THE WORD “GO”
1. The word “angel” is used close to 100 times in the New Testament.
2. In many places angels told people to do something.
3. One example of this is found in Acts 5:20.
4. The apostles were met by an angel and they were given a command (verse 20) – READ.
5. Tonight I want to turn our attention to the word go.
6. A study of the New Testament shows that God wants His people to go.
7. The word used in Acts 5:20 is found about 150 times in the New Testament.
8. Tonight we want to look at some of the places where it occurs and see how it applies to our lives.
A. The first time this word is used in the New Testament is Mt. 2:8.
B. Herod told the wise men to “go” and search for the baby Jesus.
C. The term is also found in Mt. 2:20.
D. According
to Mt.
E. While he was dreaming a special message was given to him.
F.
Here is what he was told – READ Mt. 2:20.
9.
Joseph was
told to go and he did as he was told.
10. God was pleased with this man’s obedience.
11. This passage provides us with the first points of application.
12. When God tells us to go, there is a reason for it.
13. God does not tell His people to go so they will have busy
work. He has a purpose.
14. When God tells us to go, and we do go, we please Him.
A. The term we are looking at occurs a little
later in Matthew’s gospel (
B.
At this time
some Pharisees came to see the Lord; they had some questions.
C.
They wanted to
know why Jesus was eating with social outcasts.
D. Part of Jesus’ response to this question is
found in verse 13 – READ.
E.
There are
times when people lack spiritual information and insight.
F.
There are
times when people do not understand spiritual matters.
G. In some cases people are content to be
ignorant.
H. For some a lack of spiritual understanding
is acceptable.
I.
God says to
all people: if there are things we do
not or understand, go learn them.
J.
Find and
follow the truth.
K. If this requires a little going or a lot of
going, we are to make the journey so we can do God’s will.
15. In the next chapter of Matthew this word is used to describe evangelism.
16. The apostles were given a certain amount of authority and a limited commission.
17. Jesus told them to “go” and preach (Mt. 10:6-7).
18. The apostles were to “go” but this command was not limited to them.
A. At different times we speak about the great commission.
B. In Mt. 28:19 Jesus said “go” (same word).
C.
In Mk.
D. The apostles went but they were jailed.
E. An angel released them and then said “go stand and speak.”
19. God wants His people to go into the world.
20. We can go in a wide variety of ways.
21. We have tracts, videos, Bible correspondence courses, and personal contact.
A. Last
Thursday a man from
B. He is trying to find places to share his drama ministry.
C. By the time we finished the call he was willing to accept information about the church.
D. I sent him one of our green books and a handful of tracts.
E. We can go in a variety of ways and we are under obligation to go.
IN THE BOOK OF ACTS THE WORD WE ARE LOOKING AT OCCURS SEVERAL TIME. IN FACT, IT IS ALMOST LIKE THIS WAS ONE OF LUKE’S FAVORITE WORDS.
A. In
Acts
B.
In
C. He associates the word, as has been noted, with evangelism in Acts 5.
D. This same usage is found in Acts 8.
E.
Philip was told to “go” see the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts
F. The word is used in Acts 9, a chapter we want to read from.
2.
By the time of Acts 9, Saul had had an encounter with
Jesus. He was blind and waiting in
3.
God appeared to a Christian and told him to “go” (same
word) see Saul (Acts
A. The response to God’s command is found in Acts 9:13 – READ.
B. God told a Christian to go but there was an objection.
C. A Christian essentially said “wait a minute.”
D. This piece of information can also be related to today.
E. God has commanded us to “go” do certain things, but we do not always want to go.
F. This reaction needs to be admitted and correct.
G. There are other cases were Christians refuse to go.
H. When God tells us to go He is not in the mood to negotiate.
I. Notice verse 15 of Acts 9 – READ.
4. The command to go was repeated. God knew what He was doing.
5. A similar situation is described in the next chapter.
6. In Acts 10 we read about a vision experienced by Peter.
7. At this time Peter was not too enthused about teaching anyone but Jews.
A. God told him about some men who had come to his house (verse 19).
B. Peter was to “go” (same word) with these men – verse 20.
C. It is all too often the case God wants us to go but we want to either stay where we are or object.
D. If we want to be a Christian we need to know God’s will and then do it.
8. The other reference I want to cite from Acts is found in the 24th chapter.
9. Because Paul was willing to “go,” he met up with a ruler named Felix.
A. Paul and Felix had several conversations with.
B. An outline of one of their discussions is found in the 25th verse of this chapter.
C. Here is what is recorded – READ — 24:25.
D. When God’s people “go” into the world they will receive a wide variety of responses.
E. Sometimes those we meet will tell us to “go.”
F. Christians are sometimes asked to leave because the person we are talking to doesn’t want to listen.
G. Others will listen. Of those who listen some will be saved.
THERE
ARE SEVERAL WAYS THE WORD GO APPLIES TO US.
A. As we think about the word go in relation to our lives, some additional passages must be considered.
B. One of these additional references is Mt. 12:45.
C. This verse describes a demon (an unclean spirit).
D. According to Jesus this demonic force lost its habitation. It began to search for a new residence.
E. Jesus said this spirit eventually returned with 7 of his friends.
F. The part of the story we want is verse 45 – READ.
2. Here the word go is applied to the forces of evil.
3. We need to remember that several other forces and people are “going” into the world.
4. We are not the only ones “going” or supposed to be going.
5. Satan and his forces are going and they are very regular in their work.
6. If the forces of evil are going and we are not, this cannot be pleasing to God.
7. Satan and his helpers refuse to sit back and be idle so the forces of God must also be active.
A. If we need an incentive for going, it is found in Mt. 25.
B. This part of the New Testament is familiar to most who are here.
C. Jesus compares the saved to sheep and the unsaved to goats.
D. What we may not be so familiar with is a small point in verse 41 – READ.
8. The word “depart” is identical to the term elsewhere translated “go.”
9. At the end of time Jesus will tell the unsaved to “go” to the home of Satan and destruction.
10. If we do not go do the things Jesus has said, we will one be forced to go to a place we do not want to be.
A. My last two references come from the book of Jude.
B. The word we are looking at is found in Jude 11, 16, and 18.
C. These passages show that we can “go” in ways which are very bad.
D. We will start with verse 11 – READ.
E. It is possible to “go” the way of Cain.
F. That is, we can live a misguided life.
G. We can subject themselves to the wrong influences, bad attitudes, and evil choices.
H. Going this way leads to spiritual death and the Bible warns against it.
11. The second way to go is described in verse 16.
12. People can “go” after their “own lusts.”
13. This describes doing and living as one sees fit.
14. A person develops his or her own personal values and lives as he or she wants.
15. This is a common way for Americans to “go” (live).
16. It is not, however, an acceptable way of life in the eyes of God.
17. EACH PERSON IS CALLED ON TO MAKE A CHOICE.
18. We will “go” in one direction or another.
19. We either go with God and for God, or we go our own way.
20. Going God’s way leads to live but Jesus said few take this way.
21. Going our own way is the easy way.
22. Are we on the wrong path? Are we going to the wrong way? Now is the time to change.