ASSIGNMENTS

1. Once a day read over this material and read or sing the songs.

2. Keep the scripture where you will see it often each day.

3. Think of times in your life when you have had opportunities to share the Gospel and how you could do it better next time.

5. Write down 10 names of friends, neighbors, or family members that you can speak to about Christ and His church.

6. Plan to tell the class about your struggles or successes with teaching others the gospel.

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DAILY BIBLE VERSES AND PRAYER THOUGHTS

MONDAY - VERSES: The gospel is mentioned 104 times in the New Testament. Matthew 4:23; 9:35; 11:5; Luke 4:18	PRAYER THOUGHT: Father, help me to follow the example Jesus left of sharing the good news of the gospel.

TUESDAY - VERSES: Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10; Colossians 1:23 PRAYER THOUGHT: Savior of Mankind, Help me remember to support the spread of the gospel throughout the whole world.

WEDNESDAY - VERSES: Romans 2:16; 10:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-
9	PRAYER THOUGHT: Judge of All, Help me remember that everyone is lost without the gospel and help the urgency to reach them grow in my heart, mind, and soul.

THURSDAY - VERSES: Philippians 1:4-5; 2:22; 4:3,15;

1 Thessalonians 3:2 PRAYER THOUGHT: Master, help me to be a worker with others in spreading the gospel.

FRIDAY - VERSES: Ephesians 6:19; Philippians 1:27; 2 Timothy 1:8-
10 PRAYER THOUGHT: God, help me to grow in my understanding of the gospel and live my life worthy of the gospel.

SATURDAY - VERSES: Ephesians 3:6; 6:15; Philippians 1:7,12,17 PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord, help me to obey the gospel, defend the gospel, and further it with my life.

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While it is true that we must keep the faith, we must not keep it to ourselves.

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1 Peter 4:17 - For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

SPIRITUAL HEALTH REGIMEN - WEEK 80

EVANGELISM - 2-16-14 TO 2-22-14

SCRIPTURE - Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

COMMENT - The only way God saves people today is through the gospel, and He uses us to teach others. If we are going to please God we must share the gospel with those with whom we have contact.

SONG - RING OUT THE MESSAGE

1. There's a message true and glad For the sinful and the sad, Ring it out, (Ring it out,) Ring it out; (Ring it out;) It will give them courage new, It will help them to be true; Ring it out, (Ring it out,) Ring it out; (Ring it out;)

2. Tell the world of saving grace, Make it known in ev'ry place, Ring it out, (Ring it out,) Ring it out; (Ring it out;) Help the needy ones to know Him from whom all blessings flow; Ring it out, (Ring it out,) Ring it out; (Ring it out;)

3. Sin and doubt to sweep away, Till shall dawn the better day, Ring it out, (Ring it out,) Ring it out; (Ring it out;) Till the sinful world be won For Jehovah's mighty Son; Ring it out, (Ring it out,) Ring it out; (Ring it out;)

Chorus - Ring out (Merrily ring,) the word (Speed it away,) o'er land (Message divine,) and sea, (send it today;) Still far (Let) from Jesus (it) many (cheer) live (the) in sin (lost and) and (those in) doubt, (doubt, darkness and doubt;) Ring out (Merrily ring,) the news (wonderful news,) that makes (Making men free,) men free, (happy and free,) To all (Ring,) the lost (ring,) of (ring) ev'ry (ring,) nation, Ring (Ring the) it (message out) out. Ring it out.

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THOUGHTS

WHY CHURCHES GROW BY FERMAN CARPENTER

Over the last few years, numerous books and articles have been written about why churches grow (or don't grow). They have offered all kinds of solutions to the problems of declining church growth. Some of their ideas are: 1) Bigger buildings; 2) Better location; 3) Good publicity; 4) Plenty of parking; 5) Better qualified staff

All of these are good, and, if possible, churches need to have them. But when we look at the book of Acts, we see that the church described there grew because of some other reasons. Let's consider some of them:

1. THEY PREACHED THE SIMPLE MESSAGE OF JESUS CHRIST (Acts 2:22-28). Their efforts were not directed at preaching social reform or some kind of revolutionary new gimmick to try on the people. Salvation was (and still is) man's greatest need and they preached the message of the one who could provide it.

2. THEY ENJOYED EACH OTHER'S FELLOWSHIP (Acts 2:42-46). They spent a lot of time together even when they were not in the public assembly. They ate, prayed, and studied together. They shared their possessions.

3. THEY HAD A COMMON PURPOSE (Acts 4:32). This verse says, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and one soul." When people are held together by like-mindedness and common purpose they are a powerful and successful force.

4. THEY WERE RESPECTED BY OUTSIDERS (Acts 5:13). There was something about that group of Christians that commanded the respect of non-Christians. Their work, morality, zeal, dedication, and spirituality seemed to make them much better than those outside of Christ.

5. THEY WERE COMMITTED (Acts 5:29). After being put in jail and being threatened, Peter said, "We must obey God rather than men." Christianity was not (and is not now) a practice based on convenience or the mood of the one claiming to be a Christian, but on giving themselves totally to the obedience of God's will -- whatever the cost.

6. THEY PRACTICED EVANGELISM EVERYWHERE EVERY DAY (Acts 8:1-4). Those who were scattered as the result of the persecution "preached the word where ever they went." Preaching and teaching Jesus was not limited to an apostolic hierarchy, but all taught as they had opportunity.

We can see that church growth in the New Testament was not the result of abundant church staffs, big buildings, or good locations, but by every Christian being dedicated to the cause of Christ and unswerving in his desire as he had talent and opportunity.

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Consider the differences in what many think we need for the church to grow today and what the early church had when it grew.

1. A college-educated, polished public speaker - they had uneducated mediocre speakers who were personally unimpressive, 2 Cor. 10:10.

2. Nice buildings - they had none, met in homes, or others' buildings, Acts 17:1-3.

3. Business men in leadership - They had family men in leadership, fishermen, poor, Acts 3:6.

4. Comfort and convenience - They had no heated baptistries, padded pews, a/c or heating, cars, etc.

5. A lot of money - They had little money that was mainly used to help the poor brethren and further spread the gospel.

6. Professional Bible class material - They did not even have the completed New Testament at first, 1 Cor. 13:8-10.

7. A man hired for evangelism - They had every Christian involved in winning souls, Acts 8:1.

8. Look for good moral prospects - They converted those who were their enemies and deeply entangled in sin, Acts 9:13-14; 1 Cor. 6:9-11.

9. Don't step on toes or offend anyone - They were persecuted because they offended people, Acts 4:17; 5:28-30; 7:51-52.

10. Freedom of religion - They were opposed, threatened, arrested, scattered, persecuted, and hunted into hiding, Acts 4:21; 5:40-41; 8:1.

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_______________ TAKES COMMITMENT

INTRODUCTION - MATTHEW 4:18-19; LUKE 5:1-11

I. COMMITMENT TO KEEP YOUR _______________ CLEAN - LUKE 5:2; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:1

II. COMMITMENT TO GO WHERE THE __________ ARE - LUKE 5:4; MATTHEW 28:19

III. COMMITMENT TO ____________ WHEN YOU GET THERE - LUKE 5:5; HEBREWS 5:12

IV. COMMITMENT TO DEALING WITH ______________ - LUKE 5:6; ACTS 6:1

V. COMMITMENT TO ________ OTHER FISHERMEN - LUKE 5:7; 2 TIMOTHY 2:2

VI. COMMITMENT TO USE THE ___________ _______ - LUKE 5:8; PHILIPPIANS 2:14-16

VII. COMMITMENT TO GIVE ______________ FIRST PRIORITY - LUKE 5:11; 1 PETER 2:9

CONCLUSION - BE A FISHER OF MEN. YOU CATCH 'EM, JESUS WILL CLEAN THEM.

FISHING TAKES COMMITMENT

INTRODUCTION:

A. Matthew 4:18-19 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. {19} Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."

B. Luke 5:1-11 So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, {2} and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. {3} Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. {4} When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." {5} But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." {6} And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. {7} So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. {8} When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" {9} For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; {10} and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men." {11} So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

I. COMMITMENT TO KEEP YOUR EQUIPMENT CLEAN

A. There's nothing like breaking out your fishing pole from last season and finding a dried worm on the hook.

B. Luke 5:2 and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets.

C. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse our-selves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

II. COMMITMENT TO GO WHERE THE FISH ARE

A. A man wanted to go ice-fishing. He'd seen many books on the subject, and finally, after getting all the necessary "tools" together, he made for the nearest frozen lake.

After positioning his comfy foot-stool, he started to make a circular cut in the ice. Suddenly ---from above--- a voice boomed, "THERE ARE NO FISH THERE!"

Startled, the man moved further down the ice, poured a Thermos of cappuccino, and began to cut yet another hole. Again, from the heavens, the voice bellowed, "THERE ARE NO FISH THERE!"

The man, now quite concerned, moved way down to the opposite end of the ice, sat up his stool, and tried again to cut another hole. The voice came once more, "THERE ARE NO FISH THERE!"

He stopped, looked upward, and said, "Who are you --- God?"

The voice replied, "NO, I'M THE MANAGER OF THIS ICE-RINK!"

B. Luke 5:4 When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.

C. Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

III. COMMITMENT TO FISH WHEN YOU GET THERE

A. A man calls home to his wife and says, "Honey I have been asked to go fishing at a big lake up in Canada with my boss and several of his friends. We'll be gone for a week."

"This is a good opportunity for me to get that promotion I've been wanting so would you please pack me enough clothes for a week and set out my rod and tackle box. We're leaving from the office and I will swing by the house to pick my things up. Oh! Please pack my new blue silk pajamas."

The wife thinks this sounds a little fishy but being a good wife she does exactly what her husband asked. The following weekend he comes home a little tired but otherwise looking good. The wife welcomes him home and asks if he caught many fish?

He says, "Yes! Lot's of Walleye, some Bluegill, and a few Pike. But why didn't you pack my new blue silk pajamas like I asked you to do?"

Sighing she replied, "I did, they're in your tackle box."

B. Luke 5:5 But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net."

C. Hebrews 5:12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.

IV. COMMITMENT TO DEALING WITH PROBLEMS

A. There were two good ol' boys from Alabama who loved to fish. They wanted to do some ice fishing that they'd heard about in Canada, so they took off to try it.

The lake was frozen nicely, so they stopped just before they got to the lake at a little bait shop and got all their bait and tackle

One of them said, "We're going to need an ice pick."

After they got their equipment, they took off.

In about two hours, one of them was back at the shop and said,

"We're going to need another dozen ice picks."

He sold him the picks, and the good ol' boy left.

In about an hour, he was back at the shop again and said, "We're going to need all the ice picks you've got."

The shop owner couldn't believe it. "By the way," he asked, "how are you fellows doing?"

"Not very well at all," he said. "We don't even have the stupid boat in the water yet."

B. Luke 5:6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking.

C. Acts 6:1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.

V. COMMITMENT TO HELP OTHER FISHERMEN

A. It was a cold winter day. An old man walked out onto a frozen lake, cut a hole in the ice, dropped in his fishing line, and waited patiently for a bite. He was there for almost an hour, without even a nibble, when a young boy walked out onto the ice, cut a hole in the ice next to him. The young boy dropped his fishing line and minutes later he hooked a Largemouth Bass. The old man couldn't believe his eyes but chalked it up to plain luck. Shortly thereafter, the young boy pulled in another large catch. The young boy kept catching fish after fish. Finally, the old man couldn't take it any longer.

"Son" he said, "I've been here for over an hour without even a nibble. You've been here only a few minutes and have caught a half dozen fish! How do you do it?"

The boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rrarm."
"What was that?" the old man asked.

Again the boy responded, "Roo raf roo reep ra rums rarrm."

"Look," said the old man, "I can't understand a word you're saying."

The boy spat into his hand and said... "You have to keep the worms warm!"

B. Luke 5:7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

C. 2 Tim. 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

VI. COMMITMENT TO USE THE RIGHT BAIT

A. Three women are sitting by the side of a river holding fishing poles with the lines in the water. A Game Warden comes up behind them, taps them on the shoulder and says, "Excuse me, ladies, I'd like to see your fishing licenses."

"We don't have any." replied the first woman.

"Well, if you're going to fish, you need fishing licenses," said the Game Warden.

"But officer," replied the second woman, "we aren't fishing. We all have magnets at the end of our lines and we're collecting debris off the bottom of the river."

The Game Warden lifted up all the lines and, sure enough, there were horseshoe magnets tied on the end of each line. "Well, I know of no law against it," said the Game Warden. "Take all the debris you want." And with that, the Game Warden left.

As soon as the Game Warden was out of sight, the three women started laughing hysterically. "What a dumb Fish Cop," the one said to the other two. "Doesn't he know that there are Steelhead trout in this river?"

B. Luke 5:8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!"

C. Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, [15] that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, [16] holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

VII. COMMITMENT TO GIVE FISHING FIRST PRIORITY

A. Kent and three of his buddies have gone fishing every Saturday for nearly forty years. One Saturday, the guys are fishing along a highway when a funeral processional drives by. Well, Kent lays down his pool, stands up in the boat, takes off his lucky hat and places it over his heart. This processional is huge and takes nearly five minutes to pass. Once it passes, Kent sits down, puts his hat on and cast out without saying a word. Needless to say his buddies are floored by his actions. One of em finally speaks up and says, "that sure was a respectful thing you did there when they went by."

Kent replied, "It seems the least I could do seeing as how I've been married to the woman for over forty years!"

B. Luke 5:11 So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.

C. 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Conclusion – fishing takes commitment…

A. To keep your lives clean

B. To go where the fish are

C. To fish when you get there

D. To deal with problems that may arise

E. To help other fishermen

F. To use the right bait

G. To give fishing first priority

Be a fisher of men. You catch 'em, Jesus will clean them.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.