Empowered by Prayer: The Church's Mission to Preach
Summary
In the early chapters of the Acts of the Apostles, we find the church at a pivotal moment, facing a crucial decision. The apostles, led by the Spirit of God, recognized that their primary task was not to serve tables or engage in social work, but to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. This decision underscores the essence of Christianity and the church's mission: to preach the gospel, which is the only hope for a world in turmoil. The apostles understood that while social work is important, it is not the church's primary calling. The church's main responsibility is to minister the Word of God, which addresses the souls of men, offering eternal salvation rather than temporary comfort.
The apostles' emphasis on prayer before ministry highlights the necessity of divine power in preaching the gospel. They realized that even with the right message, without the Spirit's empowerment, their efforts would be in vain. This understanding is crucial, especially in today's world, where the church faces the so-called "problem of communication." The modern world, with its scientific advancements and skepticism towards the supernatural, presents a challenge. However, the apostles' approach remains relevant: the gospel must be preached in an atmosphere of prayer, relying on the Spirit's power rather than human wisdom or modern methods.
The apostles' reliance on prayer was rooted in their awareness of their own inadequacy and the spiritual condition of humanity. They knew that the task of evangelism was not merely a matter of communication but a spiritual battle against principalities and powers. The natural state of humanity, as described by Paul, is one of spiritual blindness and enmity against God. Therefore, the need is not for new methods or messages but for the Spirit's power to regenerate and transform lives.
Key Takeaways:
- The primary task of the church is to preach the gospel, focusing on the eternal salvation of souls rather than temporary social work. This mission is rooted in the understanding that the church's message is the only hope for a world in turmoil. [04:08]
- Prayer is essential for effective ministry, as it invites the Spirit's empowerment, which is necessary for preaching the gospel. The apostles prioritized prayer, recognizing that even the right message is ineffective without divine power. [09:00]
- The modern challenge of communicating the gospel is not new; it has always been difficult to preach the gospel due to humanity's spiritual blindness and enmity against God. The solution is not new methods but reliance on the Spirit's power. [33:16]
- The apostles understood the spiritual battle involved in evangelism, recognizing that they were not wrestling against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This awareness drove them to prayer, seeking divine power to overcome these challenges. [34:03]
- True salvation involves regeneration, a miraculous work of the Spirit that transforms individuals into new creations. This transformation is beyond human capability and requires the Spirit's intervention, emphasizing the need for prayer and reliance on God. [47:14]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Acts 6
[01:00] - The Apostles' Decision
[02:33] - The Church's Primary Task
[04:08] - The Importance of Preaching
[05:09] - The Nature of the Gospel
[06:32] - The Role of Prayer
[09:00] - Prayer and Ministry
[11:43] - Modern Challenges
[13:58] - Intellectual Approaches
[16:20] - Emotional Approaches
[19:39] - Apostolic Method
[21:17] - The Need for Divine Power
[25:32] - Paul's Example
[30:38] - The Spirit's Role in Salvation
[45:32] - The Nature of Salvation
[50:39] - Conclusion and Call to Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Acts 6:1-4
- Ephesians 2:1-5
- John 3:3-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the primary task the apostles decided to focus on, according to Acts 6:4? How did they plan to achieve this task? [01:00]
2. In the sermon, what reasons were given for the apostles' emphasis on prayer before ministry? [07:01]
3. How does the sermon describe the modern challenge of communicating the gospel, and how does it relate to the apostles' approach? [09:31]
4. What does the sermon say about the spiritual condition of humanity and the role of the Holy Spirit in addressing it? [42:24]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why did the apostles prioritize prayer over social work, and how does this reflect their understanding of the church's mission? [03:53]
2. How does the sermon suggest that the apostles' reliance on prayer and the Spirit's power is relevant to the modern church's challenges? [09:45]
3. What does the sermon imply about the inadequacy of human wisdom and modern methods in the task of evangelism? [33:16]
4. How does the concept of regeneration, as discussed in the sermon, redefine the understanding of salvation? [47:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal prayer life. How can you prioritize prayer in your daily routine to seek the Spirit's empowerment for your ministry or personal evangelism? [09:00]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of preaching the gospel over social work. How can you balance these aspects in your own life or church community? [04:08]
3. Consider the modern challenges of communicating the gospel. What are some practical ways you can rely more on the Spirit's power rather than human wisdom in your interactions with others? [09:45]
4. The sermon describes the spiritual condition of humanity as one of blindness and enmity against God. How can this understanding shape your approach to sharing your faith with others? [33:16]
5. Regeneration is described as a miraculous work of the Spirit. Have you experienced this transformation in your life? If so, how can you share this experience with others to encourage them in their faith journey? [47:14]
6. The apostles faced a spiritual battle in their evangelism efforts. How can you prepare yourself spiritually to face similar challenges in your own life? [34:03]
7. Reflect on a time when you relied on human methods rather than the Spirit's power in your ministry or personal life. What did you learn from that experience, and how can you apply it moving forward? [42:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Mission: Preaching the Gospel
The early church faced a pivotal decision that defined its mission. The apostles, guided by the Spirit, understood that their primary task was not to engage in social work but to devote themselves to prayer and the ministry of the Word. This decision highlights the essence of Christianity: to preach the gospel, which is the only hope for a world in turmoil. While social work is important, it is not the church's primary calling. The church's main responsibility is to minister the Word of God, addressing the souls of men and offering eternal salvation rather than temporary comfort. This focus on the eternal rather than the temporal is crucial for the church's mission. [04:08]
Acts 6:2-4 (ESV): "And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, 'It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize sharing the gospel in your daily interactions, even when faced with the demands of everyday life?
Day 2: The Power of Prayer in Ministry
Prayer is essential for effective ministry, as it invites the Spirit's empowerment, which is necessary for preaching the gospel. The apostles prioritized prayer, recognizing that even the right message is ineffective without divine power. This understanding is crucial, especially in today's world, where the church faces the "problem of communication." The modern world, with its scientific advancements and skepticism towards the supernatural, presents a challenge. However, the apostles' approach remains relevant: the gospel must be preached in an atmosphere of prayer, relying on the Spirit's power rather than human wisdom or modern methods. [09:00]
Ephesians 6:18 (ESV): "Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints."
Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to seek the Spirit's empowerment in your ministry or personal life?
Day 3: Overcoming Communication Challenges with Spiritual Power
The modern challenge of communicating the gospel is not new; it has always been difficult due to humanity's spiritual blindness and enmity against God. The apostles understood that the task of evangelism was not merely a matter of communication but a spiritual battle against principalities and powers. Therefore, the need is not for new methods or messages but for the Spirit's power to regenerate and transform lives. This reliance on divine power rather than human strategies is essential for overcoming the barriers to effective gospel communication. [33:16]
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV): "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
Reflection: What specific steps can you take to rely more on the Spirit's power rather than your own abilities when sharing your faith with others?
Day 4: The Spiritual Battle in Evangelism
The apostles understood the spiritual battle involved in evangelism, recognizing that they were not wrestling against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. This awareness drove them to prayer, seeking divine power to overcome these challenges. The natural state of humanity, as described by Paul, is one of spiritual blindness and enmity against God. Therefore, the task of evangelism requires more than human effort; it requires divine intervention. This understanding should lead believers to a deeper reliance on prayer and the Spirit's power in their evangelistic efforts. [34:03]
Ephesians 6:12 (ESV): "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."
Reflection: How can you become more aware of the spiritual battles in your life and seek God's power to overcome them?
Day 5: The Miracle of Regeneration
True salvation involves regeneration, a miraculous work of the Spirit that transforms individuals into new creations. This transformation is beyond human capability and requires the Spirit's intervention, emphasizing the need for prayer and reliance on God. The apostles recognized that the task of evangelism was not merely about communication but about facilitating a spiritual rebirth through the power of the Holy Spirit. This understanding should lead believers to a deeper appreciation of the miraculous nature of salvation and the necessity of divine intervention in the process. [47:14]
Titus 3:5 (ESV): "He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit."
Reflection: In what ways can you cultivate a greater dependence on the Holy Spirit to see transformation in your own life and the lives of those around you?
Quotes
The primary task of the church is to minister this word to preach this gospel now the apostles were led to see that and they acted on it and the church was saved as the result of their action this is the primary task of the church not to make people more comfortable not to give them money not to give them food or many other things the church has done all this and it's a part of our work but it's not the primary task of the church the primary task of the church is to preach this word this gospel. [00:04:08]
The Souls of men are more important than their bodies what shall it profit a men though he gained the whole world and lose his own soul and here is the only message in the universe tonight that can deal with the souls of men it must have priority in the church over everything else then that has led us on of course to consider the nature of this word the content if you like of the message it is the word of God not the words of men. [00:04:50]
Prayer in the ministry of the word why did they do this why do they give such prominence to this whole matter of prayer well now here again we come across an aspect of this whole matter that is of the most extreme and vital importance for us as we look at it we shall be reminded further of the character of the word of the message of the Gospel itself and at the same time we shall be reminded of something that is equally important namely how it is to be preached and how it is to be presented. [00:07:30]
This gospel cannot be preached properly and truly except it be in an atmosphere of prayer well now this is something I say again that is of the most urgent importance for us at the present time this is misunderstood as much probably as any other aspect of the work of the church and the preaching of the Gospel how is it misunderstood today well let me put it to you we are hearing a great deal and have been there for some time about what is called the problem of communication. [00:09:06]
The problem of communication new title but an old problem isn't it you see there's nothing new about this this has always been a problem throughout the whole history of the Christian church but we are told that today it is the problem of problems why well the answer that's given is because of the new conditions in which we find ourselves we are told that we are confronted by a situation such as the church has never known before why well because we are living in this atomic age the scientific age. [00:09:56]
The apostles didn't do that their faith was in the Living God and that is why they prayed and they needed power to preach pre and they needed Authority now I needn't keep you with this let me take you to the great and most perfect example and illustration of it all I read it to you at the beginning look at this Mighty Men the Apostle Paul here a men of ability here a men of knowledge he as a man of culture he as one of the great Geniuses of all the century is did you notice what he said about himself and his condition when he went to preach in Corinth. [00:25:32]
We wrestle not against flesh and blood our problem is not human nature even we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities against Powers against the rulers of the darkness of this world against spiritual wickedness in high or in Heavenly places that's the problem we are fighting not men we are fighting the devil we are fighting hell we are fighting spiritual forces second only to the power of God himself we are fighting a power that has defeated every man defeated Even Adam in a state of perfection. [00:34:03]
The natural men receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for their foolishness under him rubbish nonsense they said that in the first century they're still saying it there's nothing new it isn't because of new knowledge that they're saying the gospel is foolishness the natural man has always said it he does not believe in God he doesn't believe in Christ as the Son of God he doesn't believe in two Natures in one person it's utterly unreasonable to him he rejects the miraculous in the Supernatural he's always done it there's nothing new in this. [00:38:01]
The value of reason that its best is only General it has its value but it's mainly negative and it's mainly condemnatory Paul again has put this so perfectly in Romans 1 he puts it like this because that which may be known of God is Manifest in them for God has showed it unto them for the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his eternal power and goded so that they are without excuse that's it there without excuse. [00:39:38]
The mighty action of God if any man be in Christ what is he he's a new creature a new creation he's not merely a man who's taken a decision no no God has acted on him God has made him a new and a fresh God who commanded the light to shine out of Darkness that's creation at the beginning hasth shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ it's God's action it is God who made us in making us a new recreating US regenerating us making us from the very depths giving us a new life a new nature. [00:47:14]
The word that alone can give life and a knowledge of Salvation the word that alone is truth the word concerning God's only son Jesus Christ Our Lord the meaning of his death upon the cross and his glorious Resurrection but the word that can give life and life a new the word that leads to renovation Recreation the word that makes a man a new man if any man be in Christ is a new creation old things are passed away behold all things are become new thou must save and thou alone they can't they know they can't they've seen the depths of the problem God Alone can do it. [00:51:39]
The Supreme need of the preacher is to be filled with the spirit of God and he obtains that by waiting upon Him by spending his time in Prayer by opening out his mind and his heart and the all of his being and pleading with God to fill him to energize him to put this Dynamic energy into him which alone can save Souls which alone can bring men and women to a new birth indeed it comes back to this the Apostle Paul said it all in one phrase in writing to the Thessalonians Our Gospel came not unto you in word only but also in power and in the Holy Ghost and in much Assurance. [00:53:39]
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