A Biblical Vision, Part II: Mastering the New Testament Witness to Christ

Ses s i on 5: The Ac t s of the Apos t l es : The Propagat i on of Chr i s t

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3. To what extent is your present Christian walk a clear and compelling witness to the life and glory of Jesus Christ? What specific things must you do in order to become the kind of “salt and light” God wishes for you as a witness to Jesus? Matt. 5.14-16

B. Connection to your ministry in the city and the church

Acts 20.24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

1. In what ways does my current preaching and teaching ministry focus upon the core of the Kerygma as the apostles proclaimed Christ? 1 Cor. 2.2

2. Have I allowed modern emphases and oddities to overshadow the simple, plain, and powerful message of Christ risen and living among his people? What things have I tended to emphasize rather than the core of the kerygma? Heb. 12.1-2 3. How might I better equip myself to preach and teach the core teaching regarding Jesus Christ in my ministry today? Acts 20.18-21 – And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, [19] serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; [20] how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, [21] testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 4. What things do I now possess that I must now count as dross for the surpassing value of the knowing Jesus our Lord, the true author and finisher of our faith? Phil. 3.7-8 – But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. [8] Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my