WINTER The Living Word SERIES. Doing God s Work LESSON MANUAL

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2 WINTER The Living Word SERIES Doing God s Work LESSON MANUAL

3 Lesson Manual 2018 Pentecostal Publishing House 36 Research Park Court Weldon Spring, MO All rights reserved. Manufactured in USA, December 2018, EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief: Robin Johnston Associate Editor, Curriculum: Lee Ann Alexander Word Aflame Adult Editor: Jonathan McClintock WRITERS Dorsey Burk Tom O Daniel Daniel Koren James Boatman Daniel Segraves Rick Hernandez CONTENTS Editorial... 3 Using Word Aflame Teaching Tools... 4 December 2 Empowered to Preach Jesus...5 December 9 Jesus Saves...12 December 16 A Life-Changing Message...19 December 23 Jesus Is the Christ December 30 Daily Word Search January 6 That I May Know Him January 13 Working with the Lord January 20 Growing God s Way January 27 A Life of Purpose...61 February 3 His Love Shines Through February 10 A Life That Pleases God...75 February 17 Our Ultimate Hope February 24 Doing God s Work All Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Scripture quotations marked (AMP) are taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce, distribute, or transmit any part of this publication in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without possessing prior documented approval from Pentecostal Publishing House, a department of the United Pentecostal Church International. To request permission, contact customerservice@pentecostalpublishing.com. 2

4 Editorial THE PHYSICS OF REVIVAL by Jonathan McClintock My worst grade in college was earned in an Astronomy class. I have a lot of excuses I could share, but I simply stopped trying. My brain had never been stretched like that before, and I had trouble understanding all the complicated equations. Truth be told, when I signed up for the class I thought I was going to be staring through telescopes, looking at the stars, and dreaming of living in outer space one day. I was dead wrong! I realized I was in trouble when we started talking about things such as determining the rate at which a star burns out or how long it takes an asteroid to reach the surface of the earth traveling at light speed. My brain hurt sitting in that class. However, there are some interesting concepts in physics. I am not saying I understand them, but nonetheless it is interesting that we can apply some of these astronomical concepts to our daily lives. Momentum is one of those concepts. Perhaps when we think of momentum, we think of it most often in terms of sports. That team has a lot of momentum right now. This statement implies that the team has had a lot of success lately, and any other team that plays them is going to have a hard time beating them. But according to one of those complicated physics formulas, momentum is determined by taking the mass of an object and multiplying it by 3 its velocity. Momentum is a measurement of mass in motion (www. khanacademy.org). Momentum grows as either the mass is increased or the velocity is increased. The early church experienced this phenomenon early on in the Book of Acts. The number of converts steadily increased (mass) and the rate of speed at which the gospel spread also increased (velocity). As these two things kept increasing, the momentum of the early church kept growing. In fact, this momentum is what propelled believers to take the gospel all over the known world, even though forces were at work trying to stop the church. We cannot create momentum without the power of the Holy Ghost. We do not have the strength to create revival without the Spirit of the living God. But once the Spirit sets us in motion, it is our job to spread the gospel and build the church. And when we put in the effort, God honors it, and the momentum created begins to grow even though the enemy does his best to stop us. This quarter we will take a look at the growth and momentum of the early church as we study portions of the Book of Acts, along with Paul s epistles to the Thessalonians. It is exciting to know there is also momentum building in the current Apostolic church and that God is helping us reach the world with the gospel just as He did in the early days of the church.

5 USING WORD AFLAME TEACHING TOOLS LESSON MANUAL This Lesson Manual has been developed with the goal of providing teachers numerous options to assist in preparation and delivery of each lesson. In each lesson you will find a Focus Thought, Focus Verse, and Lesson Text that lay a foundation and give direction for the material that is to be presented. In addition, these features help the teacher connect with students and keep them engaged: 1. Questions are dispersed throughout the body of each lesson to provoke thought and spark discussion. We urge teachers to use these questions as a means of helping students apply each portion of the lesson. 2. Some paragraphs in each lesson will contain underlined words. These underlined words indicate some missing word students will use to fill in the blanks in their Student Workbook. This is another way for teachers to increase student engagement with each lesson. STUDENT WORKBOOK The Student Workbook gives students the tools to not only follow the major points of each lesson but also further their personal discipleship and devotion throughout the week. 1. The Focus Thought, Focus Verse, and Culture Connection have been included in the Student Workbook. 2. The Approach section provides students important portions of the manuscript with and without fill-in-the-blank segments. 3. The Analyze section will allow the student to interact with the Lesson Text, reflecting on its message and meaning. 4. The Ask section gives the student thought-provoking questions to help them gain a further understanding of the Scripture Text and the lesson. 5. The Apply section will help the student consider how they can best apply what they have learned from the lesson. 4

6 Lesson 1 December 2, 2018 Empowered to Preach Jesus FOCUS THOUGHT We have been empowered by the Holy Ghost to preach Jesus to everyone. FOCUS VERSE Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. LESSON TEXT Acts 16: Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7 After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. Acts 17:1 7 1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 5

7 CULTURE CONNECTION DESTINY IN DURHAM Johnny Godair and his wife sacrificed much responding to the call of God to go to Durham, North Carolina, to start a church. Leaving behind financial stability and the security of what was familiar, they threw themselves into reaching for the lost. They knocked on doors of strangers, walked down unfamiliar streets, and reached any and all who would respond. After only a few weeks of working in Durham, they knocked on another random door. A woman answered and suddenly stepped back in surprise. When asked what had startled her, she told them, You are the man I saw in a dream who was coming to Durham to begin a church. The Lord indeed was confirming what they were doing, and they gained assurance they were in the divine will of the Lord. Also, like Paul in Macedonia, the Godairs saw signs following them. When a man collapsed without a pulse in one of those early church services, Pastor Godair prayed intensely for twenty minutes until the ambulance arrived. A nurse and the paramedics said he had not had a pulse for nearly thirty minutes. Suddenly he revived, to everyone s surprise, as the Lord raised him up (Wisdom and Power of the Cross, J. T. Pugh, ). OUTLINE I. PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR ABOUT JESUS A. The Macedonian Call B. Following the Leading of the Spirit II. GOD HAS CALLED US TO PREACH TO EVERYONE III. THE GOSPEL IS THE MESSAGE WE MUST PREACH A. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica B. Many Jews and Greeks Believed IV. OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL CANNOT SILENCE THE CHURCH CONTEMPLATING THE TOPIC The call to missions begins in Genesis and continues throughout the Old Testament. God promised Abraham that through him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. The children of Israel received divine laws that separated them from the other nations around them. The Israelites were called to be a nation of missionaries lights unto the pagan cultures to show others how to worship Jehovah. Unfortunately, they failed and ended up serving the heathen gods of their neighbors. Nevertheless, the voice of the prophets foretold of the coming Messiah and how through Him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Likewise, Israel sang psalms that foretold of universal salvation for both the Jews and the Gentiles. The 150 psalms contain over 175 references to the nations of the world. For example, Psalm 67:1 2 states, God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face shine to upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. The Israelites were God s chosen people. He blessed them so they would be a blessing to the whole earth. 6

8 SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES The Gospels record the humble birth of the Christ child, His ministry, and His death, burial, and resurrection. He was the fulfillment of Genesis 3:15 and Genesis 12:1 3. He came to be the blessing to all the world. In Luke 24, just before He ascended, Jesus commanded His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. Acts 1:8 revealed that the apostles were to receive power to witnesses of the Lord in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. On the Day of Pentecost, the 120 in the upper room received the promise of the Father. They were filled with the Holy Ghost and spoke with other tongues as they glorified God. The phenomenon caught the attention of the Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven (Acts 2:5), who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Their amazement provided the opportunity for Peter to preach Jesus unto them. He concluded by saying the Holy Ghost was for them, their children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39). However, Peter did not yet grasp the implications of what he preached. He saw the promise through a Jewish lens. He could not conceive that God would include the Gentiles as heirs of salvation. It was not until about ten years after Pentecost that Peter went to preach the gospel to Cornelius. Why do you think it took so long for the gospel to be preached to the Gentiles? I. PEOPLE NEED TO HEAR ABOUT JESUS Paul stands in sharp contrast to Peter. Paul sat at the feet of Gamaliel, and was taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God (Acts 22:3). He fiercely persecuted the church until he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. The radically transformed Saul (Paul) readily accepted his call to be the Lord s chosen vessel and to bear His name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). As Acts 13 records, the church in Antioch sent Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey. Paul understood that the promise to Abraham included all the nations of the earth, not just the Jews. What other contrasts should we note between Peter and Paul? A. The Macedonian Call Because Paul had a clearer understanding than Peter and the other apostles of God s plan for universal salvation, he had no difficulty in responding to the night vision of a man of Macedonia,... saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us (Acts 16:9). Prior to this vision, Paul and his companions had been preaching throughout Asia Minor. While ministering in Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Phrygia, and the region of Galatia, they faced much opposition, but their ministry produced much fruit. 7

9 The group had planned to go to Bithynia in northwest Anatolia (Turkey), a Roman province on the coast of the Black Sea. It was a mountainous, well-watered territory, endowed with fertile valley plains, good timber, building stone, fruit and grain together with excellent harbor facilities. Bithynia fronted the Black Sea on the N[orth], the Bosporus and Propontis (Sea of Marmara) on the W[est]. On the S[outh] it was bounded by Phrygia and Galatia, and on the E[ast] by Paphlagonia (www. biblicaltraining.org/library/bithynia; accessed May 5, 2017). However, their plans changed because the Spirit suffered them not (Acts 16:7). Instead of going north to Bithynia, Paul and company went west to Macedonia. The ancient kingdom of Macedon had a rich history, having been a superior world power led by Alexander the Great. In biblical times, however, Macedonia had been reduced to an impoverished Roman province. In II Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul cited as an example of generosity to the Corinthians the poverty of the believers in Macedonia who gave beyond their ability. B. Following the Leading of the Spirit Most ministers have had or will have their Bithynia experience. For example, a young couple felt called to be missionaries to Europe. Throughout their engagement and early married life, they refused to become encumbered with material goods. Their meager furniture was functional, and their home was pared down to the bare necessities. Their entire focus was on gaining the needed experience so they could qualify to receive their missionary appointment to Europe. One day as this young minister was working at a warehouse, he was called to the phone. Paul Box, the secretary of the UPCI Foreign Missions, was on the line, inquiring if the young couple would be willing to go as short-term missionaries to Jamaica to teach in the Bible school. Immediately the minister thought of a conversation he had had a few years prior with his former Bible school roommate. The roommate and his wife had gone to Jamaica and taught in the Bible school. While they may have enjoyed teaching, the living conditions were a challenge. Two- to three-inch cockroaches were everywhere, even inside shoes and kitchen cupboards. After hearing that story, the young minister had told his roommate, I ll never go there. Now the secretary of Foreign Missions was on the telephone asking him to go where he had once said he would never go. Yet, knowing his wife s heart and her desire to be used of God, the young minister gladly accepted the short-term assignment. In his mind it did not make any sense to go to the Caribbean since God had called them to Europe. It seemed to be the wrong direction. However, when they arrived in Europe a few years later, they looked back and saw how beneficial their time in Jamaica was to their ministry. Their experience in Jamaica proved to them that they could adjust to different cultures; culture shock did not bother them. In addition, their experience reinforced the need to be sensitive to the leading of the Lord; He 8

10 knew the way they needed to go to gain the experiences they needed to be prepared to do His will. Do you know anyone who has had a similar experience? Do you think Paul understood why the Spirit forbade them to go into Bithynia? Scripture does not clearly say whether or not Paul understood why the Spirit forbade them to go into Bithynia. He probably felt frustration as he tried to comprehend the Spirit s leading. Nevertheless, it is clear Paul was not God s chosen messenger to carry the gospel to Bithynia nor was it God s time for Bithynia to hear the gospel. Please note, however, someone did take the gospel to Bithynia. In his first epistle, Peter addressed the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied (I Peter 1:1 2). Paul did not have long to ponder the roadblock. In the night he saw a vision of a man of Macedonia asking Paul to come and help them. The vision gave him clear direction. Paul and his companions departed from Troas and sailed directly to Samothracia, an island in the Aegean Sea about thirty-two miles off the coast of Thracia. The next day they reached Neapolis, the port city of Philippi, and then traveled on to Philippi. They stayed in Philippi certain days (Acts 16:12). II. GOD HAS CALLED US TO PREACH TO EVERYONE The Great Commission, as recorded in Mark 16, tells us to Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15). Without a doubt it is God s will for everyone to hear the gospel. Paul fully understood that every creature means every person, regardless of ethnicity, gender, social standing, economic condition, or physical wellness. With that in mind, Paul began to look for people in Philippi to whom he could preach. First, Paul went down to the riverside on the Sabbath and visited a ladies prayer meeting. There he met Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God... whose heart the Lord opened (Acts 16:14). She received the gospel preached by Paul, and he baptized her and her household. She then provided lodging for Paul and his companions. Second, a demon-possessed girl followed Paul, Silas, Luke, and the other companions, proclaiming they were the servants of the most high God who showed the way to salvation. After a few days of her endorsement, Paul rebuked the evil spirit and commanded that it leave the girl. Since she had been set free, the girl could no longer earn income for her masters by telling fortunes. They angrily seized Paul and Silas and took them before the magistrate, accusing them of troubling the city by teaching customs that were not lawful for Romans to receive or observe. The angry crowd rose up against Paul and Silas and the magistrate commanded they be beaten and later jailed. 9

11 The third lead character whom Paul met was the Philippian jailer. At midnight, as Paul and Silas prayed and worshiped, an earthquake shook the jail s foundation, freeing all the prisoners from their shackles and opening the doors. Immediately the jailer feared the prisoners were escaped and planned to take his own life (Acts 16:27 33). When the magistrate realized he had beaten Roman citizens without a trial, he feared for his own position and safety. They came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city (Acts 16:39). The band then returned to Lydia s home and afterward left the city. Notice how Paul made connections with each of these contacts. First, Paul went looking for someone to preach to. He purposely visited the Jewish synagogues and went to the riverside where prayer was wont to be made (Acts 16:13). Second, someone purposely followed Paul. While the endorsement of the demon-possessed girl was negative, there are times when people are drawn to saints because of the spirit they manifest. Third, circumstances connected Paul and the jailer. What are often considered coincidences are simply God s method of connecting people. We need to always be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit. I Peter 3:15 says, Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. Do you think the Macedonian whom Paul saw in the vision was a real person? Why or why not? Do you think Paul ever met him? Do you think the man in the vision could have been the jailer? Could the man Paul saw simply have been representative of the many people Paul would meet in Europe? Do you know of someone with a similar experience as Paul s vision? III. THE GOSPEL IS THE MESSAGE WE MUST PREACH A. Paul and Silas in Thessalonica From Philippi, Paul and Silas and their companions traveled on to Thessalonica. As was his custom, Paul first went to the Jewish synagogue. For three Sabbath days, he reasoned with them out of the scriptures, opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom he was preaching unto them, was the Christ (Acts 17:2 3). The message Paul preached was the simple truth of the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the message of salvation. It is effective all over the world. We obey the gospel by repenting of our sins (death), being baptized in Jesus name (burial), and receiving the Holy Ghost (resurrection). (See Acts 2:38.) Paul defined this gospel message in I Corinthians 15:1 8. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only message that will save a lost world. 10

12 B. Many Jews and Greeks Believed Paul s preaching produced results: And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few (Acts 17:4). IV. WE CANNOT LET OPPOSITION TO THE GOSPEL SILENCE THE CHURCH However, not all the Jews believed. But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people (Acts 17:5). Opposition frequently follows the preaching of the gospel. And wisely, the brethren sent Paul and Silas on to Berea during the night. Paul again went to the synagogue and began preaching the gospel. And again they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few (Acts 17:11 12). However, when the Jews in Thessalonica heard of the revival in Berea, they came to Berea and stirred up the people. Most of the time, some opposition will arise against the preaching of the gospel. However, we must not let hostility silence the message. Empowered by the Holy Ghost, we must follow Paul s example until everyone has heard the story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we present the gospel, some will believe; others will not. Even though some may choose not to accept the message, some will. Either way, we have the responsibility and privilege to proclaim the gospel. INTERNALIZING THE MESSAGE Paul s Macedonian call was an explicit call to evangelize, and it gave him the direction he needed. However, if evangelism is to be a part of our daily lives, we should expect God to bring us into contact with those to whom He wants us to witness. For example, a long-term employee of UPCI World Headquarters who worked in Global Missions planned to retire. Knowing her desire for a puppy, the missionaries at the annual school of missions received an offering to buy the puppy. She named the Boston terrier pup Janko, which is Serbian for gift of God. She took Janko to a local pet shop for puppy training classes. The assistant manager immediately fell in love with Janko as if Janko was hers. With multiple piercings and tattoos, the assistant manager was not someone the retired Global Missions employee would have normally gravitated to. However, Janko helped to form a bond between the two ladies and opened an opportunity for puppy evangelism. At the point of this writing, the assistant manager has come to church and is interested in having Bible studies. It is God s will that everyone hears the gospel. If we will be sensitive to His leading, God will direct our paths to the ones to whom we can minister. 11

13 Lesson 2 December 9, 2018 Jesus Saves FOCUS THOUGHT Because God desires everyone to be saved, He will open their hearts and save those who seek after Him. FOCUS VERSE Acts 16:14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. LESSON TEXT Acts 16: Therefore loosing from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us. 12

14 CULTURE CONNECTION A MODERN-DAY LYDIA The Lord called Sharon Crossno to serve Him by starting a church in Big Sandy, Tennessee. Like Lydia, whose house church began with a prayer meeting by the river, Sharon probably never realized when she responded to the Lord that He would use her to impact so many lives. Pioneer minister Beulah Davis of Ludington, Michigan, influenced Sister Crossno by winning her to the Lord and teaching her the Word of God. Later, to her surprise, the Lord called Sister Crossno to start a new work in a community without a truth-preaching church. God confirmed that call through her presbyter. Starting first in a firehouse meeting room, the church grew until it needed its own building. Within three years they outgrew that first building. Sister Crossno and others like her today realize there are many hungry people in their cities. Pastor Sharon Crossno says, God is a gentleman who will open the door for you. When you have a heart to reach lost souls, the Lord will help you find them. Whether it is in a firehouse meeting room, in a newly built building, or in a living room, those with a love for souls are finding a place to serve the Lord and make a difference in others lives. Many are seeking the Lord today. Who else will help them find Him? OUTLINE I. IF WE ALLOW, GOD WILL SEND US TO SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY PEOPLE A. God Sent Jonah to Nineveh B. God Sent Philip to the Ethiopian Eunuch C. God Sent Peter to Cornelius and His Household D. The Lord Led Paul to Spiritually Hungry People in Philippi E. People Were Praying and Seeking the Lord in Philippi II. GOD HONORS FAITHFUL WORSHIPERS A. Lydia Was a Worshiper of God B. Her Heart Was Opened to Receive the Message Paul Preached III. GOD WILL SAVE THOSE WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD A. Lydia and Her Household Were Baptized B. God Desires Everyone to Be Saved CONTEMPLATING THE TOPIC Believers sensitive to the will of God understand that God desires everyone to be saved. He prefers that no one perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Fortunately, God s longsuffering gives ample opportunity for unbelievers to respond to the gospel. But as Paul asked the Romans, How shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14). While some will have the opportunity to hear the gospel preached from the pulpit, many will never have that opportunity unless believers filled with the Holy Ghost fulfill Jesus mandate of Acts 1:8 and become witnesses unto Him, starting in their local communities. God has made provision for everyone to be saved. Jesus atoning blood, shed at Calvary, paid the price for the sins of everyone who repents, submits to baptism in Jesus name, and receives the glorious infilling of the Holy Ghost. (See John 3:16; Acts 2:38.) Jesus gave His church the good news of salvation and the responsibility to disseminate that message to a lost world. Deep within the being of every man and woman lies a need for God, a need for salvation. Bornagain believers are called to spread the gospel. 13

15 SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES I. IF WE ALLOW, GOD WILL SEND US TO SPIRITUALLY HUNGRY PEOPLE A. God Sent Jonah to Nineveh The well-known story of Jonah provides an example of how far God will go to get a message of salvation to lost people. When God directed Jonah to go to the sinful city of Nineveh and preach the need for repentance to the wicked inhabitants, Jonah refused the mission. Jonah seemed to consider it a fool s errand to preach to Israel s enemy about their need of repentance. He possibly preferred that God would wreak judgment on them rather than extend His mercy to them. More likely, Jonah probably did not consider Nineveh to be spiritually hungry and feared their reaction to his preaching would not be a positive one. Too often the nudging of the Spirit felt by a believer to speak to the unbeliever concerning God s offer to repent goes unheeded due to the fear of a negative response. In Jonah s story God got his attention by using extreme measures. As a result, Nineveh availed themselves of God s offer of repentance, and God extended His mercy to them. Jonah s and Nineveh s stories cause one to ponder how many Ninevehs and individuals still await the fleeing Jonahs of today. Have you ever been swallowed by a whale because you were not being obedient to God? B. God Sent Philip to the Ethiopian Eunuch Acts 8 further illustrates the extent to which God will go for an individual hungry for the things of God. In Acts 8:5 25, Luke shared the story of an extensive revival in Samaria under Philip s ministry. The revival included the Samaritans repenting, being baptized in Jesus name, and receiving the Holy Ghost, facilitated by Peter and John coming from Jerusalem and laying hands on them for Holy Ghost baptism. In addition, God performed miracles of healing and deliverance from demonic spirits. Yet in verse 26 we read of God speaking to Philip through an angel and sending him from Samaria into the desert near Gaza. There he encountered an Ethiopian eunuch riding on a chariot reading from the Book of Isaiah. Philip ran alongside him and asked if he understood what he was reading. The eunuch responded, How can I, except some man should guide me? (Act 8:31). The eunuch invited Philip to join him on the chariot, and Philip used the passage in Isaiah to share the message of Jesus Christ. As they journeyed, they came upon an oasis in the desert, and the Ethiopian eunuch requested Philip to baptize him. Note: This recorded response of both Philip and the eunuch testifies to the importance of baptism in the message of salvation. The eunuch s recognition that he needed to be baptized strongly implies Philip indicated to him his need of baptism. It also supports immersion as the correct mode of baptism. God supplied an oasis in the desert for them to use. If sprinkling sufficed, they could have used the drinking water they carried with them. 14

16 Do you remember a time when God nudged you to become more engaged in spreading the gospel? C. God Sent Peter to Cornelius and His Household The story of Cornelius s conversion related in Acts 10 further illustrates how God directs His servants to hungry hearts to share the gospel. In this story we again encounter a reluctant servant. The apostle Peter, while residing in Joppa in the house of Simon the Tanner, ascended up onto the rooftop to pray. Peter fell into a trance and received a vision from God telling him to eat food forbidden by Jewish dietary laws. Peter argued with God and refused to eat, calling the food unclean. God, in His patience, repeated the message three times, finally admonishing Peter, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common (Acts 10:15). Confused by the vision, Peter pondered the message while men dispatched by Cornelius, a Gentile centurion from Caesarea, arrived at Simon s house. Cornelius had been directed by an angel to send men for Peter. The angel had instructed him to bring Peter to Caesarea to tell him what he should do. (See Acts 10:6.) The timing of their arrival, coinciding with Peter s pondering the vision from God, convinced Peter to go with them. Peter s Jewish tradition forbade him to enter a Gentile s home (Acts 10:28), and without divine intervention, he never would have consented. Cornelius and his household believed Peter s message concerning Jesus Christ, and while Peter spoke to them, the Holy Ghost fell on them. (See Acts 10:44.) Hearing them speak in tongues confirmed to Peter and to the Jewish Christians that accompanied him to Cornelius s house that God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34). Peter then asked his fellow Jews if they could forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (Acts 10:47). Peter then commanded Cornelius and his household to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Jesus). Have you ever been reluctant to witness to someone who came from a different background than you? How did you overcome this challenge? D. The Lord Led Paul to Spiritually Hungry People in Philippi In Acts 13 we see the continuing action of God, sending His people to preach the gospel to unbelievers. While the church in Antioch fasted and prayed, God said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them (Act 13:2). This commissioning launched Paul and Barnabas s journey to Cypress and Southern Galatia before returning to Antioch. At the end of Acts 15, Paul and Silas embarked on what is traditionally referred to as Paul s second missionary journey. Paul and Silas revisited some of the same places Paul and Barnabas had visited before proceeding on into Macedonia and Achaia (present-day Greece). Their journey into Macedonia resulted from the direction of the Spirit. Luke identified Philippi, the setting for today s Scripture reading, as a chief city of Macedonia. (See Acts 16:12.) Some people mistakenly think of this Macedonian call as a model for being called into missionary work rather than simply recognizing it as 15

17 guidance to a specific area where spiritually hungry people resided. Paul and Silas were already on the move. They were already going. God was just giving them further direction as to where. God often chooses to direct those who are already actively involved in witnessing to people with hungry hearts. How do you think the adage you can t steer something that s not moving relates to the people whom God directs to hungry hearts? E. People Were Praying and Seeking the Lord in Philippi Acts 16:13 indicates Paul and Silas took opportunity on the Sabbath to go down to the riverside in Philippi where prayer was wont to be made. The New King James Version identifies the riverside to be a customary place of prayer. The New International Version indicates they expected to find a place of prayer there. Whether Paul and Silas sought a place to pray themselves or sought people in prayer, they took opportunity to sit down and speak unto the women which resorted thither (Acts 16:13). God sends His servants with good news concerning Jesus Christ in response to people who seek Him. Several years ago a missionary in South America received a letter from a minister of a non-apostolic denomination in a remote part of the country where there were no Apostolic churches. The letter requested the missionary to come and baptize the pastor and his congregation in Jesus name. The missionary wrote back that he would gladly come, and he gave the date of his arrival. While on the journey, the missionary wondered how this minister became aware of him and the truth of baptism in Jesus name since, to his knowledge, there were no Apostolic believers in that area of the country. Upon the missionary s arrival, the pastor showed him a tract entitled The Truth about Baptism that one of his congregants had picked up while visiting relatives in the capital city. When the congregant returned home, he presented it to his pastor, who prayerfully studied it before sending a request to the missionary s address on the back of the tract. In this modern-day story, the missionary received his vision sending him to people hungry for truth in the form of a letter. What are some other ways God can give us a vision of where we should go or with whom we should share our testimony? Do you have a story of how God has directed you to a hungry heart? II. GOD HONORS FAITHFUL WORSHIPERS Around the world, testimonies abound of faithful Christian pastors and saints who lived according to the truth they knew, and who were so thankful when someone shared with them Apostolic truth. Many of them, like Cornelius, lived commendable lives. Their faithfulness, akin to the giving and prayers of Cornelius, ascended as a memorial before God. (See Acts 10:4.) God then brought them to the attention of an Apostolic believer who followed the model set by Priscilla and Aquila, who, when learning of Apollos, took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly (Acts 18:26). 16

18 Aquila and Priscilla neither castigated him for his incomplete truth nor ignored it. Rather they befriended this gifted man and shared Apostolic truth. After converting, he used his giftedness to bless the church. (See Acts 18:27.) God help us to neither be passive ignorers nor aggressive castigators, but rather assertive sharers. What part do you feel wisdom plays in how we share the gospel of Jesus Christ? A. Lydia Was a Worshiper of God One of the women in Philippi, with whom Paul and Silas shared truth, was Lydia, a seller of purple from Thyatira. (See Acts 16:14.) She worshiped Jehovah of the Old Testament, being unaware that Jehovah had manifested Himself in flesh to come and save her. She may have been one of the women Paul and Silas spoke to by the river, or she may have overheard the message of Jesus from Paul and Silas while she sold her goods by the river. Perhaps one of the women they talked to shared it with her. However she heard the good news of Jesus Christ, she recognized Him as the God she worshiped, and she believed on Him as her Lord and Savior. B. Her Heart Was Opened to Receive the Message Paul Preached Acts 16:14 credits God with opening Lydia s heart to respond to the gospel. This speaks to the sovereignty of God and that He controls all things including opportunity for salvation. Jesus stated in John 6:44 that no man can come to Him unless the Father draws him. This confirms that only the grace of God makes salvation possible. Thank God for His convicting power and the godly sorrow that brings repentance! (See II Corinthians 7:10.) Contrary to the teachings of some that God only opens the hearts of a select few, Paul asserted to Titus, The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men (Titus 2:11). Those who desire salvation enough to obey the truth they know and continue to seek God will receive the opportunity to receive more truth and be saved. God will open the heart of everyone who hungers for truth. The truly hungry will, as Lydia did, attend to the preached Word of God. Do you remember when God opened your heart to respond to Him? What are some elements that you believe are conducive to creating hunger in the hearts of unbelievers so that God will open their hearts to the gospel? III. GOD WILL SAVE THOSE WHO ARE OBEDIENT TO HIS WORD A. Lydia and Her Household Were Baptized Attending to the Word of God, as Lydia did, includes obeying it by submitting to baptism in Jesus name in order to receive the remission of sins. Peter commanded Cornelius and his household to be baptized in Jesus name even after they received the Holy Ghost. (See Acts 10:47 48.) Romans teaches us that if we believe, we shalt be saved (Romans 10:9). However, take note that shalt be is future tense. Careful study of Scripture identifies believing as an active verb, not a passive one. 17

19 Believing and obedience represent two sides of the same coin. As biblical scholar James D. G. Dunn states in Baptism in the Holy Spirit, Faith demands baptism as its expression (228). Therefore, Paul and Silas baptized Lydia along with her household. (See Acts 16:15.) Infant baptizers try to use this household baptism to support infant baptism. But since baptism must be preceded by repentance (Acts 2:38), their argument lacks legitimacy. After James D. G. Dunn s assertion noted above, he continues, Baptism demands faith for its validity. While not recorded, the formula used by Paul and Silas would have been in the name of the Lord Jesus, according to Apostolic practice. (See Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5.) B. God Wants Everyone to Be Saved Everyone needs salvation. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Fortunately, God is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). God loves mankind, and in His all-knowing omniscience planned for man s redemption even before Adam and Eve sinned. John the Revelator referred to Jesus as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8). In his Gospel, John recorded, 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 (John 3:16). In providing for man s salvation, God went so far as to manifest Himself in flesh become a man to provide sinless blood as an atonement for man s sin. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4). Jesus provided the means of salvation for everyone and desires for all humanity to be saved. His sinless blood paid the price for the sins of the whole world. (See I John 2:2.) INTERNALIZING THE MESSAGE On the Day of Pentecost, Peter responded to the question of what we need to do to avail ourselves of the opportunity of salvation: Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). And lest anyone conclude that Peter s message applied only to people in a far country a time long ago, Peter, who possessed the keys to the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:19), continued, For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call (Acts 2:39). Jesus, in addition to desiring for all men and women to be saved, knows who hungers for salvation. He gave us His Spirit to empower us to be witnesses to them. When we are sensitive to the leading of His Spirit, He will direct us to hungry hearts. When asked the secret to his phenomenal success, the late international evangelist Billy Cole replied that he prayed and asked God where he needed to be and then showed up. Is there anywhere you feel God directing you to show up? 18

20 Lesson 3 December 16, 2018 A Life-Changing Message FOCUS THOUGHT Because God loves the world, He has given us the power to change the world. FOCUS VERSE Acts 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also. LESSON TEXT John 3: 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. Acts 17:5 9 5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8 And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9 And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go. 19

21 CULTURE CONNECTION TALE OF A HOMELESS CHURCH When Ezekiel Rodriguez and his wife launched a church in National City, California, they did not anticipate the surprise in store for them. After spending $20,000 renovating a building to seat one hundred people, the city took away their use of that building. The fire department essentially red tagged the building saying they needed more doors and a sprinkler system installed. Not knowing what else to do, the church met in the city park. After a couple weeks, Pastor Rodriguez took a suggestion from a friend and contacted the local Congregational Church. The pastor of that church did not seem open to the idea of renting again, having previously had a bad experience. However, after agreeing to meet and talk, the pastor had a change of heart and worked out a reasonable price for rent. Two days later they not only were renting the building, but the pastor invited Ezekiel Rodriguez to greet his congregation. Only a few months later, the Congregational Church pastor resigned. Their board asked Ezekiel Rodriguez to preach for them and soon elected him pastor. They even chose to accept his doctrinal positions and teachings from a Pentecostal perspective. In less than six months, the Apostolic church had gone from being homeless to having a beautiful building of their own. They were also able to give Pastor Rodriguez a fulltime salary with benefits. Like Paul in Corinth, being thrown out of one meeting place might just help one find the right people to work with in a city. OUTLINE I. SOME WILL FACE PERSECUTION BECAUSE OF THE GOSPEL A. Jason Accused of Supporting Paul and Silas B. Jason Brought before the City Officials C. Facing Persecution Because of Unwise Presentation II. GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF THOSE WHO PREACH HIS MESSAGE A. The Officials Let Them Go B. God s Plan Cannot Be Stopped C. Preach the Truth with Love III. THE MESSAGE OF JESUS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD CONTEMPLATING THE TOPIC This week s lesson setting relocates Paul and Silas from Philippi to Thessalonica. They endured imprisonment in Philippi when the masters of a demon-possessed woman a fortune-teller became upset with Paul for casting the demon out of her, which caused her to lose the ability to tell fortunes. While they were in prison, God sent an earthquake and loosed their bonds during a midnight worship service. The result was the conversion of the jailer and his family. Afterward Paul and Silas departed from Philippi at the request of the city officials. Continuing along the major Roman highway, called Via Egnatia, they passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia before arriving at Thessalonica, the capital city of Macedonia. Following their custom, they proceeded to the synagogue of the Jews to worship and evangelize. (See Acts 17:1.) 20

22 SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES Paul eloquently used Scripture to teach Jesus as the Christ, the long-awaited Messiah. His message proved successful in converting some Jews and numerous God-fearing Gentiles, including some prominent women. (See Acts 17:4.) These God-fearing Gentiles, while not entirely Jewish proselytes, strived to adhere to Jewish Scripture. It appears Paul s converts began to meet in the home of Jason, who probably opened his home to Paul and Silas in the same manner as did Lydia. Do you know anyone who fits the description of a Lydia or a Jason, one who is willing to go the extra mile to bless those who preach the gospel? I. SOME WILL FACE PERSECUTION BECAUSE OF THE GOSPEL A. Jason Accused of Supporting Paul and Silas Jason s support of Paul and Silas caught the attention of those who opposed their teaching. While some Jews accepted the truth of Jesus as Messiah, the majority rejected Paul s claim. Paul and Silas s success in converting the God-fearing Greeks and people of prominence provoked them to jealousy. In an attempt to undermine Paul and Silas s ministry, they enlisted the help of certain lewd fellows of the baser sort (Acts 17:5) and instigated the forming of an unruly mob, who then proceeded to the home of Jason to seize Paul and Silas. They wanted to drag them before the people, referring to a popular assembly in Thessalonica, a free city within the Roman Empire. Being unable to locate Paul and Silas at Jason s house, they resorted to apprehending Jason and other brethren considered supporters of Paul and Silas. B. Jason Brought before the City Officials The mob, incited by the Jews, failed to capture the outsiders Paul and Silas, and instead chose to bring Jason and others from his house before the local magistrates rather than the popular assembly, possibly because the popular assembly would be less willing to harshly judge their fellow citizens. The mob accused Jason and his company before the city officials of supporting people who do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus (Acts 17:7). This accusation seemed to refer to the Christian message declaring Jesus as Lord. They reminded the town officials that this message turned the world upside down (Acts 17:6). They used the statement of turning the world upside down in a derogatory manner implying the message of Jesus caused trouble everywhere its proponents propagated it. Possibly they referenced the recent problems in Philippi when the multitude, incited by the masters of the delivered woman, rose up against Paul and Silas. While the gospel turns the world upside down in positive ways, people who oppose the message often choose to stir up trouble. Paul well understood how opponents of the gospel incited people to persecute the church. He had participated in and promoted the persecution of Christians before his subsequent conversion. The first recorded Christian martyr, Stephen, one of the deacons appointed by the apostles in Acts 6, stirred up envy in the synagogue with the success 21