God’s Favor Is Required
Acts 15:1-21
Introduction
Two weeks ago we defined our purpose for each of us to pray over and consider
-- Our purpose is: “Connecting people with Jesus Christ and each other”
Last week we examined the “how” of accomplishing our mission:
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 numbers
-- IMP: Lives changed is THE result we seek; not membership cards
4. God brings the results and people to Himself; IF we will GO and TELL
This week … we will examine the importance of knowing how to reach others
IMP: Even in the face of persecution, God still delivers His favor on the church
-- This is where we are today in 2013, and why it’s important we know the Word
The enemy will try to confuse us in every way possible; it’s his mission
-- In John 8:44 Jesus said, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
WE MUST stand strong and tall, persevering onward seeking God’s favor
-- Some see this passage as a chance to settle arguments in doctrine
-- Personally, I see it as an encouragement to stand firm and press forward!
Read Acts 15:1-21
Acts 15 shows us that the church will suffer through pain as it grows
It is not a pleasant feeling to go through growing pains; but it is important
-- It is a sign that things ARE happening, IF the Spirit is moving in them
IMP: We can do things all day long, but if God’s not in it then it’s futile
-- Psalm 127:1, “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”
What we see right from the start is in v1 … “circumcision is the ONLY way!”
-- If you don’t have this medical procedure, then you aren’t really obeying God
In this, the church faced two problems and we’ll examine them today:
Point 1 – Two Problems the Early Church Faced (1-12)
Problem #1: The relationship between the old law and the gospel of grace
-- What the Jews knew is “eat this, don’t eat that, say this, don’t say that, etc.
-- Jews were even commanded to ONLY worship a certain way (OT)
The Disciples had an issue with explaining how they could relate to that
-- Today, we see people who feel that “their church” has to be this or that
-- The danger is that what is missed is most often, God and Jesus Christ
The biggest question for Jews to reconcile is the relationship of Moses and Jesus
-- Jews who had actually been converted still worshiped the old way
-- It is all they knew and so they thought it was God honoring
Then, out of the blue, the Jews wanted to insert Moses into Jesus (read v5)
However, v11 is the IMMEDIATE response to that – NO! (read v11)
Today, most cannot accept this truth: GOD ACCEPTS YOU AS YOU ARE
-- It is OUR (yours and mine) responsibility to tell them this critical truth
Problem #2: The acceptance of the Gentiles into church fellowship
-- Before, the Jews had held a special place as a chosen people, a royal priesthood
-- Some thought that simply because they were Jewish, they were special
Consider this as a thought …Imagine it is 1950’s Alabama and we want to be the first to integrate our church
Now, with the cross, there is no more distinction, there is NO DIFFERENCE in us
-- This is where it is critical that we understand that no one is to be left out
Paul called it a mystery, turn to Ephesians 3:4-6, “In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.”
This really was something that took some time to accept
God had to show him that it was okay to try to convert Gentiles
TRANS: So with these problems the Disciples had to make a decision
Point 2 – Why was this Decision Made? (13-21)
James makes 3 concessions to the Jewish way of life
1. He tells them not to eat what has been contaminated by idols
2. They might not take part in sexual immorality
This holds with it the practices that went on in pagan temples of sexual immorality
3. Don’t eat meat of strangled animals or with the blood in them
God’s law forbid the eating of strangled animals or anything with blood still in it
-- Lev 7:26-27, “And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of any bird or animal. Anyone who eats blood must be cut off from their people.”
So, now the question is, “Why concede what God has replaced in Jesus?”
What would you say if I proposed that these were ways for them to remain holy?
-- God desires for us to be holy, not just healthy and happy
-- It has to do with living out a Godly witness in front of people
Our gospel is not a gospel that makes us insensitive to where other people are
-- APP: If you get on someone else’s boat, they WILL consider getting on yours
Paul summed up this thinking in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. He said, “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share in it blessings.”
Will you and I do whatever it takes to share the Gospel and love people?
This is what the Disciples are doing in this passage
BIG IDEAS:
1. They understood the law (and for us THE HURT) of others and accepted it
2. The Bible tells us to reach all because they NEED Jesus Christ
3. There is NO OTHER way to be saved but through Christ’s sacrifice
-- ANYTHING ELSE is a false Gospel and the words of a heretic
With this foundation, and our mission statement at TCAPL: “Connecting people with Jesus Christ and each other” … we CAN and WILL make a difference in reaching people
Remember that no game is won in the huddle … it’s won on the field
Sunday morning is the huddle … the game is OUT there
Pray
-- Salvation
-- Repentance
-- Devotion to Christ
