THE USE OF LAY PEOPLE IN SOUL WINNING

2 TIMOTHY 2:1,2

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The Great commission - disciple, baptize, preach.

 

The great assignment of Paul to Timothy - discipling, teaching others.

 

Never a thought in NT - evangelism a paid, professional affect.

 

True, elders worthy of him:

 

1 Corinthians 9:13,14.

1 Corinthians 9:9, 1 Timothy 5:18.

1 Timothy 5:17.

 

But the great work of evangelism the labor of lay people.

 

This the story of the Christian faith through the centuries.

 

I. THE FIRST CENTURY

 

     1.  Deacons.

 

1 Timothy 3:12,13 "great soldier"

 

Freedom, confidence, liberty in speaking.

So Stephen.  Only place - Jesus standing.

So Philip.

So Antioch.  Who founded?  Acts 8:1; 11.

So soldiers, slaves.

 

 

II.  THE MIDDLE CENTURIES.

 

     1.  Peter Walde, 1176 rich young merchant, Lyme France.

 

A minstrel sings on streets.

½ fortune to wife; ½ to poor.

 

     2.  John Wycliffe, b.1320.

 

Gospel into English.  The Lowlands, two by two.

 

III.  THE MODERN CENTURIES

 

     1.  Robert Raiders.

 

     2.  C.H. Spurgeon.

 

     3.  Today.

 

          1.  Mission.  Expected preacher.

          2.  Michigan Ave Church, one deacon revival.

          3.  The power of personal testimony.

          4.  Deacon George Homan.