GIST: Seek opportunities to share the gospel, be prepared for two responses, and remember: there is only one way to end well.
SCRIPTURE: Acts 28:24-31
After about a year and a half and 67 sermons, we are coming to the end of our second complete book study since I’ve been blessed to be your pastor. (If you were with me in youth, it’s more like number 8 ☺️.) That’s exciting to me!
This morning, we’re picking up where we left off last week. In fact, technically, this is a continuation of that sermon. What was meant to be our final message ended up being too long for one sitting, so we’re finishing that up today. Paul has finally made it to Rome. He’s under house arrest and has a series of guards chained to him. Last week, we pointed out that this provided him with a ready-made opportunity for witnessing to these guards. However, he wasn’t limited by only those opportunities, but also sought others. Not only did he pen at least four New Testament letters during this time, but he also went out of his way to talk to people. When he first arrived, he specifically called for the local Jewish community to come and talk to him. He had common ground with these people and desperately wanted to share Jesus with them. They came, and they listened. Today, we’re going to pick up with their responses. Here’s our final gist: Seek opportunities to share the gospel, be prepared for two responses, and remember: there is only one way to end well.
I. BE PREPARED FOR TWO RESPONSES
I want to be straight and to the point here (especially given the length of that first point…which took an entire service ☺️). Look at the responses of the Jews as recorded in the next four verses.
“24 And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. 25 And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: "The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: 26 "'Go to this people, and say, "You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive." 27 For this people's heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.' 28 Therefore let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen."”
Here’s the bottom line: some will believe, and some will reject. Let me just make these observations. First, we’re told some are→
Convinced, But Do They Believe? It is actually possible to be convinced intellectually without actually coming to saving belief. I don’t know for sure, but it seems at least some are in this boat because they all left still arguing amongst themselves. Belief cannot be just an intellectual exercise. Praise the Lord if you know that God’s Word is true and that Jesus really did come to die for you, but if you aren’t making a personal connection between that knowledge and your need, then you’re missing out. Jesus didn’t come so that you’d give Him intellectual assent. He came to save you, to rescue you, and to be your personal Lord. You’ve heard this before, but please let this sink in. Christianity is all about a real and intimate relationship. If that is not your experience, do not take for granted that your head-knowledge is enough to save you. Our next study together, which we’ll tip-toe into tonight, will be in the book of James. One of the more convicting verses in that book is this: “19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” (James 2:19). Just acknowledging that this is probably true isn’t enough. I know this sounds harsh, but I never want to mislead any of you. Your eternal salvation is too important for that. So, we need to realize there will be some who just give intellectual assent but do not experience salvation, and we need to be aware, there will be some who will straight up→
Reject Jesus’ Salvation. When Paul quotes Isaiah, that’s what he’s hammering home. There will be some who don’t listen and don’t see because if they did, they’d be saved. They are choosing to reject Him because they do not want His rescue. If you have heard the truth and have not accepted Jesus as your savior, it is because you’re choosing not to. His offer is a free gift. Does it cost you everything? Oh, absolutely. But does it take you from bondage and bring you life? 100%! Unfortunately, many prefer their bondage, which is why we must be bold proclaimers of the hope we all need… even if everyone acts like they’re ok. Expect rejection, but don’t be ok with it. Time is too short for us to sulk because people aren’t coming to Jesus in the timeframe we wanted. They need Him. You know Him. Live like the one who has hope and be persistent in trying to show that to the world. And remember→
Some Will Listen & Be Healed. I know technically this looks like three responses here ☺️, but the first two are really two subcategories of disbelief. This response is significantly different. Paul told these individuals who were walking away from the truth that the Gentiles would listen. He just said, ‘you’re rejecting this because you don’t want to be saved, but there are people who will accept this free, life-changing gift!’ Do we forget this sometimes? Do we forget that Jesus is moving in lives still today? Oh, I pray we don’t. If you’re afraid to share the gospel because you don’t want to be rejected, remember: 1) It’s not you they’re rejecting, and 2) Jesus is working in someone’s heart right now, and you could be part of that story! See, we have to→
II. REMEMBER: THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO END WELL
Many people have looked at these last two verses as An Unusual Ending. “29 30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.” It can almost seem anti-climatic. What happens to Paul? From church history and some of the descriptions he gives in his final letters, it seems like he was possibly released after two years temporarily. Then, he went on one more missionary journey before being arrested once more, taken to Rome again, and beheaded. But we don’t get any of that here. Why? This book isn’t about Paul. It’s about what Jesus is doing through His people, and that story isn’t over yet! In that context, remember→
Your hindrance might be serving God’s greater purpose! From one angle, this looks like a dead-end ending for Paul. He’s stuck in Rome and limited in his movements. However, last week we addressed how these “limitations” opened doors he would not have otherwise had. Books of the Bible were written here, and Roman soldiers became his captive audience. You might not be where you want to be right now, but never forget God has you here for a very specific purpose. Cling to Him and watch what He does! So→
How will your story end? What do we see Paul doing in these final verses? He welcomed others which means he was actively reaching out to people. When he did this, he proclaimed salvation and taught about Jesus. Do you see his priorities here? He’s making a conscious effort to share Jesus with whoever he can. In doing so, he was bold & unhindered. Both of these are gifts from God. The Holy Spirit filled him with boldness and because he was doing what God has called each of us to do, he saw opportunities to do it!
What about you?
TAKEAWAYS
1. Will you make sharing Jesus your life’s priority? And in doing so→
2. Are you prepared for both possible responses? That means, do you expect some people to reject Jesus and some to actually be saved? That might sound silly, but I think most of us just expect the rejection part. Why do I say that? Because if we truly believed there was even a chance someone, anyone, would experience the life-saving rescue of Jesus when we spoke to them, would we be afraid to share the gospel? And here’s the last question from our Acts study together→
3. What response will you make? How will your story end? There is only one way to end well and that is by giving Jesus control of your life. Where are you today? Are you rejecting His rescue because you’d rather be in control of your own sinking ship? Or, are you willing to give lip-service to the truth of Jesus’ claims as long as it doesn’t have to actually change anything in your life? Or, and I pray everyone sees their need here, will you come to Him knowing you’re a sinner who needs rescued, knowing that He came and died and rose again for you, seeking His forgiveness, and receiving His salvation? Remember when Paul and Silas were in prison and the earthquake broke open the cells, but they didn’t leave because they needed to share the gospel with the jailer? He came them and asked, “30....Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (Acts 16:30b-31) There is hope in Jesus. Will you come to Him today?
No comments:
Post a Comment