Text: Acts 28:17-29, Title: Expression of Sentness, Date/Place: NRBC, 11/1/09, AM
A. Opening illustration: Carl Boyle is a sales representative, and he was driving home through his suburban neighborhood one day when he saw a group of young children selling Kool-Aid on a corner. They had taped the typical hand-scrawled sign on their stand: “Kool-Aid, 10 cents.” As a salesman, Carl was intrigued. He pulled over to the curb, and one of the boys came up to his car and asked if he would like strawberry or grape Kool-Aid. Carl placed his order and handed the boy a quarter. After much deliberation, the children determined he had some change coming, and rifled through the old box in which they kept their money, until they finally came up with the correct amount. The boy returned with the change, then stood by the side of the car watching him as he drank. The boy became impatient and asked if Carl was finished drinking. “Just about,” said Carl, “Why?” “That’s the only cup we have,” answered the boy, “and we need it to stay in business.” Fortunately, we have more than one cup and we don’t have to use the same one to stay in business. There is more than one method of evangelism. There is more than one way to enter the harvest field. There is more than one cup of cold water we can share with the world.
B. Background to passage: Now Paul has been escorted into the city by the brethren, and his temporary lodging is taken care of, Paul can continue his missionary activity (as you know, it never really ceased). So now, Paul is chained to a soldier, but the gospel is not chained!
C. Main thought: Paul sets us a pattern for expressing our “sentness”
A. Methodology (v. 17, 23)
1. It took Paul three days to get settled in, and take care of whatever legal processes that needed to get going, but after that he called the Jews of the area together to witness to them. First we see that he was intentional about his witnessing. He made sure that opportunities came, rather than just hoping they would. He didn’t just wait for Jews to come, he called for them. Secondly, he explained. Don’t think about Paul like Billy Graham at a crusade or even me at this church. This word meant to expound on in a systematic or logical fashion. This is not the word for preach or proclaim. Thirdly, Paul testified. This is the word for witness with a Gr. intensive on it. He continued to testify repeatedly to the facts of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Fourthly, he did it consistently, faithfully, and regularly, all day long, even in the face of rejection and persecution.
2. Acts 8:31-35, 11:4, 18:26, John 4:7,
3. Illustration: one common complaint about visitation type programs from pastors is that it reduces evangelism to a one night a week thing, but that is better than no nights a month, D.L. Moody once spoke with a woman who didn’t like his method of evangelism. "I don’t really like mine all that much either. What’s yours?" She replied that she didn’t have one. Moody said, "Then I like mine better than yours.” a Hindu guru years ago, and he said, ‘Luis, don’t ever use the Western style of arguing, trying to show your religion is better than my religion or your Savior is superior. Just simply tell who Jesus is. Tell of His character. Tell what He’s like. Let people do the comparing for themselves.’
4. We should be as intentional as the Apostle about making our own opportunities to share the gospel. What spheres of influence to you have access to? What avenues are open to you that will allow you to meet new people, and develop relationships? Many are placed upon us through work or family. But others are sought out by those that want to be intentional. Join a civic group, club, or organization, not only with the intention of helping a good cause, but of sharing the gospel. 2) Don’t think that this is the job of vocational “preachers” and missionaries. You are all preachers and missionaries. You are sent to reach your circle. If you can explain the nuts and bolts of the gospel, you can do this. If you can’t, come back tonight, and I will give you that. 3) Just explain what Jesus did in your life, include some scripture, that the Holy Spirit will do the rest. Know a 3-min and 10-min version of how you came to Christ. 4) Keep on doing it. Paul was rejected, Peter was rejected, even Jesus was rejected, are you better than they? Most people have to hear the gospel several times before they come to know Christ.
B. Subject Matter (v. 23)
1. Luke gives the specific content of Paul’s talks. First he deals with the Kingdom of God. This is an important transition for Paul, because Jews everywhere were always anticipating the kingdom of God. And closely associated with it was the idea of the coming of messiah. But the kingdom encompasses much more that just the coming of messiah, just as the kingdom now encompasses more than just the church. Then Paul takes scripture (which at the time was the law and the prophets) and speaks to how Jesus is the messiah. He probably told of the serpent that would have his head crushed by the Seed of the woman; about the coming Lion of the Tribe of Judah; surely about the suffering servant who was crush for our sins and bore our sorrows; about virgin that would give to us a Son who would be the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace; about how Jesus fulfilled all these prophecies, then veiled Himself in flesh, came into our world, and how Jesus can satisfy every need; how there is none like Him; how He is the Bread of Life and the Living Water; how He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords; how He is the Reigning Master and the Coming Judge of the Living and the Dead; how He is the Lamb of God slain before the foundations of the world, now sitting at the right hand of the Almighty; how He is the highest, and best, and the greatest, and the most satisfying being in the universe!
2. 1 Cor 1:23, 2:2, 15:3-4, 2 Cor 2:12, 4:5, Acts 17:3, Rom 15:20,
3. Illustration: read a portion of that JD Greear blog about “enough,” In Christ We Have: A love that can never be fathomed A life that can never die A righteousness that can never be tarnished A peace that can never be understood A rest that can never be disturbed A joy that can never be diminished A hope that can never be disappointed A glory that can never be clouded A light that can never be darkened A purity that can never be defiled A beauty that can never be marred A wisdom that can never be baffled Resources that can never be exhausted.
4. Reminder our primary subject matter when sharing is not political agendas, Rep/Dem/gay marriage/or abortion. It is not morality and being good. It is not about prayer in schools, or college football, or your kids. It is not proper etiquette, attire, or speech. It is not our great church or pastor, or being in church. It is not someone else’s not-so great church or pastor. It is not someone else’s business, family, possessions, or recent failures. Primarily the gospel is about King Jesus! It is not about us and our little kingdom, and our little world. God is doing awesome things all the time that are constantly pointing people to himself. We must readjust our focus away from ourselves, our stuff, our families, our churches, our towns, our state, and our country. If we don’t we will never rear gospel-centered children, or make gospel-centered disciples, because our true focus will shine through, and Christ will not be glorified. Sometimes it helps us to realize our insignificance, AND the significance of what God is doing in the world-establishing the fame of His Name for the good and joy of all peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations. O God, open our eyes to the true significance of it. Let us meet people were they are at, and speak of Jesus and His beauty, and all His marvelous perfection.
5. We must proclaim the all-sufficient, all-satisfying, all-glorious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the righteous! We must display and declare His excellencies and perfections. Don’t know if Paul got excited, but I bet they could see the joy in his eyes, maybe even the tears as he described the One who died for the man who would persecute His church. We are sent with the greatest news ever told, to a world that doesn’t even know that it needs it. And the way we talk about it most of the time, the world wouldn’t want to catch what we’ve got. And you don’t need all the arguments to win the battle for gay marriage, evolution, inerrancy, denominationalism, etc, when you have your Mighty Jesus!
A. Closing illustration: Edith Burns illustration
B. Recap
C. Invitation: read vv. 24-27, speak about the choice that you must make. The cost is big, but the rewards are huge! Suffering may come, but Christ makes it worthwhile! Desire Him, and from love and gratitude commit your life to following Him the rest of your days, and sacrifice any idols that may thwart you. You can’t just want heaven to get in, you must want God! You can’t just come to Jesus to get forgiveness, you must come to Jesus to get God. Nobody who doesn’t want God will go to heaven.
