Alderwood Community Church October 31, 2010

Transcription

1 1 Alderwood Community Church October 31, 2010 Listen and Walk (Part 2) Acts 16:25 17:15 Intro: Jesus had one magnificent obsession: People. People were Jesus one thing. And they still are! People who are sick. People who are lonely. People who are wandering, depressed and hopeless. People who have gotten themselves tangled up in suffocating habits and destructive relationships. The book of Acts is filled with stories of how God Sovereignly directs his children to communicate his love and grace toward lost people. Big Idea: As children of God we are called to listen and walk as the Holy Spirit directs. Read Text: Acts 16: The Spirit of God sovereignly gives us the power of perspective. Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced. Psalm 105:1-5 (See also: Col. 1:16, Eph. 2:10) Christians can rejoice in the truth that our sovereign God controls every circumstance of life! A. The Holy Spirit gives joy when mistreated. (16:22-25a) Paul speaks of rejoicing more in the short letter to the Philippians than in any other of his epistles. In view of what had happened, we can see that these were no mere platitudes on Paul s part. Rather, we see that the man who told others to rejoice had learned to rejoice himself because his heart and mind were so filled with what God was doing and with the blessing of God in his life. Paul regarded the privilege of taking the gospel to areas of the world where it was not known as being so great that it blotted out the discomfort from the beating. You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:3

2 2 B. The Holy Spirit gives courage when facing opposition. (17:1-2, 10) Paul had faced much Jewish opposition on his first missionary journey. On the island of Cyprus, he was opposed by the Jewish false prophet Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6ff.). Leaving there, he went to Pisidian Antioch, where when the Jews saw the crowds [listening to Paul preach], they were filled with jealousy, and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming (Acts 13:45). Later, the Jews aroused the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district (Acts 13:50). They went to Iconium, where the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren (Acts 14:2). Forced to flee Iconium (Acts 14:5 6), Paul and Barnabas went to Lystra, where Paul very nearly lost his life (Acts 14:19). In spite of all that, and his recent persecution in Philippi at the hands of Gentiles, Paul did not hesitate to courageously enter the synagogue at Thessalonica and Berea. (17:1-2, 10) The key to courage is trust in the sovereign power and care of God and dependence on His strength (1) We will face opposition. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Tim. 3:12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:12-14 (2) We will be rewarded for suffering for Christ. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5: The Spirit of God sovereignly empowers the Gospel message to bring salvation to all who believe. I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation for everyone who believes. Romans 1:16 A. The Holy Spirit prompts us to do our part. We are called to speak about Jesus Christ and explain the Scriptures. (1) What Paul did. (16:31-32, 17:2-3, 17:10-11)

3 3 The common Jewish view of the Messiah pictured Him as a conquering political ruler who would restore their fortunes, defeat their enemies, and usher in the kingdom. That the Messiah would come to die at the hands of His own people was beyond their comprehension. Even the apostles had taken a long time to understand that truth. Paul wrote of the difficulty Jewish people had in accepting the death of Messiah in 1 Corinthians 1:23, when he said that Christ crucified was to Jews a stumbling block, and even to the Gentiles it was foolishness. Reasoned is from dialegomai, from which we get the English word dialogue. It is not a formal sermon but a discussion, during which Paul repeatedly fielded questions from his hearers. That was the way he commonly ministered in the synagogues In Thessalonica Paul reasoned, explained, proved, proclaimed and persuaded, while in Berea the Jews eagerly received the message and diligently examined the Scriptures. It was inevitable in Jewish evangelism that the Old Testament Scriptures should be both the textbook and the court of appeal. What is impressive is that neither speaker nor hearers used Scripture in a superficial, unintelligent or proof-texting way. On the contrary, Paul argued out of the Scriptures and the Bereans examined them to see if his arguments were cogent. And we may be sure that Paul welcomed and encouraged this thoughtful response. I do not doubt that he also bathed both in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit of truth to open his mouth to explain, and his hearers minds to grasp, the good news of salvation in Christ. (2) What we are called to do. (a) Be ready. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15 Living in 3-D : 1. Develop friendships- Engage in the lives of people around you. 2. Discover stories- their story first, then yours and Jesus. 3. Discern next steps- by following the Spirit s direction. (b) Understand the Gospel. Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

4 4 Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Acts 13:38-39 (c) Speak up! Believe in the Lord Jesus. And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?...consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:14b,17 B. The Holy Spirit does his part by opening hearts to the gospel. (16:14, 16:33-34, 17:4, 17:12) For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44 But I [Jesus], when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself. He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. John 12:32 Conclusion: Daily declaration: My life is in your hands, God. Use me to point someone toward you today If you want me to say a word for you today, I will. If you want me to demonstrate love and servanthood, by your Spirit s power I will. I m fully available to you today, so guide me by your Spirit.

5 5 Max Lucado, Outlive Your Life: You were made to make a difference. Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me you did it to me. Matthew 25:40 (MSG) There are many reasons to help people in need. But for the Christian, none is higher than this: when we love those in need, we are loving Jesus. It is a mystery beyond science, a truth beyond statistics. But it is a message that Jesus made crystal clear: when we love them, we love him. This is the theme of his final sermon. The message he saved until last. He must want this point imprinted on our conscience. He depicted the final judgment scene. The last day, the great Day of Judgment. On that day Jesus will issue an irresistible command. All will come. From sunken ships and forgotten cemeteries, they will come. From royal tombs and grassy battlefields, they will come. From Abel, the first to die, to the person being buried at the moment Jesus calls, every human in history will be present. All the angels will be present. The whole heavenly universe will witness the event. A staggering denouncement. Jesus at some point will "separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats" (Matt. 25:32). Shepherds do this. They walk among the flock and, one by one, with the use of a staff direct goats in one direction and sheep in the other. How can one envision this moment without the sudden appearance of this urgent question: What determines his choice? How does Jesus separate the people? Jesus gives the answer. Those on the right, the sheep, will be those who fed him when he was hungry, brought him water when he was thirsty, gave him lodging when he was lonely, clothing when he was naked, and comfort when he was sick or imprisoned. The sign of the saved is their concern for those in need. Compassion does not save them or us. Salvation is the work of Christ. Compassion is the consequence of salvation. The sheep will react with a sincere question: when? When did we feed, visit, clothe, or comfort you (vv )?

6 6 Jesus will recount, one by one, all the acts of kindness. Every deed done to improve the lot of another person. Even the small ones. In fact, they all seem small. Giving water. Offering food. Sharing clothing. The works of mercy are simple deeds. And yet, in these simple deeds we serve Jesus. Astounding this truth: we serve Christ by serving needy people. Some of them live in your neighborhood; others live in jungles you can't find and have names you can't pronounce. Some of them play in cardboard slums or sell sex on a busy street. Some of them walk three hours for water or wait all day for a shot of penicillin. Some of them brought their woes on themselves, and others inherited the mess from their parents. None of us can help everyone. But all of us can help someone. And when we help them, we serve Jesus. Who would want to miss a chance to do that? Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me." (Matthew 25:34-36 NLT) O Lord, where did I see you yesterday... and didn't recognize you? Where will I encounter you today... and fail to identify you properly? O my Father, give me eyes to see, a heart to respond, and hands and feet to serve you wherever you encounter me! Transform me, Lord, by your Spirit into a servant of Christ, who delights to meet the needs of those around me. Make me a billboard of your grace, a living advertisement for the riches of your compassion. I long to hear you say to me one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And I pray that today I would be that faithful servant who does well at doing good. In Jesus' name I pray, amen. (Max Lucado)