3,000 - Acts 2:44

5,000 - Acts 4:4

Multiplied - Acts 6:1

Increased in number daily - 16:5

I. Overcame all Hindrances

1. Lived in evil Surroundings

Phil. 2:15 - crooked & perverse

1 John 5:19 - wickedness

1 Cor. 6:9-11 - immorality

There are many evil people

They need the gospel

Romans 1:16

The gospel still has power to change lives

2. There was Religious Error

Jews - Romans 10:1-2

Gentiles - Acts 17:22-23

Still true today

Some with honest and good heart - Matt. 13:23

3. Unconcerned with Spiritual

“given over to pleasure”

“eat, drink and be merry”

“loved pleasure more than God”

Their “belly” was their god

4. Skeptics Abounded

Scoffed at idea of God

Theory of evolution today

Reject miraculous

creation, miracles, resurrection

II. Early Church Grew because

1. Men were converted to Christ

Not living for self

Rom. 12:1-2 - living sacrifice

Influenced their lives

2. Responsibility to Teach Lost

Seed sown in hearts of men

2 Tim. 2:2 - teach others also

Personal Responsibility

Not a professional clergy

3. Christianity “taught religion”

John 6:44,45 “they shall be all taught of God.”

Rom.10:17- word produces faith

Seed must be planted

Start with family - friends

4. Apostles not super salesmen

Went everywhere preaching the word - Acts 8:4

Acts 11:19-21

Paul in prison - Phil.1:12-14

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening November 8, 2009