Dr. George Ragsdale, West Marion Baptist Church
6001 NW 135th Avenue, Morriston (Ocala), Florida

I. The MESSENGER (v 1-2a)
A. A man who KEPT on for the LORD
B. A man who SOWED the Gospel everywhere
C. A man who FOLLOWED a plan:
1. He WENT into the Synagogue (Ro. 10:14-15; Matt. 28:19-20; Mk. 16:15)
14-Rom.10.15" class="scriptRef">Romans 10:14-15 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

19-Matt.28.20" class="scriptRef">Matthew 28:19-20 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

II. The MESSAGE (v 2b-3)
A. The Source and Authority: The SCRIPTURES (v 2b)
B. The Points (v 3)
1. That Christ suffered DEATH
2. That Christ AROSE from the dead
3. That Christ is the MESSIAH
III. The RESULTS of the Message: Many Believed (v 4)
A. JEWS
B. Many God-fearing GREEKS (Gentiles)
C. Many important WOMEN
IV. The WORLD’S REACTION to the Message (v 5)
A. The Reaction of the RELIGIONISTS
B. The Reaction of the LOAFERS, the IDLE, the DISORDERLY
C. The Reaction of the average CITIZEN
V. The CHARGE Against the Message (v 6-7)
A. Is REVOLUTIONARY; Is INSURRECTION (v 6)
B. Is a claim that Jesus is another KING (v 7)
VI. The World’s FEAR of the Message (v 8-9)
A. They feared the loss of material POSSESSIONS and POSITIONS
Men will reject Christ because of what it will cost them. Christ demands the denial of this world…

15-1John.2.16" class="scriptRef">1 John 2:15-16 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

...and death to all selfish desires and ambitions.

23-Luke.9.24" class="scriptRef">Luke 9:23-24 23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.