PONDERING... What Are You Expecting This Year? (Acts 23:11-35)

What Are You Expecting This Year? (AM Sermon Notes)

GIST: Life will be broken, but Jesus will be faithful.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 23:11-35

Happy New Year! As we enter into 2020 together, we’re going to begin by spending the next few weeks wrapping up our study of the book of Acts. We took the month of December off to look at Isaiah 9:6, so I want to quickly recap what’s led up to the passage we’re coming to this morning. Paul has finally made it to Jerusalem, and, just like the Holy Spirit told him, there’s been trouble. After a mob broke out and tried to kill him for supposedly breaking Jewish laws (which he had not), the Roman officials had to step in and carry him away because the crowd was so violent. However, most people, including the officials carrying him away, didn’t even know what Paul was supposed to have done. They were just joining in on the chaos. In fact, when Paul spoke to the Roman guard in Greek, the guard was shocked because he was under the impression Paul was an Egyptian who was leading some thousands of assassins out in the desert! In the midst of this confusion, Paul asked to speak to the crowd and was allowed to do so...which is incredible in and of itself. Instead of defending himself to this hostile crowd, however, he tells them all Jesus has done in his life. Why? He’s less concerned with his well being than their salvations. 

This goes ok until he mentions his mission to share the gospel with the Gentiles...then they try to rip him apart. The Roman officials then step in to rescue him...by calling for him to be examined by flogging. That’s when Paul tells them he’s a Roman citizen which stops the beating and gives him an avenue to go exactly where God had been sending him—Rome. Before that happens though, he’s put on another trial before the Sanhedrin. This trial is a sham, and he calls them on that. In fact, before it’s over they end up fighting amongst themselves. It gets so violent that the Roman tribune has to step in and carry him away to prevent him from being torn to pieces! That night Jesus appears to him and says this, which is where we left off last month and where we’ll pick up this morning:

“11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."”

I want to always be transparent with you guys, so I’m going to admit this from the beginning here. The truth that is most obvious in our passage this morning—and honestly, this will be the case in some of the remaining passages we have in Acts as well—is 100% a truth we’ve discussed in the past. However, it keeps coming up. Here’s our gist: Life will be broken, but Jesus will be faithful. Bad things will happen in your life, but God always has a plan that is better than we realize. Why does this truth keep coming up? Well, have we learned it yet? ☺️ Think about it this way. When life takes a nose dive or throws you a massive curve, how do you react? Is your first reaction peace knowing Jesus isn’t surprised but is, in fact, still working; or is your reaction some combination of panic and anger? We need these reminders constantly because life tries desperately to make us forget. 

I promised brevity last week… and lied, so I’ll make no such claim today. However, we do have only 2 points to walk through ☺️. Let’s do that. First→ 

I. EXPECT LIFE TO BE BROKEN

Let’s get some context for this. Not only has Paul not been having a great couple days, but if it could have gotten worse...it did. Look at verses 12-15. 

“12 When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, "We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near."”

Having a bad day? Have forty+ guys taken an oath to starve themselves to death or kill you lately? Probably not ☺️. This is serious. Note a couple things about this plot. First, this is being done by the “religious people”. Sin doesn’t only come in back-alley packages. It’s a devastating disease that affects every aspect of our society. Where there are people, there will be pride. We cannot for a moment assume that growing up in church or attending every Sunday, or so, somehow exempts us from the effects of sin. It doesn’t. We have to guard our hearts and take up our crosses daily. 

Secondly, this was a big-deal commitment. These kinds of oaths were expected to be followed through. There was gravity connected to an oath like this, so there is serious dedication to their diabolical plan here. That’s how badly they want to kill Paul. However, as we’ll see in a moment, they don’t succeed in their plot. When I noticed that a few months back, my first question was...so, did forty guys from Jerusalem die of starvation that year cursing the name of Paul? We have no idea, but since it wasn’t recorded, and Dr. Luke undoubtedly would have had something to say about it had he known, it seems more likely that these plotters also became oath-breakers. Their deceit just continued to build...as deceit always does.

Ok, so I have three quick observations I want to make here. First→ 

Your Life Will Have Hardships. Junk will happen. We live in a world broken by sin. Brokenness will result. Sickness, loss, frustration, fear, betrayal, confusion, exhaustion, neglect, need. These will come. Now, don’t get me wrong, by no means am I saying that that’s all you have to look forward to in 2020! We’re coming to that back soon enough. However, don’t go into this blind. No “resolution” will ever prevent the natural downfalls of living in this sin-plagued world. Be prepared for that. Yet, more than this, the passage is pointing to the truth that→ 

Persecution Is The Natural Result Of Following Jesus For Real. And that “for real” part is key. Just taking the name of Jesus and claiming to be a Christian is not enough. We’re called to love Him with everything. If you do, the natural result will be persecution. He goes against the grain and so will you. Man, it is so much easier not to toe the line. It is easy to just give in and affirm everybody and every popular notion regardless of how sinful. And, honestly, Christians do this all the time. We don’t want to ruffle feathers or seem “behind the times”, so we compromise to put forth a better face to our friends and colleagues. We don’t admit that we’re being spineless. We give it more positive terms like being accepting or seeker-sensitive. However, it is never loving to smile while people march to Hell, and true devotion to Christ will never allow it. We have to keep our priorities straight, and our priority has to be Jesus and making Him known.

Look at Mark 8:36-38. “36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."” Please let that sink in.

I know this could definitely sound pessimistic. It’s not though. I’m a realistic optimist! I know what this world has to offer, and it’s not good. HOWEVER, I also→ 

II. EXPECT JESUS TO BE FAITHFUL

See, this passage doesn’t end with the plot to kill Paul. It ends with how Jesus used that plot to take Paul to a place where he’d continue to be a witness and pen many of the books of the New Testament. Your life stinking sometimes isn’t even half of your story either! There is so much good happening. Don’t miss it. Let’s just walk through the rest of this chapter (I know it is a bit lengthy), and then hit a few observations. 

“16 Now the son of Paul's sister heard of their ambush, so he went and entered the barracks and told Paul.” This is Paul’s nephew. We know nothing more about him, though plenty of speculation exists. What is incredible to notice is that regardless of who exactly he was or precisely how old...etc., he was exactly the right young man at exactly the right time to get this accomplished. And he just happened to know about the plot, right? I don’t think so ☺️. 

It keeps going. “17 Paul called one of the centurions and said, "Take this young man to the tribune, for he has something to tell him." 18 So he took him and brought him to the tribune and said, "Paul the prisoner called me and asked me to bring this young man to you, as he has something to say to you." 19 The tribune took him by the hand, and going aside asked him privately, "What is it that you have to tell me?" 20 And he said, "The Jews have agreed to ask you to bring Paul down to the council tomorrow, as though they were going to inquire somewhat more closely about him. 21 But do not be persuaded by them, for more than forty of their men are lying in ambush for him, who have bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they have killed him. And now they are ready, waiting for your consent." 22 So the tribune dismissed the young man, charging him, "Tell no one that you have informed me of these things."” I have read so much speculation about these verses and why the boy was able to be so bold with the tribune and tell him what he needed to do, and why the tribune actually listened! And it is crazy. How many factors had to come into play for this to work? Exactly the right ones! How? God is sovereign! I feel like one of those infomercials. “But wait! There’s more!”☺️. Look at how this tribune then makes sure Paul gets to the next city safely.

“23 Then he called two of the centurions and said, "Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.” An armored guard of 270 soldiers? I think he probably made it! ☺️ “24 Also provide mounts for Paul to ride and bring him safely to Felix the governor." 25 And he wrote a letter to this effect: 26 "Claudius Lysias, to his Excellency the governor Felix, greetings. 27 This man was seized by the Jews and was about to be killed by them when I came upon them with the soldiers and rescued him, having learned that he was a Roman citizen.” He might have left out some key details here about being in the act of having him beaten before learning all this, but anyway...  “28 And desiring to know the charge for which they were accusing him, I brought him down to their council. 29 I found that he was being accused about questions of their law, but charged with nothing deserving death or imprisonment. 30 And when it was disclosed to me that there would be a plot against the man, I sent him to you at once, ordering his accusers also to state before you what they have against him." 31 So the soldiers, according to their instructions, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 And on the next day they returned to the barracks, letting the horsemen go on with him. 33 When they had come to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul also before him. 34 On reading the letter, he asked what province he was from. And when he learned that he was from Cilicia, 35 he said, "I will give you a hearing when your accusers arrive." And he commanded him to be guarded in Herod's praetorium.”

This is excellent. Let me make three quick observations here. First→ 

Jesus Is Sovereign. His nephew, the tribune, and even the governor here. Everything worked out just right. This wasn’t good luck. This was God’s plan. Remember a couple weeks ago we talked about Him as the “Mighty God”, the one who always wins. That’s what we see here. Jesus is in control, and He works things out in ways we could never have imagined! Second→ 

Jesus Is Purposeful. Remember verse 11? “11 The following night the Lord stood by him and said, "Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome."” Jesus told Paul he’s going to Rome. Why did all of this happen like it did? To get him there! The things happening in your life are equally purposeful. I know that is hard to see in the moment. Don’t think Paul somehow connected this plot on his life immediately to his being able to better spread the gospel in Rome either. So, whatever your circumstances remember this third point→ 

Jesus Is Faithful. You’re not. This world isn’t. Jesus 100% is. “28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) He has a purpose. He has a plan. It’s for those who follow Him with everything, and it’s very good. 

Let’s hit a few quick→ 

TAKEAWAYS

1. Life will be broken.
2. Jesus is sovereign.
3. He will continue to be purposeful.
4. He will always be faithful.
5. You can trust Him. “5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:5-8) That’s a New Year’s resolution worth having!

PONDERING... Do You Have A Heavenly Perspective? (Acts 16:16-40)

VIDEO PENDING

Do You Have A Heavenly Perspective? (PM Lesson Outline)

GIST: Long to see God honored by a faithful witness, be willing to face slander and danger for His name, praise Him even in the storms of life, care more about Him being known than your own comforts, and look for opportunities to share Him in all circumstances.

SCRIPTURE: Acts 16:16-40 

I actually outlined this portion of the sermon back in May when I didn’t realize we weren’t having evening services the last Sunday we were in Acts before our Summer in the Psalms. So, my original plan was to cover this whole passage in just one fell swoop. However, when studying over the passage this week, I couldn’t shake the need to address both this perspective and the conversions. That’s why we spent this morning talking about how God’s grace was revealed in the lives of these two individuals and how that mirrors our own experiences. Tonight, I want to flip the perspective around and look at the missionaries on this journey, and how they made the most of every situation God placed them in. As we’re all missionaries, we all have the same uniting mission: sharing Jesus wherever we are, there is something for us to take away from this. We’re going to walk through this using a series of six questions. If I had to give you a gist, it would be this lengthy one: Long to see God honored by a faithful witness, be willing to face slander and danger for His name, praise Him even in the storms of life, care more about Him being known than your own comforts, and look for opportunities to share Him in all circumstances.

Let’s pray and dive in. Question→ 

1. Do you want to see God honored by faithful witnesses? (16-18)

“16 As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. 17 She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." 18 And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour. “

Sinful Situation: Remember from this morning, this is a girl possessed by a demonic spirit who the people would have credited to be the good (though false) god Apollo. So this is triumph of the true Son of God over a false one. But, she’s trapped, and that’s serious.

Emotional Outburst? We talked about this this morning, as well. The text says this annoyed Paul, so he spoke. The word there seems to imply being bothered because of being burdened. Paul spoke because her testimony was detracting from the truth and because he was burdened by her miserable condition. Nonetheless, At the center of this had to have been that she was tainting the truth by proclaiming it. Here she was living in sin and speaking about God’s movement. She was literally taking the Lord’s name in vain...because this truth had had zero impact on her life thus far. I also feel like tone probably played some role in this, as well. We don’t know how she’s saying this, but she’s not stopped by her owners, so I feel like it is safe to at least speculate that there was a level of mockery in her voice. If people took her seriously, and given her reputation it would have been reasonable to assume they would of had she given them cause, then she would have been telling them to listen to Paul and Silas instead of her.

They wanted God to have faithful witnesses. Do you? How closely do you guard your life so that it speaks louder than the many who take God’s name in vain?

2. Are you willing to face slander & danger for His name? (19-24)

“19 But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. 20 And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, "These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. 21 They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice." 22 The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. 23 And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. 24 Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

Bogus Blame: They were accused for… being Jewish and disrupting their customs? The entire claim was a lie. I mean, yes, they were Jewish, but that wasn’t illegal. The disruption of their customs, however, was just getting in the way of some people making money off of sin.

Physical Pain: They were beaten with many blows by rods!

Devastating Outlook: They were in the inner prison with their feet in stocks. It didn’t look like they’d be getting out any time soon. How willing would you be to face these circumstances?

3. Do you praise Him in the storms of life? (25-26)

“25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, 26 and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened.”

Praise Before Rescue: Yes, they were rescued in an incredible way. An earthquake shook in such a way as to open the doors...and release their bonds! This is awesome. BUT, they were singing way before this happened. They were singing when their bodies were broken, and they were strapped into stocks that made it nearly impossible to find any relief in sleep. They were singing when it looked like they may never get out of this situation. They kept their eyes on Jesus in the storm just as much as they had before and after! Are you in a storm right now? If not, one is probably coming. How do you react?

4. Is His proclamation more important than your preservation? (27-29)

“27 When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." 29 And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas.”

Grace Instead Of Escape. They could have escaped but stayed. Why? It seems it was because of this man. The jailor hearing about Jesus instead of taking his own life was more important to them than their escape. AMAZING GRACE! This man represented the wounds that were still fresh on their bodies, but they wanted him to experience the salvation of Jesus! Where are your priorities?

5. Are you looking for opportunities to share Him in all circumstances? (30-34)

“30 Then he brought them out and said, "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." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. 34 Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.”

A Life Mission That Doesn’t Take A Day Off ☺️. Honestly, these last two questions are similar to the ones above them. However, I don’t want to miss what’s happening here. Again, they could have escaped but didn’t. Now, they stop the guy from killing himself AND make sure to address his spiritual needs before looking for their immediate physical needs to be amended. Are there situations that make it harder for you to share the gospel. This one hits me between the teeth. If I’m swamped with “things to get done” (which I frequently am), I have a tendency to get tunnel vision. Do you have times like that when your circumstance might rob someone else of their eternal joy?

6. Are you zealous for His reputation? (34-40)

“35 But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, "Let those men go." 36 And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace." 37 But Paul said to them, "They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out." 38 The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. 39 So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. 40 So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.”

Future Outlook. This might seem weird at first glance. Was Paul just being petty here and looking for an apology? No. They had been taken in as criminals because they were witnessing for Jesus. If they were released in secret, then no one would ever know of their innocence and the future witness of Jesus, which the church in Philippi would be undertaking, would be facing that immediate hurtle. What had been done to them was done illegally, so Paul used what he knew would work to ensure that the witness of Christ remained blameless. 

TAKEAWAYS

Yeah, let’s recap here ☺️. 

1. Do you want to see God honored by faithful witnesses? 

2. Are you willing to face slander & danger for His name?

3. Do you praise Him in the storms of life?

4. Is His proclamation more important than your preservation?

5. Are you looking for opportunities to share Him in all circumstances?

6. Are you zealous for His reputation? 

PONDERING... Do Not Love the World? (1 John 2:15-17)

Do Not Love The World?

SCRIPTURE: 1 John 2:15-17

GIST: Christians do not love the world, but they do...

15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16 For all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life--is not from the Father but is from the world.17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Who/what is "the world"?

     The word "world" is used throughout John's writings in many ways. So let's make sure we understand who/what exactly he is (and isn't) talking about here. In the text, we're told not to love the world or the things of the world because:

1- Loving this world is NOT loving God, nor how God loves (vs 15b)

2- All that is in the world and what it wants (the desires of the flesh, eyes, and pride of life) are not from God and are passing away

    2a- Which is directly contrasted with the result of those who do the will of God

     Thus, we can conclude that this has to be the world in the sense of "that which reflects our sin nature". Loving the physical world God created or the people He died for clearly cannot be in direct conflict with loving God or like God (unless you love these more than God...). Nor can we say these are not from Him. Sin, meets all of the above criteria. Plus, and I probably could have just left it at this, John defines what He's talking about. Verse 16 reads: "...all that is in the world--the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life..."

Let me try to create a little visual that may or may not be helpful here.

-Desires of the Flesh- Desires or lusts that spring from wanting to gratify our natural self

-Desires of the Eyes- Desires to have what our eyes see and/or are pleased by 

-Pride in Life/Possession (it means both)- Arrogance/self-confidence or confidence in what we have. Love of self.

Now let's look at the how these 3 break the 10 commandments from Exodus 20:3-17 to further illustrate the point being made.

3  "You shall have no other gods before me.  (Desires of the Flesh/Eyes, and Pride of Life)

4  "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness ...  5  You shall not bow down to them or serve them, ... (Desires of Flesh/Eyes and Pride in Possessions)

7  "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, ... (Pride of Life)

8  "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ... (Desires of Flesh/Eyes, and Pride of Life...Keep us from this)

12  "Honor your father and your mother, ...  (Pride of Life causes strife)

13  "You shall not murder.  (Desires of Flesh/Eyes, Pride of Life)

14  "You shall not commit adultery. (Desires of Flesh/Eyes)  

15  "You shall not steal.  (Desires of Flesh/Eyes, and Pride in Possessions)

16  "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  (Pride of Life)

17  "You shall not covet ... (Desires of Flesh/Eyes and Pride in Possessions)

Why can't we love them/it?

     As we established above, it's not a "who", but a "what". We must hate sin because it is the opposite of God. We can't love both. Therefore, the things in this world that are not honoring to God cannot be a part of our lives. We can't claim to love God, but live like we love the world. 

     Furthermore, we were made to love God. Those who love Him do not pass away; we spend eternity loving as He intended us to, and being loved likewise.

     Now, I think the gut reaction here will be the recoil at the thought of not loving people, but that's not being said here. We should hate sin, not those stuck in sin. Someone will likely think of passages here like Psalm 5:5 that makes it clear that God not only hates sin, but those who commit it. This is true. God is perfectly Holy and cannot tolerate sin, nor those who embody it. That is the beauty of His sacrifice. There was no reason for Him to show love toward us, but He did. Is this a contradiction? No. Look at it this way: Are there people whose entire lives will be defined by sin and will, therefore, willfully earn the wrath of God? Yes. Do we know who these people are? No. 

How should we then live?

Love God. Love People (by pointing them to God). Our whole lives should be about honoring and serving God. Think of how you spend your time, spend your money, and use your talents. Is it for God? Likewise, the most loving thing we can do for the world around us is point them to Jesus.