Series: Action [#48]
YOU MUST CHOOSE
Acts 17:1-9
Introduction:
I went to my Acupuncturist this week, like I do every other week. She was busier than usual and so she put my ears seeds in before the acupuncture. (The ear seeds help with different types of problems.) As I was sitting there, she put the ear seed on a place that she has never placed it before; so, I asked her what that one was for. She laughed and said, “This has been a popular ear seed lately”; and then she told me that it was to suppress my appetite. That is the 2nd doctor that has said something about my weight recently. I have gained a lot of weight in the last 10 years. I went from being way too skinny for 6’5”, (128lbs.) to 235lbs. I have known that I need to start exercising and lose some weight; but I have chosen not to. I have Doctors who are nicely telling me that I need to exercise and lose weight; but I have chosen not to.
This morning, on Easter Sunday, I want to tell you that you must choose. As we continue to study in Acts, I want you to notice that you have to choose to follow Jesus or not to follow Jesus. If you die without saying yes to following Jesus, you will spend eternity in punishment.
Acts 17:1-4
You can choose to say…
1. Yes to Jesus.
When I typed this, I thought, “Everyone is going to think that this is way too obvious”. It may be simple; but is the most important decision you will ever make. Paul and those with him went into the Synagogue and preached about the resurrected Jesus. For 3 weeks in a row, Paul preached that Jesus was the only way to eternal life. Some of those people chose to follow Jesus as Savior. The resurrection that we celebrate today changes lives forever. The resurrection of Jesus should be preached all of the time, not just on days like Easter.
Notice that people of different races, different genders (male and female), different affluence, etc…; were saved. Paul was faithful to preach the Word of God and he left the results to God.
Acts 17:5-9
You can choose to say…
2. No to Jesus.
Again, this seems very basic and it is basic; but it is the foundation of our faith. Jesus became the world’s sins and died on a cross. He had victory over death and physically arose from the dead on the 3rd day. He did that so all people would be saved; but it is a choice. God does not make us get saved.
While some people were saved, there were many who were not. In fact, they were so angry about what Paul and Silas were saying; that when they could not find them, they had Jason and others taken to jail.
Conclusion:
The bottom line, (on this day that we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus); is you will either choose the free gift of salvation or you will fight it. On this Resurrection Sunday, what is your choice? Some of you might be thinking, “I’m already saved, so this does not apply to me”. You are wrong. You should be sharing the Gospel of Jesus to people as often as possible; and you should be willing to even have to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
LORD’S SUPPER
(Pass Bread and Juice)
Prayer
1 Corinthians 11:23-24
(Eat Bread)
1 Corinthians 11:25-26
Prayer
