I have been preaching through Acts for a long time. I don’t know what that means to you, I hope you have learned a lot, but if you simply learn that really is not good enough. I really, mostly hope that the Word of God is transforming your life.

Dr. David Palmer shared with a group how he grew up in a non Christian home. At a certain age he was given a Gideon Bible and eventually became a Christian. A few years later he was in college when his room mate staggered into the dorm room. At that time he remembers reading the Bible underneath his covers by flashlight. He thought, “What is it about this book that makes me so eager to read it?” Dr. palmer continued: “Part of the new birth is a spirit born appetite for the Word of God.”

As I was writing that paragraph I started thinking about my own spiritual journey. When I was in high school I started a Discipleship class. In that class I was required to study the Bible for one hour once a week. This was an in depth Bible study. At first I thought, that is going to be too much. I was a high school student involved in extra curriculars with a part time job. But I began studying the Bible. By the end of that class I was studying a chapter a week and could not stop studying. I loved it! I was studying the book of Revelation one chapter at a time. There were times in my studies that I have been practically moved to tears studying the Bible. I love it.

Part of that discipleship class involved learning about the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts. It is that subject that I wish to talk about today. I once heard a message in which one shared about reading through the Bible when he was a non Christian. At that time the Bible did not make sense to him. Just a few weeks later he gave his life to Christ and started reading the Bible again. Now, as a Christian, the Bible made total sense.

What is the difference? The Holy Spirit is the difference.

Let’s read Acts 19:1-7 and talk about people coming to know Christ and receiving the Holy Spirit.

While Apollos  was at Corinth,  Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.  There he found some disciples  ²  and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit  when  you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

³  So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

⁴Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.”  ⁵  On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.  ⁶  When Paul placed his hands on them,  the Holy Spirit came on them,  and they spoke in tongues  and prophesied.  ⁷  There were about twelve men in all.

1. Context is everything so I would like to talk about the passage itself for a second.
   1. Verse 1 shows us that Apollos is staying in Corinth and during this time Paul travels through the inland route to Ephesus. Ephesus was a very important city. Later Paul would write the letter to the Ephesians. Actually, 1 and 2 Timothy were written to Timothy who was pastoring the church in Ephesus.
   2. Now, Paul meets some of John’s disciples. Paul asked them if they received the Holy Spirit when they believed. Now, I believe based off of John’s Gospel chapters 14-17 and Acts 2 and many other passages that we do receive the Holy Spirit when we believe in Christ.
      1. We will come back to those passages dealing with the Holy Spirit a little later. For now, let me continue to overview the context.
      2. Now, Paul was struck by something. He knew that these 12 people were not saved. He could tell by something that they were not Christians. One thought is that they did not have the Holy Spirit. Certainly, when he ask them a question their response makes it clear.
      3. The Bible does call them disciples and this is likely the word “disciples” in a broad sense as followers of someone. They were followers of John the Baptizer.
      4. They knew nothing about the Holy Spirit.
      5. How do you know if you have the Holy Spirit?
      6. When you become a Christian you are baptized with the Holy Spirit. If you have really, truly trusted in the blood of Jesus covering your sins and have committed to make Jesus Lord of your life then you are saved and you have the Holy Spirit.
      7. Have your desires changed? The Holy Spirit is God living within you. He changes your desires to match God’s. What is the pattern, do you have convictions concerning sin? There are sins of omission and commission. Sins of commission are things that you do, such as stealing. Sins of omission are things that you are not doing that you should do. Do you have convictions as to doing the right thing?
         1. Do you have convictions to read the Bible?
         2. Do you have convictions to participate in the church community? I am not only talking about Sunday morning worship, but do you have convictions to be involved in corporate, small group Bible study? Do you have convictions to participate in ministry? The Holy Spirit wants you involved in these things. How do we know? The Bible tells us so.
      8. Do you have a hunger for the Bible?
      9. We must be convicted to walk by the Spirit as Galatians 5:16 and the following verses talk about.

Galatians 5:16-22:

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

17  For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

18  But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

19  Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: ^aimmorality, impurity, sensuality,

20  idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, ^dfactions,

21  envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.¹

1. In this passage: These disciples tell Paul that they didn’t know that the Holy Spirit had come upon the people. Actually it says they didn’t know about the Holy Spirit. But what is more likely is they didn’t know that the Spirit had come upon the church. They knew about the Holy Spirit.
2. Paul then tells them the Gospel of Jesus and they receive Christ. Paul prays over them and they speak in tongues and prophesy, which in this case is evidence of the Spirit.
3. An application is that the Spiritual gifts are important, but just because you have not spoken in tongues does not mean you are not saved. That is what happened in this instance. But don’t discredit the work of the Holy Spirit.
1. But let’s talk about who the Holy Spirit is:
   1. The third person of the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit); One God manifested in 3 persons. The Holy Spirit is a person, not merely a force. He is intelligent (1Cor 12:11), has a will (1 Cor 12:11), teaches (John 14:26), can be grieved (Eph. 4:30), and can be insulted (Hebrews 10:29). The Holy Spirit is God (Acts 5:3-4). See also John 14:16-19, 23. Jesus says He is leaving , yet He will come to the Disciples with the Father. The Son and the Father come into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. The degree of separateness and unity in the Trinity is a mystery. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit share Divinity (One God), yet are distinct in personality.
   2. One of the Greek words for Holy Spirit is Parakletos. The New International version translates it Counselor. (NASB: Helper, KJV: Comforter. Recommended reading John
   3. Note the reference to the Holy Spirit. It literally means one called alongside to help.
2. As applications: I am just going to mention these and you can think about them. The scriptures are in your bulletin and in your manuscript. Trace these ministries of the Holy Spirit in your life:
   1. Conviction (John 16:8-11) Verse 8 says when the Holy Spirit comes he will convict the world of its sin.
   2. Change (John 3:5-8; 2 Cor 5:17-18)

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…

3. Assurance (Romans 8:16; 1 John 3:23-24; Eph. 4:29)

Romans 8:16:

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God…

4. Indwelling (Romans 8:9)

However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him.

1. How do you know you are a Christian? The Holy Spirit is active in your life causing your desires to change.
2. It is not overnight but the thirst for Scripture should be there. The thirst to see the lost saved should be there. You ought to be convicted of sin. There needs to be spiritual growth.
3. Remember the Apostle Paul could tell these 12 were not Christ followers. This goes back to the Holy Spirit in our life.
4. Think about it: You have God dwelling in you.

4. The Bible teaches that after Conversion, the Holy Spirit is our:
   1. Teacher of spiritual truths. (John 14:26; John 16:13; 1Cor 2:14)

John 16:13:

But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.

2. Mouthpiece in witnessing to others. (Luke 12:11-12)

When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

3. Helper in prayer. (Romans 8:26-27)

In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

4. Power for victorious living. (Acts 1:8; John 1:12)

John 1:12:

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

5. Purifier of our hearts. (Acts 15:8-9)

And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.

So, we see some information about the Holy Spirit.

Think about this: Is it not amazing that God saves us?

Is it not amazing that God sets us free from our sin? If God is who He is and He has done what He has done, does anything make sense than to live our lives as living sacrifices, that is Romans 12:1. (David Palmer shared this at Fall 2014 annual gathering) God saved us from His wrath by sending His wrath upon His own Son. He slew Him and poured all of my sin upon His own Son. That is amazing.

But what is more amazing is that was not all Jesus did for us. He died in our place, yes, but then He sent us the Holy Spirit. John 14:16-18 is written about Jesus sending us the helper who is the Holy Spirit.

Are you sensitive to His presence? Maybe today is the day to rededicate your life to Him. Maybe you have realized that your passions are not being conformed to Jesus’? Where are you at in your spiritual life?

How do you answer those question about the Holy Spirit’s ministry in your life? Have a conversation with God about this.

Let’s pray

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray

Introduction:

I have a family member who thought he was a Christian and now he realizes that he is not a Christian. How does that happen? Are you a Christian? Really, are you a follower of Jesus Christ? Are you persevering in the faith? Are you taking your belief system and your Christian worldview seriously?

My family member lived the Christian life for some fifty or sixty years. He was active in a church, really, really active. He served on a few boards, including the deacon board. He was baptized three times. Then when he was just over seventy years old my brother said that he was not a Christian. I resisted my brother in saying that. My mother resisted my brother in saying such a thing. My brother got on the phone with this family member and eventually, this family member realized, he really is not a Christian. He does not believe in the Trinity, he does not believe that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He wrestles with much of the core teachings of Christianity. He is not a Christian.

Do you believe the whole Gospel? I am not asking if you understand the whole Gospel, do you believe the whole Gospel. Somethings we step out into faith believing.

I once read an article asking if I am preaching the whole Gospel. What does that mean? Well many times we stop our teaching and preaching at “just believe.” We never tell people they must follow Jesus. Though many people are believing but not trusting or really not even believing in Jesus.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a German Theologian killed by the Nazi’s in World War II. There is a great biography about him out right now. He was a brilliant man who would not cave to the Nazis. Many other German churches were going along with Hitler’s anti-Semitic comments but he would not. He was trying to organize churches that stayed true to Scripture. There was a time that he came to New York City to study. His impressions of our American church were not good. He wrote:

By this time Bonhoeffer is in his lower twenties and has almost, if not, completed his PhD.

“ [The Union Students] talk a blue streak without the slightest foundation and with no evidence of any criteria… they are unfamiliar with even the most basic questions. They become intoxicated with liberal and humanistic phrases, laugh at the fundamentalists, and yet basically are not even up to their level.”

On another occasion he wrote:

“In New York they preach about virtually everything, only one thing is not addressed, or is addressed so rarely that I have as yet been unable to hear it, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ, the cross, sin and forgiveness, death and life.”¹

You see Bonhoeffer came to the U.S. soon after a pastor in New York City made some waves. His name was Harry Emerson Fosdick. Listen to what Eric Metaxis writes about him:

Fosdick had been the pastor at New York’s First Presbyterian Church when in 1922 he preached an infamous sermon titled, ‘Shall the Fundamentalist Win?’ In it he laid out a kind of Apostles Creed in which he expressed his serious doubts about most of the historic assertions of the Christian faith, including the virgin birth, the resurrection, the divinity of Christ, the atonement, miracles, and the Bible as the Word of God. This sermon was the opening salvo in a battle that would rage particularly hotly through the 1920s and 1930s. The local presbytery immediately conducted an investigation, but as a son of the moneyed East Coast WASP establishment, Fosdick had little to fear. His defense was conducted by another establishment scion, John Foster Dulles , who would serve as Eisenhower’s secretary of state, and whose father was a well known liberal Prebyterian minister. Fosdick resigned before they could censure him, and he was given the pastorate of the fashionably progressive Park Avenue Baptist Church, where John D. Rockefeller was a prominent member and whose foundation’s philanthropic arm was run by Fosdick’s own brother. ²

So, their Gospel was incomplete. Their teaching was incomplete and it was on purpose. They needed corrected.

I want to look at a passage where a brilliant man was teaching and speaking but he was incomplete in his understanding. So, he is corrected. Let’s look at the passage.

Read Acts 18:24-28:

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a] and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

27When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

1. First, let’s talk about the passage. Meet Apollos.
   1. Apollos was a Jew and he was by birth an Alexandrian.
   2. We know about Alexandria and we know that Alexandria was an area in Egypt that was heavily sophisticated with a very large library. The library would later have a fire which was unfortunate because we lost a lot of good literature and history. Later many noble theologians and church fathers came from Alexandria.
   3. He was an eloquent or a learned man. Apollos was a Greek Jew. Alexandria would have had the largest population of Jews outside Palestine.
   4. Apollos will be referenced much more:

1 Cor 1:12

Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”

1 Cor. 3:5:

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even ^bas the Lord gave opportunity to each one.

1 Cor. 3:6:

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.

1 Cor. 3:22

whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you,

1 Cor. 4:6:

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

1 Cor. 16:12:

But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

Titus 3:13

Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them.

1. Apollos is used much more in the New Testament, especially in Corinth.
2. In verse 25 Apollos was instructed in the Lord. He was fervent in Spirit. The Bible even says that he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus. But he was only acquainted with the things concerning John. In Acts 19:3 there is another time people only knew the things concerning John. Or John’s baptism. The Bible says that he was boiling in Spirit and this means that he had fire within him. So, he was very passionate.
3. But his message was incomplete. He only knew the things of John. Apollos only knew John’s baptism. There are different views on this and I am still unsure. Some think that he was already baptized because he is never shown being re baptized. Others think that he was only baptized by John and that he was like and Old Testament prophet believing the Messiah was still to come.
4. I think we may not know why his message was incomplete. We may not know what he needed to know, but we do know that his teaching was incomplete.
5. So, in the next verse Priscilla and Aquila take him aside and explain more fully the Gospel.
6. Notice after this that verses 27 and 28 have Apollos going to Corinth and powerfully refuting the Jews in public demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. In fact, I wonder if that is what was explained to him: that Jesus was the Christ.

2. So, what does this mean to us?
   1. It is vitally important that we understand a complete Gospel. Jesus was crucified, died, buried and rose again. (1 Cor. 15:3)
   2. So think about this, in what way or ways is our Gospel lacking? As we look across the United States what is going on? I believe that we allow to many people just like Harry Emerson Fosdick. He was the pastor whom I told you about in the beginning of the sermon. He denied many of the core truths of historic Christianity. This allows for people just like my family member, thinking they are Christians when they really are not. Their belief is incomplete. This cannot be, we must hold true to the faith.
   3. It is important that we recognize as Jesus said that believing in Him means following Him. Many times we allow or teach people simply to believe and that belief is separate from their life. This cannot be, believing in Jesus means following Jesus. We are not fans of Christ we are followers of Christ.
   4. But what else? We must do our duty just like Priscilla and Aquila did. We must explain the Gospel more fully when people do not understand.
   5. What did Priscilla and Aquila do? They took him aside and explained to him the full Gospel.
   6. Are you willing to do that?
   7. Notice also that they did not correct him in the open, they followed the Jesus model. They took him aside and in private corrected him. That is based off of Matthew 18:15-17.
   8. Everyone here, who is a believer in Christ, must be concerned with incomplete Gospel teaching. That means that you must be prepared that Jesus may use you to correct someone.

I know of a case where God used an atheist to correct someone:

Close:

Do you understand a full Gospel. Some do not: listen to this:

Marilyn Sewell

Unitarian Universalist Minister

and Christopher Hitchens Author, God is NOT Good: How Religion Poisons Everything

Sewell: The religion you cite in your book is generally the fundamentalist faith of various kinds. I’m a liberal Christian, and I don’t take the stories from the scripture literally. I don’t believe in the doctrine of the atonement (that Jesus died for our sins, for example). Do you make and distinction between fundamentalist faith and liberal religion?

Hitchens:

Only in this respect: I would say that if you don’t believe that Jesus of Nazareth

was the Christ, in other words, the Messiah, and that he rose again from the dead and by his sacrifice our sins are forgiven, you’re really not in any meaningful sense a Christian.

Sewell:

I disagree with that. I consider myself a Christian. I believe in the Jesus story as story, as narrative, and Jesus as a person whose life is exemplary that I want to follow. But I do not believe in all that stuff that I just outlined.

Hitchens:

I simply have to tell you that every major

Christian, including theologians, has said

that without the resurrection and without the forgiveness of sins, what I call the vicarious redemption, it’s meaningless. In fact, without that, it isn’t even a nice story – even if it’s true . . .

Sewell:

It doesn’t really matter to me if it’s true literally. It matters to me whether the story has efficacy for my life.

Hitchens:

Well, that’s what I meant to say. When

C.S. Lewis, for example, says, . . ‘if this

man was not the son of God, then his

teachings were evil’ because if you don’t

believe that the kingdom of heaven is at

hand and you can get to it by the way, the truth, and the life, offered by the gospel, then there’s no excuse for telling people to take no thought for the morrow, for example, as he did. . . It would be an evil nonsense.

So, we see in this passage that Priscilla and Aquila explained the Gospel more fully to Apollos and then God greatly uses Apollos. I ask that you believe in and trust in the complete Gospel and let God use you as He used Priscilla and Aquila in order to correct inappropriate teaching or incomplete teaching.

Do you know Jesus?

First do you know Jesus?

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray

Intro:

I have been encouraged many times and in many different ways, but many times I receive encouragement from a note given to me or something someone says. I know of pastors that have an encouragement file. If they are ever discouraged they go to that file and find encouragement. We need encouragement, I do. Many times my encouragement comes from an email, a text message or a phone call. Sometimes I do not realize how encouraging it is until later on. Sometimes someone will simply text me a Scripture verse. A few times I have been praying and the Holy Spirit reminds me of something.

Today we talk about the Holy Spirit encouraging Paul and the Holy Spirit encouraging us. As we start this subject it should encourage us, but also challenge us. Living by the Holy Spirit is not easy.

Francis Chan writes in Forgotten God:

CHRISTLIKENESS: A PAINFUL PROCESS

The truth is that the Spirit of the living God is guaranteed to ask you to go somewhere or do something you wouldn’t fit normally want or choose to do. The Spirit will lead you to the way of the cross, as He led Jesus to the cross, and that is definitely not a safe or pretty or comfortable place to be. The Holy Spirit of God will mold you into the person you were made to be. This often incredibly painful process strips you of selfishness, pride, and fear. 

For a powerful example of this, read in C. S. Lewisfs book The Voyage of the Dawn Treader about the boy, Eustace, who becomes a dragon. In order to become a little boy again, he must undergo a tremendous amount of pain as the dragon skin is peeled away and torn from him. Only after he endures this painful process is he truly transformed from a dragon back into a boy. 

Sometimes the sin we take on becomes such a part of us that it requires this same kind of ripping and tearing to free us. The Holy Spirit does not seek to hurt us, but He does seek to make us Christlike, and this can be painful.

(Francis Chan. Forgotten God: Reversing Our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit (pp. 50-51). Kindle Edition.)

In today’s passage we see that the Holy Spirit encourages Paul, BUT, notice first that Paul was stepping outside of his comfort zone following the Holy Spirit’s will. He was sharing the Gospel, despite resistance.

The great idea today is that The Holy Spirit encouraged Paul and the application is that the Holy Spirit will encourage you as well. But remember to walk following the Spirit.

Let’s read Acts 18:5-11: (I am referencing the NASB translation today)

5But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 6But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, gYour blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.h 7Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. 8Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 9And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, gDo not be afraid any longer, but go on speaking and do not be silent; 10for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.h 11And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

1. I want to come back to the theme that Jesus encourages us as He encouraged Paul, but let’s look at the context first. Context is always critical:
   1. Remember from last week that the Apostle Paul came to Corinth without Silas and Timothy. He needed encouragement and he soon met Pricilla and Aquila. It seems that he has had a burn out phase.
   2. In verse 5 Silas and Timothy joined Paul, likely with financial support from the Macedonians. In 2 Cor. 11:9 Paul mentioned people coming from Macedonia with his needs.
   3. In verse 5, Paul was thoroughly, completely, preaching Christ. The verb translated as “completely” means “over and over again.” Paul was no longer only preaching on Sabbaths.
   4. In verse 6 people resisted and blasphemed. So the message Paul was preaching faced resistance. We do not know what kind of resistance, but we do know they blasphemed. This usually means blasphemed God, to talk negatively, disrespectfully against God. However, this could mean that they lied about Paul, questioned Paul’s integrity or something like that.
   5. In verse 6, he shook out his garments, this was like shaking the dust off of their feet as was so common. Let me share what the E.S.V. Study Bible says regarding this:

When they opposed and reviled him. Paul will spend much time with audiences where there is interest and response, even if they don’t immediately believe (see v. 4), but he will not spend time where he simply faces hostile opposition. Shaking garments was a gesture of rejection, much like shaking the dust from one’s feet (cf. 13:51). Your blood be on your own heads reflects Ezekiel’s words about God’s prophetic watchman (Ezek. 33:1–7). “Blood” means “the responsibility for your judgment by God.” Paul had faithfully discharged his responsibility, so that at the final judgment no part of these Jews ‘failure to believe could be attributed to his failure to tell them about Christ (but cf. note on Acts 18:7)

Ezekiel 33:6 says: 6‘But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

6. In verse 7, Paul leaves but does not leave the city. He goes next door. The Bible says Titius Justus. This man was a worshipper of God. So, this man was not a pagan man like they would have in Corinth. Corinth had a lot of pagans practicing lewd (offensive in a secular way) idolatry.
7. That house was actually attached to the Synagogue. The I.V.P. Bible Backgrounds Commentary gives insight: Patrons’ homes in Corinth normally seated nine in the triclinium (the best room) and as many as forty others in the adjoining atrium (the largest furnished room)
8. Imagine the next part, the Synagogue leader is saved.

The I.V.P. Bible Backgrounds Commentary gives insight: “Crispus” is a typical Roman name. It was not uncommon for Jewish people to have Latin names (“Crispus” and “Crispina” appear several times in Jewish inscriptions), but the proportion of Latin names among Paul’s associates is so much higher than generally in inscriptions (even though inscriptions were normally made by the well-to-do) that it is likely that a number of Paul’s Jewish and Greek associates were also Roman citizens. To be “synagogue ruler” means that Crispus is a person of status and wealth, responsible for the synagogue services.

9. That had to make in impact. Imagine if the head of I.S.I.S. comes to trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior? Imagine if the leader of a local part of I.S.I.S. trusts in Christ? Imagine if the local Jehovah’s witness leader accepts Christ? This was a leader accepting Christ, not a common attender. Now certainly, that may be a bigger deal since this was a Jewish leader and the Jewish Scriptures prophesy Christ. So, imagine if a local Jewish synagogue leader accepts Christ as Lord and Savior? Would not that make a difference?
10. Jesus is in charge of the results of evangelism. We are to proclaim the Gospel and Jesus will take care of the results.
11. The whole family and household of this leader is saved.
12. Many Corinthians are saved.
13. They were baptized.
14. Baptism follows salvation. We are baptized in order to follow Jesus’ footsteps. We are baptized to make a public profession of our faith in Christ. We are baptized to be symbolic of dying with Christ and rising again. We are baptized as that is symbolic of washing our sins away.

The Lord speaks to Paul, let’s look at that.

2. In verses 9-10 this is the message.
   1. Paul need not fear. Paul was told not to fear any longer which means that he did have fear. In 1 Cor. 2:3 Paul said that he came in fear and weakness. We know all the persecution he had faced. Paul had faced difficulties. He was used to declaring the Gospel in power and great boldness, but maybe he has faced a time of depression, or burn out.
   2. Paul is to go on speaking and not be silent.
   3. Jesus is with Paul.
   4. No one will attack Paul in order to harm him.
   5. God has many people in the city. This could mean many other followers, but likely means many people in the city who need the Gospel.
3. What about us?
   1. We need encouragement and the Holy Spirit may encourage you through circumstance. You know how encouraging it is for me to be sitting in my office when Mercedes walks by and says, “Hi Daddy, that’s my daddy, that’s my daddy.” That is exactly what she said a few weeks ago. That brightens my day and I hope I never forget it. You know how encouraging it is when I walk in the door only to slammed by Mercedes with a hug. A few weeks ago Mercedes was up in the night coughing so I got her up and gave her a drink and some crackers. She was wide awake. She sits down at the table and says, “Daddy, I’ll sit here and you sit here.” She pointed next to her. I wanted to unload the dishwasher, oh but she wanted me with her. She wanted presence.
   2. It is also encouraging to see childcare and preschool children at the church or at Wal-Mart and hear their exciting greeting. Just after Christmas I was at Wal-Mart and heard a child say, “There is Jesus.” The mom looked around and so did I. We heard him say the same thing again. He pointed directly at me. He associated me with Jesus since I work at the church and read stories about Jesus to him.
   3. Are those encouraging words from God? Not directly, but God can use them. Mercedes encourages me by being my loving daughter and being proud to say, “That’s my daddy!”
   4. Now how will the Holy Spirit encourage you? I do believe Paul was communicated with by the Holy Spirit directly, what about you?
      1. Jesus may encourage through the church. Jesus may encourage you through a kind letter from a friend. Jesus may encourage you through the Scriptures. Have you ever read the right Scripture at just the right time? Jesus may encourage you through circumstance. Jesus may encourage you in prayer. You may be praying and you feel this presence. Jesus may speak to you that way.
   5. You are to not fear WHEN you are following Jesus. Are you seeking and following the Lord’s will? Then do not fear. Consider Matthew 10:19-20: But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that hour what you are to say. For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
   6. You are to preach Christ and not be silent. The Lord needs your words and your actions.
   7. God is with us. Immanuel. Matthew 1:23 says that Jesus’ name shall be called Immanuel which means “God with us.” Matthew 28:20 says that the Lord is with us in the great commission.
      1. I heard about a child that was eating something and his sister asked for a piece so he gave her a small piece. Then his parents said, that was very nice of you, so he gave her another piece. It is thought that he did not give her more because he wanted to but because he was encouraged by his parents.
      2. The Holy Spirit encourages Paul and that keeps him going.
      3. Let’s apply this a little bit further. The Holy Spirit will encourage us but also challenge us. Remember the beginning of the sermon the Holy Spirit will take us deeper.
      4. The Holy Spirit is with you as a Christian, but are you with Him.
      5. The Bible says “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” – Matthew 24:12-13 

         On the night of March 29, 1848, Niagara Falls completely and mysteriously stopped flowing. The estimated 500,000 gallons of water that customarily rushed over the falls stalled to a trickle. James Francis Macklem, a village justice of the peace in the Niagara area, wrote that he had witnessed the subsidence of the waters and the phenomenon of the Niagara running dry “caused great excitement in the neighborhood at the time.” 
         To some, the mystery of this sudden “turning off” of the river seemed to be an ominous portent, and nightfall found most of the churches packed with people praying or talking in frightened voices about the end of the world. Fear grew into the proportions of panic. 
         The cause of this unusual event began along the shores of Lake Erie near Buffalo. For several days, the wind had been blowing to the east over Lake Erie, driving much of its ice flow down river. Then the winds suddenly shifted to the west, driving the lake water west and causing the lakefs ice to break up and dam the river. The Niagara River ceased to flow for almost 30 hours until the ice shifted and the dam broke up. 

         When we become cold towards Christ and not let the Holy Spirit flow through our lives it can become disastrous. Has your love for Christ grown cold? Today in prayer, confess any sin to Christ and remember the love you had for Him when you first became a Christian. Walk with Him and do not let your love grow cold.

   8. God has others in the city. God has people who need Jesus in this city as well.
   9. Corinth was the first city where Paul had settled for extensive missionary activity. He stay a year and a half. Paul’s “year and six months” stay in Corinth probably dates from the fall of 50 to the spring of A.D. 52. This was evidently the entire time Paul remained in Corinth. The church Paul planted in Corinth consisted of a rich mixture of people, some of whom were greatly gifted, but most of whom came from the lower elements of society (cf. Rom. 16:23; 1 Cor. 1:4-8, 26-29; 7:18; 12:13).¹
   10. His stay second only in length to his two to three years in Ephesus (19:10; 20:31).²
   11. This could mean that he stayed a year and a half longer. He had already been there a while. He might have spent two years in Corinth.

Close:

So, Paul steps out in faith, he continues to preach the Gospel and the Holy Spirit encourages him.

I read:

Remember as I began the message: The Holy Spirit will take you out of your comfort zone, but I also believe the Holy Spirit will be with you, encourage you and help you along the way.

The challenge: Follow Jesus and let the Holy Spirit encourage you.

But I believe the Spirit can and wants to use you to encourage someone else. I ask that you will send someone an encouraging note this week. At the beginning of this sermon I mentioned how I know of pastors who have an encouragement file, maybe you would benefit from an encouragement file as well. Maybe your job is real stressful and you receive a lot of discouragement. Consider noting encouraging things and saving them. I ask that you consider sending a note to that person who encourages you on the job, or as a parent or grandparent, but I also want to mention the person who built up your faith. Was there a time when your faith was shaky? Was there a time when you knew that God called you to something and you were struggling with it? Did someone encourage you to keep going? Send them a card or a letter and tell them thank you.

In my Bible I have a letter that I received as I finished my first year at this church. That letter is encouragement which I need.

Maybe within a few weeks many from this church will have encouraging letters from others and many of this church will have encouraged another in the Lord. The church can and must be used by the Holy Spirit in this way.

First do you know Jesus?

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray

Intro:

Does our job counter our Christian faith or go along with our faith? Is our faith part of our job? What do you think? Are you a Christian at work?

Listen to this:

Dr. Paul Brand was an orthopedic surgeon who chose his patients among the untouchable. With his wife, who was also a physician, he spent a lifetime working with the marred and useless limbs of leprosy victims. In fact, he transformed the way in which medicine approached the painful and often exiled world of the leper. Whereas the disfigurements of leprosy were once treated as irreversible consequences of the disease, Dr. Brand brought new hope to sufferers of leprosy by utilizing the body’s capacity to heal. “I have come to realize that every patient of mine, every newborn baby, in every cell of its body, has a basic knowledge of how to survive and how to heal that exceeds anything that I shall ever know,” wrote Brand. “That knowledge is the gift of God, who has made our bodies more perfectly than we could ever have devised.”

Philip Yancey was a young journalist when he first met this dignified British surgeon in an interview. He recalls the teary-eyed Brand speaking of his patients, describing their disease as if first hand—their unremitting suffering, experimental surgeries, and societal rejection. Many memorable conversations later, Yancey would recall the healing presence this physician was to his own crippled and weary belief in God. To Yancey, Brand represented faith and hope in action, in reality, amidst suffering and death; his belief in Christ caused him to live in a very particular way. Thus, Dr. Brand, who worked to restore the image of God in lives marred by disease, helped restore the face of God in the doubt-ridden world of a young author. As Yancey later would write, “You need only meet one saint to believe, to silence the noisy arguments of the world.”(1) Such lives are certain reminders that God is real and worthy to be followed.

Such lives also remind us that one of the key elements in considering the arguments of any truth claim is actually not an argument at all. Rather it is a question of pragmatics. Is this worldview livable? Can this philosophy be carried out? Stories of believers who are broken and persecuted but somehow beautifully alive with the hope of Christ suggest that Christianity is not only a livable worldview, but a worldview that gives meaning to life as it really is and not simply ideal pictures of life. Yet as Ravi Zacharias notes significantly, the Christian hope is not true because it is livable; it is livable because it is true. The message of Christ is a reality that can carry men and women through death and darkness; it is also a truth that compels being carried to the ends of the earth.

Now what do you think? That doctor was able to touch so many lives through his job as a doctor, but also through his faith. What about you?

We are going to look at a passage in which the Apostle Paul works a job. He takes up a job as a tentmaker and in so doing he still communicates the Gospel. I wish to look at Acts 18:1-4 and challenge all of us to be a witness in everything we do.

Read Acts 18:1-4:

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.

1. First application: I must considerate of high importance to work and work hard.
   1. As we look at this passage we notice that Paul got a job.
   2. Paul came to the booming city of Corinth and he got a job.
   3. Of course we do not need to look hard to see that Paul was a worker, we know he was.
2. I am going to come back to the great idea that our whole lives are for service to God. Our first priority is to serve God at our job. First let’s look at the context.
   1. Notice that Paul has left Athens. I look at that and just wonder why he has left Athens. He had been in the Thessalonica before and we know he left there because of persecution. The text does not say why he left Athens. It just says that he does.
   2. It has been suggested that Paul left Athens because there was not a lot of ministry there. It seems that there were some conversions but not as many, so he moves on. (John MacArthur)
   3. Then Paul comes to Corinth. Corinth was 46 miles west of Athens and the most influential city in the province of Achaia, politically and economically. So Paul did some more traveling.
   4. Now, coming from Athens to Corinthians was like going to a Las Vegas from Washington D.C. Corinth was a major commerce city, but it had a lot of filth in it. Paul would stay there for a year and a half and there would be a lot of ministry there.
   5. To be called a Corinthian meant to be “immoral.” You did not want to be called a Corinthian women. John MacArthur writes:

In fact, the actual name Corinth became a common term. And “Corinthian” meant immoral.

If you said, “Joe over there is a Corinthian kind of guy, you meant he was immoral.” The name became synonymous with vice. To say that that woman is a Corinthian woman meant she was a prostitute, because that’s what the women did in Corinth. And the verb, to Corinthianize, meant to go a-whoring. That’s exactly what the common use of Corinthianize was.

Now, Corinth was vile to the very core. It wasn’t just the slaves or the middle class; it was the upper crust. The whole city was debased, and there were some reasons for that. It was the center of trade and travel, and sailors were going through it all the time, and caravans. And it was a fitting place for entertainment of lust.

The position of Corinth, which I just want to simply illustrate for you in a very brief way, is very interesting and put it in a position to be involved in many interesting things. This entire area in the gray or black represents the area of Greece. This is the northern part of Greece. This is the southern part of Greece.

Now, you’ll notice that the two parts are connected by a simple little strait there, and that’s only five miles wide, and it was precisely the center of that the city of Corinth existed some 50 miles from Athens. Now, Paul, all alone, finds himself in Corinth Now notice anybody at all from northern Greece to southern Greece, or vice versa, any north-south traffic, had to go through Corinth.

So the trade was constantly trafficking through city of Corinth. Another interesting thing is that it was called The Bridge of Greece, not only because of its north-south traffic, but because of its east-west traffic. Ships wanting to go, say, from the western shore of Greece to the eastern shore would not sail clear around. They would shortcut it through here.

6. So, that is where Paul is at. It seems that Paul was tired and depressed coming to Corinth. In fact, in 1 Cor. 1:2 he writes that he came to them in fear and weakness. So, it seems that he was lonely from traveling, he needed a friend. So, God gives him two good friends. Introduce Aquila and Priscilla.

2. Verse 2 introduces this tentmaking couple and they had been banished from Rome.
   1. It appears that they were Jewish and it is likely believed that they were Christian already. Luke never tells of their conversion. It is also likely that Rome already had a church. By Romans chapter 1 tells of the world famous faith of the Roman church.
   2. By the way, Priscilla and Aquila were referenced in the rest of this chapter and in Romans 16:3; Acts 16:19 and 2 Tim. 4.
   3. So, let’s talk about this banishment from Rome. Why? How? Let me tell you what I found out, John MacArthur writes: Now, when they were in Rome, Aquilla and Pricilla and the other Jews, persecution broke out against the Jews. And Claudius shipped them all out. It’s interesting that before Claudius, Tiberius tried to do it. You know what he did? He took 4,000 Jews and sent them to a country that had the plague, hoping they’d all catch the plague and die. So they were unpopular.
   4. Following Tiberius, Claudius, in 39 A.D., banished all Jews from Rome altogether; every one of them had to go. Now we know a little about Claudius. And the reason we do is that about 70 years after the edict, it was written about 120 A.D., Suetonius wrote about Claudius. Suetonius was a historian, and he got all the information on Claudius, and he wrote about his life. And one of the statements that Suetonius makes in his life of Claudius is this: “As the Jews were indulging in constant riots – listen – at the instigation of Chrestus, Claudius banished them from Rome.”
   5. Now, Claudius unloaded all of the Jews because they were always having riots, and the riots were instigated by a person named Chrestus. Now, you know, you can go back in history until you’re blue in the face and never find anything about anyone in that area who fits the bill named Chrestus. But what is very interesting is that the Greek Chrestus is only one letter different than the Greek Christis, which is Christ. It’s only the difference between an I and an E. And what it seems to be indicating is this: That what caused Claudius to send all the Jews out was they were rioting over the issue of Christ, which indicated probably some missionaries had come there, and had proclaimed Christ again as always was done in the synagogue, and as always happened with Paul, right? A riot ensued, and the element they had accepted Jesus Christ as Messiah was set against the Jews that were unbelieving, and they threw the city into turmoil, and Claudius got uptight and kicked them all out of town. They were indulging in constant riots at the instigation of Chrestus. And you see, Suetonius thinks that Chrestus is some guy who lived then in Rome. And remember, he was writing 70 years later, so it’s easy to see how he could’ve made that simple error. They were probably rioting over the issue of Christ. And it seems to me that that kind of issue would preclude the fact there had to be Christ presented there. So therefore, there was the possibility of Aquilla and Pricilla being saved already. You see? And so they arrive over there in Corinth to ply their trade, and they’re already Christians.
   6. So, now Aquila and Priscilla have met Paul and Paul has met them and they are all Christians and they are tent makers and so they take up shop together.
   7. To be a tent maker means to be a leather maker, to work with leather. It is thought that in the Jewish synagogues they would sit near each other based off of occupation. So it appears that Paul is likely sitting near Aquila and Priscilla and they became friends. They were pew mates, as opposed to ship mates.
   8. By the way. Paul as a leather worker means that he was an artisan, he worked with his hands. This would be a job just above lower class, but below the upper class. He would be looked down upon by the upper class.
   9. So, another application: To work with your hands was considered low or base to upper class, yet Paul still did this. I must be humble in my work. I must be willing to do anything.
   10. Another application: Looking at other Scriptures we see that Paul did not wish to be a burden to anyone. I also must not be a burden to those whom I serve.
   11. In Acts 20:34 at Ephesus Paul said that his hands ministered to his own needs.
   12. In 1 Cor. 4:12 Paul references working and in 1 Cor. 9:14 he references working
   13. in 2 Cor. 11:7 Paul references preaching the Gospel without charge.
   14. In 2 Cor. 12:13 he writes about not becoming a burden to them.
   15. In 1 Thess. 2:9 he talks about working night and day.
   16. In 2 Thess. 3:8 Paul references paying for what they eat being a burden.
3. Now, you know that Paul is now working so he cannot communicate the Gospel, right? Wrong.
   1. We see in verse 4 that he continues to reason with in the synagogues every week. That word reason means to have a dialogue.
   2. Then the Bible says that he was trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
   3. Another application for us: Paul communicated the Gospel while working. I will not be too busy to be Gospel Centric and sharing the Message of hope with others.
   4. Final application: Paul witnessed to Jews and Greeks, I will share Jesus with all.

Some applications:

Let’s review and apply:

1. I must considerate of high importance to work and work hard.
2. To work with your hands was considered low or base to upper class, yet Paul still did this. I must be humble in my work. I must be willing to do anything.
3. Looking at other Scriptures we see that Paul did not wish to be a burden to anyone. I also must not be a burden to those whom I serve.
4. Paul communicated the Gospel while working. I will not be too busy to be Gospel Centric and sharing the Message of hope with others.
5. Paul witnessed to Jews and Greeks, I will share Jesus with all.

Close:

I know a soccer coach who is a witness. He is a witness in multiple ways, but one of them as that he is always reading, he is always learning and students come into his office and they see his books and his Bibles and maybe he is even reading his Bible or listening to a podcast. So, students have asked him questions and he has struck up conversations about Christ. That is one way to be a witness at work. I know others who work at doctors offices and they are a witness by telling people they will pray for them. I know of doctors that have prayed with patients. Praise God.

So, the Apostle Paul worked and witnessed and so must we. Our Christian life is not separate from our work. There is no separation from the sacred and the secular.

Do you know Jesus?

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray

http://www.jdgreear.com/my_weblog/2014/10/3-reasons-to-read-your-bible.html#more-14483

Intro:

Last week the sermon was about learning and studying the Scriptures. Last week I focused on the Bereans and how they went back to God’s Word when there was a new idea. They checked the Scriptures in order to see what the Scriptures had to say about this new teaching the Apostle Pau taught. Then they found out that this teaching did not contradict the Scriptures. They discovered that the Scriptures prophesied about Christ and they became Christians.

So, what is your standard? Do you go back to the Bible for Truth? On one end of the spectrum we must be sure that we are not corrupted by culture, this means that we know the faith and we go back to God’s Word. On another end of the spectrum we must be prepared to be a witness. How can you cross cultural barriers in order to be a witness? The Apostle Paul did this. Do you know culture?

1 Chronicles 12:32:

from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command…

Here is a poem about the way people think:

Invictus

BY WILLIAM ERNEST HENLEY

Out of the night that covers me,

            Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

            For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

            I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

            My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

            Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

            Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

            How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

            I am the captain of my soul.

Okay, how do we connect with that worldview? Everyone has a worldview, this concerns the way that we view the world. Most of the time these are under the surface, we do not think about it. The Bible gives us a Christian worldview. But we also must know where others are coming from. The Apostle Paul did. Sometimes we are afraid of culture. Sometimes we are offended by culture and we withdraw. Or we are delighted by culture and we assimilate. The Apostle Paul was distressed by culture and so he engaged culture with the Gospel.

I want to look at Acts 17:16-34 and make the case that he knew the culture and he was ready to engage the culture.

Let’s read Acts 17:16-34:

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17  So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18  A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19  Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20  You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21  (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)

22  Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

24  “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. 25  And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. 26  From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. 27  God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 28  ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’[a] As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’[b]

29  “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. 30  In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31  For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

32  When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” 33  At that, Paul left the Council. 34  Some of the people became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others

[I am deeply indebted to Dr. Bill Brown, chancellor of Cedarville University, much of my information, and PowerPoint, comes from his chapel messages, specifically February 11 and 12, 2003]

1. We’ll come back to this passage but my challenge is that we think worldviewishly. Think about where people are coming from, what is their worldview and what is the Christian worldview. Worldview questions are: What is wrong and how can it be fixed; what is real; where is history going; What has value; what can be known and how can it be known; what happens to a person after death. There are different views.
   1. Naturalism: the world as we see it. Nature is everything. There is nothing else. “It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God…I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that…

My guess is that this cosmic authority problem is not rare and that it is responsible for much of the scientism and reductionism of our time .”

Thomas Nagel

Professor of Law and

Philosophy

NYU

“At the heart of liberty is the right to define one’s own concept of existence, of meaning, of the universe, and of the mystery of human life.”

(Planned Parenthood V. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 [1992]).

Opinion by O’Connor, Kennedy and Souter

In the beginning

were the particles

and the impersonal laws of physics.

And the particles somehow became complex living stuff; and the stuff imagined God, But then discovered evolution.

2. Existentialism: I must find meaning in my life because there is no meaning to my life. “Marilyn Manson signifies freedom.

He’s showing that it’s OK to be

yourself even if people don’t agree

to it. And that’s what makes us like

him so much – that we can be different.

We can have fangs. We can dye our hair.”

-CNN

3. Nihilism: life is empty, meaningless, I need to do anything I want. Life’s but a walking shadow,

a poor player

That struts and frets his hour

upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

Macbeth act V, scene V

1. Nihilism in rock:

• Alice in Chains
• Acid Drinkers
• Anthrax
• Death Angel
• God Forsaken
• House of Pain
• Hellhammer
• Helloween
• Judas Priest
• Life Sex and Death
• megadeth
• Obituary
• Beck
• Biohazard
• Black Sabbath
• Body Count
• Sodom
• Death of Millions
• Porno for Pyros

• Suicidal Tendencies
• Suicide
• White Zombie
• Angelcorpse
• Autopsy
• Blood
• Christ Agony
• Deicide
• Demonic
• Dissection
• Impaled Nazarene
• Hades
• Luciferon
• Massacre
• Necrophobic
• rotting Christ
• Sadistic Intent
• Slayer
• Torchure

• Mr. Rogers by Korn: One song’s lyrics: You told me everybody was my neighbor.

They took advantage of me.

I wish I hadn’t watched you.

I hate you . . .

• Nihilism in life: Proverbs 8:35-36: “For he who finds me [wisdom] finds life
And obtains favor from the Lord.

“But he who sins against me injures himself;
All those who hate me love death.”

5. Hedonism: life has no purpose, other than pleasure, go for it. Hedonism: eat drink and whatever: “You only live once. Nobody gets out of

this alive. So you might as well drink it

all and snort it all and live as fast as you

can. I don’t won’t to be fifty and look

back and say, “I wish I’d done that.”

And if you get in trouble along the way,

so what? You pay the dues.”

–Nikki Sixx, Motley Crue

6. Humanism: I must make the world a better place for humans.
   1. “I use the word ‘Humanist’ to mean

someone who believes that man is just

as much a natural phenomenon as an

animal or plant; that his body, mind

and soul were not supernaturally created

but are products of evolution, and that he

is not under the control or guidance of

any supernatural being or beings, but

has to rely on himself and his

own powers.”

Julian Huxley

American Humanist Association

7. Transcendentalism: Nature= God: Buddhism:
   1. “I like spirituality, not religion or politics. Religion turns into ‘My god’s bigger than your god; therefore, you’re a heathen, and you should die, and I’ll take your land and build a temple on top of your flattened house.’ Religion is a corrupt business. Spirituality is like water and sun. When it rains, the prostitute and the pope get wet just the same. Spirituality is not memorizing the Koran or the Bible while hurting people in the name of Allah or Jesus or Buddha or oil. We are all chosen. Surely we have the capacity to transmute anger and fear into a masterpiece of joy.”

– Carlos Santana, USA Today, October 16, 2002, 1D

2. “Shamans heal with music and herbs. You have Buddha, Krishna, Allah, Rama, Jehovah … they all want unity and harmony on this planet, all of them. That’s the message: unity and harmony and transform your fear.”

– Carlos Santana speaking about the title of Santana’s latest album titled, Shaman, Associated Press, October 16, 2002.

8. Theism: God created nature:
   1. Judaism
   2. Christianity
   3. Islam
   4. Christianity is Christ. . .

Take Christ from Christianity, and you

disembowel it; there is practically

nothing left.

Christ is the center of Christianity,

all else is circumference.

John Stott

2. Now, let’s get back to the passage. How does Paul engage culture?
   1. There certainly is a lot in this passage. When we understand where the culture is coming from and where there thinking is we are better equipped to engage culture.
   2. “The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot ever fence it out.”

J. R. R. Tolkein

Gildor Inglorion of the House of Finrod,

Fellowship of the Ring

3. There are 3 approaches to culture and we’ll see Paul’s approach:
   1. We can be offended by culture which leads to withdraw.
   2. We can be delighted by culture and we assimilate.
   3. We can be distressed by culture and so we engage culture.
      1. The latter is what the Bible calls us to do. . . . Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

2 Peter 2:7-8

James 4:4: You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1. This is what the Apostle Paul did.
1. Verse 16 says that Paul was distressed by what he saw:
2. While Paul was waiting for them in Athens,

he was greatly distressed to see that the

city was full of idols. So he reasoned in the

synagogues, . . .as well as in the market-

place day by day. . . . “Men of Athens, I see

that in every way you are very religious.

For as I walked around and looked

carefully at your objects of worship. . .”

Acts 17:16-34

6. Are we distressed by the sinful culture?
7. But Paul did not get distressed so much that he buried his head in the sand. He did not assimilate with culture either. He engaged the culture. Later we see that Paul reasoned in the synagogue. He talked to the people.
8. Could he do that if he did not know culture? No. Could he reason with them if he did not know Christianity and the Scriptures? No. Could he reason with them if he was not seeking the Lord? Not really. If we are not seeking the Lord we can win an argument but lose the person.
9. REMEMBER, WE ARE NOT SEEKING TO WIN ARGUMENTS BUT REACH PEOPLE WITH THE GOSPEL.
10. Paul’s method:
    1. Greatly Distressed by the culture (verse 16)
    2. sought to understand the culture (verse 23)
    3. Started where they were (verses 22-23), he quotes two of their own poets. That is like us quoting a rock band.
    4. Positive about the Truth he found (verse 22)
    5. Knew and quoted sources (verses 22 and 28)
    6. Communicated the Gospel (verses 18 and 30-31)

Close:

We live in a culture that is considered post-Christian or we could call it pre-Christian which means that we are ripe for revival. We are ripe for an evangelical movement. I want to part of that movement. I want to be used of God. We see that Paul engaged the culture. I hope you will as well.

There was a music professor at a European school. He grew old and he could not take care of himself. He did not have anyone, so the school adopted him and he lived in a men’s dorm. Every day one of the men would come and say, “Professor what is the weather like?” The professor would respond, “It is changing, the weather always changes.” He would then strike his tuning fork against his wheel chair and say, “This is middle C, it never changed, it is constant. The weather can change, but middle C does not change.”

What is your middle C? I hope it is the Scriptures as it was for the Bereans. Cling to the Scriptures because culture will change. But don’t runaway from culture. Study culture, be a student of the culture like the men of Issachar of 1 Chronicles 12:32 and then be like Paul and engage the culture with the Heart and the Mind of Christ.

1 Cor. 9:23

I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

Remember, you are never alone for the Holy Spirit is with you.

Do you know Jesus? Maybe today you realize that you are assimilated to the culture. It is time to commit to Christ.

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray

Opening:

Bethel just began and so did our fall planning. These are great opportunities to study the Bible. So, let me ask you, do you study the Bible? I am not talking about simply reading the Bible, but studying the Bible? Do you study the Bible? Do you read the Bible? I hope many of you do and I hope the Holy Spirit is impressing on you the need to study the Bible as well. Okay, everyone pick up a Bible, hold it. This book tells you how to attain eternal life. This book gives you wisdom for life.

So, you are going on a trip, you choose the destination, wherever you want.

Where would you go? Shout out some places, just shout them out… Wait for some comments.

Okay, how are you going to get there?

What will you do once you do get there?

Do you think you may check out AAA or something? What if they don’t have food there, or indoor plumbing or gas stations, or Steelers on television? You do want to find out about a place before you go there, correct?

Why don’t we do that with our eternal life? We are going there, we are going to spend eternity there, don’t you want to invest as much in eternity, or hopefully more, than you would on a vacation? Don’t we want to study about Heaven? The Bible has lots to say about Heaven. Don’t we want to get to know God better and Jesus, He gave us eternal life.

The music director at my last church shared with me how every morning she would see her father studying the Bible. He would have his commentary out, his Bible dictionary out and his study Bible. He would study the Bible prior to his job at the factory. Get this, he got up at something like 4:30 am to study the Bible.

He must have been like the Bereans.

In Acts 17:10-15 Paul comes to Berea and presents the Gospel. These people searched the Scriptures to see if what Paul shared was true. Many were saved. Let’s study that passage and I challenge you to be like a Berean.

The great idea today is that the Bereans were studiers, learners, they were not ignorant, I pray that we will be as well.

Read Act 17:10-15

As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. 11  Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. 12  As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

13  But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. 14  The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. 15  Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

1. Let me start with the context.
   1. Paul is chased from Thessalonica to Berea and in verse 10 he arrives in Berea. This is Paul’s second escape by night. In Acts 9:25 Paul had to escape by night as well.
   2. I wonder what that was like for Paul? I wonder what it was like for the early Christians? What was it like to flee from one place under threat of death? Are you out much after dark? I like to run after dark because of the peacefulness of the night. I like to look at the stars and see God’s beauty. But sometimes I’ll go down a street and something will scare me. I’ll see an animal or hear something. For Paul there was not time for noticing the beauty of creation. He traveled at night because of threat. There was much danger traveling during that time period and especially after dark. I once read a book called Night in Times Past. The book was about the great fear and dangers at night prior to electric lighting. Paul did a lot of traveling and faced a lot of dangers. This case is no different. Paul and Silas traveled 50 miles southwest from their last location. Can you imagine that, 50 miles? By the way, Berea is on the side of a mountain, this was not easy traveling.
   3. Paul arrives in Berea and goes to the synagogue to start preaching. That has been his modus operandi. Verse 11 says that the Bereans were more noble than the people of Thessalonica. The Bereans examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul was teaching was true.
   4. Verse 11 is a contrast with the people in Thessalonica. The people of Thessalonica chased Paul out.
   5. → a lot of times we hold up the Bereans as a standard and probably right to do so. But the reality is that they were more noble than where Paul had just come from.
   6. → A contemporary example: The people of Pittsburgh were more pleasant that Cleveland. That may not mean the people in Pittsburgh were pleasant, but more than Cleveland.
   7. However, I think we can make a rightful example that the Bereans were noble. That means they were of better birth or they were open minded. That means they were ready to learn.
   8. The Bible says that they find out that what Paul said was true.
   9. You know what, they were going to the Old Testament to confirm this. Do you realize that the Old Testament has enough information to confirm who Jesus is?
   10. Many were saved. Jewish people were saved. Greek men and women were saved.
   11. Then the people from Thessalonica come to Berea and stir up a riot chasing Paul out. Now, Paul goes to Athens.
2. Let me encourage you to be like the Bereans.
   1. The Bereans did study the Scriptures.
   2. Turn to Psalms 119:9-11:

How can a young person stay on the path of purity?
        By living according to your word.

10 

I seek you with all my heart;
        do not let me stray from your commands.

11 

I have hidden your word in my heart
        that I might not sin against you.

3. You see the Scriptures are our guard for purity, for doctrine and in every way.
4. There is so much wisdom in the Bible.
5. Watch this video clip of the Bible and its’ importance. : http://www.churchleaders.com/pastors/videos-for-pastors/175859-francis-chan-why-we-need-the-bible.html
6. Where do you get your wisdom? Where are we receiving our wisdom? You see everywhere we go we have messages being fed to us. Where is the wisdom though?
7. The wisdom is in the Bible. More than that, as the Bereans discovered, eternal life is in the Bible. You see Paul came declaring this Truth that they had not been taught and they did not know what to think of it. So what did they do? Did they turn on Home Shopping Channel to see what to think? Did they turn on ESPN to see what to think? Did they go to CNN or FOX News or the Newspaper to see what to think? No, they went to the Bible.
8. Okay, so two applications: The Bible is eternal life and the Bible is wisdom to shape our worldview.
   1. You see first you must know Jesus for eternal life. Without Jesus you are disconnected from God and all eternity. You need eternity. Search the Scriptures, they are all about ways to freely receive eternal life.
   2. Once you know Jesus, you get fed True, Heavenly, Spirit-filled wisdom from the Bible.
   3. This shapes our worldview. Read Isaiah 55:9-11:

gFor my thoughts are not your thoughts,
        neither are your ways my ways,h
declares the Lord.

9 

gAs the heavens are higher than the earth,
        so are my ways higher than your ways
        and my thoughts than your thoughts.

10 

As the rain and the snow
        come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
        without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
        so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

11 

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
        It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
        and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

4. As you see from that passage in Isaiah 55: God’s Word feeds us.
5. You see Christians, we get our wisdom from God and from His Word. Everyone views the world a certain way. We call this a worldview.
6. Our worldview is a lot of times under the surface, we do not think about it, but it is there. We view the world a certain way. Once we come to know Jesus as Savior, as we are discipled, God reshapes that worldview to fit with His Kingdom, as opposed to the fallen world. As Christians we think worldviewishly based off of the Bible, not based off of what culture tells us. So, when we think about abortion, human rights, euthanasia, war, even recycling, murder, peace and any news event going on, we must think: “What does the Bible have to say about this?” That is what I see the Bereans doing in this passage. They go to the Scriptures.

A woman was driving home one night. The weather was really nasty. Rain was coming down in buckets and visibility was very poor. Seeing taillights ahead of her, she followed the car in front. Not being able to see, the car in front seemed to be going in the right direction. So she stuck with it. All of a sudden the car in front of her came to a stop. She began to wonder what had happened; perhaps the car in front had hit a deer or some thing like that. She began to feel uncomfortable; thinking being stopped in the middle of the road can often lead to accidents. Much to her alarm the car in front of her turned off their lights. Her concern was now growing as well as her anger, and she was then startled by a knocking on her window. She looked up and there was a man standing in the pouring rain wanting to speak to her. She cracked the window open and asked the man what the problem was. The man replied by stating that that was the question he was going to ask her. She retorted that she wasn稚 the one who had stopped in the middle of the road and then turned off the car lights. The man痴 reply was that they were not in the middle of the road, but in his driveway Obviously, this woman had chosen the wrong leader to follow. She had chosen a leader who would not take her to where she wanted and needed to go. She had chosen the wrong leader and the wrong road.

We follow information, we follow Truth, what is your source?

7. Something else I notice with the Bereans is that they were learners. They studied. I talk to a lot of Christians and people and we are simply, willfully ignorant. We say that we are bad readers so we do not work on it. Or we don’t want to read, or like reading, so we just don’t. What a gift it is to be able to read. What a gift it is to be able to read the Bible and hold in our hands the wisdom of the ages. So many people are not blessed with this ability. My encouragement is that we all work on this, work on being learners as the Bereans were. Work on being studiers as the Bereans were.

Close:

Last year, I heard about a book, which I read part of, The Smartest Kids in the World and How they Got that Way. Part of the studies showed that children that rank highest in the world on test scores see their parents reading at home.

So, the Music director at my last church remembered her father studying the Bible every morning, early in the morning. You know what I see in that? I see a Berean Christian. But I see that he was not only studying, making an impact for himself and his relationship with Jesus. He was also modeling being a learner to his children. He modeled the Spiritual disciplines to his children.

WHAT ARE YOU FEEDING ON?

I really enjoy visiting Yellowstone. In fact, one of these days, when Jesus comes back, I’ve got dubs on Yellowstone! Come and visit me for a while!

Once when I was visiting the greatest national park in America, I heard a story about bears that was amazing. In the 1950’s and 60’s, tourists could drive right up to a bear, roll down their window and feed their McDonald’s hamburger to the hungry animal. He would gladly take the burger along with the hand of the tourist! The bears were changing their feeding habits and endangering visitors.

As a result, the National Park Service removed the bears and took them to higher country where God had already provided for them a natural diet of luscious berries. However, because the bears had changed their feeding patterns, many of them refused to eat the berries and some actually died.

This story is an incredible picture of the lives of many believers in Christ. Sadly, many of us have been delivered out of spiritual Egypt and bondage to sin, but we have not been brought into the Promised Land of victory. It is interesting that God told the Israelites to eat the roasted lamb they had sacrificed (Exodus 12). The Passover lamb is a picture of the death of Christ. But feeding on the lamb is a picture of how we grow in Christ once we have been saved. 

What are you feeding on in your personal life? Are you spending time alone with Christ in the Word of God? Are you allowing the junk food of this world’s values to destroy your spiritual appetite for the Word of God? Feed on the Lamb of God and don’t allow the Enemy to feed you a lie.

The challenge: Be Like the Noble Bereans, search the Scriptures, study the Scriptures. First do you know Jesus?

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray

Introduction:

Mercedes does not like it when I tell her “no.” Many times I tell her “no” and she will say, “But I want it, I still want it.” Of course, Mercedes is learning what “no” means. She knows full well what “yes” means. You know what else that Mercedes has learned, and we really did not have to teach her this at all, she has learned how to help herself. She does not need to wait for a “no,” or a “yes.” She just does, then we have to say “NO.” For example, do you know how many times she just helps herself to the refrigerator? Do you know how many times we have caught her trying to get cookies? Do you know that she is only three years old? It seems like just yesterday she was a baby and could not do anything on her own. Then, when I do give her a cookie she will say, “After this one I can have a second…” Okay, I never imagined being told by a three year old how things would be. I was running behind a few weeks ago and pulled into Dunkin’ Donuts and as soon as I pulled in she said, “I’m hungry, I’m so hungry.” I gave her one donut and she said, “I get two donuts.” Then sometimes she’ll add, “Four, six, seven, ten!” But she doesn’t ask and when she is told “no” she does not handle that too well.

Now, why do I share that? We all have to handle a “yes” and a “no” sometimes. We all have to tell people “yes” and “no.” We just do, that is part of life. The thing is that we must be in communication and relationship to hear these and give these commands. Sometimes we must ask permission.

Today, we look at a passage where the Apostle Paul is told “no” twice by the Holy Spirit and then the Holy Spirit tells him exactly what to do. The theme today is The Holy Spirit’s Yes and the Holy Spirit’s No; Paul, Silas and Timothy Follow the Spirit’s

Lead. Let’s look at the short passage and I want to challenge all of us to also follow the Holy Spirit’s lead.

Let’s read Acts 16:6-10:

Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. ⁷ When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to. ⁸ So they passed by Mysia and went down to Troas. ⁹ During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” ¹⁰ After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

1. In verses 6-8 the Spirit tells Paul and his companions not to go north or south.
   1. They pass through the Phrygia and Galatia area. Remember that Paul had written a letter to Galatia later on.
   2. Interesting that we can do studies and we can know that Paul likely took a common Roman Road called the Via Sebaste which was a Roman Military Road.
   3. But the next part is most interesting. They were forbidden or kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the Word in Asia. Now, this is not the same as modern Asia. This would be more like modern Turkey.
   4. What do you do when you are kept or forbidden from doing something? The Apostle Paul was a driven personality. He got things done. Nothing stood in his way, but right here, we see that God is His Master and He obeys.
   5. In Today’s day we have action movies where the main characters are celebrated for disobeying commands. I think of Jack Bauer in the hit show 24. In just about every season he is on the run, yet he is saving the country. Our culture celebrates rebellion. Not in this case.
   6. The Apostle Paul is submissive to the Holy Spirit.
   7. In verse 7 they were trying to go to Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them. I love Star Trek that is no secret, but what I love best, is in Star Trek III when Admiral Kirk stole the Enterprise in order to get Spock back. Rebellion always makes a movie more exciting because you may not see that coming. The celebrated Browns Coach, Paul Brown, was a football genius. He was also in charge, no one crossed him. One day he was sending the player out with the play and the quarter back, Otto Graham, shook his head “No.” There was a look of terror on the player’s face. That young player did not want to go back and tell Paul Brown “no.” In reality, Otto Graham was just playing a trick, Otto Graham was not a rebel.
   8. Neither was the Apostle Paul, he recognized that Jesus was the Lord. Do we? Do we understand that He is in charge. You see we have gotten away from a society where we realize what it means to serve a sovereign King. We think that our voice always matters. Certainly God’s Word says that He wants and even desires to hear from us, but He is the Lord. He has no room for rebels in His Kingdom. He is the Lord.
   9. Some have asked me “Why should I serve Jesus?” Why should you follow Jesus’ “Yes” and Jesus’ “No”? You are bought with a price. Jesus has redeemed you and set you free. He died in your place and saved you. Jesus loves you and loves us all. (John 3:16; Romans 3:21-31) Jesus has called you to take part in what He is doing. To some extent He gives you a choice, but He is the Lord. Listen, your sovereign Lord has called you on a mission. How do you know? You are here. If you are a Christian, you are called to be a follower of Christ and you are called to be a part of His army, a part of His mission. He is your Lord. He is Your King. Notice that the Apostle Paul did not waver, he did not rebel.
   10. Do you realize that Paul’s obedience in traveling through these cities in verse 6 meant something like a 400 mile difference in journey? All by foot!
2. So in verses 9-10 Paul is told by the Spirit to go west. Paul continues to obey.
   1. A vision appears to Paul in the night.
   2. Paul is told to come to Macedonia.
   3. Why? They are to go down there to help them.
   4. So, verse 10, they immediately decide to go down and preach the Gospel to them.
   5. Notice that Paul received two “no’s” and then a “yes.” Notice that Paul was obedient.
3. Are we seeking the Holy Spirit? Are we in a place to hear from God?
   1. God speaks through his Word, the Bible. Are you in the Bible? The Holy Spirit will speak to you through the Bible.
   2. God speaks through the church, especially smaller groups and prayer partners. Are you connected?
   3. God speaks through our reason, are you learning?
   4. All the other avenues must be confirmed by God’s Word.

Close:

I had a middle of the night vision before. I woke up and Mercedes said, “It is scary in my room, there is thunder and lightning, and she proceeded to climb in our bed.” There is no questioning. If we say “No” there is a middle of the night temper tantrum. Plus, it is hard to say, “no” in the middle of the night.

But you know what, she is three years old. We are trying to teach our strong-willed child. We will. She will learn. She will learn that her parents have a will. Her parents have a desire and cares and her parents have a “yes” and a “no.” Sometimes she will have to ask and be in a relationship to know our “yes” and “no.”

The question is do we know God’s “yes” and “no”? Are we in relationship with Him? Are we seeking Him?

Do you know Him?

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Prayer

Someday
by Charles R. Swindoll

Philippians 4:11-13

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, things are going to be a lot different. The garage won’t be full of bikes, electric train tracks on plywood, sawhorses surrounded by chunks of two-by-fours, nails, a hammer and saw, unfinished “experimental projects,” and the rabbit cage. I’ll be able to park both cars neatly in just the right places, and never again stumble over skateboards, a pile of papers (saved for the school fund drive), or the bag of rabbit food—now split and spilled. Ugh!

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, the kitchen will be incredibly neat. The sink will be free of sticky dishes, the garbage disposal won’t get choked on rubber bands or paper cups, the refrigerator won’t be clogged with nine bottles of milk, and we won’t lose the tops to jelly jars, catsup bottles, the peanut butter, the margarine, or the mustard. The water jar won’t be put back empty, the ice trays won’t be left out overnight, the blender won’t stand for six hours coated with the remains of a midnight malt, and the honey will stay inside the container.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, my lovely wife will actually have time to get dressed leisurely. A long, hot bath (without three panic interruptions), time to do her nails (even toenails if she pleases!) without answering a dozen questions and reviewing spelling words, having had her hair done that afternoon without trying to squeeze it in between racing a sick dog to the vet and a trip to the orthodontist with a kid in a bad mood because she lost her headgear.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, the instrument called a “telephone” will actually be available. It won’t look like it’s growing from a teenager’s ear. It will simply hang there . . . silently and amazingly available! It will be free of lipstick, human saliva, mayonnaise, corn chip crumbs, and toothpicks stuck in those little holes.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, I’ll be able to see through the car windows. Fingerprints, tongue licks, sneaker footprints, and dog tracks (nobody knows how) will be conspicuous by their absence. The back seat won’t be a disaster area, we won’t sit on jacks or crayons anymore, the tank will not always be somewhere between empty and fumes, and (glory to God!) I won’t have to clean up dog messes another time.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, we will return to normal conversations. You know, just plain American talk. “Gross” won’t punctuate every sentence seven times. “Yuk!” will not be heard. “Hurry up, I gotta go!” will not accompany the banging of fists on the bathroom door. “It’s my turn” won’t call for a referee. And a magazine article will be read in full without interruption, then discussed at length without mom and dad having to hide in the attic to finish the conversation.

SOMEDAY WHEN THE KIDS ARE GROWN, we won’t run out of toilet tissue. My wife won’t lose her keys. We won’t forget to shut the refrigerator door. I won’t have to dream up new ways of diverting attention from the gumball machine . . . or have to answer “Daddy, is it a sin that you’re driving forty-seven in a thirty-mile-per-hour zone?” . . . or promise to kiss the rabbit goodnight . . . or wait up forever until they get home from dates . . . or have to take a number to get a word in at the supper table . . . or endure the pious pounding of one Keith Green just below the level of acute pain.

Yes, someday when the kids are grown, things are going to be a lot different. One by one they’ll leave our nest, and the place will begin to resemble order and maybe even a touch of elegance. The clink of china and silver will be heard on occasion. The crackling of the fireplace will echo through the hallway. The phone will be strangely silent. The house will be quiet . . . and calm . . . and always clean . . . and empty . . . and filled with memories . . . and lonely . . . and we won’t like that at all. And we’ll spend our time not looking forward to Someday but looking back to Yesterday. And thinking, “Maybe we can babysit the grandkids and get some life back in this place for a change!”

Could it be that the apostle Paul had some of this in mind when he wrote:

I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. (Philippians 4:11)

Maybe so. But then again, chances are good Paul never had to clean up many dog messes.

Opening:

Clip from the movie the Patriot when he is recruiting for the Militia

I want to begin this sermon with a clip from a movie. In this movie, Mel Gibson’s character is trying to recruit men for the militia during the Revolutionary War. Now, if you are recruiting for the Militia, where would you go? Would you go to a place that was loyal to Great Britain? Would you go to a place that was for the Colonies? One must think about their audience, correct? Watch this.

We can see that Mel Gibson’s character knew that walking into that Pub he would find people he could recruit. He knew that stating, “God save the King.” would test his audience. He knew what he was doing.

In the ministry, we must also test our audience. You may be thinking, “I am not in the ministry.” Let me back up. If you are a Christian, you are. Every follower of Jesus Christ is a minister, which means “servant” for Jesus Christ.

Please, do not take my word for it. Look at what Jesus says.

Ephesians 4:

He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

God gives all His followers Spiritual gifts so that we can be witnesses and servants for Him.

God calls you to be a witness of what He has done in your life.

So, the challenge today is to target your audience. The challenge is to get rid of barriers. Just like Mel Gibson recognized that if he wanted to recruit militia to fight against the British he should go to the Pub, so we must recognize where and how we are to minister.

The Great Idea today is that as we look at Acts 16:1-5 we notice that Paul chooses Timothy and gets rid of barriers to the gospel.

Let’s turn to Acts 16:1-5 and read it:

Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. 3 Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. 4 As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. 5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

1. Let’s talk about Timothy first.

   1. Paul chooses Timothy. We see this in verse 3. Something stood out to Paul to make him want to take Timothy along. Now, we know that Paul was on his second missionary journey and he is traveling backwards through the cities.

   2. Timothy is likely 18 years old. It is possible and likely that Paul met Timothy on his first missionary journey and he would have been saved at that point.

   3. Do you know what I think stood out to Paul about Timothy? Do you know what ought to stand out to us? This will stand out to our community as well?

   4. Verse 2 says that the believers in Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. Do you realize that corresponds with 1 Timothy 3:7 which is a requirement for a church elder. A requirement for a church elder is that they have a good reputation in the community.

   5. I was reading an article that talked about signed of churches that are struggling and one sign is that you do not have enough transformation(s). You see, at some point Timothy had a transformation. But one sign of an unhealthy church is you do not have enough testimonies of people passing from death to life. When we see these testimonies, when people see these testimonies people want something of that.

      1. I was talking with another pastor, a pastor who planted a church, and I asked him how the church grew. He said that at one point they led a man to Christ they would deal drugs to many people in the area and when everyone in the community saw the transformation in him they one by one became Christians as well. It really was not the amazing faith of him, it was just the amazing transformation.

      2. By the way, 2 Timothy 3:14 says that from childhood Timothy had known the sacred writings. Timothy was raised according to the Jewish ways. But not Christian ways.

      3. Timothy had a transformation and MORE THAN THAT— now, verse 2 says that the believers in Lystra and Iconium speak well of him. Praise God!

      4. Listen, this is critical for church leadership. Paul saw this in Timothy, others saw this in Timothy. This is written about here and this is written about in 1 Timothy 3:7 that an elder must have a good reputation in the community. I was at the “Turn Around Pastor” program and Dr. Penfold, one of the two leaders, talked about a time when he was on the nominating committee of a church. They were to nominate someone for a spot. A name came up. Dr. Penfold thought that this man would not be good because his reputation in the community was not good. The committee agreed. Later on, at a church business meeting a church bully spoke up and said, publicly, before the whole church, the nominating committee is not doing their duty because they have not nominated this man. After that, Dr. Penfold talked to the man who they refused to nominate and told him, “I do not think we should nominate you because of your reputation in the community.” Later, the nominating committee met and it turns out every one of them had told that same man, individually, that they had a problem nominating him because of his reputation in the community. Point is, God calls church leaders, church elders to be men of good character, recognized in the community.

      5. That was true in Timothy. Paul noticed that. When we notice that, it is good.

   6. Now what about Paul and Timothy: Paul considered him a “son” (cf. 1 Cor 4:17; 1 Tim 1:2). Not only did he address two letters to him, but he also listed him as cosender in six others (2 Cor 1:1; Phil 1:1; Col 1:1; 1 Thess 1:1; 2 Thess 1:1; Phlm 1). He considered him his “fellow worker” (Rom 16:21; cf. 1 Cor 16:10) and, indeed, as much more—“as a son with his father” in the work of the gospel (Phil 2:22).

2. Now, let’s get back to audience analysis. Let’s get back to the movie clip. Remember that clip from the movie the Patriot. If you are going to go fight the British, where are you going to recruit your Militia? Likewise, is it important to analyze your audience in evangelism?

   1. Yes.

   2. So, remember my great idea. Paul chooses Timothy for the Ministry and gets rid of barriers to the Gospel.

   3. What Barriers did Paul get rid of?

   4. In verse 3 it says that he circumcised Timothy, why? We just got done talking about a chapter and this big church council stating that it was not necessary. This was necessary for the non Christians, not for the Christians. Also, Timothy’s mother was Jewish and his grandmother. This made him, in certain customary ways, Jewish. So, to the Jews, he was Jewish. So, for Paul, he wanted to get rid of barriers, he wanted to be able to take Timothy into the synagogue and have him preach there with non Christian Jews. This was necessary.

   5. After this we have Paul going from city to city spreading the news about the Jerusalem Council. Paul was obedient to the Council: As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. Then in verse 5 we see one of Luke’s common summary statements: So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

Close:

I wonder, could our churches be strengthened when we think about our audience more. What about you? Who do you want to communicate the Gospel with this week? Tell me that there is someone that you would like to share Jesus with?

Okay, maybe 1 week is too soon:

This year: who would you like to share Jesus with this year? This is someone you know. Pick more than one person. Write there names down in your bulletin. Do this right now. Go home and pray about this. Do you know that in business planning people overestimate what they can do in a year and underestimate what they can do in 10 years? I wonder if it is they same in how many people we can share Jesus with. As I was writing this, I thought I need to do this to, and I will. We must hold each other accountable.

Okay, what barriers have to be removed so that you can share Jesus? What is in the way? Think. Timothy had to be circumcised, I do not think that is the case.

Let me help you, let’s talk if I can.

First do you know Jesus.

God created us to be with him. (Genesis 1-2)

Our sin separated us from God. (Genesis 3)

Sins cannot be removed by good deeds (Gen 4-Mal 4)

Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again. (Matthew – Luke)

Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life. (John – Jude)

Life that’s eternal means we will be with Jesus forever. (Revelation 22:5)

Pray