To the Ends of the Earth, Part 20
The expectations and responses to the Gospel
Acts 13:42 – 14:7
Introduction
- Welcome to Seasons Church & 2024 sermon series, “To the Ends of the Earth”
-- In 2023 we unpacked the beginning of all history (Creation/Fall/Promise)
-- And we looked ahead, anticipated the coming & victory of Jesus (Revelation)
-- But, in order to get to the end, we have to be busy doing the work now (Acts)
- Last week we unpacked the work of God: to tell others of Jesus & salvation
-- In Christ we see the scope of the punishment of sin and only avenue of rescue
-- Because of Jesus, Paul preaches openly to who would receive Jesus
-- APP: What we must understand is that this our purpose right now
- Today, we have three questions to unpack related to how we share the Gospel
-- Not only an encouragement of sharing Christ, but of responding to society
- Read Acts 13:42 – 14:7 / Pray
Point 1 – What responses can we expect to the Gospel message?
- Two different responses … the first is the people’s response to the Gospel
- The non-religious were anxious to hear the Gospel (v42) Why?
-- Disciples were following the command of Jesus to go and make disciples
-- Greek: paraggelló; to transmit a message
- The people were moved to listen because the Spirit was working on them
-- IMP: They craved the forgiveness of sins; to be justified with God (at church)
-- APP: The truth of Christ’s salvation must always be the point of the message
-- Deeper: It is never about the messenger, but the One being declared
- Paul & Barnabas “urged them to continue to rely on the grace of God” (v43)
-- Called them to continue living in the ways that they had been taught
-- This is because it can produce in them (and us) a right way of living
-- Jesus said this in Matthew 5:6, “God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.” Seek Him = Blessed dikaiosuné; righteousness
- However, as with all things … there was rejection to be experienced (v45)
-- Understand: People reject the Gospel for a variety of reasons:
• Filled with envy toward those who were receiving Jesus
• Filled with anger toward those who delivered the message
• Filled with resentment for the “holy things” that were being experienced
- FACT: God’s servant must always expect rejection to the Gospel
-- Why? Sin is enjoyable; BUT we must realize that sin enslaves us to wickedness
- It is why we are so efficient at judging one another’s sinful behavior
-- We see sin for what it is, and normally see it much clearer in others
-- Think: “I know I sin, but at least my sin is not as bad as so and so” …
-- KEY: Christian discipleship allows us see sin in ourselves (teaching, etc.)
- The second response we see is: the preacher’s response to the people
• The preachers turned away from the opposition (v46)
- They said what needed to be said, and then they moved onto the next group
-- John 3:18, “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” Thus …
• The preachers focus was on those who wanted to hear (v48)
- APP: Gentiles were being drawn to the Gospel, they wanted to hear God’s truth
-- They wanted to know about forgiveness, about salvation, about mercy & grace
- TODAY: Far too many people don’t get to hear about Jesus
-- Instead, what they are hit with is how they should attend this or that church
-- The message Paul and Barnabas proclaimed was one of salvation … of grace!
-- This is what we too must proclaim, what we are called to teach others!
• Paul and Barnabas were expelled from the city (v50)
- No surprise here: Society says we don’t like you, so you have to go now
-- EX: You don’t worship like us so you cannot come to our church … ouch!
• So, they dramatically turn away from the rejectors (v51)
-- Jesus taught them: Matthew 10:14, “If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.”
- And what happened to Paul and Barnabas? They were sustained by God!
-- Bonus: They were filled with joy for being obedient to God’s commands (v52)
-- Paul understood God’s protection, and even wrote about it for Timothy later
-- 2 Tim 4:18, “Yes, and the Lord will deliver me from every evil attack and will bring me safely into his heavenly Kingdom. All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.”
- APP: Faithfulness to preach & proclaim the message is what we must be about
-- Programs, events, and activities are fine – but they CANNOT be the focus
-- Why? The message people need is what brings them to Christ!
- TR: Let’s explore a requirement for us to consider today …
Point 2 – What is required for the Gospel message to be effective?
- God has a clear method (3 things) for bearing witness for Christ (re-read 14:1)
1. Must have a unified and God-given spirit between the ministers (v1)
- Several factors are required for a unified spirit to truly bloom:
• We must serve the same Lord and be called to the same purpose
• We must have the same message and possess a Godly love for one another
-- APP: This is the same calling for all ministers of the Gospel message
- John 13:34-35, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
-- RE: It is one message, and not our message, that brings freedom from sin
2. We must follow a God-given standard of witnessing (they preached) (v1)
- This is where the delivery must be unified, with the same plan of action:
• Speak and bear witness to who Jesus is (not who He was…)
• Go where the people are, go where the message can be effective
-- Acts 5:20, “Go to the Temple and give the people this message of life!”
3. Expect to experience God-given results (becoming believers) (v1)
- Note what we see here – these things happen when the Gospel is shared
• Both Jews and Gentiles are reached
• There is no partiality (or favoritism) shown
• Reaching all who will listen will always bring results
-- We may not see the results, but the Gospel does not return void when shared
-- It challenges men and women to change – to stop and consider their choices
-- It is why the salvation is His, and not ours – we cannot save anyone!
- TR: Of course, when the Gospel is shared, there will always be challenges
-- God knows this, so gratefully we have a clear roadmap we can follow (re: GPS)
-- Does anyone check the weather/road conditions before heading out? Why?
-- When you know what it is ahead, you can be prepared and not discouraged by it!
Point 3 – How does God expect us to proclaim the Gospel message?
- God’s expectations of His servants who share the Gospel is summed in 4 things
-- What we must KNOW is that we should EXPECT these things – brings peace
-- Personal: Sunday’s are the same: msg can be uncomfortable, must speak truth
1. We should expect to be confronted with grumbling opposition (v2)
- See: It is “the unbelieving & the religious” who stood against the Gospel
-- Greek: apeitheó; disobey, rebel
-- REM: Paul used to be one of those, his religious teaching is what led him
2. We are expected to boldly proclaim the message of the Lord (v3)
-- Paul and Barnabas were not swayed because they were opposed
-- They did what they had to do, faithfully, because they were compelled to preach
-- 1 Cor 9:16, “Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!”
3. We should expect to face conflicting opinions (vv4-5)
- The greatest impact a preacher can make is to surrender his will to God
-- Note: The whole city of Iconium heard the Gospel message
-- Let’s examine Paul’s encouragement to those who proclaim the Gospel:
• Be dedicated to studying the Word, 2 Tim 2:15, “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”
• Be dedicated in prayer, Eph 6:18, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”
• Be dedicated in preaching, 2 Tim 4:2, “Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.”
• Be dedicated in making disciples, 2 Tim 2:2, “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
4. Be prepared to turn towards willing listeners and away from rejecters (vv6-7)
- Simply stated: Paul and Barnabas knew that opposition was coming
-- They weighed what they had to: their mission was to spread the Gospel, first
-- Then, they planned to do what was right and then move on to the next place
-- APP: We should not become defeated because others may not want to hear
BIG IDEA
- SEE: Those who desired the word of God were moved to listen (v44)
-- FACT: We each suffer from the weight of sin, it is like a plague, it enslaves us
- BIG: But God has placed a hunger in our heart to hear the truth of the Gospel
-- It is the “missing piece” that we have – it is this truth that draws us to God
-- The witnessing of Paul and Barnabas (clearly) revealed this to them
-- What people heard and felt is that they needed a Savior
- This is the same message we have to share today – one of grace and love
-- Not blind acceptance of sin, but of compassion because we too are sinners
-- In this we see true love for one another, and we find others who need it also
- Pray
