Posts Tagged ‘ Gospel ’
Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.
Romans 12:10, CSB
God is in control, so we can love others with abandon knowing He will care for us and work our relationships for our good and His glory.
Declare his glory among the nations, his wondrous works among all peoples.
1 Chronicles 16:24, CSB
We can know that God is in control, keeping us from worry and fear. Let us share His glory and faithfulness with all people.
I preached again!
I was honored to once again be with the brethren in Paulden Christian Fellowship.
As usual, these are my rough notes, so not necessarily everything I said while preaching.
Ever been told news that changed everything? (Birth, Death, Dying, New Job, Lost Job, Prison, Debt [Forgiveness])
[Read passage]
v. 6c – “These men who have turned the whole world upside down” – More true than they realized. The gospel is a world- and life-changing message.
The true Roman Road was the Egnatian Way that went from Byzantium (Constantinople/Istanbul) to the west coast of Greece, about 1000 miles, to head toward Rome. Each of the cities listed are about a day’s journey by foot from each other, so that from Philippi to Thessalonica it’s about 100 miles.
Paul’s custom was to go to the synagogues in a city, and he spent three weeks showing/proving the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection from the Hebrew Scriptures (OT: ex: Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Zechariah 12-13).
The death and resurrection of Jesus is actually one of the most provable events in ancient history.
Three R’s: Reception, Resistance, and Recompense
Reception: v. 4: Some Jews, many devout Greeks, and a few leading women all believed.
Some Jews: We see that Jason is one who believed àRomans 16:21 calls Lucius (Acts 13:1), Jason (here), and Sosipater from Berea his “kinsmen” as an indicator that these are Jews. Jason may also have been one of the wealthier people as he housed them and had money to pay bail from prison.
Resistance: v. 5: Non-believing Jews get some wicked men of the rabble àthe lay-abouts and lazy men, prone to violence and crime, from the marketplace.
Continuing the trend begun in ancient times: the Israelites choosing the follow their idolatrous neighbors rather than what God has said. Choosing to try to kill the messengers rather than deal with their sin, like they did with the prophets.
Continuing the trend at Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion: “We have no king but Caesar!” “It is better to injure and kill these people!”
Continuing the trend seen in Acts: They’re messing up what we have, so let’s riot and get violent!
Recompense: (Payment) vv. 6-9: The people wanted retribution, but the authorities were paid the usual bail by Jason and the others. The people did not get the blood they hoped for, but it was still costly for the disciples.
Application:
Reception: What have you done with the gospel message? Do you believe, or are you resistant?
Resistance: We must realize that this fallen world will be resistant to the message, often getting violent.
Jewish Leadership (w/Jesus, Acts 4-9 … and the rest of Acts)
Roman government
Celsus (writing about 175)
Persecution around the world today. (2024: About 7,700 churches attacked; >200k displaced; >380M living under persecution)
Recompense: No, this is not where I call for giving to the church, though that is good for believers to do.
The world will want our blood, for violence to happen to us, to lie about us or misuse the truth (like with Jesus and the early Christians.)
Ironically, Paul’s letters to the Thessalonians deal with Christians who act more like the rabble seen in Acts 17, and he reminds those fearful for those who have died that we have hope in the Second Coming of Christ. God’s remuneration will come for all, with all of the verses that remind us of His vengeance and justice.
[2 Thessalonians 1:5-12]
Revelation 20-22 further reminds us that only those whose names are in the Lamb’s Book of Life will enter eternal life, while the rest receive their just punishment in the Lake of Fire.
We have hope, which helps face the troubles of this world, even with news that changes everything. (Birth, Death, Dying, New Job, Lost Job, Prison, Debt [Forgiveness])
The Good News of Jesus Christ should change everything about our lives. (Family, Friends, Work/Job/Business, seeing politics/government, community/global issues)
Change how we see truth.
Change how we see religion. Change how we think about God.
Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:7, CSB
God calls us to rest, and He has shown us true rest in the work of Christ. Do not try to figure out life and the afterlife on your own, but trust the wisdom of God as revealed in Scripture and the person of Jesus Christ.
Sow righteousness for yourselves and reap faithful love; break up your unplowed ground. It is time to seek the Lord until he comes and sends righteousness on you like the rain.
Hosea 10:12, CSB
God calls us to rest, and this call includes showing others the rest we have in Christ. Thus, we call others to the eternal rest in Christ, doing the hard work of the gospel now that we may enjoy eternity together with Him.
“You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
Matthew 5:43-44, CSB
God calls us to rest, and that includes in our relationships. We are ambassadors for the peace of Christ, introducing rest from conflict and hatred through the love of the One who gives us rest, love, and peace with God.
For I am the Lord your God, who holds your right hand, who says to you, “Do not fear, I will help you.”
Isaiah 41:13, CSB
God calls us to rest, and one of those ways is to rest from anxiety and fear. Trust God, and honor His call by resting in Him.
Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the splendor and the majesty, for everything in the heavens and on earth belongs to you. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom, and you are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11, CSB
We are called to rest, and we follow the example of our Creator. Do we truly believe He is worthy of all honor and glory? Let us glorify Him by obeying Him and even resting, finding ultimate rest for our souls through Christ.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:12, CSB
God has called us to rest, and our ultimate rest is found in Christ. We now honor that call by leading others to confess Christ as Lord and Savior.
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them.”
Matthew 18:20, CSB
We are saved in Christ alone, and we come together to call out sin to lead each other to repentance in the power of the Holy Spirit and with the direction of His Word.
a simple man of God 