The Expectations And Responses To The Gospel Series

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.”