Subject: "Why The Gospel May Causes An Uproar"
Text: Acts 16:16-24 “One day as we were going down to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit that enabled her to tell the future. She earned a lot of money for her masters by telling fortunes. 17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” 18 This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.
19 Her masters’ hopes of wealth were now shattered, so they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them before the authorities at the marketplace. 20 “The whole city is in an uproar because of these Jews!” they shouted to the city officials. 21 “They are teaching customs that are illegal for us Romans to practice.”
22 A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. 23 They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. 24 So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks.
The summary of the accusation if found in Acts. 17:6 And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also;”
Introduction: As Paul and his company respond to the Macedonian call, directed by the Holy Ghost, they entered the district of Macedonia. Some historians say that Luke the beloved physician grew up and was educated in this area. This area was thriving metropolis, a trade center and seaport. This was the beginning of Paul's second missionary journey.
Although these new Christians evangelist had suffered disputes, stoning, and ridicule at the hands of the Jews in many places, this new venture would be totally different. In Macedonia, there was no synagogue, which means that there were less than ten Jewish males in the city. The area was steeped in idolatry, witchcraft, diviners, palmist, adviser, and seers of every kind. The official religion was "emperor worship" for each emperor declared himself a God. Judaism was a tolerated sect but, the Jews were not allowed to try to convert Roman citizens.
Paul, Silas and Timothy and others brought the disturbing message of the gospel to this region. The message of the Gospel is a disturbing message. To disturb means to excite from a state of rest or tranquility. It means to awaken, to agitate the mind, or to ruffle. The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a gospel of the Kingdom. And the kingdom of God conflicts with the kingdom of this world. Today, there is an attempt to lower the standards of Christianity to make it more appealing; to do away with the conflicting nature that it may be more easily accepted. But there has always been a gap between right and wrong. God has never tried to conceal the conflicting nature of the gospel message. Jesus said,
"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man 's foe shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." Matthew 10:34-38
Jesus said that the gospel message will create conflict and separation. It will disturb family lines and family ties. It will bring separation in some of the closest relationships.
Have you ever thought about why someone would attempt to burn down a church? Bomb a Church? Persecute Christians? Or Why the Gospel may cause an uproar? This gospel message is a disturbing message because it calls us to a lifestyle of love and self denial. The gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ is a radical and disturbing gospel for several reasons, first because it exposes the lost-ness of humanity.
1. The Truth of Gospel Exposes the Depravity of Man.
Ro 3:10-12 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”
Ro 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
The message of gospel was not designed to avoid conflict. The very nature the gospel exposes the hopelessness of man without God. Paul always remained true to the message even though it created conflict. The scope of Paul's preaching was to prove that Jesus is the Christ and the only way to salvation. This lesson is a reminder of the core of the message of the Bible, that God Almighty created man in his image and likeness, mankind lost its high and lofty position through disobedience, and plunged headlong into sin. Yet God who hates sin and loves enough to provide a remedy for all of us. Sin is missing the mark or falling short of the mark that God has set; and every single person has an appointed day of judgment before God to give account of their actions. It is disturbing to know (1) Every sinner in the world has the sentence of death hanging over his head unless they accept the free gift of God in Christ Jesus (2) Jesus, God's Son took upon himself the sin of the whole world and completely satisfied man’s sin debt. It was the only way he could purchase redemption for us. (3) God raised him from the dead for our justification. His resurrection was proof that the debt had been paid and justice was satisfied. (4) Finally, no one can save themselves by any work or merit on their own, Jesus is the Christ, and the only hope of salvation is in him. When we receive him, He becomes both our savior and Lord. Every senseless act of violence, brutality, and inhumanity testifies to the lostness of humanity. All our failed remedies point to our need for Christ. The Truth of Gospel Exposes the Depravity of Man.
2. The Truth of Gospel Exposes the Deception in the World.
The Gospel declares that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. Satan, the prince this world is the father of lies. Just as truth is a principle of God’s kingdom, deception and lies are principles of Satan’s kingdom. The only time Satan uses truth is when it serves his purpose. Today, many people are so hungry for the supernatural, for the mystical, that causes them to be vulnerable to Satan's deceptions. The Bible warns us to beware of false Christs and false prophets, who will show great signs and wonders that will deceive many. Listen to the following Scripture:
"For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect " Matthew 24:24
The soothsayers, sorcerers, and diviners of Paul's day displayed supernatural abilities, but the supernatural abilities did not change their character nor how they lived. Their abilities had no moral or ethical value, nor these abilities save. God’s servants were not deceived because they recognized the spirit of deception. Believers understand that the same power of God that works through us must also work in us. Before God gives of the power to do, we receive power to become the Sons of God. The Truth of the Gospel will expose deception, and confront lies, just as light exposes darkness. Look at this verse found in Second Corinthians 11:
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light " 2 Corinthian 11:14
Satan will use whatever tactic needed to deceive mankind. Whatever will aid him in his destructive efforts. Truth will always collide with a lie and error. The spirit of divination disguised the woman’s message but could not hide her character. After several days, her true character was revealed. Given enough time all deception will be exposed. Today many willfully closed their eyes to the truth, or bury their head in the sand, yet truth will always rise. The Truth of Gospel Exposes the Deception in the World
3. The Truth of the Gospel Has the Power To Turn The World Upside Down. It’s worth being disturbed, if obeying the Gospel has the power to turn your life right side up. Paul and his company were accused of "exceedingly troubling our city" or of "turning the world upside down." The Gospel message believed, received, and obeyed will turn your life right side up. It maybe disturbing to know that we cannot saved ourselves; that God has a holy and righteous standard; that there is a difference between darkness and light; wrong and right, follow Christ and following evil, that we cannot serve God and money.
After working on a home improvement project which required removing the doors, I needed to put the door back on it hinges. The door was out of place, leaning against the wall, I picked the door up and started aligning the hinges. The door was nearly aligned but the hinge pins would not go in. I began to jar and shake the door, then the pin started sliding in, soon the door was back in its place and proper working order. You see, it is worth being disturbed, if it puts your life in proper working order. Operations are always painful and sometimes dangerous, but sometimes are necessary to put your life back in good working order. You might not like the medicine, it might not taste good, but it may be necessary to put your life back in order. It took a disturbing message to save me, and it takes a disturbing message to keep me. I am glad because it has changed me, and it will change you.
4.Finally, The Truth of the Gospel Demands a Response.
When the depravity of man is revealed, and deception is exposed, a response is required. The Gospel message does not allow anyone to remain neutral. I realize that only God can open a heart and cause it to respond to the Gospel, but the gospel demands a response. Lydia, a wealthy businesswoman, a Jewish proselyte, a worshiper of God responded positively. The Lord opened her heart as Paul preached and witnessed to her. We must faithfully proclaim the message of the Gospel because God still opens heart. Our message should be accurate, convincing, and convicting, but God must open the heart. Lydia was converted and baptized, she opened her home and provision for the support of the work. Jews responded with jealousy, anger, and rejection. They were angry because they could no longer exploit the woman or the people. They could no longer profit from the pain of others. No matter how they responded, the gospel message demands a response. Sooner and later, we all must respond. The Gentile leaders had little regard for the new sect until it interfered with their profits. The Jews in the synagogues despised the popularity of Paul and his company, so they had tried to silence them. But these Gentiles were angered because this message put them out of business. They were prevented from doing what they wanted to do. The message of Christ cuts against the grain because Christ demands not just a place in your life, it demands first place; before money, property, husband, wife, children and even your own life, because he is Lord of all.
"And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone..." That was the real problem. They said these men are troublemakers because they "
...teach customs which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. " The truth of the matter was, "They had upset our lives."
Today, many will praise God and his messenger if the message does not upset their lives. Pastor, I enjoyed the message. The word of God was wonderful. The late Bishop Eddie Long said that one member approached him after a stirring message and said, "Pastor that message sure hurt me today, it wounded me." He said, "I told him, "I sorry I missed, I was not trying to wound you, I was trying to kill you! Everything of self and selfishness needs to be killed that Christ may formed in you."
Has the word ever wound you? Has it ever cut across the grain of your life? Does it disturb you when you compare your life to the message? Has the word always been pleasing to you? The Gospel message demands a response.
Conclusion: We could have left the door hanging with only one pin in place, but the door would not have been in proper working order. The purpose of the word is not just to make you better than what you use to be. The Word of God comes to restore you and put your life in its proper place and proper working order. There is a place, a purpose that God has intended for your life! So, the word may jar you, shake you, disturb you, but it is worth it!
I know there seems to be an effort to compromise the truth of the Gospel; to make its message less narrow, lower its requirements and just accept everything. Proverb 14:12 “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” The foremost warning for the last days is against the spirit of deception.
Paul and Silas were not trying to blend in. “These that have turned the world upside down…;” Where is the gospel message that disturbs today, upsets the status quo? Where is the Gospel that proclaims there is an answer to the madness of this world? In a world gone mad, we need a gospel that exposes the depravity of man, our lostness and sinfulness; a gospel that exposes the deception in the world hiding behind politics, religion, and exploitation; a gospel that demands a response, What will you do with Jesus? Jesus comes to transform us, our character and lifestyle. Then He come empower us for service. Our world is filled with talented, gifted, anointed people, who have never been transformed. Joh 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
A proper response to the Gospel is a life full of Grace and Truth! Amen.
