2. Great Excuses in the Old Testament
1. Adam in Genesis 3:12 “The woman whom you gave...”
2. Cain in Genesis 4:9 “…Am I my brother’s keeper?”
3. Moses in Exodus 4:10 “…I am slow of speech and slow
of tongue.”
4. Aaron to Moses in Exodus 32:22, 24 “…you know the
people…”
5. Saul to Samuel in 1 Samuel 15:13-14, 22
6. Matthew 7:21-23
3. Growing by Multiplication
The Early Church Multiplied:
1. In Acts 1 only 120 disciples.
2. At the beginning 3,000 added, Acts 2:41
3. In Acts 4:4 about 5,000 men added (not counting women)
4. In Acts 5:14, multitudes of both men and women were
added.
5. By Acts 6:7, even a great number of priests were added.
6. By Acts 7, 20,000 of the 55,000 residents of Jerusalem
were Christians.
4. How to Grow by Multiplication
1. Trust in God’s Word, Heb 2:1-4 NKJV Therefore we
must give the more earnest heed to the things we have
heard, lest we drift away. (2) For if the word spoken
through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression
and disobedience received a just reward, (3) how shall
we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed
to us by those who heard Him, (4) God also bearing
witness both with signs and wonders, with various
miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His
own will?
Read Acts 5:12, 14-16; 2 Timothy 3:16; Romans 1:16.
5. How to Grow by Multiplication
1. Trust in God’s Word
2. Be of “One Accord, or One Mind, or One Purpose; Acts
4:32; Acts 2:45; Acts 4:35
3. Preach the Gospel with Boldness; Acts 4:29,31
Eph 6:19-20 NKJV and for me, that utterance may be given
to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the
mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in
chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
6. Growth Brings Adversity
The churches of Christ were the
fastest growing religious body in
the United States from the 1880’s
to the 1960’s.
Act 4:17-18 NKJV But so that it spreads no further
among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from
now on they speak to no man in this name." (18) So they
called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor
teach in the name of Jesus.
Read Acts 5:22-28
7. Growth Requires being a
Witness of the Cross
Act 5:29-32 NKJV But Peter and the other apostles
answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.
(30) The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you
murdered by hanging on a tree. (31) Him God has exalted to
His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to
Israel and forgiveness of sins. (32) And we are His
witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom
God has given to those who obey Him."
Ought – (dei) necessary; must
8. We are Made Witnesses
by the Holy Spirit
Act 5:32 NKJV And we are His witnesses to these things,
and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those
who obey Him."
By Faith we see the crucified
Christ; Hebrews 11:1
9. What Kind of Witness
are You?
1. Some are compelled by force.
2. Some are not believable. (A hypocrite makes a horrible
witness)
3. Some are merely trying to reduce their punishment.
4. Some are eyewitnesses.
5. Some are expert witnesses.
10. Growth Requires a
CAN DO Attitude!!!
1. Some react angrily to God’s word.
2. Some like those at Pentecost in Acts 2 will be convicted.
3. Some people will respect us, but not believe.
Act 5:38-39 NKJV And now I say to you, keep away from
these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is
of men, it will come to nothing; (39) but if it is of God, you
cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against
God."
11. Grow Requires a CAN
DO Attitude!!!
The Lord’s Side Always Wins:
1. 1Sa 17:47 NKJV Then all this assembly shall know that
the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the
battle is the LORD's, and He will give you into our
hands."
2. God’s Word is Still Powerful; Rom. 1:16; Heb. 4:12-13.
3. You CAN DO IT; Philippians 4:13.
4. The Church will STAND Forever, Daniel 2:44.
Editor's Notes
Exo 32:24 And I said to them, 'Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.' So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.“1Sa 15:13-14 hen Samuel went to Saul, and Saul said to him, "Blessed are you of the LORD! I have performed the commandment of the LORD." (14) But Samuel said, "What then is this bleating of the sheep in my ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?“ :22 So Samuel said: "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.
Heb 2:1-4 NKJV Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. (2) For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, (3) how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, (4) God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?
Eph 6:19-20 NKJV and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Eph 6:19-20 NKJV and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, (20) for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Bring this man’s blood upon us! (Acts 5:28) Mat 27:24-25 NKJV When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just Person. You see to it." (25) And all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us and on our children."
Act 4:19-20 NKJV But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
We MUST Obey God!
Act 4:19-20 NKJV But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
We MUST Obey God!
Act 4:19-20 NKJV But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
We MUST Obey God!
Heb 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (13) And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Dan 2:44 And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.