HOW THE GOSPEL SPREADS

ISA. 11:9

[By Ron Halbrook]

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• Introduction

1. ISA. 11:9 The Gospel Is for All Men

9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

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• Introduction

1. ISA. 11:9 The Gospel Is for All Men Isa. 11 pictures Christ’s rule for salvation of men of all nations Kingdom of truth, righteousness, peace Message must cover the earth “as the waters cover the sea”

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• Introduction2. God spreads gospel by human agency:

uses us if we are willing! God is the origin of the plan of salvation God used human agency to reveal & spread the gospel The work of spreading the gospel continues until the end of time Every saint can & must help!

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I. God Is the Origin of the Plan of Salvation A. Plan Hidden in God’s Mind Until Revealed

Rom. 11:33-36 Who can know His mind?

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Rom. 11:33-36 Who can know His mind?

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

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I. God Is the Origin of the Plan of Salvation A. Plan Hidden in God’s Mind Until Revealed

Rom. 16:25-26 The mystery revealed

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Rom. 16:25-26 The mystery revealed 25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

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I. God Is the Origin of the Plan of Salvation B. Plan Revealed in Jesus Christ

Jn. 1:16-18 God’s grace & truth in Christ

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Jn. 1:16-18 God’s grace & truth in Christ

16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. 17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. 18 No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

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I. God Is the Origin of the Plan of Salvation B. Plan Revealed in Jesus Christ

Heb. 1:1-3 God speaks through Christ

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Heb. 1:1-3 God speaks through Christ

1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

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I. God Is the Origin of the Plan of Salvation C. Full, Final Revelation by the Holy Spirit

Jn. 3:34 Christ & the Spirit fully united

34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

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Jn. 14:26 The Spirit guided the Apostles’ memory of Jesus’ teaching

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

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Jn. 16:12-13 The Spirit revealed all things

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Jn. 16:12-13 The Spirit revealed all things

12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

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II. God Used Human Agency to Reveal & Spread the Gospel

A. Apostles Spoke, Then Wrote Matt. 16:19 They revealed the kingdom

19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

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A. Apostles Spoke, Then Wrote 1 Cor. 14:37 Their word is God’s Word!

37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

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A. Apostles Spoke, Then Wrote 2 Thess. 2:15 Same word spoken, written

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

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B. Apostles Led the Way in Spreading the Gospel into All the World Acts 1:8 From Jerusalem to all nations

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.

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C. Others Helped Reveal & Spread the Word Eph. 4:11 Gospel revealed, perpetuated

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

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D. Gospel Message Scorned by Many 1 Cor. 1:18 God’s power to save

18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

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III. Spreading the Gospel Continues Until the End of Time

A. The Scope of the Great Commission Matt. 28:18-20 Jesus with us to the end

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Matt. 28:18-20 Jesus with us to the end

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

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B. Gospel Message Preserved for All Times 2 Pet. 1:12-15 Written to be remembered

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2 Pet. 1:12-15 Written to be remembered

12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.

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C. Special Focus & Training Needed Matt. 4:18-19 Become fishers of men

18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

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D. Teach Groups & Individuals Acts 8:5, 35 Target a city or a man

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

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E. Public & Private Venues Acts 5:41-42 Public assemblies & homes

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

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F. Pass Truth by New Generation & Converts 2 Tim. 2:2 Constantly passing the torch

2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

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IV. Every Saint Can & Must Help! A. Feel Unworthy, Inadequate—

Do Our Best with God’s Help Matt. 10:8 Someone helped you

8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

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IV. Every Saint Can & Must Help! B. Not All Preachers,

But All Can Do Something 1 Cor. 12:14-16 Many parts in one body

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1 Cor. 12:14-16 Many parts in one body

14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

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IV. Every Saint Can & Must Help! C. Teach by Word & Deed

1 Pet. 3:1-2 Let them see a sermon 1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

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IV. Every Saint Can & Must Help! D. Spirit of Power, Love, & Sober Mind

2 Tim. 1:7-8 Not ashamed of the truth

7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;

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IV. Every Saint Can & Must Help! E. Woman’s Role Vital, But Not Over Men

Phil. 4:3 Women are fellow workers

3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.

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IV. Every Saint Can & Must Help! E. Woman’s Role Vital, But Not Over Men

1 Tim. 2:11-15 Men not women lead

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1 Tim. 2:11-15 Men not women lead

11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.

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IV. Every Saint Can & Must Help! F. Use Every Means, Method, & Opportunity

One on onePublic assemblies, open forums, debatesArrange home Bible studyTracts, correspondence course, journalsLetters, cards, phone callsTechnology: radio, TV, CD, DVD, web site www.HebronChurchOfChrist.com

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• Invitation

1. ISA. 11:9 The Gospel Is for All Men

9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

41

• Invitation

1. ISA. 11:9 The Gospel Is for All Men Isa. 11 Pictures Christ’s rule for salvation of men of all nations Kingdom of truth, righteousness, peace Message must cover the earth “as the waters cover the sea”

42

• Invitation2. God spreads gospel by human agency:

uses us if we are willing! God is the origin of the plan of salvation God used human agency to reveal & spread the gospel The work of spreading the gospel continues until the end of time Every saint can & must help!

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• Invitation3. Obey the gospel, receive salvation,

& tell someone the good news TODAY! Mk. 16:16 Christ calls alien sinners

16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

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• Invitation3. Obey the gospel, receive salvation,

& tell someone the good news TODAY! Acts 8:22 Christ calls fallen saints

22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.

HOW THE GOSPEL SPREADS

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