Disciples Are Made Not Born Part 4 of 6 The Witness of the Disciple Acts 16:25-34

DISCIPLESHIP “Discipling others is the process by which a Christian with a life worth emulating commits himself or herself for an extended period of time to a few individuals who have been won to Christ, the purpose being to aid and guide their growth to maturity and equip them to reproduce themselves in a third spiritual generation."

Some Definitions of Evangelism Evangelism is the communication of the gospel by saved people to lost people – Alvin Reid

Some Definitions of Evangelism To evangelize is to present Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit that men shall come to put their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Savior, and serve him as their Lord in the fellowship of His Church – Anglican Definition

Some Definitions of Evangelism A concerted effort in the power of the Holy Spirit to confront unbelievers into repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and thus, into the fellowship of His church so they may grow in the Spirit – Lewis Drummond

Some Definitions of Evangelism Presenting Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God. – Bill Bright and Campus Crusade for Christ

Some Definitions of Evangelism One beggar telling another beggar where to get food. – D.T. Niles

Acts 16:25-34 (ESV) 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.

Acts 16:25-34 (ESV) 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

Acts 16:25-34 (ESV) 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Acts 16:25-34 (ESV) 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family.

Acts 16:25-34 (ESV) 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

6 Characteristics of a Good Witness

1) PRAYER (vs. 25a) 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying...

1) PRAYER (vs. 25a) → Prayer helps prepare you and others for the witnessing event → Prayer helps prepare your eyes to see the ministry God has prepared

2) PRAISE (vs. 25a) 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God...

2) PRAISE (vs. 25a) → Praise reminds us of the great God we serve → Praise relates our belief to others in understandable ways

3) PATIENCE (vs ) 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. 27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.

3) PATIENCE (vs ) 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. 30 Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

3) PATIENCE (vs ) → Patience is an outworking of complete surrender to God's sovereign timing → Patience is most possible through preparedness

4) PROCLAMATION (vs. 31) 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

4) PROCLAMATION (vs. 31) → Could you lead someone to Christ if they asked you how to be saved?

5) PRESENCE (vs. 32) 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.

5) PRESENCE (vs. 32) → if we are not where we need to be we cannot speak the words God wants us to say → a price tag can never be put on presence

6) PERSEVERANCE (33-34) 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

6) PERSEVERANCE (33-34) → Christ called us to make disciples not encourage others to make decisions → Christ never meant the Christian life to be lived alone

I Will Go

Give me ears to hear Your Spirit Give me feet to follow through Give me hands to touch the hurting And the faith to follow You

Give me grace to be a servant Give me mercy for the lost Give me passion for Your glory Give me passion for the cross

And I will go where there are no easy roads Leave the comforts that I know

I will go and let this journey be my home I will go

I'll let go of my ambition Cut the roots that run too deep

I will learn to give away What I cannot really keep What I cannot really keep

Help me see with eyes of faith Give me strength to run this race

And I will go where there are no easy roads Leave the comforts that I know

I will go and let this journey be my home I will go

I will go Lord where Your glory is unknown I will live for You alone I will go because my life is not my own

I will go...