Be a world changer (Part 2)
Acts 17:10-34 and Mark 7
Introduction
We are called to have a common purpose in what we do
-- The purpose is to worship, to love, and to celebrate Christ and share Him always
-- That is our challenge, mission, and it is STILL where we find ourselves today
Most will agree that Paul was a unique man; one who stood apart from others
-- Paul in my opinion is a behemoth of a man; a man on a destined mission
-- He was not swayed by public opinion nor worried about what others thought
Paul understood that Grace was the key to life; for it had been shown to him
-- Paul was a man determined to win; which is exactly how we should live
-- Paul was, without a doubt, a man who changed the world!!
LAST WEEK: We saw that his journey took him to Thessalonica
-- It is to the churches here that 1 and 2 Thessalonians was written and sent
-- Letters were written to correct, but to encourage them on real living
-- We saw that the Christian life required: integrity, intensity, and involvement
Today, Paul’s journey continues in Berea and Athens … three things for us to see
Read Acts 17:10-34
Point 1 – Sensitivity to the Spirit (10-15)
Knowing when to go is vital
-- The Holy Spirit provides wisdom and guidance on how we should live
We see that the Paul waited until nightfall for safety; not cowardly but wise
-- Traveling by day would have been a lot easier, but certainly not safer
-- We must CHOOSE to lose (forget) our own self-preferences (worship, etc.)
We can search forever for the perfect church but could never join it
-- We can also decide to go on a trip and make a foolish choice in how to do it
DEEPER: How many times have you given up b/c things didn't go your way?
-- Life is NEVER easy; it’s NOT a bowl of roses – but God is still God!
Being deliberate in missionary events is important; which Paul was
-- Sent directly to Berea because they were eager to hear and learn about God
-- APP: Many in your life are eager as well, but no one will tell them
When Paul traveled others came from Thessalonica as well to hear
With God’s leading, what were the results?
-- Many believed (v12)
-- Greek men believed (v12)
-- Greek women believed (v12)
But still, persecution reigns (v13) … “sigh, here comes the trouble makers again”
-- The enemy never gives up … 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
LAST WEEK: To be a world-changer for Jesus Christ I have to get out into the world & let them know what I believe if I ever expect them to join me in my cause.
TRANS: If we are truly sensitive to the Spirit, we will commit fully to the work
Point 2 – Being All In is Critical (16-28)
Idol worship rules the day there, as it does today also (sadly … more and more)
-- Whatever takes your focus off of Christ is an idol, regardless of self-justification
God desires our worship – but even in church God desires us to learn (17)
-- Paul corrects their false ideology and trains them on worshiping God alone
-- His investment to those he encounters is critical; so should ours be
But, many might ask, “What is he invested in?”
1. Knowing who God is and making Him known to a world in dire need
-- Psalm 40:3, “He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.”
-- There is NO deity to be worshiped above God, who sent/raised Jesus
2. The real God is clearly outlined in the Law (the entire OT in Paul’s case)
-- Exodus 20:1-6, “And God spoke (who spoke?) all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
3. Paul is willing to educate even though people may not like it
-- Calling of preachers, evangelists, and anyone else whom God has saved
-- Your testimony changes lives; because it is a real account of what happened
Illustration: In a court room, eye-witness testimony convicts/acquits
-- Real evidence is what we’ve seen happen; your testimony is what God has done
TRANS: If being all in is critical, what must we focus on?
Point 3 – We Must Focus on Christ (30-34)
Why is v30-31 so vital? Why do we absolutely need to get this today?
-- The message of God to all that hear is REPENT! (Not: “I wanna bless you”)
-- But more than that, we must NOW be willing to take what we know and apply it
Did you know that Jesus taught more on focusing on God than any other topic?
-- Life APP: Life is not about us … it never was and never will be
-- It is God who does the work … we didn't “get saved” – God saved us!!
-- Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Turn to and read Mark 7:14-23
Look at v15 … Nothing outside can defile you by going into you
-- Even to the level of food, God is concerned with what is in your heart
-- Now, this doesn't mean be a glutton (of which I need to work on)
-- It does mean that we ought to be aware that God is concerned, personally
Now compare v16 … It is what comes out of you that makes you evil (defiles you)
-- So, what does that mean? (See v19 first – biology right there in the text)
--- No one makes you think evil thoughts …
--- No one makes you do evil things …
APP: The things we do are choices in life that God is concerned about individually
HUGE!! Write this down, make a mental note, whatever it takes:
Sinning doesn’t make you a bad person – you ARE a bad person therefore you sin!
Did you see what Jesus did there? He totally deconstructed our argument
-- Paul does the exact same thing in Acts 17 to those worshiping idols
v30a “In the past God overlooked such ignorance”
-- Before you may have had a pass to get away with such foolishness
v30b “but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.”
-- Your foolish game is not going to work anymore --- God is pursuing you
That right there is the summary of the GOOD NEWS of Jesus Christ
-- Before you were lost, was no hope – but now that you've heard – you know!
-- You are now aware of how much God is chasing you, of how deep His love is
APP: You've now been told (v31) that God is God; and you must live for Him
-- Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The bible says that some sneered, but some became followers
-- What a great encouragement … Not everyone will follow, but all need to hear
-- Personal: This allows me to preach without fear of being liked; I answer to Him
Big Ideas
1. The Holy Spirit provides wisdom and guidance; we must lose our preferences
2. Being all in is critical; Jesus died for you … the least you can do is live for Him
3. Our focus must be on Christ
-- Even to the point of what we eat and drink, we do so to glorify Him
-- But more than that, we focus on Him to show others who He is to us – LORD!
Pray
