Sermon Transcript November 8, 2015

Transcription

1 RESURRECTION It changes everything. Sermon Transcript November 8, 2015 No Capeesh Acts 22:1-24 This message from the Bible was addressed originally to the people of Wethersfield Evangelical Free Church on November 8, 2015, at 511 Maple Street, Wethersfield, CT, by John Leonetti. This is a transcription that bears the strength and weaknesses of oral delivery. It is not meant to be a polished essay. An audio copy of the sermon on CD is available by request at (860) An audio version of this sermon may also be found on the church website at 1

2 Sermon Text Acts 22: Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you. 2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said: 3 I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. 4 I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, 5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished. 6 As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. 7 And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? 8 And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting. 9 Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me. 10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do. 11 And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus. 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13 came to me, and standing by me said to me, Brother Saul, receive your sight. And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name. 17 When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 18 and saw him saying to me, Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me. 19 And I said, Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him. 21 And he said to me, Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles. 2

3 Introduction Setting 22 Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live. 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. I am 100% Italian and I grew up HEARING the language but I never really learned to speak it. I remember a phrase in Italian slang that meant one understood and the word was capeesh (as best as I can spell the slang). Another way capeesh is used is know what I mean? I knew enough to tell my relatives that I did not understand them or no capeesh Italian. Today we will see that Paul is speaking about the Resurrection of Christ and his hearers did not capeesh or understand him. Isn t that what we want -that is others (coworkers, friends, family) to understand or capeesh when it comes to knowing the Lord? What can we do to help them capeesh? I believe we can learn several different ways to establish a rapport with unbelievers from today s Scripture reading. However, ultimately it is the Holy Spirit who must regenerate the heart of the unbeliever or else they will not understand (capeesh) us. With that truth in mind, that is the work of the Spirit of God alone who can change the heart, I want to emphasize that I am not against establishing a rapport with people to proclaim the Gospel. Paul is in Jerusalem talking to his fellow countrymen, the Jews. In the previous chapter in Acts 21, we see Paul arrested in the temple. The Jews finally got their man. We are going to look at the Apostle Paul make his defense, his apologetic and we will discover the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the proverbial smoking gun that best explains Paul s conversion. Paul wants nothing more for them to understand or capeesh concerning Christ. Paul s desire for the Jews to understand was so strong that in Romans 9 he says, :3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race. There are many things we could unpack in today s Scripture reading. However, I would like to limit our consideration to three salient points. 3

4 Let s look at who Paul was talking to and how did he establish a rapport with his audience? Let s look at the message he gave. Let s look at the reaction to the message he experienced. In today s text I see four ways Paul tries to establish a rapport with the Jews. (Language, Location, Education, Previous Opposition to Christ) Common Factor Number 1: Language Picture yourself having to give a defense to a group that is hostile to you. Wouldn t you try to appeal to anything that you had in common with the people you were/are addressing? Paul starts off appealing to his and the crowd s common Jewishness. In fact, when they heard he was talking in Hebrew they became more quiet (vs 2). It reminds me of the old commercial when E.F. Hutton talks people listen. In the commercial everyone stopped what they were doing and listened intently. The Bible Knowledge Commentary says Undoubtedly, the Jews in the land were pleased that a Jew of the Dispersion, as Paul was, could speak Hebrew as well as Greek. So they settled down and listened. Even though they had Language as a common factor ultimately the Jews did not understand or capeesh Paul. Common Factor Number 2: Location Paul attempts to further establish the rapport with the Jews whom he knew loved Jerusalem by saying in essence I was brought up here. (vs 3). It was a nice, cordial effort that ultimately did not work. Language and Location in common still not able to understand or capeesh Paul. Common Factor Number 3: Education Paul s education is mentioned as he was taught by Gamaliel according to the strict 4

5 manner that is the exactness of the law of our fathers (vs 3). So Paul was there when it came to law observance and a high regard for the law. He is trying to establish a rapport with them in terms of education and law observance. Another nice, cordial effort at rapport that did not work. The post Resurrection appearance of Christ applied to Paul s life made all the difference in the world. Language, location and education in common and still not able to understand or capeesh Paul. Common Factor Number 4: Previous Beliefs hostile to Christianity God very often uses people who have come out of cults to reach those still involved in them. I think of Brian Garcia who used to attend our church. He was a former Jehovah s Witness. He has a ministry to reach those still trapped in that cult. Paul, also like the Jews, persecuted the Church. He says, in essence, a paraphrase, you guys know what I did to the Church. (vs 4). All the elders can testify to the fact Paul threw Jewish Christians in jail. He goes on to mention that he received letters from the Jews and he had orders to go to Damascus and bring back Christians in chains. All the Jews would agree with this and it would show that Paul was once one of them in terms of ideology and intolerance towards Christianity. Another nice cordial, effort by Paul that did not convince the Jews. Language, location, education and a PREVIOUS similar hatred of Christianity and still not able to comprehend or capeesh Paul. But isn t interesting how that Jesus prayer for unity in John 17 WAS ANSWERED and Christians now in Christ experience a unity that supersedes the rapport of language, location education and all other customs that people can gather around this side of eternity. You could sense the oneness with a fellow Christian who is a total foreigner to you due to the Resurrection power at work in us. Paul s Message Paul establishes rapport but still the Jews, his audience do not capeesh (understand). So what Paul does is proclaim the Resurrected Christ. Paul retells his conversion story in Acts 9 yet leaving out some minor details. By the way, in Acts 9, just for the record, 5

6 there is no mention that Saul (his name at the time) fell off a horse. It s just not in the text. He may have been riding one but we don t know for sure. He saw a great light that knocked him to the ground. And he, unlike his companions, heard a voice saying Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me? 8 And I answered, Who are you, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting. Notice in verse 9 that his companions could not understand (capeesh) the voice. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. Where else do we see Jesus speaking and people are unable to understand and accept His claims? In John 8, 42 Jesus said to them, If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father s desires. Contrast that with those whom the Lord enables to hear His voice. In John 10, Jesus said 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. Do you remember our memory verses in 1 Peter 1? 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. The reason Paul heard Christ s voice was God s sovereignty. The text does not portray Paul in a closer position to God than the other men accompanying him prior to Christ revealing Himself. Paul was out to arrest Christians. Remember, Paul saw Stephen die. Ananias plainly says to Paul in verse 14, The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear (CAPEESH OR UNDERSTAND) a voice from his mouth; If that s not God s Sovereignty I don t know what is! Contrast Paul hearing it with the men who accompanied him who heard it but didn t understand it. At least at that point, they were not appointed to hear it or capeesh it. In other words, the regeneration of Paul s heart was done with the appearing of the Risen Christ to Him on the road to Damascus. If Jesus had so wanted to, He could have knocked to the ground and spoken to those men BY NAME like He did Paul. All that Paul had in common with the men he was traveling with ended in that abrupt moment 6

7 when Christ revealed Himself. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ makes all the difference in Paul s story. Christ is so closely associated to His people that persecution of them means persecution of Him. Notice in the Lord s question, Why are you persecuting me? Reminds me of Matt 25 and the Sheep and the goats. When we fail to meet the needs of others we are doing it to our Lord. When we meet the needs of other believers we are meeting the needs of the Lord. Ladies and gentlemen, if the Resurrection did not occur then Christianity is false and Paul s story is a hoax. The Lord will always meet us right where we are at in life. Paul was a devout follower of the Law. So who does Jesus send to Him in verse 12? Verse 12 says, Ananias was a devout man according to the Law. Who better than Ananias to establish a rapport with Paul who was also a devout man? However, apart from the Resurrection, the rapport over observance of the law would mean nothing. Nobody can keep the law of God. Ananias was so devout he quickly urged Paul to get baptized. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name. This verse is NOT teaching that water can wash away sins. Rather as Jamison Faucett and Brown state; This way of speaking arises from baptism being the visible seal of remission. In other words, baptism is a sign and seal of what already took place in the heart of Paul. Since we know Scripture interprets Scripture, the rule is we interpret the more difficult verses in light of the verses that are much clearer. We know the household of Cornelius in Acts 10 had the Holy Spirit and their gifting was tongues and this was BEFORE water baptism. Baptism is important but it does not wash away sins. Ask the Thief on the Cross about that when you get to heaven. Whether people hear us or not we must proclaim Jesus. In the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, it s our job to cast the seed, the Word of God. It s God s job and not ours to make it grow. Depending on the Lord to do this will take the pressure off of us. We should witness AS IF WE CAN change the heart, but down deep trust the Lord for as Paul said I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. (1 Cor 3:7). The 7

8 increase is the understanding or capeeshing of the message. Reaction to the message The Bible Knowledge Commentary further analyzes the Jewish opposition to the message. It says Preaching to the Gentiles could not have caused such a response because the religious authorities of Israel had preached to the Gentiles (c.f. Matthew 23:15). Paul s message that infuriated the mob was that the Jews and Gentiles were equal without the Law of Moses. In other words the Gentiles were offered privileges BEFORE they accepted the law and circumcision. The Jews had many centuries of teaching that you must be circumcised and try to live out the law of Moses. This is our salvation. How dare you go to the dogs the Gentiles? So not only was the acceptance of the Resurrection hard, the notion that the Gentiles are grafted in was mind -blowing and all of this by grace alone, through faith alone, by Christ alone! It was a blow to their pride and exclusiveness. It is a good thing there was a Roman officer present or Paul perhaps would have joined Stephen in martyrdom. And the poor officer probably did not understand everything going on in totality as Paul spoke in Hebrew. Look at the reaction. Throwing dirt and clothes around (vs 23). Who can be open to the notion of the Resurrection of Christ before the Holy Spirit changes the hardened heart? The Biblical answer is no one (Ephesians 2:1). Rapport as important as that is will not change the sinful heart. Please do not misunderstand me. I m not against trying to establish common grounds with people. But the mere fact we have similar backgrounds will not make them drop to their knees and confess Christ. Dear Saints, when you study Acts you ll notice everywhere the message went it was either accepted or a riot broke out. Or both. Why do we think we will escape persecution if we bring the message of Christ Risen from the dead? Conclusion/Application 1. We should make every effort to gain a hearing to proclaim the Gospel like Paul did by establishing a rapport. 2. Do not feel guilty if someone you are witnessing to fails to capeesh the message. Our job is to prepare in advance what to tell people. It s the Risen Christ s job to make the fire fall from heaven in sending the Holy Spirit to change the heart. It s good to find a 8

9 rapport with people, and Paul gives us many examples. But only the Risen Christ in conjunction with the Holy Spirit can regenerate the heart. There are at least several character traits that come to mind for a person who capeeshes the Gospel. A person who capeeshes (understands) the Gospel is a person who repents! (REPENTANCE) A person who really understands God s Grace will be characterized by HUMILITY. A person who capeeshes the Gospel will be full of GRATITUDE. A person who capeeshes the Gospel will not feel pressure to change the heart of a person. Whenever free grace is preached, that humans can do nothing whatsoever to earn it, by works or by a decision, (Jn 1:13) there will be acceptance or rejection depending on how the Holy Spirit moves on individuals. Romans 10:17 in the Greek says, Faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ and only Christ can accomplish that. He has RISEN! Let us pray. 9

10 Appendix A: Evidence for the Resurrection 10

11 by John Leonetti - All rights reserved 11

12 Sermon Title: No Capeesh Sermon Text: Acts 22:1-24 Sermon Date: November 8, 2015 Getting To Know Me Questions 1. Are you more of a dog person or a cat person? Why? 2. Thinking back on the past week, share something that has been an encouragement to you and share something that has been challenging to you. Spend time praying for each other. 3. Is there anything from Sunday s sermon you would like to discuss and talk about? Diving Into The Word 4. Read Acts 22:1-5 - From the sermon, rehearse and discuss the four ways Paul sought to establish rapport with those who heard his testimony. As you think of people in your life, what are some practical ways you can establish rapport with them as you seek to share Jesus with them? 5. Read Acts 22: Having read again Paul s story of conversion, what observations do you have about the role God played in bringing Saul (Paul) to a point of faith? Read John 3:1-8 - Discuss how these verses add to your understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in helping one capeesh the gospel of Christ. (See also Ephesians 2:8-9) How do you see the work of the Holy Spirit in your own story? What did God use to bring you to understand and repent of your sin and turn in faith to Christ? 6. Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 - Discuss how this passage helps you understand our role and God s role in bringing others to faith in Christ? Discuss how this gives you confidence to share your faith. Discuss how this relieves you from the pressure of making something happen when you share Jesus with others. How does this help you pray for others? 7. Read Acts 22: What observations do you make of the reaction people had to Paul s testimony? Discuss how we should respond to this kind of reaction to the gospel. Taking It Home 8. As you rehearse Paul s story of conversion and think of your own journey to faith in Christ, what would you like to thank God for in your story? 9. Share how you would like to build rapport with someone this week. Share how this passage helps give you confidence to share your faith Continue to work on memorizing your verse for the week, 1 Peter 1: