Acts 16:16-34
PROPOSITION: A Christian will take specific steps toward the translation of their commitment into action.
OBJECTIVE: To identify these steps in the individual believer.
This past Thursday was the day recognized on the Christian church calendar as Ascension Day. From the earliest days of the Christian church, 40 days following the Resurrection of the Lord was the day of His ascension into heaven. Next Sunday, 50 days since Resurrection Day, is Pentecost; the fulfilling of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church and demonstrated in the individual lives of the believers.
The scripture reading today tells of events within 5-10 years after Pentecost. Paul and Silas are on a Missionary journey in Philippi. Here they are beaten within a breath of their physical lives. And here is a very telling series of incidents that cause the believer to give good question to the ‘so what’ factor of their Christian life.
There is in today’s reading magic, exorcism, beating and imprisonment. There are the characters of a frenzied mob, a mad woman, and a worried gaoler. However, I believe this episode in the life of Paul and Silas contains another story for us as we approach Pentecost. I believe there is a message in the scripture this morning that calls into question the sincerity of the believer. The messages of the past month focused on a question of ‘so what?’ as in so what are you doing with the empty tomb. I bring this morning the final ‘so what’ message as it relates to ‘so what are you doing in you commitment to action?’
Throughout the post-resurrection time, I preached on your obedience to God rather than men. I preached on the long-suffering patience of God. I preached on the opportunity for miracles in the lives of the believer. Jeff preached on Peter and Cornealius, asking the question “so who here at CRBC is Peter?”
Next week is Pentecost. For our Christian journey, this is the end of the Easter season and the beginning of Christian growth and development. So today, I ask again, “So what?” So what action have you taken in your life with the empty tomb and the now ascended Jesus?
Listen as I read today’s expanded scripture. I will read of three people. It appears as if these people have nothing in common. The first is Lydia, 16:13-15.
Lydia, a Greek drawn to the Jewish community, was a successful businesswoman. As we read the life and ministry of the Great Apostle, we realize that there have always been important roles and positions for women in the Christian church. Lydia certainly sets that example. We are confident in our belief that she was very influential in the formation and ministry of the first Christian church in Philippi.
The second is an unnamed woman, 16-18. Most likely, she was mentally ill. We know for certain that she was a slave of some unscrupulous men. During Paul’s stay in Philippi, she was a nuisance to him until his patience finally ran thin.
In annoyance, he turned to the woman and rebuked the evil spirit. Immediately the girl was healed. Also immediately, the men for whom she earned money were angry. They cared not one whit about her well being – spiritual or physical. They were only concerned that their money-maker was gone. Of this woman, we hear no more. However, we can safely assume that she became an active member in the Christian church at Philippi and probably worked closely with the gentlewoman, Lydia.
The third person is a Roman gaoler, 27-34. Neither Jew nor Greek, he is a worried and frightened man. Following the ‘trial’ of the missionaries, the authorities threatened the gaoler with his life should he lose the prisoners. That evening, during the prayers and songs sung from deep in the dungeons, the ground shook and the jail doors opened. For the gaoler, this was a ‘come to Jesus meeting’ of the highest caliber. This man faced death.
The missionaries led the Roman gaoler and his family to a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus. I am sure the testimony of the former slave girl had strong influence in this spiritual event. We don’t know any more about him. However, I feel safe in my belief that he was active in the Christian church at Philippi or at his home of record, Rome.
Three people; three unique experiences. Yet the spiritual experience of these three are not at all different from the spiritual experience of believers in the 21st century Christian church.
We are all sinners. Some are highly educated, some not. Some are prominent citizens in the community, some are not. Some are sojourners passing through, some have been home for a long time. Even so, all are sinners. All have come short of the glory of God.
And when a sinner says that he believes in Jesus, he means that he believes what Jesus says and is willing to trust his eternal salvation to Jesus. I submit to you that having made that initial commitment, the believer should take specific steps toward the translation of their commitment in action. In other words, when you talk the talk, you gotta walk the walk. Believers are not saved to do nothing.
The first thing a person who would be saved would do is join a Christian church. While I absolutely believe it is by grace you are saved, I also absolutely believe that it is the quality of a person’s life which provides the ultimate indication of what he actually believes. Rev 22:12 tells us that when the Lord returns “My reward is with Me to render to every man according to what he has done.”
Christianity is a world-wide movement. Christianity is a growth experience. It follows that if you are not a part of the movement of the church, you are not experiencing Christian growth. If you simply sit on the sidelines, you atrophy into spiritual worthlessness.
So I ask you, do you believe Jesus saved you from your sin? What is the quality of your life? Are you growing in Jesus? Are you an active participant in the movement of Christianity?
We read of Lydia being a Christian influence in Philippi. We hear the testimony of the slave girl. We see a gaoler no longer living in fear.
So what about you? I pray that today you will believe on Jesus and trust in Him for your salvation. I also pray that you will be an active participant in the Christian movement and a member of the Christian church.
Second, a person who would be saved must learn the fundamental principles under which is the Christian belief and behavior. I say this with fewer and shorter words, Sunday School, VBS, church sponsored, I underscore church sponsored, Bible Study. If you are doing nothing, if you are not active in learning and living the fundamental principles of the Christian belief and behavior through the ministry of a grounded-in-Christ Christian church, then that is exactly what you can expect for your return on investment.
Lydia did not start the church and forget it. Although a very small church, it supported Paul and his missionary journeys through their financial stewardship. This was a church of hospitality, v40. The church believed and trusted Jesus; the church learned the fundamental principles; the church lived the Christian belief and behavior.
I have heard it said, “I don’t like the way the teacher teaches, so I don’t go to Sunday School.” I say to you, that is pretty lame excuse. I have heard some say that they don’t like the material used in Sunday School. In every Christian church I have ever associated, the foundation for all teaching is the Bible. Get used to it because on my watch, it ain’t gonna change. I have heard said “I have no place to serve.” And to you I say, you never asked to serve. I cannot read minds. If you are not doing something, it is simply because you choose to do nothing. There is a lot to be done – youth evangelism, young married evangelism, visitation, and the list goes on.
A believer who trusts the Lord Jesus will join the Christian church. A believer who trusts the Lord Jesus will commit to learning the principles which under lie Christian belief and behavior. And a believer who trusts the Lord Jesus will develop and train in the discipline of spiritual exercise.
This is too simple.
Consider this for the physical and spiritual: If all you consume is Whoppers, then you will grow physically and spiritually in accordance with the nutritional value of a Whopper w/cheese.
Finally, one who would be saved must take part in some specifically Christian activity. This ties together the previous three.
There is no such thing as an individual Christian. No man is an island. There is no such thing as a Christian not doing some specifically Christian activity. The Bible tells us that everyone has at least one gift of the Lord to be used for the edification of the Church and the glory of God. You who claim to believe in the Lord Jesus have a gift – or the bible lies. I believe that the Bible does not lie; therefore, I believe you have a gift.
That talent you have is absolutely vital in the Christian evangelistic world-wide movement. If you don’t use your gift, then that job must be done by someone else, or it simply does not get done. If you claim to be a believer; if you claim to trust in Jesus, if you claim to be a Christian and do not have a discipline of some specifically Christian activity, then you are wrong.
If you claim to be a believer, but repent only on Sunday morning and live like hell the remaining 6 ½ days of the week, you are wrong.
If you think you can be a Christian at your convenience and on your terms, you are wrong.
If you think you will develop and spiritually grow as a Christian, yet not be an active member of the Christian church, not study Christian beliefs and practices, not take care of your spiritual self – you are wrong.
So what are you doing with your commitment to the empty tomb?
Repent. Repent and believe, and you will be saved.
Join and be active in a Christian church.
Study and develop your gift for His glory.
Discipline yourself to a specifically Christian activity.
So did Lydia. So did the woman. So did the gaoler. So may you.
