Pod Cast : 3-8-19
Based On Acts 20:20 Should We preach The Gospel From House To House ?
THE CONTEXT REVEALS PAULS TRUE MESSAGE
Paul is not addressing tactics for reaching the public, but talking to the leaders of the Ephesian Church. He believes that this will be the last time he will see them, and is going to Jerusalem to witness to his own people at the risk of his life. These are his last pearls of wisdom to these church leaders.
Acts 20:16 NKJV 16 For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.
Paul could not afford to visit all the church brethren and be certain to arrive at Jerusalem on Pentecost. Pentecost would give him the best opportunity to demonstrate both his fidelity to the Holy Scriptures which then, only included the Old Testament, and witness for Jesus among his own people, the Jewish nation. Paul knew it was risky but he was determined to witness for Christ in Jerusalem, and he did a spectacular job. So he met privately for a heartfelt good bye with the leaders of one of the most significant churches.
Acts 20:17-18 NKJV 17 From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you,
How did the Apostle live among the new converts he made in this portion of the Roman Empire? How did he serve all the the believers?
Acts 20:18-19 NKJV 18 And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, 19 "serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews;
Paul served with love and humility really caring for all church members and prospects. He is setting an example for these leaders as to how they should act. He weathered trials with them for the sake of the gospel message and in service to the people. Where did he serve the people primarily ?
Acts 20:20 NKJV 20 "how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught YOU publicly and from house to house,
The Apostle taught church members house to house and served them house to house. He did not set the example of evangelizing unbelievers, house to house.
CAST NOT YOUR PEARLS BEFORE SWINE
Christ instructed us not to cast our pearls of spiritual wisdom before swine. It would be like talking deep philosophy to a grubby hog; a total waste of time.
Matthew 7:6 NKJV 6 "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.
The precious words of God are not to be carelessly given to the unconverted and uncalled who would treat His truths with disrespect. If an individual's mind has not been opened by God, trying to cram the truth down his throat will only make him angry. One of the worse aspects of human nature is that facts can easily offend someone who does not want to know the truth on many issues. Research has shown that once people take a position or belief, giving them true facts to the contrary, not only does not soften their position but does the opposite. They harden their position. If they believe that abortion is wonderful and progress for women and they are presented with the ugly facts about abortions, most will only dig in and harden their support for abortion. Human nature does not really want the truth. People want to think they are right and that is what matters to them most. Human nature is not logic driven it is ego driven.
Luke 10:7-8 NKJV 7 "And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 "Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you.
Jesus said not to go from house to house, but preach the gospel to the public and let someone house the evangelist for his stay in that town.
THE GOSPEL IS TO BE PREACHED TO THE PUBLIC
Why would God want the Gospel primarily preached publicly? Thereby God could choose among the multitudes who heard the message who he wished to call at that time. People who request to know more of the truth are the target of the gospel message. Paul preached in the very intellectually hostile city of Athens, publicly at their main forum. Even there, a few were called by God, but only a few.
Acts 17:32-34 NKJV 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." 33 So Paul departed from among them. 34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
God decided who among the crowd would be called to accept the message. Using public forums to spread the gospel fits the model we see in church history. The book of Acts reveals the ups and downs of Paul's and Peter's public ministries.
Acts 13:14-16 NKJV 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, "Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on." 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, "Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:
These public places allowed Paul to reach both Jews and gentiles who feared the real God. Paul generated a lot of converts because God had decided to convert a lot of people at this time.
Acts 13:42-44 NKJV 42 So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
God used Paul's public preaching to convert a lot people. God choose to use this opportunity to alter Christianity from a Jewish sect to a worldwide movement. God did the calling.
Acts 14:1 NKJV 1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.
Paul was told when he came to the city of Corinth that he would get extra protection for a long evangelistic campaign because God had planned to call many to the truth. We all need to do our part to help God's work.
Acts 18:9-11 NKJV 9 Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, "Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; 10 "for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city." 11 And he continued there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.
The Corinthian church proved to be one of the most enduring, truth preserving churches in the history of the true church. That congregation was still fighting for the true Passover three centuries later when the apostasy had engulfed many other congregations.
Acts 17:6 NKJV But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, "These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
God choose to shake the pagan world to its core with the message of Jesus Christ. When will God do something similar in our future? Perhaps the two witnesses will shake up the world again.
PERSONAL PREACHING IS BEST DONE BY OUR PERSONAL EXAMPLE
It is best when someone notices our good example and asks how do you know so much about the Bible? You then tell them your source of information. They can then be encouraged to go to that source for more information. We want people to see us as examples, of good healthy family life, and as someone whose basic life is improving. Then when they inquire as to why, we can give the credit to Jesus of Nazareth as taught by the true church.
1 Peter 3:1-2 NKJV 1 Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
The hardest thing to do is to convert the one closest to you, your spouse. Peter says it is best to use your good example rather than arguments. Try to win them over with love and Christian behavior.
1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV 11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Whenever God is going to call them, our best chance for their calling is aided by our good works. They may one day say you really have become a better person and ask why. The answer is God's light.
Matthew 5:14-15 NKJV 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.
It is not easy to be a light.
