Preach the gospel to every creature

1. Mark 16:15 Preach the gospel to every creature

2. References • The Bible Exposition Commentary, New Testament, Volume 1, Wiersbe • Selected Scriptures reprinted from the Holy Bible, New King James Version • Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Abingdon Press, 1986 • Way of the Master, various resources for evangelism, Ray Comfort • Bible Doctrine, Essential Teachings of the Christian Faith, Wayne Grudem, 1999

3. The Great Commission • And he said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” – Mark 16:15 • “Go ye therefore and teach all nations…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you…” – Matthew 28:19-20 • “…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations…” – Luke 24:57 • “Follow me.” – John 20:19 • “…and you shall be my witnesses unto me…unto the uttermost part of the earth.” – Acts 1:8

4. It’s all Greek to me! • Preach = kēryssō • To proclaim after the manner of a herald with the suggestion of formality, gravity and authority which must be listened to and obeyed • The gospel = euangelion • The glad tidings of salvation through Christ • Creature = ktisis • Anything created

5. Evangelism • To proclaim with authority the good news of Jesus Christ who has ushered in salvation by repentance and faith through his death, burial and resurrection from the dead • Evangelism requires • Preparation • Proclamation • Personal Witness

6. Preparation • Before a herald can proclaim a message, he must know • Who is to receive it • What the message is • When it is to be delivered • Where he must go to proclaim • Why the message is important • How it is to be presented

7. Preparation • Who is to receive it • Every creature • What the message is • Repent from sin • Faith in Jesus Christ • When it is to be delivered • Today is the day of salvation

8. Preparation • Where we must go • At home and abroad • Why the message is important • Power of God unto salvation • How it is to be presented • A verbal presentation • Be ready always How does preaching fit within God’s plan of salvation?

9. Proclamation • Election – the express will of the Father in eternity past • Gospel Call – the summons of God through the preaching of the gospel • Regeneration – creation of a new heart that can repent and believe • Conversion – the total change of emotion, mind and will: repentance and faith

10. Proclamation • Justification – the work of Christ on the cross, now applied to the believer • Adoption – becoming part of God’s family • Sanctification – growth in holiness • Perseverance – being kept by God • Glorification – the ultimate state of the elect in God’s eternal presence

11. Proclamation • Without a public square and in the face of social media, the internet, entertainment ‘ad nauseam’, and a tolerance of sin, how can we engage people in a dialogue on spiritual matters? • Actively engage people on spiritual matters • Transition from the natural to the spiritual

12. Proclamation • W – would you consider yourself a good person? • D – do you believe you have kept the ten commandments? • J – judgment – if God were to judge you by the ten commandments, would you be innocent or guilty? • D – destiny – would you go to heaven or hell?

13. Proclamation • C – Concern • C – Christ • R – Repentance • A – And • F – Faith • T – Truth – Read the Bible; seek out a local church for teaching and instruction in righteousness.

14. Proclamation • Are there people who will really respond to our gospel presentation? • Jesus time and again assures us • Matthew 9:35-37 • Acts 18:1-11 • Jesus came to seek and to save the lost • Seek: zēteō, to seek after • Save: sōzō, rescue from danger • Lost: apollymi, headed for ruin & destruction • Our job is to proclaim

15. Personal Witness • Our lives must be a substantiating witness to Christ and the power of the gospel • Overheard at work: “I couldn’t believe it at the funeral – he cursed like sailor, but the preacher claimed he was saved!” • We must live a holy life • Philippians 4:8 • 1 Peter 1:13-16 • Galatians 5:19-24

16. Evangelism • To proclaim with authority the good news of Jesus Christ who has ushered in salvation by repentance and faith through his death, burial and resurrection from the dead • Evangelism requires • Preparation • Proclamation • Personal Witness Preach the gospel to every creature at home and abroad

17. Questions to Ponder • Are you prepared? • Study the Scriptures • Fast & pray • Will you proclaim the gospel? • Speak to others specifically about Christ • Is your lifestyle evangelical? • Live so differently from the world that people notice and aren’t surprised you claim Christ • OR – • They are surprised because they’ve never met so devoted a Christian who has directly evangelized

18. Conclusion • “And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them… Amen.” – Mark 16:20 Go and preach!

19. The Early Church At Home & Abroad • Philip: • Jerusalem to Samaria • Mediterranean Sea coast to Caesarea • Peter: Joppa to Caesarea • Barnabas: Jerusalem to Antioch • Paul & Barnabas: • Cyprus and southern Turkey • Philippi, Athens, and Corinth • Western Turkey, esp. Ephesus • Crete, Sicily, and Rome Jerusalem to Rome = 1434 miles Huntsville to Port-au-Prince = 1418 miles*