God Opens the Doors to the World

God Opens the Doors to the World

2014-03-23

Acts 18:1-11 (ESV)

18 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

5 When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. 6 And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. 8 Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. 9 And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, 10 for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” 11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.

Athens & Corinth had a population of 650,000. They were only 50 miles apart, but were quite different.

·      The gods of Corinth = were gods of sex and sport rather than gods of poetry and philosophy. 1 Cor 6:9-11 & 9:24-27

o   “Corinthian” was synonymous with the most perverted sexual behavior.

o   Isthmus Games were 2^nd only to Olympic Games. In the Isthmus games all events were in the nude. 

·      It was located on isthmus of east/west sea routes & north/south land routes.

o   cargo was unloaded and then carried by slaves over the Isthmus, then reloaded.

·      It was a Strategic location from a cultural, economic, political & a gospel point of view.

o   From Corinth Christians could go to all parts of known world.

Paul arrived in financial need, so he did secular tentmaking (leatherworking).  Acts 18:1-4

·      He had a “Divine appointment” with Aquila & Priscilla (who are always mentioned together).

Paul’s ministry changed from “part” to “full-time” ministry when apparently Silas & Tim brought  a financial contribution for Paul’s ministry. Acts 18:5-7, 2 Cor. 11:8-9, Phil 4:15-19

·      Paul was now freed to witness more continually, not just on the Sabbath days.

o   Paul could afford to minister full time….make wise financial choices.

Paul was opposed virtually everywhere & with that opposition seemingly increasing, it appears he began to despair and become depressed.  Acts 18:8-10

·      We sometimes think that “Pit Bull” Paul was never affected by ridicule, opposition, persecution like us.

o   Some of God's choicest servants have undergone times of severe despair.

·      The Lord’s encouragement and direction points to Paul’s fear of at least two things:

o   Rejection of his message & bodily harm.

·      It appears that Paul was tempted to stop preaching: saw little fruit, and perhaps thought sharing was useless/hopeless.

o   Fear of bodily harm was no phobia: Paul’s fear was based on present/past events.

§  Fear can be a great hindrance of gospel proclamation. social not physical.

When Paul was most discouraged, God intervened to encourage him.

o   This 1 of 6 visions that all came at crucial points in Paul’s ministry.

·      Easy to say, “Don’t be afraid” but Jesus gave Paul good reason not to be.

o   “I’m with you. No harm will befall you, no opposition can withstand you.”

·      Paul knew God was with him, though in his discouragement he felt abandoned, just as we sometimes do.

o   When there is one negative circumstance after another we sometime question is God with me? Is it worth it? Should I just give up?

§  God’s purposes & ways are beyond our imagination.

Through one Roman proconsul’s judgment, the Lord fulfilled His promise & delivered Paul & other Christians from Roman persecution & opened the entire world to the Gospel. Acts 18:12-16

·      Pattern: Jews say Christianity “new”, illegal religion, distinct from “legal” Judaism.

·      Gallio interpreted Christianity as a sect within Judaism & thus “legal”.

o   This established a precedent for Christians vs. Rome…used in Paul's trial in Rome.

·      God was doing far more than just temporarily protecting Paul.

o   This ruling enabled the gospel to freely spread throughout the Roman Empire.

§  All thru a pagan Roman ruler who did not like Jews, believe in Jesus the Christ, or care about Paul. Ps 76:10

Not unexpected for Christians to be down/despair/struggle…we have ups and downs like Paul. Acts 18:10a, Heb 13:5b, Jer 31:3, Zeph 3:17

·      “I am with you.” implies His presence is with Christians in the battle of life!

o   He will not abandon you.  He is a faithful, tender, caring, feeling Friend.

·      Seek Christ in the troubled times; don’t run from Him.

o   Nestle close to Him; don’t wrestle against Him.

§  Rest in Jesus like child who sleeps sweetly in its mother’s arms.

Times of Ignorance Are Gone

2014-03-16

Act 17:30-34

English Standard Version (ESV)

30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” 33 So Paul went out from their midst. 34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.

Formerly, Paul established rapport by using cultural references, but now Paul became counter-cultural.

·      The speech both challenged pagan religion & unashamedly proclaimed the gospel.

o   A truth that struck at the heart of Greek philosophy.

With all their wisdom & culture, Greeks failed to find the One true God. 

·      God is not hiding but is unknown because they didn’t want to know Him.

o   Paul reveals the “unknown god”: JC. Acts 17:30 & 14:16-17, Rom 3:23-25

·      Now they have heard the gospel so the times of ignorance are at an end.

o   God overlooked: not condoned, but rather had not yet judged it. 

·      God has also been patient with the USA & you. God's patience will not last forever.

o   Don’t take the gift of time for repenting & use it as argument for unbelief.

The resurrection showed the Father’s approval of the Son & gave undeniable proof that Jesus Christ is the only Messiah (to Jews), Savior & Judge.  Acts 17:31, I Thes. 1:10, Rom 2:16, Jn 5:22-29

·      Resurrection proves the inevitability of the coming judgment.

o   The greatest fact of past is that Jesus came as a man (incarnation), and died on cross to free Christians from the penalty of sin.

o   The greatest fact of the future is that He is coming again as a King & Judge.

·      Judgment is made on basis of response to the Gospel: Christ's life, death, and resurrection.

o   If we trust Jesus today, He saves us; if we reject Him, in future He judges us.

§  Christians will give an account how they live their lives on earth, but have passed through judgment to life.

o   Jesus is the beginning and end of history/universe & every life. Revelation 21:6-8

The heart of the matter is that because God has set a judgment day & selected a judge, Greeks must repent & abandon all other gods otherwise God would remain “UNKNOWN” to them

·      Must trade in their wisdom for foolishness (moral, not intellectual) & accept as true what they considered unacceptable. 1 Cor 1:18-25, 1 Thes 1:9

·      But it is not mere mental acceptance: they needed to commit themselves to these truths.

o   It was a blow to the philosophical, and academic approach to religious pursuits.

This speech is often regarded as brilliant, and is a textbook example of evangelistic witnessing.

·      Paul begin by teaching the doctrines of God, creation, & doctrine of man, God's offspring.

·      Then concluded with the basic elements of the gospel: sin, repentance, judgment, & resurrection.

o   The same areas Jesus said the Holy Spirit would convict people.  John 16:5-11

·      Paul received a mixed reaction…..expect similar reactions. Act 17:31-34a, 2 Cor 6:2b, Mt 25:31-34

o   many people mocked/ridicule, some had polite indifference /delayed, and a few believed

Paul knew the concept of a bodily resurrection was unbelievable & offensive to Greeks but Paul did not hold back truth or water down the gospel to gain converts. 1 Cor 15:13-14

·      The gospel & message of divine judgment causes either people to repent/believe in Jesus or harden heart/turn away from God.

o   The times of ignorance are over, now is the day of repentance, salvation, evangelism.

·      Time is limited, & judgment is imminent. Decide upon truth & commit yourself to truth.

o   Be motivated to holiness/ godliness & outreach,

§  not simply intellectual discussions.

Sovereignty and Sin

Sovereignty and Sin

2014-03-09

Romans 9:14-23

English Standard Version (ESV)

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory—

Nothing in Scripture indicates that some things are outside God's sovereign control,

• Isa 46:10-11, Ps. 135:6, Dan 4:35, Eph. 1:11, Rom 8:28

Then what is the relationship between God & evil in world?

• God is clearly willing to let Satan exist, otherwise He would destroy him.
• If evil came though God and He did not want it…couldn’t more unintended evil come, & how could God use it for His purposes or triumph over it?

o   There is no reason to believe Satan is ever out of God's ultimate control.

The examples of God providentially using evil for His ultimate good purposes are numerous.

• Joseph, Job, Paul, the crucifixion…Gen 50:20, Job 1:10-12 & 21b, Acts 2:23, Luke 22:22; Act 4:27-28,
• God did not just watch evil events unfold with no design or purpose and then bring good out of them. i.e. cross.
• In a way not understood & not revealed to us, God caused them to make willing choices to do what they did.

God uses evil for His purposes but He never does evil, never takes pleasure in it or is to blame for it. Jam 1:13-14, Mt 18:7,

• If God Himself does evil, He is not good & righteous.

• Evil is not done by God but through secondary causes; humans and/or fallen angels who willingly choose to do evil & are then responsible for it.

Jonathan Edwards helped me understand how sin/obedience are brought forth in different ways.

• God brings about obedience by positive influence.
• The Holy Spirit enables us to do good & to walk in obedience.
• Sin arises from the withholding of His action.
• J. Edwards analogy: sun brings light and warmth by its nature, but doesn’t cause dark and cold by dropping below the horizon.
• Evil & sin come by God permitting man’s natural tendencies to reassert themselves temporarily.
• So blame for evil is always on the creature (man/demon) who does it & is thus worthy of punishment.

Whether God permits or causes a thing directly, He wills it because He allows it to happen or brings it about Himself.

• Therefore, all things that happen fall under God's providence.

God uses all things to fulfill His purposes, and even uses evil for His glory & our good.  Ps 76:10, Phil 1:12-14, Rom 9:17-23, Is 58:8

·      Somehow the glory of Jesus Christ is seen more magnificently in a world with Satan & evil than if Satan and evil was destroyed seconds after he first sinned.

o   The darker it is the brighter the light shines.

o   Also, God is glorified through the demonstration of His justice, holiness, and power. 

·      We may not always understand God’s ways or designs, but we can’t doubt His sovereignty, omniscience, omnipotence, wisdom, mercy, love & absolute reliability of His promises for future. 

Providence and Its Benefits

Providence and Its Benefits

2014-03-02

Acts 17:26-29

²⁶ And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live ^yon all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, ²⁷that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, ²⁸ for  “ ‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said,“ ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ ²⁹ Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.

The news sometimes ties our stomach in knots with worry: ie. economy, world conflict, energy $, etc.

·      We need to have Wesley's attitude, “I read newspaper to see how God is governing His world.” 

• He is Sovereign over: weather, $ stocks, life/death, historical time/location, nations & rulers. Mt 10:29, 8:27, Isa 46:10-11, Eph 1:11, Rom 13:1, Act 17:26, 29a

He made every nation “from one man.” (Adam), of the same family tree, we are all related.

o   “offspring”…means common creation, not spiritual relationship.

·      God created all people from the same blood & determined when/where in history, so that people seek & find Him.

o   Refutation of Greeks/modern science….things happened by blind fate. 

·      There is no such thing as luck/chance from God's perspective. Prov 16:33, Jonah 1:7

o   Personal examples: 2004 home purchase, Hearts game.

The universe is not governed by impersonal fate or luck, but rather by a personal God who supplies all & determines and rules the affairs and destinies of men and nations. Rom 13:1, Prov 21:1

·      Concurrence: God directs & works thru “natural” means so it is caused entirely by God & entirely by factors in creation.  Ps 148:8, 135:7, Jam 4:2b, Mt 6:26

·      All that happens falls under God's sovereign will because Jesus has the ability to stop or cause anything to happen.  Job 1:10-12 & 21b

o   Caution: fatalism (what is, should be) destroys the motives for responsible Christian behavior.

God is the ultimate cause of all, but does so in way somehow upholds our ability to make real, voluntary choices w/real/eternal results that we’re responsible for. 

·      We are aware of no restraints on our will from God when we make decisions.

o   There is absolutely no sense of being forced or compelled to choose one over another.

·      But to say God does not cause us to make willing choices limits His power.

o   God can create a creature who can make willing, voluntary, meaningful choices, and that those choices are nonetheless ordained by God.

·      If can’t understand this, does that mean I should reject it? Do we reject that a bumblebee can fly? God is omni-.

o   Exactly how He combines both, Scripture does not explain.  We need to accept that Scripture teaches both.

Belief in God’s sovereignty/providence brings great benefits: 1 Thess 5:18, 1 Pet 1:6-7, Act 17:26, Ps 103:2, Phil 4:19, Rom 8:28, Mt 6:31-34

• Hope not fear in midst worldly and personal instability.

·      More trust/faith in God, less worry.

o   In essence, worry from believing the situation is out of control.

§  Worry is the sin of unbelief in God’s promises/providence.

·      Patience in adversity, knowing it is part of his wise plan & ultimately for our good.

·      Gratitude: for all good that happens, as it is gift from Him.

·      Contentment: Lord watches/cares/give what we need, exactly when it's needed. Phil 2:12-13 & 4:11-12; 1 Tim 6:6-8

**God’s unwavering purpose in all He does in your life and the world is so He would be marveled at and worshipped for His supremacy, grace, power, and great love.