Being Controversial
Acts 4:1-4
I am not sure what you thought when you heard the title of the message tonight, but I feel that it’s some that we need to do in the right place and in the right time.
Illustration: Jerry Falwell
While I was on vacation, a great man of God was laid to rest. Say what you want about Jerry Falwell but this man of God has done great things for the cause of Christ.
Many students have received a great Christian education from Liberty University…
Thomas Road Baptist Church, under his leadership, has reached many lost souls for the kingdom of God.
He is a man that accomplished a lot for the cause of Christ.
Franklin Graham assisted with the preaching of Dr. Falwell’s memorial service. When it came time for him to speak, he stood and said, “Dr. Falwell was a man who was controversial.” And immediately the people attending the service began to laugh.
That was an understatement!
What is it that had people writing negative comments about him in the papers?
What was Dr. Falwell saying that had him blasted by the immoral talk shows on television?
Franklin Graham said:
Dr. Falwell believed there was one way to heaven and if you didn’t go through the blood of Jesus Christ then you were not going!
He said the Dr. Falwell believed that a child in its mother’s womb should be protected as a human life.
Franklin Graham even went on to say that Dr. Falwell had the nerve to believe that a man should only marry a woman?
The reason Dr. Jerry Falwell was treated the way he was treated was because he was willing stand for what he believed in.
If there was ever a time that we needed some people to stand and be controversial it is today!
This world is trying to dictate what is right and what is wrong and the Christian church is sitting back saying:
“I don’t want to cause any trouble”
“I don’t’ want to stir something up”
“I don’t want to be controversial”
It’s time that the body of Jesus Christ stand and be accounted for and say:
You are not going to trample over the bible just to try and justify a lifestyle that is contrary to God’s Word.
You are not going to put down my God just to try and make a dollar for being funny…
We need a church body that is:
Willing to stand
Willing to speak up
Willing to be controversial when its time
Read Acts 4:1-4
We see here two men (Peter and John) who were truly controversial.
But they teach us the difference in being controversial for the right and just plain causing a racket.
1. They Proclaimed Jesus – v.2
Anytime you are going to take a stand for God you had better make sure you know what you are talking about.
Don’t try and press your views upon another person.
Simply stand on God’s Word…
Share Jesus…
And don’t back down!
Too many get into trouble trying to debate this issue and discuss that issue…
Find out what God says about it and let that stand.
This world does not need your opinion on:
- Why they should quit drinking…
- Why drugs are bad for them
- They shouldn’t marry someone of the same sex
- Why the world is in the shape that its in
- How the President is doing
- What the government is not doing
What this world needs is someone to decide in their heart to share JESUS!
Be willing to stand
Be willing to speak up
Be willing to be controversial
When it comes to proclaiming Jesus!
2. They Praised God for the Healing – v.10
Read verse 10
There is a reason:
§ You have the money to pay your bills
§ You are not still sick in the hospital bed
§ You are cancer free
§ You are not dead from alcohol abuse
§ You are not dead from drug overdose
§ You are happily married today
That reason is because of nothing you have done.
It wasn’t because of treatments or medication…
It wasn’t because you got in church and deserved it because of all that you have done
§ God is the reason you are still here!
§ God is the reason you are not sick!
§ God is the reason cancer has left your body…
We need to start standing up and praising God for the many things He does for us.
Don’t allow people or yourself to take credit for what God has done.
Psalms 113
He raises up the poor…. He lifts up the needy
He makes the barren woman a mother
Psalms 150
Praise Him for His mighty deeds
I am only able to stand because of God!
Be willing to stand
Be willing to speak up
Be willing to be controversial
When it comes time to praise God for the healing!
3. They Purposed in their heart not to quit – v.20
When you realize what God has done for you, there is nothing or no one that will be able to shut you up.
Peter and John purposed in their heart that God had done too much for them to allow the world to discourage or scare them from doing what they were called to do.
Jeremiah said:
When I tried my very best to shut my mouth and not speak about Him and what He has done for me… it’s like fire shut in my bones – I have to tell it!
Don’t let the enemy steal your joy from testifying…
Purpose in your heart that nothing or no one is going to cause you to quit…
Church members may talk about me behind my back
Spouse may not come to church with me
Kids may think I’m crazy for praising God all the time
My Sunday school class wishes I would just remain quite…
We need more and more people who are:
Willing to stand
Willing to speak up
Willing to be controversial
When they purpose in their heart not to quit!
But you may be sitting there saying:
I can’t speak in front of crowds
I am afraid to raise my hand and worship
I can’t witness to my co-workers
It’s tough for me to invite people to church
Then you need to do what Peter and John did.
4. They Prayed to God for Confidence – v.29
Read v. 29
And what happened when they prayed?
Read v. 31
§ Tell God that you are scared to speak…
§ Let Him know that you need confidence…
§ Pray for boldness
It is going to take boldness:
To witness to co-workers
To share Jesus with your family
To raise your hand for the first time in church
To invite people to church
It will take boldness and confidence to be controversial.
Peter and John teaches us here to:
§ Proclaim Jesus – Not your own belief
§ Praise God for the healing – it’s not by your own might
§ Purpose in your heart not to quit – it’s not by your own strength
§ Pray to God for confidence – it’s not by your own power
Dr. Falwell was controversial on many issues…
He was very outspoken on many topics…
He was willing to stand
He was willing to speak up
He was willing to be controversial
When they crossed the line and trampled on God’s very words.
Shouldn’t we do the same?
