Transcript Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given

Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
Text: I Thess. 2:4
Scripture Reading: I Thess. 1:6-8
“Into our hands the gospel
is given; Into our hands is
given the light. Haste, let
us carry God's precious
message, Guiding the
erring back to the right.”
Intro
Mt. 28:18-20
18. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven
and on earth.
19. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20. teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the
end of the age."
Even though saints today do not live in the 1st century,
we also are to “Go” and “Teach”
 II Tim. 2:2: Timothy was told to teach others who would teach others,
and so on…
 “Men” = anthrōpos (G444): mankind, human being (both male and
female), man.
 II Tim. 2:24: Saints (bond-servants, both male and female) must be “able
to teach.”
I Thess. 2:4
4. but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as
pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
Tillit Sidney Teddlie (1885-1987):
“Into Our Hands” (1939)
 The tune was composed by Tillit Sidney Teddlie.
 A native of Texas who spent most of his long life in that
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Intro
state, Teddlie was baptized in 1903 and began work as a
gospel preacher in 1923, also serving as a superintendent
of a children’s home for a couple of years.
He is best remembered as a hymn writer and song-book
publisher. His first song was published in 1906.
He wrote 130 hymns and produced 14 songbooks.
“Into Our Hands” was a poem written by Mrs. Ruth
Carruth (1900-1985) and purchased by Teddlie for $3. He
composed the tune and published it as a hymn in 1939.
Mrs. Carruth was a hymn-writer among churches of Christ,
and many of her poems and hymns were composed and
published by Teddlie.
The responsibility to “Go” and “Teach” is not only for
1st century saints but for Christians today!
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
“Into Our Hands”
“Swiftly we're turning life's daily pages; Swiftly the hours are turning to years. How are we using
God's golden moments? Shall we reap glory? Shall we reap tears?”
Mt. 13:45-46
45. "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls,
46. and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
Jesus commissioned all Christians to teach the gospel to
those lost in sin (Mt. 28:18-20):
 Rom. 10:14-15: This task will never be achieved; the lost will never hear
unless it becomes personal to us – that we care to teach!
 The gospel is given into our hands first to obey,
then to teach to others (II Tim. 2:24).
 Mt. 13:44-46: The “kingdom of heaven” is like a
great treasure and a pearl of great price!
 For those who have obeyed the gospel and have
found such treasure, it ought to be with joy we
share it with others!
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
“Into Our Hands”
“Swiftly we're turning life's daily pages; Swiftly the hours are turning to years. How are we using
God's golden moments? Shall we reap glory? Shall we reap tears?”
I Pet. 3:15
15. but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone
who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and
reverence;
How do we use the moments and opportunities God has
given us?
 Eph. 5:16; Col. 4:5: KJV says, “Redeeming the time.” We are to make
“the most of our time,” “opportunity” (NAS).
 I Pet. 3:15: We are to always be ready to give a defense (answer) of the
hope within us. That requires study (II Tim. 2:15) and practice in teaching
(Heb. 5:12-14).
The gospel is entrusted to us –
“How are we using God’s
golden moments?”
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
Time Is of the Essence
“Millions are groping without the gospel; Quickly they'll reach eternity's night. Shall we sit idly
as they rush onward? Haste, let us hold up Christ the true light.”
Time is of the essence:
 While we hesitate or deliberate, others remain untaught about Christ and
are perhaps swept off into eternity in that condition! (Rom. 10:14-15)
II Thess. 2:14
14. It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may
gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
II Thess. 2:14: The gospel calls men
unto God:
 I Thess. 1:6-8: They received the gospel and
lived it by example and in teaching others so that
it “sounded forth from you” far and wide!
 I Thess. 2:13-14: They received the word as
from God and were examples of obedience in
practice (godly living – Titus 2:11-14) and in
teaching others (1:6-8)!
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
Time Is of the Essence
“Millions are groping without the gospel; Quickly they'll reach eternity's night. Shall we sit idly
as they rush onward? Haste, let us hold up Christ the true light.”
Phil. 2:15
15. so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above
reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as
lights in the world,
Phil. 2:15 (Mt. 5:16): Saints are to hold up
Christ as the true light and imitate Him!
 Jn. 1:4-5, 9, 12; 8:12: Jesus is the true “Light of the
world!”
 He saves those who obey Him (Heb. 5:9) and walk in
His light! (II Cor. 4:6)
Time marches onward – “Haste, let us
hold up Christ the true light!”
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
The Way Unto Heaven
“Souls that are precious, souls that are dying, While we rejoice our sins are forgiven--Did He not
also die for these lost ones? Then let us point the way unto heaven.”
Many are seeking for the truth:
 They become the seekers (searchers), sometimes not even knowing where
to turn because of the devil’s wiles and twists and turns of false messages
(Eph. 4:14; II Cor. 4:3-4).
 Lk. 8:15: In the Parable of the
Sower, Jesus describes those who
are truly seeking as having an
“honest and good heart”
Lk. 8:15
15. "But the seed in the good soil, these are the
ones who have heard the word in an honest
and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear
fruit with perseverance.
II Cor. 6:2:
 We should not delay, because now is
“the day of salvation!”
 Lk. 8:11: We need to be ready and
willing to sow the “seed” – to be the
Sower!
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
The Way Unto Heaven
“Souls that are precious, souls that are dying, While we rejoice our sins are forgiven--Did He not
also die for these lost ones? Then let us point the way unto heaven.”
Scriptural preparation for Heaven consists of:
 Faith in Christ (Heb. 11:6; Jn. 3:16; 8:24)
 True repentance (Acts 17:30)
 Confession of faith in Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10)
 Baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16)
 A life of faithful service (Rom. 12:1-2; Rev. 2:10)
Preparations must be made now
for eternity – “Let us point the
way unto heaven!”
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
Conclusion
“Into our hands the gospel is given; Into our hands is given the light.
Haste, let us carry God's precious message, Guiding the erring back to the right.”
I Thess. 2:4
4. but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as
pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.
Are you using your time wisely, making the most of the
opportunities God provides to sow the “seed” and teach
others the gospel that can save their souls? (Js. 1:21)
“Into our hands the gospel is
given” –
“Let us point the way unto
heaven!”
Into Our Hands The Gospel Is Given
“What Must I Do To Be Saved?”
Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17)
Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24)
Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38)
Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10)
Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16)
Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10)
For The Erring Child:
Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9),
Pray (Acts 8:22)