Philippians 3:12-15

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.” NIV

1.      Link everything in Acts with the last instruction in Mark and Matthew; whatever Jesus speaks is received up in heaven and abides at the right hand of God’s authority:

Matthew 28:18-20

“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” NIV

Mark 16:19,20

“After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. NIV

2.      Whatever Jesus said today is taken up in heaven and because it abides in the right hand of God it have authority.

Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

3.      Apostolic evangelism is based on preaching everywhere - going out.  Then the Lord will confirm the Word that was preached.  So members should go out and preach what they heard the apostles preach in church on Sunday or any other day of the week, and expect God to confirm that Word in the same way He did when the apostles ministered/ Mk 16:20.

4.      The emphasis is on the WORD- not out efforts or methods.  The Word never returns void, but always accomplishes what it sets out to do.  (Is 55)  God confirm his word not methods diagrams or programs

5.      “Amen”- SO BE IT - Agree with the apostolic assessment of evangelism to see results. Simply be in agreement with what is revealed through the apostles

6.      Enter to fulfil the prophecies in your life.  The prophetic word Apostolic. Andre received at 12 years old age in Brakpan, (65 Gardiner Ave, to be exact) by Aunty Raper, the old prophetess in the A F M (she wasn’t given any recognition by the church, but rather regarded with suspicion as a strange old lady.): “ You have a calling from God young man.  God will use you in other lands.”  And later to Andre’s mother: “ God will use your one son, A mighty power of God will come upon him”.  As the church member’s labour to fulfil the vision God has given Andre and Nola, they actually enter that prophecy, which is apostolic in it.  This does not exclude the fulfilment of each member’s private visions, but rather allows all the various visions to dovetail under one overall umbrella of an apostolic commission. You where added to the church.  When you get a revelation on something it are you getting in line with the church not the church getting in line with you?  The church is God genius.  Get into position!

7.    We as a church enter the apostolic mandate by obeying Matt 28:19 and Mark 16:15-20.These verses should be memorised and used in governmental prayers always when praying for souls to be saved.  Making disciples is not an option, but a COMMAND.

8.      The two factors that should give us great boldness to carry out the divine commission are the Total authority given to Jesus and the Assurance of His divine presence.  Even Jesus relied heavily upon the fact that: “God was with Him” (Acts 10:38).  

9.      In making disciples, teach them the reality of the presence of God.  Prove it to them by practising what Jesus commanded us to do in Mk 16-20.  Lay hands on the sick and see them recover.  If some do not get healed, pray about it and find out from God how we can improve what we are doing but never stop.  We learn as we journey on.

10.  If people can give money to sponsor a lie, then surely we can invest in truth to spread! Matt 28:12-15.  They gave so abundantly that the lie is still spreading today.  Sweden donated close to R80 million to the ANC over a period of a few years to fight apartheid.  May God give us such investors to help us spread the TRUTH THAT SETS PEOPLE FREE! People sold their houses in Acts because the purpose and that what God is doing is worth selling for.  We should believe the truth not for what we can get but what we can give towards it

11.  Look to the Power of Jesus.  It is a different thing to avoid sin than to have nothing of the devil/sinful in you.  Getting the root out.   Stay in the realm of spirit even going to your home. 

12.  JESUS        PROMISED TO GO BEFORE US.  Matt 28:7 - at 3 am 21.10.95 the Holy Spirit taught me this principle: You will see the Lord manifest Himself wherever He sends you to go, because He will go before you: “There you will se Him”.  See Him in action!  It is the divine commission that assures the divine presence.  He is risen!  Hallelujah! Jesus and not the church doctrines to get souls saved.  You only teach people after they are saved.  They cannot receive teachings until they are born again.  You cannot feed a child until that child is born.

13.  A short effective sermon that you can go out and preach anywhere (based on T L Osborn’s sermon, many years ago)

THE POWER OF JESUS = Matt 28:18: “ALL POWER IS GIVEN UNTO ME.”  Wicked men crucified Jesus Christ, but God raised Him from the dead.  Five aspects of the divine Power of Jesus, that becomes available the moment you believe in Him.

1. JESUS’ PROMISE OF POWER. - Acts 1:8.
2. JESUS’ WORDS OF POWER - Mark 4:39 - storm stilled immediately
3. JESUS’ TOUCH OF POWER – Matt 8:3 - Leper - “be made clean, whole”
4. JESUS’ FORGIVING POWER  - John 8:1   - Adulteress - John 3:17 - not condemn, but save.
5. JESUS’ PROVIDING POWER - feeding five thousand.

As I am writing these words, it is beginning to dawn...22.2.98... As it began to dawn...Mary came to see...seeking Jesus who was crucified...He is risen...tell...that He is risen from the dead...I have told you...they departed quickly with fear and great joy...and as they went to tell...Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!”...When they saw Him they worshiped Him...but some doubted...He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him...

Through us here at HARVESTER, the SALVATION OF GOD HAS BEEN SENT!  (Acts 28:28)

Here is the key to apostolic Evangelism: PREACHING AND TEACHING WITH ALL CONFIDENCE!  (Acts28: 31) [i]

“Here is the word of the Lord to all those who will go out from here into the world to preach the Gospel: Those who are willing to Go for His Name’s sake.  People will eventually change their minds about you and God will honour you by doing signs and wonders in the midst of opposition.  People will provide for you such things as are necessary and you will find brothers and sisters who will invite you to stay with them and they will treat you kindly for My Name’s sake.  Their fellowship will refresh you and you will thank God and take courage to go on to deliver the prisoners and speak to leaders and to testify of the kingdom of God, persuading people concerning Jesus.  The Salvation of God has been sent through you to those who will hear and see and understand.  They will turn to the Lord and He will save and heal them.  So go out and preach and teach with all confidence about Jesus Christ, no one forbids you.  Accept all who come to your house and teach them the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ...they will hear it.”