How do we fulfill our Purpose?
Acts 13:13-52
Introduction
When this series first started we discussed the imp of being a biblical church
-- The church of Acts is a tremendous model for us to examine / follow
-- When it comes to following Christ, there is really NO more perfect example
Last week we DEFINED our purpose for each of us to pray over and consider
-- Our purpose is: “Connecting people with Jesus Christ and each other”
Today, straight from scripture, we are going to learn the “how”
-- Last week I asked if we were living by the same standard as Antioch was
We’ve got 4 questions that we are going to attempt to answer today from Acts 13
Lots to get to today, lots of scripture as well, so let’s pray and dive in …
Point 1 – What’s our example to follow? (13-31)
Read Acts 13:13-31
The first critical point to answering “if we are obeying” is to ask:
-- What is the example that we are following?
-- The bible says, Prov 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people perish”
If we don’t have a model to follow, we will simply wander aimlessly
-- Analogy: Consider driving to my parent’s house in Troy, NY for Christmas dinner without a map, GPS, compass, or anything else to navigate too but you knew that you had to be there and knew the end point … how would you get there?
-- Many churches today have the exact same problem – all thrust but no vector
-- The book of Acts is that road map! It points us in a direction to serve Christ!!
V13 and v14 shows Paul and Barnabas traveling, GOING, to share Christ
But look, just as Peter did in Acts 2 through 4, Paul is now doing in v16
-- Reminds them of their history; invokes in them pride in descendants
-- APP: Once you have someone’s attention, they will listen to you
-- EX: I have the cure to what ails you and I want to give it you for FREE …
Up through v22 most people in this time are pretty comfortable
-- After all, this is the OT he is quoting and they’re prob. high-fiving each other
-- But then Paul takes a hard left turn in v23 … the name of Jesus invokes change
-- The name of Jesus brings conviction, but it brings release to SO many in need
The example you and I are to follow is right here in the text; clear and concise
-- Many gathered around John (v25) and question him routinely (John 1:19-27)
-- John’s answer though is exactly what Paul teaches here, and what we should too
-- BOTTOM LINE: It isn't about me folks, but the One that I serve!!
The example that we are to follow is the same the Disciples are doing here:
-- Ready? (pause) 2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”
-- We are called to preach it, live it, and multiply it – nothing more matters!
TRANS: If we know the example, we then ask what’s our curriculum
Point 2 – What are we to teach? (32-41)
Read Acts 13:32-41
We are to preach one thing and one thing only: The Good News!
-- Before you can have good news there had to have been bad news, right?
-- The bad news is that we needed a savior which is whom the OT predicted
Who does the work? Who raised Jesus? (v32) What God promised is …
-- We ought to be able to tell others the big picture that God raised Jesus but …
-- BIG APP: We are to be able to tell other people what God has done in our lives
However, there is another part here that Luke hints at (Paul drives home later)
Not only teach the Gospel – but gather others around SO THEY CAN HEAR IT!
-- TCAPL Trifold Handouts: Each person takes 1 and gives it to one other person
-- Don’t use them as a sun reflector on your dashboard or a seat warmer
-- Don’t use them as a bookmark in your Bible and leave it at Acts 13 (realist)
-- GIVE it to someone to share what’s happening in Gods house; open door to chat
People won’t come to Christ if you don’t tell them – and we are on a mission here
-- Analogy: Football games are NOT won in the huddle, but on the field
-- BIG APP: Sunday is the huddle; the training session; out THERE is the game!!
TRANS: So, if we are telling … then what happens?
Point 3 – Where’s the evidence of this God thing working? (42-44)
Read Acts 13:42-44
We see here that when they were done preaching they were invited back
-- They wanted these folks back the next week and share even more!
-- This is a preacher’s dream; to be able to preach more on what excites them
But …
When people encounter the Gospel; there’s 1 of 2 two things that ALWAYS happen
1. Their hearts become hardened further and they pull away from God more
2. Their hearts become softer and they draw closer to God; leads to repentance
This is what happens when the Gospel is shared intimately among friends/family
-- Lives are changed for the good or the bad … PERIOD
-- We (you and I) can dress this up all we want; but it is what it is
-- God does the work with His Word … We are merely called to share it (Matt 28)
-- Last week we addressed this: GO and TELL (2 parts of the commission)
TRANS: So after we've shared it … then what?
Point 4 – What results does GOD bring? (45-52)
Read Acts 13:45-52
Sharing the Gospel will ALWAYS bring about rebellion and conflict
-- Last week we saw how Bar-Jesus tried to persuade the proconsul away
-- We also saw the response of Paul (Acts 13:10), “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?”
In v46 Paul tells them that, “Hey folks, we tried to tell you but you ignored it”
-- So, guess what? We aren't gonna stop telling it, these folks are eager to hear!
-- TCAPL must adapt the EXACT same philosophy that we see right here
APP: The Gospel is for ALL! This person doesn't want it, one behind them might
-- Tracting example from New Orleans; huge crowds, lots of no’s, plenty of yes’s
BIG APPLICATION!! We don’t bring results, God does!
What? You mean we aren't masters of our own domain? Kings of all we see?
-- No, and to think so is pride and we know what happens to pride ridden folks
-- Prov 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”
-- Living in pride is like dangling off a cliff … falling is not IF, but WHEN!
Read v49 – The word of the Lord spread because the disciples told people!
-- How do we fulfill our purpose? WE GOTTA TELL EVERYONE WE KNOW!
-- Our purpose is: “Connecting people with Jesus Christ and each other”
-- If we don’t go out, find them, and bring them in … we aren’t obeying God
Most say I’m a “little too radical to be a Baptist” – you’re right, I’m a Christian!
-- So let me ask you, who are you? What are you willing to stand for?
-- Even though there was constant persecution (v50), the dust was shaken (v51)
AND LOOK AT v52 would ya!!! The disciples were filled with (pause) JOY!
-- This isn’t joy that is just routine – this is the joy Peter and John had in Ch 5
-- We are persecuted for serving Jesus and … AIN'T LIFE AWESOME!!!
How about you? Are you willing to be persecuted for the One who died for you?
BIG IDEAS:
1. The example we follow is Jesus; whom the disciples received and preached
2. We are teach the Word of God and that Jesus saves … period
3. The evidence is the multiplication of what God is doing, not our tallies
4. Why? Because God brings the results and people to Himself
Will you help connect people with Jesus Christ, first?
This is how we fulfill our purpose … bring them to Jesus first, then to our church
Pray
