Sermon Notes
“Our Dangerous God,” Acts 19: 23-41
Kent Simmons
Introduction:
We live in a dangerous world. The days of leaving your house unlocked, your car keys in the vehicle, and your kids unattended in the front yard of your home are gone. They have been replaced by disturbing images on television, music that degrades our authorities and violates our young women, and pornography that is as available as the air we breath.
And these are only the tip of the iceberg. Below the surface, our threats come from radical groups that seek to destroy the core values we hold precious. Many of these groups are within our country lobbying our congress-- and others, such as the terrorists of September 11th, simply carry out their plans of destruction from the secrecy of shadows.
Regardless, the threats are real and danger is all around us.
Occasionally, though, we get to see glimpses of God’s sovereignty and power. And it’s not that God is not acting more often, rather we fail to see how he is acting for good, righteous and holy purposes. But what we don’t see of God’s work, the rest of society does see. And it scares them to death. Our God is dangerous to the foundations of man’s strongholds: materialism, hedonism, power, wealth and fame. It is here that God threatens and intrudes into the lives of men and here that they will fight.
I want to paraphrase this morning’s passage in order that we might see ourselves in it and how dangerous our God really is and how we can become dangerous Christians in the process.
Scripture Acts 19:23-41 (loose paraphrase)
AC 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Christians in Kingman. [24] A corporate CEO named Demetrius, who made cars, clothes and cola to the God they called Image, brought in no little business for the owners. [25] He called them together, along with the workmen in related trade unions, and said: "Men, you know we receive a good income from these businesses. [26] And you see and hear how the members of Canyon Community Church have convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Kingman and in practically the whole of Arizona. They say that man-made gods are no gods at all. [27] There is danger not only that our corporations will lose their good names, but also that the stronghold of the great god we call Image will be discredited, and the god himself, who is worshipped throughout Arizona and the United States, will be robbed of his divine majesty."
AC 19:28 When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: "Great is the god called Image of Kingman!" [29] Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized many members of the church, and rushed as one man into the city council. [30] Several leaders of the church wanted to appear before the crowd, but the congregation would not let them. [31] Even some of the other church clergy of Arizona, friends of the church, sent them a message begging them not to venture into the city council.
AC 19:32 The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. [33] The ruling religious party pushed one person to the front, and some of the crowd shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. [34] But when they realized he was of similar religious background to the Christians of Canyon Community Church, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: "Great is the god called Image of the Kingman people!"
AC 19:35 The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: "Men of Kingman, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Kingman is the guardian of the stronghold of the great god called Image and of his presence, which fell from corporate America? [36] Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to be quiet and not do anything rash. [37] You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our god. [38] If, then, Demetrius and his fellow CEO’s have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are judges. They can press charges. [39] If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in the courts. [40] As it is, we are in danger of being charged with being politically incorrect because of today’s events. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it." [41] After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.
Definition: Danger
Exposure or vulnerability to harm or evil; risk; peril. However the root of the word can mean one who is the master of the household. Words like domain domestic, and dominion all are rooted here. So to be in “danger” is to have one’s name or home, or sovereignty in jeopardy.
That’s exactly what is happening in today’s passage. God’s challenges the foundations of our strongholds: our wealth, status and image-- our gods. As Christians, we should be about the same kind of work-- challenging societal norms and mores, exposing the lies of media and commerce, and holding accoutable those who refuse to uphold the basic values of decency. In short, we need to be dangerous Christians!
I. A Dangerous Christian Starts on a Firm Foundation.
a. “What is the firm foundation for the dangerous Christian?
1. Doctrine: Sin, judgement, grace, and deity of Christ.
Scripture: Col 1:13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, [14] in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Quote: The question is not whether a doctrine is beautiful, but whether it is true. When we wish to go to a place, we do not ask whether the road leads through a pretty country, but whether it is the right road. Augustus and Julius Hare.
Ills: The Two Frogs in the Cream (Sermon Central)
THE TWO FROGS IN THE CREAM. I love the story of the two frogs that fell in the ten gallon milk bucket. They swam for hours. The one frog said, "What is the use?" and he gave up and drowned. The other frog said, I cannot afford to give up. So the frog kicked and kicked until the cream turned into butter and then he jumped out of the can. If the two frogs would have kicked together, the cream would have become butter quicker? Just because some around you see the negative, you cannot afford to quit!
...
II. A Dangerous Christian Stands on a Firm Foundation.
a. What is the firm foundation a dangerous Christian stands on?
1. Faith: Assurance, trust, to depend.
Scripture: HEB 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. [2] This is what the ancients were commended for. HEB 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
Quote: It is a poor faith, that needs fair weather for standing firm. That alone is true faith, that stands the foulest weather. Ghandi.
Ills: Mother Teresa (Sermon Central)
Senator Mark Hatfield writes of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the “House of Dying.” It was a home where sick children are cared for in their last days and where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Hatfield was watching Mother Teresa and her companions care for those who had been left by others to die and he remembers being so overwhelmed by the magnitude of the suffering they faced everyday. Hatfield approached Mother Teresa and said, “How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?” And Mother Teresa responded, “Senator, I’m not called to be successful. I’m simply called to be faithful.”
III. A Dangerous Christian is Steadfast on a Firm Foundation.
a. O.K. I know that a dangerous Christian starts on a firm foundation, that he or she stands on a firm foundation, but how does a dangerous Christian remain steadfast on a firm foundation?
1. He or she works at it!
Scripture:
EPH 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. [11] Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. [12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. [13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. [14] Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, [15] and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. [16] In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. [18] And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Ills: Lincoln (Sermon Central)
When he was seven years old,
his family was forced out of their home on a legal
technicality, and he had to work to help support
them.
At age nine, his mother died.
At 22, he lost his job as a store clerk.
He wanted to go to law school, but his education
wasn’t good enough.
At 23, he went into debt to become a partner in a
small store.
At 26, his business partner died,
leaving him a huge debt that took years to repay.
At 28, after courting a girl for four years,
he asked her to marry him.
She said no.
At 37, on his third try he was elected to Congress,
but two years later, he failed to be reelected.
At 41, his four-year-old son died.
At 45, he ran for the Senate and lost.
At 47, he failed as the vice-presidential candidate.
At 49, he ran for the Senate again, and lost.
At 51, he was elected president of the United
States.
His name was Abraham Lincoln, a man many consider
the greatest leader the country ever had.
Some people get all the breaks? -- Unknown --
Closing:
A dangerous Christian starts, stands and remains steadfast in the firm foundations of God. Are you a contender?
