Are You An Offensive or Defensive Christian? (PM Lesson Outline)
GIST: Our focus should be on who we stand for rather than what we stand against.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 19:35-41
The passage we’re discussing this evening is really a speech by a man who did not believe in Jesus. He doesn’t seem to have been changed by the gospel at all. However, he’s the one who steps in and calms this crowd that is trying to destroy the Christians in this community. He butters them up by telling them what they want to hear about their false goddess Artemis, but I want to draw your attention to what he says in defense of these early believers that we should glean something from tonight.
“35 And when the town clerk had quieted the crowd, he said, "Men of Ephesus, who is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple keeper of the great Artemis, and of the sacred stone that fell from the sky? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rash. 37 For you have brought these men here who are neither sacrilegious nor blasphemers of our goddess. 38 If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 39 But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the regular assembly. 40 For we really are in danger of being charged with rioting today, since there is no cause that we can give to justify this commotion." 41 And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.”
I don’t want to keep you long this evening, but this is a point I wanted so desperately to be able to make this morning, but it just wouldn’t fit ☺️. The clerk stands up and calms the people down by telling them in essence, “You’re good to think what you think, but these people have no case against these men because they’re not trash talking our beliefs.” What’s in that? Paul and the Christians here had the right perspective. They knew these false beliefs were sinful and destructive. However, rather than going around denouncing Artemis, they focused all their energy on promoting Jesus! Here’s my quick gist for this evening, and I encourage you to talk through these thoughts: Our focus should be on who we stand for rather than what we stand against.
I. The World Needs Jesus
This is the central need of every human who has ever and will ever be born. If this is true, then why would we want our lives to be about anything else?
II. We Don’t Need To Live In Defense Mode
It is easy to see ourselves as fighting the good fight by constantly trying to disprove and out-argue. But here’s the fine line. We need to always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in us. That means we should love Jesus enough to have a hunger for His Word and a longing to be able to wrestle through hard questions, SO we can be a good witness for Him. That last part is key. Our mission in life is offensive. We are to go and make disciples, which means we’re telling people about Jesus, not just telling people why they shouldn’t be doing all the terrible things they’re doing.
What does that mean for us? Should Christians not take part in protests...etc? That is a matter of personal conviction for each of us. However, this has to be our guiding principle in everything we do. Our actions and our words need to show people how much we love Jesus and want them to know His love. We need to be more known for WHO we stand for than what we stand against because, without the truth of Jesus, it will never make any sense to the world why we’re standing against what they see as completely acceptable.
Now, let me clarify this in case I’m misunderstood. Should we confront false beliefs? Should we call sin sin? Of course! But there is a significant difference between loving people enough to tell people about the One who died so they could be set free and yelling in anger at people doing things we find distasteful.
III. God Doesn’t Need You To Prove He’s Real
He is God whether or not people believe Him. Stand firm on that truth and the truth of the Gospel. Don’t feel personally offended when people reject Him. They are running from HOPE. Keep loving. Keep sharing. Be faithful— not bitter. People might still get upset. You’ll probably still be accused of bigotry. However, it is better to be falsely accused because people are reacting in anger to the truth you’re proclaiming in love, than for you to react in anger because your emotions have become bigger than His truth!
TAKEAWAYS
1. Are you known for your convictions about your savior Jesus or for you complaints about people’s behaviors?
2. Are you trying to fight against disbelief and sin, or pointing people to the One who can transform them?
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