Sunday Sermon
HOW TO REACH THE LOST AND MAKE DISCIPLES
(The Oikos Principle)
Date: October 14, 2007
Speaker: Pastor Gerry Gregoire
Scriptural Reference: Mark 1:17
Listen to Audio Sermon

Mark 1:17 (Amplified Bible)
17And Jesus said to them, Come after Me and [a]be My disciples, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
A DISCIPLE IS A FOLLOWER, A PUPIL WHOSE MAIN PURPOSE IS TO LEARN THE WAYS OF THE TEACHER.
WHAT JESUS WAS SAYING IS THAT IF YOU BECOME MY FOLLOWER I WILL TEACH YOU HOW TO BECOME ONE WHO CATCHES MEN FROM FALLING INTO HELL.
WHAT WOULD HE TEACH THEM? HOW WOULD HE DO IT? WHAT WAS JESUS’ PLAN?

EVANGELISM HAS A HIGH PRIORITY WITH GOD AND IT’S BECAUSE HE LOVES HIS CREATION. OUR BASIC SCRIPTURE HERE IS JOHN 3:16: —
John 3:16 (Amplified Bible)
16For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten ([a]unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.
SALVATION WAS FOR ANYONE WHO WOULD TRUST HIM. HE DOESN’T ENJOY PUNISHING HIS CREATION.

FOR THE MOST PART PEOPLE TEND TOT BE INGROWN AND LOOK WITHIN INSTEAD OF TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE AROUND THEM. GOD HAS CALLED US TO LOOK OUTWARD. EVANGELISM IS SHARING THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST WITH OTHERS.

IT’S NOT ALWAYS KNOCKING ON DOORS AND PASSING OUT TRACKS, ALTHOUGH THAT IS PART OF IT. IT’S NOT ONLY BIG CRUSADES BUT WE COULD ALSO USE THEM TO EVANGELIZE. I BELIEVE TRUE EVANGELISM FOR MOST PEOPLE IS BEING SO FILLED WITH JESUS THAT WHEREVER YOU GO, YOU DISCOVER PEOPLE WHO NEED A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. THE NATURAL THING FOR US TO DO IS TO SHARE WITH THEM WHAT JESUS HAS DONE FOR US AND TO ENCOURAGE THEM BY LETTING THEM KNOW THAT HE WILL DO THE SAME FOR THEM IN EVERY SITUATION.

LET’S LOOK AT LUKE 10:29-37: —
Luke 10:29-37 (Amplified Bible)
29And he, [a]determined to acquit himself of reproach, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
30Jesus, [b]taking him up, replied, A certain man was going from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him of his clothes and belongings and beat him and went their way, [[c]unconcernedly] leaving him half dead, as it happened.
31Now by [a]coincidence a certain priest was going down along that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32A Levite likewise came down to the place and saw him, and passed by on the other side [of the road].
33But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled along, came down to where he was; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity and sympathy [for him],
34And went to him and dressed his wounds, pouring on [them] oil and wine. Then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35And the next day he took out two denarii [two day's wages] and gave [them] to the innkeeper, saying, Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I [myself] will repay you when I return.
36Which of these three do you think proved himself a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?
37He answered, The one who showed pity and mercy to him. And Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.

SOME RELIGIOUS FOLKS JUST PASSED HIM BY, BUT THE SAMARITAN PRACTICE THE PRINCIPLES OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD BY LOVING THE PERSON WHOM GOD BROUGHT INTO HIS PATH. JESUS MAKES IT CLEAR THAT IN THESE PASSAGES THAT WE ARE TO LOVE THOSE THAT GOD PUTS IN OUR PATHS.

UNDERSTAND THIS: LOVING GOD IS A CALL TO LOVE OTHERS. COMPASSION FOR THE LOST AND THOSE IN NEED IS A SIGN THAT WE REALLY LOVE GOD. WE MUST OPERATE IN MERCY AND LOVE JUST AS THE SAVIOR DID WHEN HE WALKED THE EARTH.

WHAT ABOUT A STRATEGY ON HOW AND WHEN WE CAN CATCH MEN AND LEAD THEM TO FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.

THE OIKOS PRINCIPLE: (PRONOUNCED OY-KOS)

HOW DID JESUS AND THE EARLY CHURCH MEMBERS LEAD PEOPLE TO FAITH? BASICALLY THEY USED THIS PRINCIPLE.
OIKOS MEANS HOUSEHOLD OR FAMILY IN THE GREEK. OUR OIKOS INCLUDES THOSE WE RELATE TO ON A REGULAR BASIS. OIKOS RELATES TO ONE PERSONAL COMMUNITY OR THOSE WITH WHICH WE ARE IN RELATIONSHIP. ACTS 10:24-27 ----
Acts 10:24-27 (Amplified Bible)
24And on the following day they entered Caesarea. Cornelius was waiting for and expecting them, and he had invited together his relatives and his intimate friends.
25As Peter arrived, Cornelius met him, and falling down at his feet he made obeisance and paid worshipful reverence to him.
26But Peter raised him up, saying, Get up; I myself am also a man.
27And as [Peter] spoke with him, he entered the house and found a large group of persons assembled;
CORNELIUS INVITED HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS TO COME AND HEAR PETER SPEAK, HE WAS COMING BY ORDER OF GOD TO IMPART THINGS PERTAINING TO THE GOSPEL.

ALSO LOOK AT ACTS 16:26–32 —
Acts 16:26-32 (Amplified Bible)
26Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone's shackles were unfastened.
27When the jailer, startled out of his sleep, saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was on the point of killing himself, because he supposed that the prisoners had escaped.
28But Paul shouted, Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!
29Then [the jailer] called for lights and rushed in, and trembling and terrified he fell down before Paul and Silas.
30And he brought them out [of the dungeon] and said, Men, what is it necessary for me to do that I may be saved?
31And they answered, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ [[a]give yourself up to Him, [b] take yourself out of your own keeping and entrust yourself into His keeping] and you will be saved, [and this applies both to] you and your household as well.
32And they declared the Word of the Lord [the doctrine concerning the [c]attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God] to him and to all who were in his house.
THE JAILER’S ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD CAME TO KNOW JESUS AND THE GOOD NEWS.

ALL OF US HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR LIVES WHO WERE PLACED THERE BY THE LORD FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE. THESE ARE PEOPLE WE CAN SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH AS WE LIVE OUR LIVES FROM DAY TO DAY, AS WE “GO” SO TO SPEAK.

NO MATTER WHERE WE LIVE IN THE WORLD, THE OIKOS PRINCIPLE OR STRATEGY OF BUILDING BY RELATIONSHIPS IS THE MOST NATURAL WAY OF FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION. PEOPLE WANT THE TRUTH AND WE HAVE THE TRUTH. HERE IS A SUGGESTION, LIST ALL THE PEOPLE IN YOUR OIKOS AND PRAY AND ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU TWO OR THREE OF THE PEOPLE WHOM YOU’RE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT AND BEGIN TO PRAY FOR THESE PEOPLE WHILE REACHING OUT TO THEM. IF THEY ARE UNSAVED, YOU WILL BE INVOLVED IN EVANGELISM. IF THEY ARE STRUGGLING IN THEIR CHRISTIAN LIVES, GOD MAY CALL YOU TO BE INVOLVED IN DISCIPLESHIP BY BECOMING A SPIRITUAL MENTOR TO THEM.

ACTS 2 :47 SAYS: –
Acts 2:47 (Amplified Bible)
47Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death].
NOW THIS PASSAGE TELLS US THAT GOD ADDED TO THE CHURCH DAILY THOSE WHO WERE BEING SAVED, BUT IF WE READ ON TO ACTS 9, CHAPTER 9:31 –
Acts 9:31 (Amplified Bible)
31So the church throughout the whole of Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was edified [growing in wisdom, virtue, and piety] and walking in the respect and reverential fear of the Lord and in the consolation and exhortation of the Holy Spirit, continued to increase and was multiplied.
GOD HAS TAKEN THE CHURCH ANOTHER STEP FURTHER AS GOD’S PEOPLE BEGIN TO GROW THEY NOW HAD PEACE AND WERE BEING BUILT UP AND LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT. THE LORD WANTS US TO PROPER AND BE BLESSED AS WE OBEY HIS COMMANDS.

FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, WE NEED TO GET OUR EYES OFF OF OURSELVES AND START REACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO NEED TO EXPERIENCE THE LIFE AND POWER OF JESUS CHRIST. WHILE JESUS WAS ON THE EARTH HE DID TWO THINGS FOR SURE, FIRSTLY HE TALKED TO GOD ABOUT HIS PEOPLE AND SECONDLY, HE TALKED TO PEOPLE ABOUT GOD. HE HAS CALLED US TO DO THE SAME.

THERE ARE SEVERAL GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT COULD BE IN OUR OIKOS OR PERSONAL COMMUNITY:

1) FAMILY MEMBERS AND RELATIVES, EVEN IF THEY LIVE FAR AWAY BUT YOU MAKE REGULAR CONTACT WITH THEM.

2) THOSE WHO SHARE A COMMON INTEREST WITH YOU. I.E PLAY SPORTS WITH YOU, AN INTEREST IN COMPUTERS OR SEWING, AND THE LIST GOES ON.

3) THOSE WHO LIVE IN YOUR GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION, I.E. NEIGHBORS.

4) THOSE WHO SHARE A COMMON VOCATION, FELLOW EMPLOYEES.

5) PEOPLE WITH WHOM YOU HAVE REGULAR CONTACT. I.E. DENTIST, FAMILY DOCTOR, AUTO MECHANIC, SALES PEOPLE, SCHOOL OFFICIALS, CLASSMATES AND SO ON. THESE ARE USUALLY PEOPLE YOU TRUST AND THEY TRUST YOU.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES FROM SCRIPTURE:
LUKE 5:29 –
Luke 5:29 (Amplified Bible)
29And Levi (Matthew) made a great banquet for Him in his own house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others who were reclining [at the table] with them.
JESUS WAS ABLE TO SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH MATTHEW’S OIKOS, PEOPLE OF THE SAME PROFESSION.
JOHN 1:45 –
John 1:45 (Amplified Bible)
45Philip sought and found Nathanael and told him, We have found (discovered) the One Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote about--Jesus from Nazareth, the [legal] son of Joseph!
SCRIPTURE TELLS US THAT THEY WERE FROM THE SAME TOWN.
JOHN 1:40 —
John 1:40-41 (Amplified Bible)
40One of the two who heard what John said and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41He first sought out and found his own brother Simon and said to him, We have found (discovered) the Messiah!--which translated is the Christ (the Anointed One).
IN THIS EXAMPLE IT WAS A FAMILY THING AND LOOK WHAT
HAPPENED WHEN PETER CAME. IT’S ALL BIBLICAL HISTORY.

MARK 5:18-19 –
Mark 5:18-19 (Amplified Bible)
18And when He had stepped into the boat, the man who had been controlled by the unclean spirits kept begging Him that he might be with Him.
19But Jesus refused to permit him, but said to him, Go home to your own [family and relatives and friends] and bring back word to them of how much the Lord has done for you, and [how He has] had sympathy for you and mercy on you.
IN THIS CASE HE COULD DO MORE GOOD BY LETTING HIS FAMILY SEE WHAT JESUS DID TO HIM AND THAT HE WAS SET FREE FROM DEMONIC OPPRESSION.

LISTEN, THE KEYS TO EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM AND DISCIPLESHIP IS FOUND IN MARK 3:14-15 —
Mark 3:14-15 (Amplified Bible)
14And He appointed twelve to [a]continue to be with Him, and that He might send them out to preach [as apostles or special messengers]
15And to have authority and power to heal the sick and to drive out demons:
DOES ANYONE SEE THE KEYS? IN VERSE 14, IT’S CONTINUING TO BE WITH JESUS AND 15 IT’S HAVING THE AUTHORITY AND POWER TO DO THINGS PEOPLE HAVE NOT SEEN IN THEIR LIVES. THAT POWER COMES BY CONTINUING TO BE IN HIS PRESENCE. AND THERE MAY BE THE PROBLEM WHEN PEOPLE DON’T SPEND THAT CONSTRUCTIVE TIME WITH THE MASTER.

MAKING DISCIPLES IS NOT TELLING OTHER PEOPLE WHAT TO DO. MAKING DISCIPLES IS LITERALLY LAYING DOWN YOUR LIFE FOR OTHERS AND TAKING THE TIME NEEDED TO SEE THEM GROW SPIRITUALLY.

WE CAN PRAY, ENCOURAGE AND HELP OTHERS FOCUS ON THE WORD OF GOD WHICH GIVES CLEAR INSTRUCTION ON HOW WE SHOULD LIVE OUR LIVES IN CHRIST.

BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP IS SIMILAR TO THE ROLE OF A COACH ON A SPORTS TEAM WHO HELPS PLAYERS BECOME THE BEST THAN CAN BE BY INSTRUCTION AND EXAMPLE.

IF WE ARE NOT REACHING OUT, WE BECOME STAGNANT AND INGROWN. WE ARE TO REACH OUT TO OTHERS AND TRAIN THEM AT THE SAME TIME. EVEN IF YOU HAVE BEEN A CHRISTIAN FOR ONLY A SHORT TIME, TEACH OTHERS WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED IN THAT TIME.

LISTEN, IF EACH CHRISTIAN DISCIPLED ONE PERSON EVERY SIX MONTHS AND THOSE YOU DISCIPLE WOULD DO THE SAME, THE ENTIRE POPULATION WOULD BE WON TO CHRIST IN LESS THAN 30 YEARS.

ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL TOOLS IN DISCIPLESHIP IS HOSPITALITY. THAT IS CHEERFULLY SHARING FOOD AND SHELTER AND SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT WITH THOSE THAT GOD BRINGS INTO OUR LIVES. LOOK AT 1 PETER 4:9 —
9Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). [Be hospitable, be a lover of strangers, with brotherly affection for the unknown guests, the foreigners, the poor, and all others who come your way who are of Christ's body.] And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).
THE BOOK OF ACTS STARTS IN A HOME IN CHAPTER 1:13 AND ENDS IN A HOME IN ACTS 28:30-31 LOOK AT THOSE 2 SCRIPTURES;
Acts 1:13 (Amplified Bible)
13And when they had entered [the city], they mounted [the stairs] to the upper room where they were [[a]indefinitely] staying–Peter and John and James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas [son] of James.
Acts 28:30-31 (Amplified Bible)
30After this Paul lived there for two entire years [at his own expense] in his own rented lodging, and he welcomed all who came to him,
31Preaching to them the kingdom of God and teaching them about the Lord Jesus Christ with boldness and quite openly, and without being molested or hindered.
THE HOME IS A POWERFUL PLACE TO START EVANGELIZING AND TO DISCIPLE NEW CONVERTS AS WELL AS OLD.

MOST PEOPLE NEVER HEARD OF MORDECAI HAM BUT HE IS THE ONE WHO LED BILLY GRAHAM TO THE LORD. EVERY PERSON THAT COMES TO GOD THROUGH MISTER GRAHAM’S
MINISTRY IS THE PRODUCT OF THE OBEDIENCE OF A MAN NAMED MORDECAI HAM.

D.L. MOODY LED MORE THAT A MILLION SOULS TO CHRIST, YET THE MAN WHO SHARED THE GOSPEL WITH HIM WAS JUST AN ORDINARY MAN WHO HAD ACCEPTED THE LORD WHEN IN SUNDAY SCHOOL AS A KID.
LISTEN, THE GOSPEL IS SIMPLY SOWING SEEDS AND LETTING GOD DO THE REST.