OceanSide church of Christ

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WE WILL GO…I WILL GO!

 

What We Will Face When We Go

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    The theme for OceanSide this year is:  “We Will Go…I Will Go!”

 

B.      The purpose of our theme is to encourage us to carry out the Great Commission that Jesus initially gave to the apostles (Mark 16:15-16).

 

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

 

C.     When we go, we need to know some of the things we will face.  Some might ask:  “Why?”

1.        So we will not be surprised by them.

2.       So we will not be discouraged by them.

3.       So we will not quit because of them.

 

D.    The title of our lesson today is:  “What We Will Face When We Go.”

 

I.             DISINTEREST

 

A.    Many of the people we will contact with the gospel of Christ will be disinterested in the things we have to say.

1.        They are wrapped up in the world.

2.       They have not thought about their soul.

3.       They do not contemplate their death.

4.       Their sins are of little concern to them.

5.       They are not fearful of the judgment.

 

B.      These individuals are the hard soil about which Jesus spoke in the Parable of the Sower (Luke 8:12).

 

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

 

II.           IGNORANCE

 

A.    Another thing that we will find is ignorance, even among those who say they believe the Bible is the Word of God.

1.        They do not understand the theme of the Bible

2.       They do not understand the inspiration of the Bible.

3.       They do not understand the three dispensations of the Bible.

4.       They do not understand the divisions of the Old and New Testaments.

5.       They do not understand the distinction between the covenants.

6.       They do not understand the soul, sin, and condemnation.

7.       They do not understand the cross and redemption.

8.       They do not understand the love and grace of God.

9.       They do not understand the gospel plan of salvation.

10.    They do not understand the Second Coming and Judgment.

 

B.      Two important points:

1.        We have to find out where a person is and begin at that point.

a.       Paul asked the men at Ephesus if they had received the Holy Spirit since they believed (Acts 19:2).  This was a logical place to begin since they had been baptized.

b.      When had not even heard of the Holy Spirit, he questioned their baptism (Acts 19:3).

 

And he said unto them, Unto what then were by baptized?  And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

 

c.       At that point in the conversation, he could teach them about the baptism of Christ (Acts 19:4).

d.      Ultimately, “they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).

2.       We have to be very patient with a person.  It may take explaining things numerous times before they fully understand what we are trying to teach.

a.       II Timothy 2:24-25a

 

And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient; in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves…

 

b.      II Corinthians 10:1

 

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…

 

III.         MAN-MADE DOCTRINES

 

A.    Ever since truth has been on the earth, the deceiver has done all that he can to combat it.

 

B.      One of the ways he has done is through man-made doctrines

1.        Jesus addressed the doctrines of man in Matthew 15:9.

 

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

 

2.       Paul spoke of the doctrines of men in his epistle to the Colossians (Col. 2:20-22).

 

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (touch not; taste not; handle not; which are to perish with using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

 

C.     There are literally thousands of man-made doctrines in our world.

1.        To confront them, we must first know the truth.

2.       We should begin each Bible study with an introductory discussion.

a.       Get to know the individual.

b.      Find out where they are spiritually.

c.       Find out some of the things that they have been taught.

3.       When we go into the study, we should

a.       Be prepared to confront the false doctrines.

b.      Note:  The questions that we are not able to answer need to be written down.  Study up on them and bring the answers at another session.

 

D.    Man-made doctrines do not save.  Only truth saves according to Jesus (John 8:32).

 

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

 

IV.        SIN

 

A.    When we go into the world, we are going to those who are lost in sin. 

1.        This means that we are going to face sin.

2.       Sin is not very pretty at times.

3.       It enslaves individuals.

4.       It can run extremely deep in a person’s life and in his/her relationships.

 

B.      The sin we face could involve:

1.        Extremely bad habits:  drunkenness, drugs, sex, etc.

2.       Relationship issues:  marriage, divorce, and remarriage

3.       Sins that are also crimes:  sexual assault, murder, robbery

4.       Sins that are connected also to mental health issues:  anger and violence, LGBTQ issues

 

C.     Two points:

1.        We must confront the sin in order for the individual to understand the need to repent.

a.       Peter told those on the day of Pentecost that they had slain the Son of God (Acts 2:23).  When asked what they needed to do, he first told them to repent, then be baptized (Acts 2:38).

b.      Paul told those in Athens about the unknown God (Acts 17:23-29), then exhorted them to repent (Acts 17:30).

 

At the times of this ignorance god winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.

 

2.       We may run into some issues that are too deep for us.  It is wise to know someone else who is more knowledgeable and more experienced who is willing to help us when we run into some extremely difficult situations.

 

V.          PEOPLE WITH PROBLEMS

 

A.    Another thing we will face is people with problems.  We have them.  We should not be shocked that others have them too.

1.        Relationship problems with their families and friends.

2.       Financial problems

3.       Mental problems

4.       Legal problems

5.       Health problems

 

B.      It is easy for us to get sucked into their problems, thinking that if we can help them, we will be more likely to convert them.

 

C.     Two thoughts:

1.        We can help other people within reason. 

2.       We must stay focused upon their spiritual man.  If we can change the inner man, their thinking will change.  When their thinking changes, then their behaviors change.  When behaviors change, problems begin to be solved.

a.       Criminals become good citizens.

b.      Bad parents become responsible parents.

c.       Worldly fathers become spiritual leaders in their homes.

d.      Enemies of the church become its greatest ally.

e.       Example:  Saul of Tarsus (I Tim. 1:12-13a)

 

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious…

 

VI.        OPPOSITION

 

A.    We will also face opposition, some it may be extreme.

1.        Matthew 10:22a

 

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake…

 

2.       II Timothy 3:12

 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

 

3.       I John 3:13

 

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

 

B.      Jesus was opposed.

The apostles were opposed.

Paul was opposed.

The first century church was opposed.

 

C.     We cannot let opposition discourage us. 

1.        We must stand fast (II Thess. 2:15).

2.       We must take the suffering (II Tim. 2:3).

3.       We must continue to preach the Word (Acts 4:19-20).

4.       We must pray for our enemies (Matt. 5:45).

 

VII.      OUR WEAKNESSES

 

A.    The last thing that we will face when we take the gospel to the world is our weaknesses.

1.        Our lack of knowledge

2.       Our fears

3.       Our doubts

4.       Our lack of talent in teaching

5.       Our lack of patience

6.       Our anger

 

B.      At first, facing our weaknesses might be the most difficult things we have to overcome. 

1.        We are not who we thought we are.

2.       We are challenged with discouragement.

3.       We need to grow in Christ.

4.       We find ourselves wanting to quit.

 

C.     The keys are three-fold:

1.        Confront your weaknesses.

2.       Determine to never give up.

3.       Trust in the promises of God (Ps. 126:5-6).

 

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.  He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Taking the gospel into a lost world is not an easy task.

 

B.      We will face many things in the process.

 

C.     Let’s resolve to face whatever comes before us with courage and with the truth.

 

D.    Let’s keep in mind that souls and eternity are at stake.