The Church Determines That Unity Is The Way! Series

To the Ends of the Earth, Part 22

The Church Determines that Unity is the Way!

Acts 15:1-22

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 time saw a very encouraging message to the church for 2024:

-- We must be devoted to making disciples & to gathering together for strength

-- It is the difference between being the church and acting like a social club

- Today, I’d like us to prayerfully gain some clarity on a key subject

-- Today being Father’s Day, I can think of no more important topic for us

-- The underlining msg is about the greatest thing our Heavenly Dad did for us

-- It is a picture of clarity for us – that prayerfully will encourage us this morning

- Read Acts 15:1-22 / Pray

- TR: As the church begins to grow, we see a key discussion forming …

Point 1 – The Church debates the “requirements” of Salvation

-- In short, they arrive at two thought provoking questions about salvation:

1. Is a ritual required to be saved? (vv1-3)

• The dissenters to the Gospel were a powerful force in the Judean churches

o They were teachers, leaders, & those well versed in scripture

o Some of the first believers, considered to be the most discerning

• The dissent is: Unless you are circumcised … you cannot be saved!

o EX: Your eternal fate matters on whether or not you are one of us!

o IMP: They were not saying to be saved you had to be circumcised

o What they’re saying: the obedience of circumcision is required

o Essentially: God’s grace PLUS this is what makes you “good enough” to receive Christ’s offering of forgiveness

- Jesus said in John 5:24, “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” See the difference?

• The church in Antioch decided to seek guidance from the Jerusalem church

o Believed that clarification by the Apostles would carry great weight

o Consider: These men walked with Jesus -- they would know!

o For the church, this will be an incredibly impactful illumination

• A great group of people went with Paul and Barnabas to Jerusalem

o They were accompanied as a sign of honor / trust

o The church’s desire was to support them in seeking the truth!

2. Do you have to accept the whole Law before you can be saved? (vv4-5)

• See this: They were all welcomed by the church in Jerusalem

o GR: paradechomai; to receive, or to accept/acknowledge

o Indicates a formal acceptance; they were welcomed into fellowship

- Paul’s summary is simple: He proclaimed all the things that God has done

-- GR: anaggelló; to bring back word, announce Think: summarized his trip

-- APP: The saving of men was not something Paul had done, but God given

• Even with the descension of others, their testimony was based on one thing:

o Look at what God has done! (KEY)

o He is the One who deserves the glory & praise

- Would later write: Ephesians 2:8-9, “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

- See this: There is a great collision between faith and ritual in the 1st church

• This may bring lots of deep questions to mind … consider:

o Can we earn the favor of God? Or do we receive favor from God?

o Does man receive glory because he does good things?

o This is what the church is about to decide (still relevant today)

- TR: Let’s talk about this council meeting …

Point 2 – The Jerusalem Council

- Acts unpacks for us one of the greatest meetings to ever take place

-- Apostles, Disciples, Elders, reg people, of all walks of life, would be invited

-- WHY: Paul’s ministry, and it’s results, has been called into question!

-- BIG: Paul is challenged by the “way we’ve always done it this way crowd”

- Need us to see: this translates directly into church business today

-- At no time, was this decided in secret and declared for all to just do it