Grace is a Gift, Not a Loan

Grace is a Gift, Not a Loan

2013-11-24

Act 13:44-52

44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

The initial response was positive (like a revival) but it eventually falls apart. 

·      Even with miracles, not everyone is convinced.  Act 13:42-45, 14:1-5

In the microcosm of Paul’s entire ministry: the Jews reject, the Gentiles accept, and then Jews become belligerent & sometimes physically violent against Christians.

·      Here they used politics & pressure in high places to drive Paul and Barnabas out.

·      Jewish leaders opposed Paul and Barnabas on "theological grounds," but jealousy was the real reason.

o   They couldn't stand anybody else (Gentiles) getting blessed.

·      In the early church, it was not anti-Semitism but anti-Gentile prejudice: which is equally as evil.

o   We must be careful our own jealous feelings do not cause us to try to stop God's work.

In response to abuse from Jews, Paul and Barnabas boldly spoke about the necessity of going to Jews 1^st then Greeks because of the great promises of Old Testament given to Abraham & his seed.

·      God’s plan: that through the Jews all the world would come to know God; but Israel forsook the task, so it was given to the church to carry out. Gen 12:3, Mt 10:5-6, Act 3:25-26

In rejecting their Messiah, the Jews judged themselves unworthy of eternal life. Acts 13:46-48, Rev 13:7-8, Rom 8:29-30

o   All are eternal, but here it means unworthy of eternity in heaven.

·      Greek “worthy” has 2 senses: deserving or qualified.  Qualified is what is intended here.

o   Nobody deserves eternal life/heaven but Christians are qualified to possess it.

·      A man who rejects Jesus, judges himself & in essence chooses hell.

o   It's your own fault if you die without Jesus Christ, yet you can only come to Jesus if Father draws.

Both doctrines are true & in here: human responsibility, divine election/sovereignty

·      The word "appointed" tetagmenoi: military word meaning to "arrange" or "assign."

o   Some people are "assigned" to eternal life by the unmentioned "Appointer".

o   We are not elected because we believe, but we believe because we are elected. 

·      Kirstin Powers quote

·      When lost, you get all blame/fault. When saved, God gets all credit.

o   Don't seem go together but Bible teaches both so I teach both.

§  One of many mysteries about God I can’t understand.

As receivers of the wonderful gift of grace we must guard against a “repayment ethic”.

·      We know we shouldn't try earn salvation, but it's easy to think of God's free gift as a loan to be repaid.

o   Jesus has done so much for me that I’ll devote my life to paying Him back my debt.

o   Puts us in position of a debtor not a son:  that’s slavery & is contrary to grace.

·      Genuine gratitude is not the feeling of having to pay back God. 

o   Christ paid all our debts on cross & got us out of debtors’ prison of guilt.

If we start with grace & go back to works (do's/don'ts as evidence of spirituality) to earn God’s favor or demonstrate a self-righteous suitability for heaven then you're off course.

·      The end result is distance from God not intimacy. Lk. 15:27-29, Rom 4:4-5, Gal 3:2-3

o   Gal 3:3 is not saying believers returning to law lost their salvation.

§  Motives that encourage legalism can be good. Like I want to be more holy or more spiritual.

o   But legalism strips joy & produces jealousy/pride (elder brother of prodigal) & brings division into the body.

§  Even more troubling…it diminishes glorious cross.

§  If salvation is free, it's free. If we add anything to grace, it isn't grace.

I spent the next few months doing my best to wrestle away from God. It was pointless. Everywhere I turned, there he was. Slowly there was less fear and more joy. The Hound of Heaven had pursued me and caught me—whether I liked it or not. Kirstin Powers ex-atheist.

Foundations for Effective Outreach

Foundations for Effective Outreach

2013-11-17

Act 13:38-44

38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: 41 "'Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.'" 42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.

Here is the 1^st recorded sermon Paul preached. At this time he is almost 50 yrs. old

·      1^st recorded presentation of Gospel to Roman world.

·      Antioch in Pisidia: Roman colony in southern Galatia in Asia Minor = Turkey.  

o   Strategy: Gospel flow throughout Asia Minor thru new believers.

The synagogue provided a ready-made spiritually interested Jew/Gentile audience & as a Jew, Paul could often gain an audience while speaking.  Acts 13:14-16

·      Like Paul….be proactive: set up opportunities to share Gospel by:

·      let them know your a Christian in natural, unforced ways: such as buttons/cloths, or verbally.

o   Talk about church, what you learned in the Bible, and testify how faith helps you.

§  Key: delight yourself in Jesus Christ & you’ll speak of Him.  Luke 6:45

·      Just doing evangelism with out loving good deeds will be seen as a recruitment/project.

o   Listen to your friend's problems –offer to pray for them (immediately).

§  Offer to help in appropriate ways.

·      Simple acts will organically lead to deeper friendship & spiritual discussion

Paul faced the leading religions of his day (no “new” religion today) with the Word of God

·      It's not psychology, love, politics, life issues.

o   It doesn’t even mention miracles, Jesus Christ’s teachings or Jesus' good life.

§  Paul began w the law & prophets, which were just read. 

·      Jewish historical figures leading up to coming of Messiah. 13:16-25

o   Acts 13:23 is the Only place in Acts Paul called Jesus Christ "Savior."

·      Then rejection, crucifixion, & resurrection (dominated early preaching) of Christ. 13:26-37

·      Concluded with the solution to the failure of Old Testament Law to save. (common thread) 13:38-39

o   Appeal to believe in Jesus Christ as a culmination of history, fulfillment of all Messianic prophesy & justifier of sinners.

Paul had an advantage: he knew his audience & what they believed spiritually.

·      Paul began where his listeners were (just as in Athens. Acts 17:22-23), put things in appropriate context, & led them kindly & respectfully toward Gospel.

Foundational evangelistic principle: identify which spiritual “islands” your friends are on in order to more effectively present Gospel.   Hawaiian Islands map

·      Learn their beliefs about Bible, Jesus (virgin birth, hypostatic union, sinless life, atoning death, resurrection, never die again & seated in heaven), man, sin, heaven/hell.

o   Don’t have a negative reaction to unorthodox beliefs, but ask why they believe that.

Outreach/evangelism is a lifestyle and a process, not a special event.

·      Pray regularly for them & ask for opportunities to share your story and the Gospel.

o   Then, like Paul, put yourself in situations to be an answer to your prayer.

§  Invite neighbors into your home or a church event, eat with co-workers, car pool.

·      As you Biblically love and care for people, pray for them & display the fruit of Spirit.

o   God will open the door to share & you’ll be a co-laborer with the Holy Spirit who is ultimately responsible salvation….not us. 1 Cor 3:6 & 9, John 6:44 

Victorious Mission

Victorious Mission

2013-11-10

Acts 13:4-12

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Team: Barnabus, Saul (Paul) & "assistant" John Mark on 1^st Missionary journey in New Testament.

·      Went to Cyprus...like the Hawaii of 1^st century…yeah!

o   But it was place of great spiritual darkness….supposedly sacred to Aphrodite.

The religious people were Paul’s 1^st & primary evangelistic prospects.

·      So he went to synagogues to share gospel & then was summoned by Sergius Paulus, the most important man on Cyprus. Act 13:5-8

Sergius Paulus’ attendant was Bar-Jesus: who was a Jewish sorcerer, false prophet.

o   He gave himself the name of Elymas, which means “sage” or “wise one.” 

·      If Sergius believed, there would be no need for a sorcerer & would mean the end of Elymas fame, power, money, and security.

·      He willfully opposed & deliberately tried to keep the enquiring soul from true faith.

o   Be careful not oppose or mock the Gospel without having knowledge about it.

Paul's response would be considered unloving in the 20^th century. Act 13:9-11, 2 Tim 1:7

·      From Vs 9 on Saul called Paul: not Barnabus & Saul, but Paul & Barnabus

·      The miracle distinguished the false prophet from true prophet.

o   The miracle also impressed Sergius Paulus but the Gospel amazed him. Act 13:12 

§  It is the opposite today, people are more enamored by miracles than the Gospel.

·      Sergius Paulus was the highest ranking converted official recorded in New Testament.

Life principle: I have opposition if I live for Jesus & share the Gospel. i.e. NT

·      We cannot become Christians and then enter a spiritual Disneyland…no worries.

·      Christians are now a part of a universal conflict that entire bible speaks of & will continue throughout history

o   It is displayed in worldwide persecuted church.

·      It is reasonable to think that Satan will leave us alone if we are doing nothing of consequence against his kingdom.

Satan/demons are real, literal, spiritual beings. 1 Peter 5:8-10, Eph 6:12-17

·      Unbelief may cause us to fight a wrong battle. Believe spouse, employer=enemy.

o   Most evil/sin is because of our own sinful hearts & from living in fallen world…not the devil.

·      Then there is the other extreme: not being cognizant of the spiritual battle raging around you.

·      We must always seek Biblical truth & balance that when “resisting”…it is spiritual warfare.

Demons are more powerful than us but not God.1 Jn 4:2b-4 & 5:4, Jn 16:33, Rev 12:11 

·      They are not omni-anything…They don’t know the future & can’t read our minds or know our thoughts.

·      God is sovereign over all, including Satan. Satan can only go as far as God allows.

o   Satan is a pawn in God’s great, glorious plan.

o   God has a sovereign design in Satan’s attacks: to spread Gospel & prove/test faith…..purify Christian.

§  God uses Satan to glorify His great name…i.e. Bar-Jesus

Truth: life often gets tougher not easier after becoming Christian.

·      We enter into spiritual conflict internally (flesh/spirit) & externally.

o   There is no need to fear….Be bold, God is greater than all against you!

·      We can resist by the grace God provides, and expect that enemy will flee because the Word says so; believe you’ll grow in holiness & faith…..God’s kingdom will advance.

In this battle we collect the spoils that have already been won by Jesus' death & resurrection.

·      We fight from victory...not to victory.