Fellowship in the Gospel

Amen. So first of all, I just want to thank Pastor Stucky for the opportunity to preach once again. And uh as we heard in Philippians chapter 1, that was our scripture reading. And there was something I really like to point out from there. And there was a word called fellowship in the gospel. So the title of my sermon is called fellowship in the gospel.

So we hear the word fellowship often. We hear people speaking about it. You know, we have to have fellowship. Let's have fellowship. And a lot of people might not know what fellowship means. So what is fellowship? Simply put, fellowship is defined as a group of people or an organization with the same purpose. That's what fellowship means.

And point number one, I just want to get right into it, is soul-winning. So I asked pastor what he would like me to preach about today. And he said, "Preach on soulwinning, preach on salvation, preach on zeal." And I like those three things. And I want to make those my three points today. And why is it soul-winning? Soul-winning is what God has chosen to get people saved.

So turn to 1 Corinthians 1:21. You know it. We just we like this word soul winning and you hear it a lot and it's actually incredibly biblical. The Bible says he that winneth souls is wise. So that's where we get that term from. And how do we win souls? In 1 Corinthians 1:21 it says, "For after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God. It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." So they hear the preaching, then they believe. And this is the method that pleases God. It pleased God.

And soulwinning is what gets people saved. And zeal is what we need to actually get out there and preach that gospel. And how can they hear? The Bible says in Romans 10, how can they hear without a preacher? So how can they preach except they be sent? The Bible says. So we're sending people out. People are getting to hear and they can believe the gospel. And it's a rotation.

And I've seen this: zeal, soulwinning, and salvation. So when you have zeal, you go out soulwinning. Soulwinning brings you salvations and that gets you zealous to do more soulwinning and it just keeps rotating.

And I like to look at a passage from the Bible and I want to ask, can we be consistent in soulwinning? Can this be something that is part of our life? We see here Apostle Paul, he was writing to the church of Philippi and he thanks the church in Philippi for something. So let's go to Philippians 1:3 from our Bible reading. And the Bible says here, I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now.

So Paul was thankful for their service. Why? Because they were locked in from day one. These people were zealous and they knew what they had to be doing. We see that a lot of other churches unfortunately today they don't have this testimony. Paul can't write to them and say to them, you know, I want to thank you and I remember you for your fellowship in the gospel from this day till now. Apostle Paul can't say that. Unfortunately.

But yet when we see churches like Pastor Stucky's church that is in the Philippines, the church in Warsaw, they can say this. You know, we're thankful for their fellowship in the gospel from the beginning, from when they started their church until now. Same with Warsaw, the same with from the beginning until now. This is something that people have lost track of and a lot of churches can't this be said about them and I love that they could labor from the beginning until now.

And God opens doors in Pampanga. We had a soulwinning goal to beat a certain number that was from the previous year and we saw that happen. We had that goal and we had that zeal and you know God actually opens doors and my wife and I would preach the gospel having that desire and then we left after preaching the gospel with that church and you know what happened? God actually opened more doors. They had more laborers and they even beat their record. So their 2024 record was beaten in 2025 with or without my wife and I.

And you can just see if you have that zeal, that desire, doesn't matter who's there. God's going to send you laborers. God's going to bring people and you're going to get a great work done. And my wife and I have this desire to get double the salvations than we had last year. And I think that's a great goal that people should have when they're preaching the gospel because zeal leads to salvations.

So soulwinning leads to salvations and salvations lead to more zeal and that's what encourages you to continue going. And you know we have a good report of the church in Philippines we can actually remember them and say hey they actually labored in the gospel and it's great and brother Brydon knows he just came from the church in the Philippines and knows that hey this church is a labouring church they've got a good report from those that are around that they're actually laboring in the gospel.

Why am I saying this? Because people need to have a vision here in Melbourne as well. Melbourne has souls and Melbourne has people that need to hear the gospel. The lost people of Melbourne are important as well. And this is why we're having these events. These events are not just so people could hear some preaching. We've heard the preaching. We know what we have to do. We have to just get out there and faithfully gather together and go and preach the gospel. And they were with Paul from day one for the same purpose.

In verse 8, we see Paul actually longing after them because of the labor that they were doing. Verse 8 says, "For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ." So Paul was in prison. He remembers their work and labor. You know, he remembers their consistency. God is mindful of the work that you put in and that we do for him. Paul knew that they were profitable.

So in contrast, you know, we see Paul writing to the Corinthian church and he's not so gracious. He's not praising them for things like this. So this is something that, you know, I want to be said about our group of believers here in Melbourne that we're fellowshipping in the gospel from the beginning until now. You know, even though we're just starting off, I want this to be said about us.

And you know, like I said, if Paul was going to write to the churches today, he wouldn't be able to praise them for this, unfortunately. You know, people don't preach the gospel, probably persecution is what hinders people. You know, probably persecution, as soon as someone hears that somebody got persecuted, they might get discouraged. But Paul actually saw the good in persecution.

Verse 12 says, "But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear." So Paul says here that God actually worked it out for good. You know, even the suffering, even the persecution. And people heard about the persecution that Paul went through.

And why are we bold today? It's because people like us heard about the persecution of the NIFB, right? And that's what helped them grow so much. The persecution, the thousands of death threats, the angry protesters. I was talking to a friend of mine that works with me and he's saved. And I said to him, I said, "How many death threats have you received for being a Christian?" And he said, "None." And I said, "Me neither." You know, and sometimes I look at the peace that I have and I'm looking at the thousands of death threats and the angry protesters and all those things further the gospel and embolden those believers.

And you know, we're not going through that now. And I'm going to show you why later. There's times when God leaves us in peace for a time. And now there's no persecution, but we're just getting started. Paul experienced the exact same thing.

Look at Acts 9:15. You know, you have to realize that sometimes there is peace at the beginning of a movement or a time before people start to take note of what you're doing and before the devil starts realizing, hey, these people are making an impact.

So, Acts 9:15 says, "But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." And verse 19 says, "And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."

So he's going out preaching. He's talking to people about Jesus being the son of God even in the synagogues. You might think this sounds pretty dangerous. Look at what the Bible says in verse 21. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

So, God willing, we're going to be believers that increase in strength as well as Paul increased. But look what happened after that in verse 23. And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him. So he's got a time of peace where there's no difference yet. Nothing's happening. But then what happens? The Jews take counsel after many days. And I believe that we're in that same place.

We have peace now many days are getting fulfilled or we have peace. You know, I preached the gospel together. My wife and I preached the gospel last year. There was no death threats. We went through a whole year with no persecution, let's say.

And you know, did it stay like this for Paul? No, it didn't. You see that the Jews after some time, they wanted to kill him after many days. The Bible says, but you see that God delivered Paul. We see that the scriptures speak about all the attempted murders on Paul's life. And I want this to encourage us all because persecution is going to happen, but God can protect us. God will protect us if he decides to.

And you know, you've probably heard of the new hate speech laws that are coming to Australia. And you know, this might go against our right to preach. Someone might say, "I feel offended. I actually feel a bit fearful. So, I don't like what they had to say." You know what? This shouldn't stop us from preaching. This shouldn't stop us and make us back down about preaching the gospel because the disciples had to, you know, they told him, "Don't preach this anymore." And they continued preaching.

So, you know, we see here Paul, you probably know about Pastor Paul from Kenya as well. I'm not sure if you know from Faithful Word Kenya. Well, he got falsely accused and he had to go to jail and he still was horrendous. So people are going through persecution. People are suffering even if they're, you know, it's 2025, 2024, 2026, people are going through persecution even today regardless of the country.

You know, here in Australia, we might be exposed to things that American believers aren't exposed to. You know, maybe the hate speech will offer us some persecution that they don't have to experience, but you know, we need to still be steadfast. And, you know, the Bible tells us even to be faithful unto death. So even if it gets really bad and God doesn't deliver us, we are to be faithful unto death. Amen.

And honestly, I think we have to make the most of this time of peace and we see Paul actually really making the most of it. And he was in the synagogue. He was going and speaking to people and we want to go door to door. We want to go preach to people before it gets really difficult, you know. Amen.

2 Timothy 3:12. The Bible tells us and gives us a promise that persecution will happen. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:12, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Well, people might say that they've never suffered persecution yet. Well, it's only a matter of time if you're right with God. If you fear the Lord, if you do the things that please God, it's a matter of time. We saw that with Paul.

And back to our Bible reading, let's look at Philippians 1:23. Philippians 1:23 says, "For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." So why was it needful to have a man like Paul? It's because iron sharpens iron. You know, Paul was really beneficial to the believers there. And we need each other as well. The same way that, you know, it benefits us for us to be together. And it's because iron sharpens iron. And it says in Proverbs 27:17, you don't have to turn there. Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

So we need each other. I want to be a blessing to the believers. I want to be a blessing to the brethren. I want my wife to be a blessing to the sisters as well. Let's go to verse 25 of Philippians 1. And the Bible says here, "And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith."

So Paul had a desire to see these believers grow. That's what he wanted. And I want to see people become zealous soulwinners here in Melbourne. You know, I don't expect it to be an overnight thing. It's something that Paul had a desire and he worked in the Philippians. He spoke to them. You know, the church at Philippi is in Philippi. Same way the church here in Melbourne, it's just Melbourne. And we have a desire for Melbourne believers to be edified, to grow, that we could all be fellowshipping in the gospel.

Verse 27 says, "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel." So Paul wanted to hear that the work of the Philippians, he wanted to hear of their affairs even though he wasn't present with them. And I'm sure Pastor Stucky wants to hear the same thing. He wants to hear that we're striving together for the gospel. That we stand fast in one spirit with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

The sermon is called fellowship in the gospel. So let your conversation be appropriate, the Bible says, and let it include the gospel as it becometh the gospel. Verse 28. And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

As I said, persecution will come. If you know the church in Germany, if you've ever heard of Germany, brother Moses and brother Anzel who's now an evangelist, they started a church and you know they had five people and they started making such waves that the news started speaking about him and you know we see that persecution can start quite early as well in certain countries and we're not to be afraid. Church in Philippi was preaching the gospel and they were also suffering for his sake. So we see that the combination was there. You know, they weren't able to be godly without the persecution cuz it's being promised. But you know what? It's a privilege and we should have this attitude when we get persecuted. You know, even though don't be afraid of the persecution, we should have this privilege.

Look at Acts 5:41. And the Bible speaks about how the disciples actually had the right attitude to persecution. They were rejoicing. Says here in Acts 5:41, "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Persecution didn't stop them. We don't see them slowing down. They ceased not to preach the gospel.

We see Paul sending a helper to the church of Philippi. So Paul actually seeing these people that are doing a great work and he's sending him a helper. Philippians 2:19. Let's look at the helpers that Paul is sending to help the church in Philippi says here in Philippians 2:19, "But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state."

We see Paul caring about the believers and he had a desire to have somebody care for them. You know, he wanted to care for them even though he wasn't able to be with them. For I have no man like-minded, it says in verse 20, who will naturally care for your state. Paul said that Timothy was the right man for the job. He actually cares about this. And why does he care? Why is he the right man? Because it says here in verse 21, For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

So unfortunately, a lot of people aren't in a good place where they're not actually seeking the things of God. They're actually seeking their own things. And we see here Paul praising Timothy for his service and how he proved himself. How does somebody prove himself? The Bible says here in verse 22, But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.

So he's actually serving and that's how he proved himself, you know, and we were fortunate enough to serve with pastor Stucky in the Philippines and we're serving with the gospel going with him in various places, various parts with other believers. We're able to serve together in the gospel. Timothy was also a soul winner. He was a person that was seeking the things of God.

Philippians 2:24, but I trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. Paul also wanted to go to the church. He had still a desire. He loved the people there. And he was sending people there to help it grow. Verse 25. Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.

Wouldn't you want this said about you? Imagine that was your name. Insert your name there. That he was firstly a brother in Christ. He was a companion in labour and he was a fellow soldier and that he was doing all these things and that kind of made him a person who Paul said hey this person can be profitable to you.

So, thank you to all those. I want to thank all those that are laboring together in the gospel here in Melbourne. And I think we're doing a great work. And, you know, I believe that this is how Paul was acknowledging those people. And we see here also Paul acknowledging people that labored in the Lord, men and women in Philippians 4:3. Philippians 4:3. We actually see Paul actually mentioning some names. Says here, "And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life."

So we see Paul being mindful of those who were soulwinning. Romans 16:12, we have a couple more mentions of people that Paul is actually acknowledging because they labored together in the gospel. Romans 16:12. It says here, Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.

So there's something very special about people that are doing the work that get their name called out and they get a special salutation from Paul. We see those people have their name engraved in scriptures. Imagine being there in that church and not putting in the work and not getting your name called out. You know, because you didn't put in the work. And I believe this how it'll be when we go to be with the Lord. You know, you're not going to receive recognition if you haven't put in the work. He's not going to be speaking your name. Unfortunately.

So that concludes the first point, soulwinning. And point number two is salvation.

Philippians 3:7, "But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith."

So we see how Paul being in prison for the gospel. Paul is serving the Lord and he says that he's not going to stand before God with his own righteousness. So point number two, I want to prove that salvation even apostle Paul who was the greatest Christian you could pretty much say you know apart from the Lord Jesus Christ who was God manifest in the flesh but then you have apostle Paul who is you know you could say is the greatest Christian who ever lived and we see him saying that he's not going to stand before God with his own righteousness he says the righteousness which is of God by faith.

So why are people so prideful today that they think that they're righteous enough to get to heaven? You know, you have Paul doing the great works, the greatest works, the most suffering for the cause of Christ, and he's still saying that he doesn't want to be found having his own righteousness.

You know, people want to hear from the Lord. This one thing I don't understand a lot of Pentecostals or different religions, they want to hear a word from the Lord. They have this obsession with prophets, people speaking to them. And you know, people get to hear prophecy when we go to the door and we preach them. They get to hear the word and they get to hear what the words of God are. And imagine God would just speak audibly. You know, sometimes people don't give the scripture the recognition that it deserves because if they'd hear a voice from heaven saying, let's say Ephesians 2:8, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Imagine, you just heard that audibly. You know what? Would people believe God if he would speak to them like that? You know, he could speak to people, but they still don't listen. We show them these verses from the Bible and they still don't listen, you know, and you hear it not of works. It's like people like, "No, but it is of works." But God just told you it's not of works.

So, we have Paul who was doing more work than everyone. He said that he received righteousness by faith. And that's what we're preaching, too. It's a gift. We receive it by faith. It's not of yourselves. It's not of works. People would hear the voice of God and still disagree. Unfortunately, you know, they have the word of God, but they still don't change their mind about what it takes to get to heaven.

You know, they think if God would speak to me. Well, he has. 2 Kings 22:11, we see a man who understood that the Bible and the word of God is authoritative and it is the actual words of God. We see King Josiah in 2 Kings 22. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

He hears all these things that are written in the book and realizes he's not doing them and he's grieved and he's got tremendous sorrow over it and he's got the right attitude to the word of God. And a lot of people that we go out and preach the gospel, they've got that attitude. They hear the right gospel, they hear the preaching and then they get cut to the heart and they understand, I need to change my mind. I need to change my beliefs.

Because we're not telling people to repent of their sins at the door. We're not telling them, hey, what sins you have? You need to—we're trying to get them to change their mind. We're trying to get them to say something different than when we get to their door and they say, "Well, I think I'm a pretty good person." I think God will allow me to heaven because, you know, I do good things or I've turned from my evil way. The Bible says in Jonah 3:10 God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way.

So, that's works. And the Bible made it abundantly clear showing you what God's word said that it's not of works. And God gave the word it's we know it's by faith and God said it in his word, but they still don't believe it. Unfortunately, you know, if you're saved today, obviously the people here, you know, we want a good church, but if you're saved today and you're going to the wrong church that's not preaching the right gospel, you know, you ought to be in the right church. Those who are saved ought to leave the churches that preach another gospel. Amen.

Philippians 3:16 says, and we're in the book of Philippians today because I think there's some really great things in the book of Philippians. Philippians 3:16 says here, "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."

So, we know we should be soulwinning. Let us continue in this. We know the right salvation. Let us stand for it by going to a church that preaches the right gospel. Verse 17 it says here brethren be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

So we're actually called and we're commanded to mark and avoid those people who preach contrary to the preachings of Paul. People that preach that salvation is of works. People that preach that going to heaven is actually based on your performance. Those people are to be marked and avoided. Amen.

Verse 18, For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.

These people are enemies. They are not the few. The Bible says many. They're the majority of people. These are all the cults. These are all the false religions. These are even your sects of Christianity which preach a false damnable heresy of works for salvation. Works plus faith where faith isn't really right.

We're talking to a man here close in the park and you know we're trying to show him and he's continually saying well you know believing is just mental assent because you just have a mental assent it's nothing they just they attack what the gospel is they attack it and they just they don't care about the part that speaks about believing they have it or even the demons believe and tremble that's they that's what they keep bringing up even the demons believe and you ask them what do they believe and it's surprising none of them know what to tell you they don't even know what the demons believe in that chapter they just heard it and they just repeat it. They just heard it and they just attack saying that faith is nothing.

It's and you see the Bible clearly spelling it out and they're just enemies of the cross of Christ. And verse 19, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things. These people glory in their shame. These people, these false prophets glory in filthy rags. They glory in the works that they've done. They glory in all their good works. And these people glory in their shame and they mind earthly things.

Verse 20, For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Do we look forward to the saviour? I'm sure we do. You know, because we know that he saved us. We know that salvation is not of ourselves. We know who saved us. You know, we only look for the saviour if we actually believe that he's the saviour. You know, these people are looking for themselves for salvation. They're not looking unto the saviour.

The Bible, you know, we have the great song, look and live. You know, that's what that snake that was lifted in the wilderness was meant to everyone that looks upon it is going to live. And Jesus said, "If I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me." You know, and as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Oh, but wait, believe is just a mental assent. It's nonsense. They don't care about what the Bible says. Bible says here in verse 21, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

So yeah, believers still have a vile body. Isn't that interesting? It's like, oh, these people think that all things are new, all things have become new. Why are believers still said that, hey, he's going to change our vile body. All these believers have vile bodies. Yeah, we do. Unfortunately, you know, it says according to the working whereby he's able to subdue all things unto himself. We look forward to the glorious body. We know our flesh is vile. We know that about our flesh. We have to crucify the flesh daily. Every single day we crucify the old man. And we know that in us that as Paul said that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing. There's nothing good in our flesh.

You know, we've trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ. He paid for our sins past, present, and future. We put no confidence in the flesh. Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:21, For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

So Paul knew that salvation was of God, you know, and we also know this and we know that salvation is not of works and Paul made this abundantly clear and I hope that more people in Melbourne are going to repent, meaning change their mind and understand that salvation is not of works.

You know, you go to places like Chadstone soulwinning in Chadstone yesterday and you just see a multitude of people that do not have this belief. They do not believe that salvation is a free gift that it's by faith that it's not of works. They don't know. And how shall they hear without a preacher? So that's why we're going to then point number three is zeal for the last point of the sermon.

Point number three is zeal. So we need zeal. We need to care about the things of God. We need to care about what God cares about. Amen.

And I think that most of us have heard about brother Kevin Row. He died at the sad age of 39 and left behind a widow and a child. And unfortunately, you know, we lose great men of God because of people like drunkards. You know, they that are drunken are drunken in the night. And people do horrendous things and hurt families. But you know, even though he departed and to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, we know that his zeal encouraged many people and he was actually known as a zealous person and he actually prayed for zeal. We heard about this in a testimony that his wife gave and he prayed that he wouldn't be apathetic towards the things of God, you know, and I love that desire. I think it's an awesome desire to have. Don't be apathetic to the things of God. Apathy is the opposite of zeal.

So, we need to have zeal to do a great work here in Melbourne. And I had this thought what God feels when he knows that he gave us such a short time to live. God gave us a vapor of a life. He told us in his word to do something while we're here. And he actually gave us these things written down in commandments, you know. So, you know, just work while it is day before the night comes. You know, we have to make the most of the time that we have here.

And imagine God makes our life such a vapor. Writes everything down what we should be doing and then he sees all these children of God just don't they don't trust him. They don't think that hey he wrote that with a purpose in mind. You know he knows the rewards that he wants to give to these people who obey him. You know who actually trust in what he said and actually do the things that he wants us to do. And then he actually sees us just going nah actually I don't think that's I think I'm going to do that with my life. And I think he's just grieved the Holy Spirit.

You know, God actually wants to work with us and God actually wants us to be out there preaching the gospel. Amen. And we actually fellow laborers with Christ. And we actually see this in Mark 16:15. Go to Mark 16:15.

We see that there were people that were laboring with Paul. We can be fellow laborers with Christ. The Bible says here in Mark 16:15, "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

So God's already written what we have to do. Tells us to go and preach the gospel. And this is what we're going to be doing this afternoon door to door. And are we going to be alone when we go? You know, is this something that we're going to be doing alone? No. The Bible says that God's going to go with us. Jesus is going to go with us.

Verse 20. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

So, we have the Lord working together with the people that go. The Lord works with us. And you know, the question is, do you have zeal? Paul had zeal even in his old religion. People that are zealous even in the things that you know their old religion might be obviously a way that's leading to hell but we see that he was exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers in the Jews' religion and you might say you know are you zealous are you a zealous person are you zealous about your work are you zealous about the hobbies that you have some people are zealous Paul was zealous in the Jews religion and you know what God can actually use the zeal that you have he used that zeal that Paul had even though he did it ignorantly in unbelief but he was zealous and God can use that and be zealous about preaching him among the heathen the Gentiles.

We see Paul getting to work in Titus 2:11. Paul just gets to work he gets the call he translates all his zeal that he had in that false he was exceedingly zealous he translates into the things that he should be doing and the Bible says here For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

So we see he just gets to work and he's zealous of good works. And that's the reason why God has called us to actually be zealous of good works to actually get out there and have that zeal. Amen. You know, to do the work of the ministry.

Philippians 4, let's go to Philippians 4:5. And, you know, before we go there, you know, I want to be more zealous as the years go by. I don't want to be less zealous than I was last year, you know, and we have to also show moderation. The Bible speaks about let your moderation be known unto all men.

So, let's look at Philippians 4:5. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. So pretty much in all these things that we do, my wife and I go soulwinning every Saturday and every Sunday. And I believe that this is very sustainable, you know, and I hope that more people will be able to join us. And we're grateful for the brethren that have been able to join us. And, you know, I believe that it's sustainable to go out at least once a week. Just go out with the brethren. I'm going to be posting it on the WhatsApp group. Just if you're able to join us, please come out and be zealous for the things of God.

And what does moderation mean? It's about keeping appetites, temper, and desires within reasonable bounds, showing a mild, proper, and considerate way of life to all. So remember, we have to remember that people are looking at us. People actually see what we're doing. We are an epistle. And we see in the Corinthian church, Paul's actually telling them this. And you know, your unsaved family is looking at you. A lot of people criticize saved believers and say, "Well, you just like this. It's convenient to believe in eternal security because you can just do whatever you want." You know, they falsely accuse us and they just tell us all these things.

You know what? Unfortunately, there are a lot of believers that because of their life, because they're receiving the grace of God in vain in a sense they're just squandering the grace of God and the goodness of God. Unfortunately, a lot of people speak evil of the right way because we're bad examples.

You know, remember people are looking at you. Your workmates are looking at you. What do people see? 2 Corinthians 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men.

Every single person can see us and Paul when he wrote to the church he said this so let's be good representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ let's represent Verity Baptist Church Philippines in the right way you know Bible says we're read and known of all men so this is what we need to take heed.

Philippians 2:15 says here that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

Those who have been our teachers and I want those who labored in the word actually rejoice in the day of the Lord Jesus to recognize that their labor was not in vain. They actually know all that preaching, all that time that they spent reading their Bibles, memorizing scripture, preparing sermons. I want them to know that that labor was not in vain. Actually provoked us. Actually got us out there and they helped us to be zealous.

So let us have that zeal and remember our zeal encourages other people. 2 Corinthians 9:2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

So zeal provokes people but a lack of zeal can discourage people so you know apathy it's got that opposite effect apathy can discourage people for them to be apathetic as well.

So look at Deuteronomy 20:8. And the officers shall speak further unto the people, and they shall say, What man is there that is fearful and fainthearted? let him go and return unto his house, lest his brethren's heart faint as well as his heart.

Probably that's where the word comes from, you know, go hard or go home. It's probably that's where it's from because, you know, if you're going to be fearful and faint-hearted, just go home. Just go because you're going to discourage people. Zeal provokes people. Fear can discourage your brethren. There are people who are afraid and actually discourages others. And you know, it's really sad when I see people that instead of just getting on board with the things of God, they're actually discouraging people. You know, if you're not going to do anything, just better go home. Don't be part of that battle or don't even pretend to be part of that battle if you're going to just discourage people. Amen.

God wants us to be zealous. God wants us to present our bodies. Look at these verses. These things are not just little suggestions that God has. They're actually commandments from God. Romans 12:1. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

So God's asking this. This is God's word. You know, you don't go soulwinning for me. You don't go soulwinning for Pastor Stucky. You go soulwinning to save the lost and because God told you to go. That's not for somebody, you know, I'll come and do this for you to make you happy. You're not it's not something that's for me. It's for something that's for the Lord. That's what people have to recognize.

You know, what does sacrifice mean? Sacrifice means you deny what you want and use your body for the glory of God. You know, whether it be by walking and preaching the gospel or giving up of your time or giving up of your resources, you're presenting yourself. You know, every man is going to give an account of himself to God.

You know, in that day, you know, you have enlisted in the army of God. Be ready for the work when you get called upon. Be ready when that message comes out and says, "Hey, we're going to be going out to this place or that place." Be ready. Make the time. Make it a priority, you know. Make your life about that, you know, build your life around soulwinning, not soulwinning around your life. Amen.

You know, it's actually I'm making sure my life is I'm going to prioritize that. Not that's going to be the last priority if I somehow find the time. Amen.

Be zealous for God's house. We see that God, we see the Lord Jesus Christ caring and being zealous for the house of God. It says the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. Meaning he cared about it. So Jesus took matters into his own hands because he was zealous and you know he wanted it to be the way that God intended it to be. You know and if we see that there's no churches like the church in Philippi. Sometimes you feel the need to take matters into your own hands and actually be that person that's going to actually be able to say hey we fellowship in the gospel from this day until now.

And we have to be zealous about soulwinning and that's why we go soulwinning. So be zealous in soulwinning and remember soulwinning brings salvations and salvation brings zeal and then zeal brings more soulwinning and then more salvations.

So let's just close in a word of prayer and I just pray that God will help us as was spoken today.

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you so much for this morning. Thank you Lord God for the time of fellowship that we've had. Thank you for everyone that was able to make it. And I hope that this will inspire people, Lord God, to put you first and to do the things that please you. Please be with us as we go soulwinning later on as well. And please bless all the brethren that are going to be joining us at soulwinning. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.