Subject: The Gospel Message is Disturbing!
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.
Introduction: As Paul and his company respond to the Macedonian call, directed by the Holy Ghost, they entered into 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 sea port. 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, palmists, advisers, and seers of every kind. The official religion was "emperor worship" for each emperor declared himself as 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 is in conflict 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, "Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!’37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine." 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. The council at Jerusalem was disturbed as they wrestled with the freedom of the Gospel and the unlimited effects of grace. Paul and Barnabas were disturbed about John Mark’s reinstatement and restoration. The gospel message is disturbing in its far-reaching effect. Men love to set limits, to regulate admission, to qualify some and disqualify others. It is really keeping things under our control. 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 both radical and disturbing. The gospel breaks down barriers of position, power, race and status open to whosoever will and embracing all who will believe. Paul and Silas were accused of turning the world upside down. The gospel message is disturbing for several reasons, first because it confronts human exploitation.
1. The gospel message is disturbing because it confronts human exploitation. Acts 16:16 “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.”
Because of man’s sinful nature, abuse among men is commonplace. The gospel message exposes abuse and at time, confront the abuser. 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 the Christ, was raised from the dead, bring hope and salvation to all. 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. But God who hates sin provided a remedy for all of us. Every single sin is missing the mark that God has set, and every single person has an appointed day of judgment before God. 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, freeing us and giving us power to set others free. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Paul cast out the evil spirit and the woman was set free. The gospel message is disturbing because it confronts human exploitation in all its forms.
2. The gospel message is disturbing because it declares truth in a world of deception. Acts 16:20 “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.”
Seeking justice, the mob practiced injustice. They abuse Paul and Silas without a trial or a verdict. Deception takes many forms. The principle of the gospel is Truth. 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 it causes many 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 only affected what they did, not how they lived. The abilities had no moral or ethical value. The elect of God is not deceived because we 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. Truth will expose and confront a lie just as light exposes darkness. Look at this verse found in Second Corinthians:
"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 enemies of Paul and Silas in our text wrapped their greed, selfishness, and human exploitation under a robe of religion, they claimed to protecting Roman’s custom and beliefs from this new Gospel. Men still hide their deception, greed, and exploitations under robes of religion, politics, and public opinion. We must measure their response by the truth. Does the lifestyle match their words. The gospel message is disturbing because it declares truth in a world of deception. Not an alternative truth, but the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The gospel message is disturbing it confronts human exploitation, it declares truth in a world of deception. The gospel message is disturbing because it demands a verdict.
3. The gospel message is disturbing because it demands a verdict. The Gospel message demands a response, no one is allowed 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 provided support of the work. Jews responded with jealousy and anger, closing their hearts and mind. The gospel message demands a response. Sooner and later, we all must respond.
The Roman leaders had little regard for the new sect until it interfered with their financial gain. The Jews in the synagogues despised the popularity of Paul and his company, so they had tried to silence them. But the controlling masters of the liberated woman were angered because this message put them out of business. Paul’s actions prevented them from doing what they wanted to do. The message of Christ cuts against the grain because He 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 tolerate the idea of God and tolerate His messengers if the message does not upset their lives. A prominent Bishop said after his message, a member said, “Pastor, I enjoyed the message. The word of God was wonderful, but that message sure hurt me today, it wounded me." The bishop replied, "I sorry I missed, I was not trying to wound you, I was trying to kill you! Everything of self 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?
4. The gospel message is disturbing because when obeyed, it will turn your world upside down. It’s worth being disturbed, if it turns 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 is 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, that no one can follow Christ and Satan, that no one can serve God and money. It is disturbing to know that we must submit God and follow only.
(Illustration) After working on a project, 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. The jarring and shaking were necessary to get the door back in place. You see, it is worth being disturbed if it puts your back in its place and proper working order. Medical surgeries are 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.
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 you use to be. The Word of God comes to restore you and put your life in its proper place and proper working order. In doing so, your life is blessed, and you bless those around you. There is a plan and purpose God has for my life and yours. The gospel message is disturbing because it confronts human exploitation, it declares truth in a world of deception, it demands a verdict and if received and believed it will turn your world upside down. So, let the word jar you, shake you, disturb you, and change you for the better. It is totally worth it! Amen.
