted leader in his voice
when he said, "If the Lord does not help you, where I can I
find help for you?" (v.27) As a pastor, I’ve felt that way! He
mentions both "the threshing floor" and "the winepress." He
could not help her with food or drink.
they made a pact to eat two of their children. They "boiled and
ate" this woman’s son but when the next day came, her partner
hid away her child so he would not be eaten.
1. From the prophet’s house, the scene shifts to the city gate
where "four leprous men" lay. Like the rest of the people of
Samaria, they are starving. Because of their hideous disease,
they are not even allowed inside the city.
2. They know they have little strength left. They know that soon
they will be too weak to move so they ask, "Why are we sitting
here until we die?" So, they survey their options:
2. They went in "one tent" where they "ate and drank" and
then "carried from it silver and gold and clothing and went
and hid them." After this they "came back and entered
another tent" and repeated the process. It seems they intended
to continue this from tent to tent. Reality then sat in.
3. They said to each other "We are not doing right. This day is
a day of good news and we remain silent." They knew they
shouldn’t hoard all this for themselves. They said, "If we wait
until morning light some punishment [calamity, evil] will
come upon us." They decided to "go and tell the king’s
household."
1. God’s army in this battle was four lepers limping across the
plain. He used them because they were willing to go.
6. God’s people today are not starving for Bible teaching, songs
of praise, fellowship, books and materials. We have all these in
abundance. We are starving for A GENUINE OUTPOURING
OF THE POWER OF GOD! We are starving for REAL
REVIVAL! Without God’s blessings all these other things are
donkey’s heads and dove dung!
7. Because the real army wouldn’t go, God raised up four lepers
who would. The real army had the training, the equipment and
support to go but wouldn’t. The lepers from outside the gate
who did everything else wrong did one thing right and they won
the victory!
10. The Bible clearly teaches that the husband should be the
spiritual leader of the family. However, God bless those wives
who lead their families spiritually when the husbands won’t.
Men should lead the church, but when the men won’t God bless
women who step up. The local church should lead the charge
into Satan’s realm but when she won’t God bless those who do!
Why do people "remain silent" on the "day of good news?" Maybe they are HUNGRY
themselves. Maybe they are FEARFUL or DISCOURAGED. Maybe they LACK
CONFIDENCE in sharing their faith.
The real question is do we really believe the gospel can change people. If we do, we pray and
witness. If we don’t we do nothing.
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. A father took his small son with him to town one day to run some errands. When
lunchtime arrived, the two of them went to a familiar diner for a sandwich. The father sat
down on one of the stools at the counter and lifted the boy up to the seat beside him. They
ordered lunch, and when the waiter brought the food, the father said, "Son, we'll just have a
silent prayer." Dad got through praying first and waited for the boy to finish his prayer, but
he just sat with his head bowed for an unusually long time. When he finally looked up, his
father asked him, "What in the world were you praying about all that time?" With the
innocence and honesty of a child, he replied, "How do I know? It was a silent prayer." So
much of our praying is so silent that we really never pray at all, that much of our public
prayers are more sermons for the saints than supplications to the Savior.
2. As we continue this series concerning the message of the cross, I want us to learn from this
passage of Scripture how to pray for unbelievers. Almost all of us have someone near to us
who does not know Christ. How are we to pray for them? Will our prayers do any good?
What are we to pray for them? Prayer is our greatest resource in bringing people to Christ.
The great scholar J. Sidlow Baxter once wrote, "Men may spurn our appeals, reject our
message, oppose our arguments, despise our persons - but they are helpless against our
prayers."
4. As we examine our text, let’s learn four priorities in praying for the salvation of
unbelievers.
After giving the outline in The Model Prayer, Jesus never said "Amen," but continued on
teaching about prayer by sharing a parable. He asked them to imagine going to a "friend…
at midnight" with the request to be lent "three loaves" of bread to sit before "a friend" who
has arrived at your home unexpectedly.
1. The friend went to his neighbor "at midnight" and woke him
from sleep only because he had no bread of his own.
A.C. Dixon said, "When we rely upon organization, we get what organization can do;
when we rely upon education, we get what education can do; when we rely upon
eloquence, we get what eloquence can do, and so on. Nor am I disposed to undervalue
any of these things in their proper place, but when we rely upon prayer, we get what
God can do." (Evangelism, A Biblical Approach, M. Cocoris, Moody, 1984, p. 108).
C. We Must Ask Specifically for Bread. The friend asked for "three loaves."
He knew just what his other friend needed. Sometimes we pray for lost people
in general but we need a burden for specific unbelievers.
1. The friend was willing to take the bread back to his guest.
Don’t pray for God to send someone else to talk to your lost
friend about Christ! Paul asked the Ephesians to pray "that
utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth
boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel" (Eph.6:19).
He asked the Colossians to keep "praying also for us, that God
would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery
3. Jesus says that finally the master of the house "will rise and
give him as many [loaves] as he needs." He does so not
"because he is his friend," but because of "his persistence" or
"importunity" (KJV).
us good gifts.
2. Jesus asks what kind of father would give his son "a stone"
when he asked for "bread" or "a serpent" when he asks for "a
fish," or "a scorpion" when he asks for "an egg."
Let’s not grow weary in praying for unsaved friends and relatives. God is "mighty to save"
and desires that we draw close to Him through prayer.
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. A small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness to the stand in a trial, a
grandmotherly, elderly woman. He approached her and asked, "Mrs. Jones, do you know
me?" She responded, "Why, yes, I do know you, Mr. Williams. I've known you since you
were a young boy. And frankly, you've been a big disappointment to me. You lie, you
cheat on your wife, you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You
think you’re a rising big shot when you haven't the brains to realize you will never
amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you." The lawyer
was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, "Mrs.
Williams, do you know the defense attorney?" She replied, "Why, yes I do. I've known
Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. I used to baby-sit him for his parents. And
he, too, has been a real disappointment to me. He's lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking
problem. The man can't build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice
is one of the shoddiest in the entire state. Yes, I know him." At this point, the judge
rapped the courtroom to silence and called both counselors to the bench. In a very quiet
voice, he said with menace, "If either of you asks her if she knows me, you'll be jailed for
contempt!"
2. Jesus said to the church in Laodicea, "I know your works…" He knows everything about
us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows this church and our attitude
toward Him and the gospel message. He knows if we are fired up or fizzled out.
3. What is our attitude toward the Lord and the gospel? Today we will examine two churches
and their spiritual condition. From their example we will draw some counsel for the
contemporary church.
A. The Apostles in Prison (3:1-26-4:4). The scene is played out just after
Pentecost while the church is growing dramatically in number and in strength.
Peter and John go to the Temple and meet a lame man who is begging for a
handout. They have no money to give him but they offer him healing "in the
name of Jesus." The man’s legs are miraculously healed and he followed them
"walking, leaping and praising God." The crowds saw this awesome miracle
and were "greatly amazed." Peter then launched into a powerful presentation
of the gospel message. However when the religious leaders heard what had
happened, they arrested Peter and John and kept them in prison overnight.
B. The Gospel on Trial (4:5-22). The next day the apostles were brought
before a tribunal for a hearing. The Jewish leaders asked, "By what power or
by what name have you done this?" Peter told them it was "by the name of
Jesus Christ whom you crucified" and that there was "no other name under
heaven given among men by which we must be saved." It was when the
Jews "saw the BOLDNESS of Peter and John" that they "realized they had
been with Jesus." They warned them sternly to "speak to no man in this
name… not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." However the
apostles replied, "We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and
heard." Though the court threatened them further, they "let them go" because
of the people.
1. When they were released, Peter and John went back to the
church and "reported" all that had happened. What did they do
next? They didn’t file a lawsuit complaining about the violation
of their freedom of speech. They didn’t call a press conference.
They didn’t consider themselves victims. THEY PRAYED! If
the early church was persecuted, they prayed. If they were
challenged, they prayed. They had something we have lost, the
instinctive response to any situation was to pray.
3. The place was "shaken" and they were "all filled with the
Holy Spirit." Oh that we might ALL be filled or yielded to
God’s Spirit! Their prayer was answered for they "spoke the
word of God with boldness."
- As we turn to Rev.3, we flash forward in time some 50 years. The gospel went out from the
Jerusalem church to the entire Mediterranean world even to the Lycus valley of Phrygia to
Laodicea. About 100 miles east of Ephesus, Laodicea was at the intersection of three major
highways, a busy center of commerce with many banks and financiers. They produced a
highly demanded wool as well as many ancient medicines. They built theatres, a huge
stadium, lavish public baths and shopping centers. It was a sort of Bank of America, Mall of
America and Mayo Clinic all rolled into one.
- The Church of Laodicea was never visited by Paul but he mentions that fellowship 4 times
in the book of Colossians. 4:16 suggests that he wrote them at least one non-canonical letter.
At least early on this was a great church for there is no correction from the apostle. But over
the years something happened. The believer’s passion had fizzled. They had become
indifferent, lax and apathetic. Jesus describes the church here in two ways: LUKEWARM
and DECEIVED.
4. Jesus tells them that they are "lukewarm and neither cold
nor hot." "Hot" here is from zestos, "boiling." We get our words
"zest" and "zeal" from it. Rom.12:11 says, "not lagging in
diligence, fervent [zestos] in spirit, serving the Lord." The
Jerusalem church was "hot."
5. Jesus also says "I could wish you were cold or hot." Why
"cold?" Not far away was Heirapolis which had natural hot
springs. Colossae was also close by and it was well known for
cold subterranean springs. Laodicea had neither. In fact, they
devised an underground aqueduct to bring water to their city. It
became tepid, lukewarm and visitors often spat it out as
unappetizing.
7. They were neither "cold nor hot;" they were not pagans but
not sincere believers; they did not oppose the gospel but neither
did they defend it; they were doing no great harm but neither any
great good; they didn’t have a bad reputation but they weren’t
distinguished by holiness; they were not irreligious but neither
were they very excited about God’s work. In a word, church was
something they did on Sundays and that was it.
125 years ago, Charles Spurgeon wrote of this church, "This church which was so rich in
its own esteem, was utterly bankrupt in the sight of the Lord. It had not real joy in the
Lord; it had mistaken its joy in itself for that. It had no real beauty of holiness upon it;
it had mistaken its formal worship and fine buildings and harmonious singing for that.
It had not deep understanding of the truth and not wealth of vital godliness, it had
mistaken carnal wisdom and outward profession for those precious things. It was poor
in secret prayer, which is the strength of any church; it was destitute of communion
with Christ, which is the very life blood of religion; but it had the outward semblance of
these blessings and walked in a vain show" (www.biblebb.com/files/spurgon/
WARNLUKE.TEXT).
5. What is the difference in "you say" and "you are?" Why did
they see themselves so differently than the way Christ saw
them? They were judging by different standards.
Imagine a small Panhandle town football team playing the state finals in Texas Stadium.
After 10 minutes they are down 21-3. The coach calls a time out and gathers his players.
They say, "Wow aren’t these great uniforms?" "I see Lee Roy Jordan’s name on the
Ring of Honor!" "Look I see my grandma in the stands!" "Isn’t this fun?" What does the
coach say? He says, "Look at the scoreboard. We are not here to have fun but to win the
game." Church, are we really impacting the community with the gospel? We are swapping
fish in the fishbowl with great success but are we really trusting the power of the gospel? By
what standards do we judge ourselves? Are we more like Jerusalem or Laodicea?
1. A man goes to the doctor for tests but says, "Doc, don’t tell
me how bad it is, I don’t want to know." You know it is bad
when you don’t want to know how bad it is. We need to see the
truth!
Growing up I heard stories of my parents taking "castor oil" when they were sick. By my
day, pharmaceutical companies learned that kids take their medicine much easier when it
tastes good. Jesus has laid out our medicine in proper dosage. We are to "be zealous and
repent" we are to "open the door" and let Him come in. In taking this we find not only does
it work but also it is sweet to our taste!
The church can’t open the door, only individual Christians. Corporately we will not see the
power of the gospel until we individually welcome Jesus into the heart of our church.
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. Bob and Lynn were a Christian couple who were so moved by their pastor’s message of
sharing the gospel that when they saw a moving van in front of the house across the street,
they decided to try to witness to their new neighbors. Lynn prepared some homemade bread
and together they approached the house. When someone answered the front door, Bob said,
"Hi. We wanted to welcome you to our neighborhood. Here's some bread for you." The
woman, who answered the door said, "Thank you very much for your kindness. Uh...this
is embarrassing. You see, we're not moving in. We're moving out. We've lived here 8
years." Maybe that hits close to home.
2. Committed Christians often have great intentions for witnessing but fail to actually follow
through with telling others about Christ. Some tend to think that evangelism is the job of the
pastor and the church staff or those who have the gift of evangelism.
3. Lieghton Ford tells about speaking at a crusade in Nova Scotia several years ago. Billy
Graham was to speak the next night and had arrived a day early. He came incognito and sat
on the grass at the rear of the crowd. Because he was wearing a hat and dark glasses, no one
recognized him. Directly in front of him sat an elderly gentleman who seemed to be listening
intently to Ford’s presentation. When the altar call began, Billy decided to do a little personal
evangelism. He tapped the man on the shoulder and asked, "Would you like to accept
Christ? I'll be glad to walk down with you if you want to." The old man thought it over
for a moment, and then said, "No, I think I'll just wait till the big gun comes tomorrow
night." Unfortunately, in the minds of many people, evangelism is the task of the "big guns"
not the "little shots" (Good News is for Sharing, Lieghton Ford, 1977, David C. Cook
Publishing Co., Page 67).
4. Every saved person has both the privilege and the awesome responsibility to share Christ's
gospel with others. In this passage, Jesus gives us four steps to telling others about Him.
home.
4. Stop and think of people that you know who are lost. Think of
how you've developed a relationship with them. It's not by
accident. It is the plan of God. How tragic that we pass on the
opportunity to share Christ.
2. One of the greatest ways to talk with someone about the Lord
is to ask him or her questions about what they believe about
God, church...
1. They were both at the well for water. Jesus used that hook to
tell her of her need for "living water." The woman responded by
telling Jesus that He has nothing to draw with, how could He get
"living water?"
1. The woman still didn't get it. She asks for the physical water
so that she won't have the exertion or social embarrassment of
coming to the well.
2. Jesus asked her to call her "husband." She responded that she
had no husband. Jesus tells her that she is truthful. He also says
that she has had "five husbands"
and the one she lives with now is not her husband. That's why
she was considered a prostitute in town!
3. Imagine her, standing there mouth hanging open. All she can
say is "I perceive that you are a prophet!"
4. Jesus found a raw nerve. I saw a sign reading "I only have
one nerve left and you are standing on it!"
7. You may be struggling with much pain in your life right now.
You may identify more with the woman than with Jesus. That's
okay! Jesus wants to heal you today!
2. Pointing to Mt. Gerazim, She says her fathers said they were
to worship there. She then says that the "Jews" say that
"Jerusalem is the place." In other words, "Catholics say this,
but Baptists say this..."
1. The woman "left her water pot" went back to "the city" and
spoke of her new faith "to the men." After all, she knew them
best!
2. She said, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I
ever did. Could this be the Christ?" She knew in her heart He
was! The men came to Jesus too, "they went out of the city and
came to Him."
6. When Jesus said the "fields... are already white [ripe] for the
harvest." He meant that people are ready to be saved. They just
need someone to tell them about Jesus. He said in Mat.9:37-38,
"The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers
into His harvest." Don't pray just for the lost, pray for yourself
that you'll have the courage to speak to them!
There is a marvelous story of a man who once stood before God, his heart breaking from the
pain and injustice in the world. "Dear God," he cried out, "look at all the suffering, the
anguish and distress in your world. Why don't you send help?" God responded, "I did
send help. I sent you." God has sent each of us to help a hurting world find healing and
peace in the grace of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Patrick Kelly was a poet with rare insight that reached far beyond his 15 years.
You've probably never heard of him and the poem you are about to hear is probably the only
one he ever wrote... but when he wrote this one, he wrote with the soul of a young man
mirrored in millions of others. Listen with discernment the lines of a searching young man...
see if you, like me, hear the cry that is echoed not only by 15-year-olds like him, but often
among those of us with thinning hair and bifocals:
Pat Kelly wrote this masterpiece, carefully pinned it to his shirt, walked to a tree 40 feet from
his house, and hung himself. Somebody passed on a divine appointment.
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. My first witnessing experience was with a person with a willing heart. I grew up with my
friend Gary. Our fathers knew each other. Our grandfathers knew each other. I was blessed to
be raised in a Christian home and I went to church each time the doors were open. Gary’s
parents were good people but they didn’t go to church. We spent a lot of time together
hunting and fishing and it just seemed natural that I invited him to our church. We were
about 16 and reveling in our newfound freedoms. I became convicted that not only was I
sometimes a bad example for Gary but that I had done nothing to share my faith with him.
One night after a church service, another friend and I sat Gary down between us on the bench
seat of a farm pickup and said, "You need to be saved." As best we could, we explained how
Jesus died for his sins, was buried and rose again. We encouraged him to call on the Lord
and he did. Today, my lifelong friend is actively serving the Lord as a deacon in my home
church. Though I’ve been privileged to share the gospel with many people over the years,
I’m thankful my first experience was with a willing heart.
2. Jesus told His disciples in Jn.4:35, "Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at
the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" There are people around us whose
hearts have been prepared by the Master. They simply need someone to share with them the
good news so they can believe.
3. Today we will examine three aspects of the wonderful story of the conversion of the
Ethiopian eunuch and then learn some lasting lessons for witnessing to a willing heart.
2. There are two obstacles that keep men from God. First there is
our SPIRITUAL DEPRAVITY. Eph.2:1 says we were "…were
dead in trespasses and sins." We could not respond to spiritual
stimuli. 1 Cor.2:14 says, "But the natural man does not
receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are
foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned." Jesus said in Jn.6:44, "No one can come
to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him."
4. Note that "This is desert" or "a deserted place." The old city
of Gaza was destroyed in the 1st Century b.c., the newer city had
been built closer to the coast. There were two roads that went to
Gaza, one frequently used and one nearly deserted, going
through the old city.
6. A true disciple, one who upholds the power of the gospel does
not question God. He goes. Like Abraham who "rose early" to
go and sacrifice His son, the Spirit-led believer instantly obeys
the word of the Lord.
7. Like many people today, the eunuch sought God and lived up
to what he knew about God. The Lord promised in Jer.29:13,
"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me
with all your heart." Heb.11:6 says, "But without faith it is
impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must
believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who
diligently seek Him."
1. First note that "the Spirit said to Philip…" In v.26 it was "an
angel of the Lord." In the church’s first Gentile convert it
seems as if God used the prevalent OT messenger (the angel)
3. Some people say, "I’m just going to read the Bible for
myself. I don’t need anyone to teach me." Charles Spurgeon
used to say, "I cannot understand why some men set such
great value on what the Holy Spirit says to them, and so little
value on what He said to anyone else." God not only gives us
the Scriptures, He gives us gifted teachers as well.
Rom.10:12-15.
We must be like the boy who returned home after attending SS in a new church. His mom
asked, "Who was your teacher?" The boy replied, "I don’t remember her name, but she
must have been Jesus’ grandmother because He was all she could talk about!"
2. Philip could have said he was from the wrong race, a Gentile,
and the wrong color, black. He could have noted his sexuality as
a eunuch. But to Philip’s credit and to the church’s eternal
edification, there was no objection.
3. A hymn says, "We make His love too narrow by false limits
of our own; And we magnify His strictness with a zeal He
will not own. For the love of God is broader than the
measures of the mind; and the heart of the Eternal is most
wonderfully kind."
2. The chariot was stopped and then "both Philip and the
eunuch went down into the water." There Philip
"baptized" [dipped or immersed] him.
1. When they came up from the water "the Spirit of the Lord
caught Philip away" and "the eunuch saw him no more." Like
Elijah and Ezekiel before him, it seems that God miraculously
placed him "at Azotus" miles away. Some Bible scholars
interpret this to mean that Philip was "caught up in the Spirit" or
so enthralled he did not come to himself until he reached Azotus.
B. Rely Wholly on the Holy Spirit. The most important aspect of witnessing
is the work of the Spirit of God.
Ray Stedman said, "We Christians tend to dig channels for the flowing river of God, and
we say, ‘Come, O River of God and flow now through this channel we have dug for
you.’ And to our dismay there is just a little trickle of water that comes down through,
while the great flood of God’s power is moving out through the mud flats somewhere,
where we do not think He belongs" (http://pbc.org/dp/stedman/acts/0425.html). We can’t
anymore schedule a revival or the work of the Spirit than we can the weather.
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. Unfortunately, when it comes to sharing the gospel, not everyone has ears to hear, not
everyone has a willing heart. Some people have hardened hearts. They are cynical and
skeptical of the foundational truths of the Bible. They don’t believe that Jesus was the Son of
God or that He died for our sins and rose again.
2. It is always a joy to share our faith with someone with a willing heart who is ready to
believe and respond to the gospel but how are we to respond to people with hardened,
unwilling hearts? Some will say, "They are not chosen, they are not God’s elect." Others
will say, "Why waste your time on someone with a closed mind?" It seems many
Christians write off the skeptics of the gospel as hopeless and neglect to witness to them.
This should never be our attitude. Jesus commands us "Go into all the world and preach
the gospel to every creature" (Mk.16:15).
3. Perhaps the Apostle Paul faced some of the most unwilling hearts in the world as he stood
before Roman officials. Under great pressure, he did not flinch. He boldly proclaimed with
convincing evidence the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and how the Lord had
changed his life.
4. In today’s message, we will sit in the royal "auditorium" of Governor Festus and hear
Paul’s powerful message to the hardened heart of King Agrippa. Afterward, we’ll identify
three lessons to be learned in witnessing to the skeptics around us.
5. Agrippa was obviously intrigued by the case and said, "I also
would like to hear this man myself." So they set an informal,
unofficial hearing up for the next day.
3. Festus then laid out the charges as he knew them and his
assertion that Paul had done nothing wrong along with his
dilemma in what to write to Caesar (vv.24-27).
3. What happened? Why did they who once revered him now
want him dead? He said he was being "judged for the hope of
the promise made by God to our fathers." He said "For this
hope’s sake, King Agrippa I am accused by the Jews." What
"hope?" The hope that "God raises the dead."
5. Paul simply believed that Christ had already been raised and
He was the "first fruits" of the resurrection.
3. Paul’s task would be "to open their eyes" and "turn them
from darkness to light… from the power of Satan to God," to
help them find "forgiveness" and "and inheritance… by faith"
in Christ.
B. Agrippa is put on Trial (vv.27-29). The prisoner then put the prince on
trial. He called Agrippa to decide the truth. Agrippa said, "You almost [or
‘may shortly’] persuade me to become a Christian." Whether he was sincere
or cynical we do not know. Paul said he wished they were as he except for his
chains.
Bible says?" Note Paul answers his own question, "I know that
you believe." Paul knew that Agrippa knew his testimony was
true.
1. Note Paul’s statement in v.29. His prayer was that all of them
would be "as I am except for these chains."
4. Our exceptions are like a heavy load that weighs us down and
keeps us from being all Christ wants us to be. We often fail to
share our faith because of insecurity stemming from the
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.
1. In the mid 1800’s, a group of prospectors set out from Bannock, Montana in search of
gold. Facing severe hardships, several of them died during the expedition. They were
attacked by hostile Indians who stole all their horses and warned them if they returned to
their country again they would all be killed. Defeated, discouraged and downtrodden, they
slowly made their way on foot back to Bannock. One evening as they camped by a stream,
one prospector found a gold nugget worth $12. The next day they all panned the stream and
found $50 in gold. As they hiked back to Bannock for supplies, they made a solemn vow to
tell no one of their find. However, when they headed back to mine their claim, some 300 men
followed them. Who had told the good news? No one! The prospectors’ beaming faces had
betrayed their secret!
2. The greatest discovery anyone can ever make is not gold in a stream but salvation in the
Lord Jesus Christ. When you think of the fact that Jesus died for your sins, was buried and
rose again in victory, securing forgiveness, peace and a home in heaven, does it cause you to
smile? Does your faith show on your face? How is your attitude concerning the gospel? Do
you really believe it? Do you believe the gospel, the good news changes lives? Do you really
believe Jesus is the only way to heaven?
3. The apostle Paul believed the gospel so strongly that it not only showed on his face, it
consumed his thoughts and filled every conversation. He believed so strongly in the message
of the cross that it became the utmost priority in his life. He dedicated himself to sharing the
good news with any and everyone.
4. In the last message in the series about the gospel, The Cross-Roads of Life we will
examine Paul’s BURDEN, BOLDNESS and BELIEF in the gospel and make some
applications to our lives.
3. Jesus used this same word in The Model Prayer during the
Sermon on the Mount in Mat.6:12 where He taught us to pray
"And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Here
the context carries the meaning of "sins."
4. Jesus also used the word to describe the amount owed in The
Parable of the Unforgiving Servant in Mat.18:21-35.
you feel the same obligation to pay your spiritual debt as you do
your material debts?
4. I still get that anticipation from time to time. I’m not normally
a morning person, but I rarely wait for the alarm clock on
opening morning of pheasant season!
I remember standing on the sidelines during high school football games. I would often
alternate with another defensive back bringing the defensive plays to the huddle. When the
coach wanted to change the defense, he’d send one of us in. I always stayed close beside him
thinking, "It’s my turn coach! Send me in coach!" That’s how Paul felt about preaching at
Rome. He was praying, "Send me in, Lord!"
1. The word for "preach" here is the same word from which we
get our word "evangelism." It means, "to announce good news,"
and not necessarily from a pulpit!
John Phillips wrote, "The world does not need a better system of education, more social
reform, or new ideas in religion. It needs the gospel. The gospel message grips the mind,
stabs the conscience, warms the heart, saves the soul and sanctifies the life. It can make
drunken men sober, crooked men straight and profligate women pure. It is a message
sufficient to transform the life of any who believe" (p.20).
When Napoleon was an artillery officer at the siege of Toulon, he built a battery in such an
exposed position that he was told he would never find men to man it. Napoleon put up a sign
saying, "The Battery of Men without Fear" and the battery was always staffed. The real
question is DO WE BELIEVE THE GOSPEL ENOUGH TO SHARE IT?
Copyright © 1998 - 2003 Coy M. Wylie. This data file is the sole property of the
copyright holder and may be copied only in its entirety for circulation freely
without charge. All copies of this data file must contain the above copyright
notice.
This data file may not be copied in part (except for small quotations used with
citation of source), edited, revised, copied for resale or incorporated in any
commercial publications, recordings, broadcasts, performances, displays or
other products offered for sale, without the written permission of the copyright
holder. Requests for permission should be made in writing and addressed to
Coy M. Wylie, Pastor, Cornerstone Baptist Church, P.O. Box 7403, Amarillo, TX
79114-7403.