God has given us the ministry of reconciliation. It is our privilege and responsibility to be witnesses for God and to live his Word – Not just on Sundays, but every day.
This teaching is a practical topic, not as much on “how” to move the Word, but “where” to move the Word.
[This sermon was taught in the home] for our fellowship meeting. The home is a warm, inviting environment and provides fertile spiritual soil for us to plant the seeds of God’s wonderful Word.
Likewise, the disciples in Acts 2 did the same and had a great impact in their communities.
Acts 2:41-47
Then they that gladly received his [Peter’s] word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear [respectful reverence for God] came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, [Amplified: both their landed property and their movable goods] and parted [distributed] them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Imagine 3000 people all born again in one day!
What a huge impact!
The apostles sold everything they didn’t need and devoted their lives to moving the Word
They routinely visited many homes as part of their fellowship and outreach. As they met together regularly, the one-on-one setting in the home became integral to the movement of the Word in that day.
Acts 5:42
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
One of the first miracles ever recorded, occurred in a house:
Matthew 8:14
And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother laid, and sick of a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. 16 When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick: 17 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself [referring to Jesus Christ] took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.
Peter’s wife’s mother was sick with a fever and Jesus Christ ministered healing to her. Then it says she ministers to them. This means she served them; She may have got them something to drink or food to eat out of respect and thankfulness for her deliverance.
We learned [in a prior teaching] about some of the nasty diseases and ailments that people suffered from in biblical times. Remember that they could not go to the doctor when they got sick like we can. For this woman to have a fever was a very serious condition. She was thankful to be healed!!!
Let’s look at another example of healing in Matthew:
Matthew 9:23-26
And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels [flutes] and the people making a noise, 24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25 But when the people were put forth, [asked to leave] he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
Notice that Jesus removes all distractions and unbelief from the situation and then God works a miracle to heal the young girl. Sometimes we need to remove distractions from our lives too.
Galatians 6:10
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
In Matthew 9, Jesus Christ illustrates how we are to be good unto ALL.
Matthew 9:10-13
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans [tax collectors] and sinners [wicked men] came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? 12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole [healthy] need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
They were all eating together in a house and the Pharisees (as usual) were trying to find fault with Jesus.
[In the culture of that day, it would have been “socially unacceptable” for Jesus to associate with these people.] BUT – He was demonstrating the love that God has for all people regardless of their past or social status.
These records show great examples of fellowship, healing, humility, and love by Jesus Christ and the disciples as they took the Gospel into the houses of people who wanted deliverance.
The disciples were committed to love and serve people in their own homes. They had a great impact in the lives of many people.
This is one of the reasons we use this same model for fellowship in the home today in our Ministry.
The chapter is summarized beautifully in Acts 19:20
Acts 19:20
So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
God Bless You!
From a February 2009 Teaching [brackets indicate my comments] Adapted from the book Outreach Strategies of Jesus Christ, American Christian Press