The Gospel is to be preached in 2022 as always!

Preaching or teaching evangelistically from the Scriptures is very important. It is certainly possible and recommended to preaching or teach expository evangelistic messages.

Let’s consider a specific text: Acts 16:25-34.

Now the whole chapter, Acts 16, is relevant and should be studied, but the core of the message can be developed from verses 25-34. It is helpful to find a text that is easy to follow.

This is the account of the conversion of a Philippian jailor and his household. It is part of the report of the Apostle Paul and Silas’ missionary ministry, and specifically ministry in Philippi. It is important to note that due to previous ministry in Philippi (recorded in the chapter) that Paul and Silas were beaten, thrown in prison, and a “jailor” was ordered to keep them safely. Details are given about how they were put in an “inner prison” and their feet were “fastened …….in stocks” (Acts 16:24 ESV). This indicates that this jailor was familiar with Paul and Silas (at least to some degree).

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. 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.” ²⁹ And the jailer^[a] 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.” 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. 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.”

 

There are numerous approaches that can be taken when preaching evangelistically from this passage of Scripture.


1.  A person could just read through the passage and make comments along the way.

The passage "preaches” itself. This is especially true because it is a narrative text,

• Paul and Silas and the setting (25)
• The earthquake and aftermath (26)
• The jailor’s crisis and response (27)
• The interaction between Paul and the jailor and the jailor’s critical question? (28-30)
• The clear gospel promise and the response needed to the Word of God (30-33)
• The joyful evidences of true conversion (34)

2.  You could develop a “gospel theme.”

The focus could be on “believe.” (Note verses 31 and 34 especially)

• Why do you need to believe?
• What do you need to believe?
• When do you need to believe?

The focus could be on “salvation” Focus on the key question and answer ((30-34)
 

• The Quest for Salvation
• The Way of Salvation
• The Lord of Salvation
• The Evidence of Salvation

The focus could be more specific on the jailor and questions could be used:
 

• Are you in a crisis like this jailor?
• Are you seeking deliverance like this jailor?
• Have you heard the gospel like this jailor?
• Will you believe in the Lord Jesus like this jailor?
• Will your life be changed by the Lord like this jailor?

3.  Here is an Expanded Outline of an Expository Evangelistic Message

A Story of Personal Salvation:

What’s Your Story?

 
Introduction: We are viewing a historical account of an individual’s conversion and his salvation story. The writer (Luke) has taken time in his account to give us special details that help us understand how a person can be genuinely saved and converted.

1. A Personal Crisis (leading to the need for personal salvation) – verses 25-27

• The sovereign arrangements of circumstances
• The sovereign availability of God’s servants
  • Ultimately we all face a crisis – we are in need of salvation
  • Take advantage of the availability of God’s Word to you

2. A Personal Plea (seeking a way for personal salvation) – verses 28-30

• The Sincerity of the Plea
• The Seriousness in the Plea 
• The Immediacy of the Plea
  • Is this our plea today?  
  • Are you in need of salvation?
    
    

3. A Personal Answer (proclaiming the way for Personal salvation) – verses 31-32 

• The Necessity of Genuine Faith – “Believe”
• The Focus for Genuine Faith – “in the Lord Jesus”
• The Promise for Genuine Faith – “you will be saved”
• The Foundation for Genuine Faith – "The Word of God"
  • Will you now believe the gospel of the Lord Jesus?
    
    

4. A Personal Response (Demonstrating Personal Salvation) – verses 33-34

• Receiving the Word of God
• A Change in Allegiance - Baptized by God’s servants
• A Change in Relationships – now caring for God’s servants
• A changed and joyful household 

This is the genuine change that God will make if you truly come to Him in total repentance and faith. Have you truly responded to the gospel of salvation? Do you have a story of personal salvation?

There is no time to waste.

(These verses demonstrate true repentance, faith, and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. We see the evidence of a converted man: moving from desperation to joy. Joy is a key indicator of salvation in Luke’s writings.)


(The title “From Desperation to Joy” could lead to another outline of the message of this text)

Let’s preach and teach the gospel this year!!