Acts 13:26-41 - "The 'Atomic Bomb' of Christianity"

Introduction

At 8:15 am on August 6, 1945, the Enola Gay, a U.S. B-29 bomber, dropped the atomic bomb dubbed ‘Little Boy’ over the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion immediately killed an estimated 80,000 people. Three days later, on August 9, another B-29 dropped the atomic bomb dubbed ‘Fat Man’ on the Japanese city of Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people. Months and years afterwards, the lingering radiation continued to claim the lives of many who had been subjected to it.

Now, unless you have been living under a rock, you have heard of these two events.

The effects of those two explosions are still felt today, long after their initial impact. The revelation of these newfound weapons of mass destruction completely changed the political landscape of the world. Tensions between the U.S. and Soviet Russia developed into what is now known as the ‘Cold War,’ with both countries developing and stockpiling an incredible amount of nuclear armaments.

Even today, the threat of nuclear war looms. Countries across the globe have developed similar weapons, even more powerful than the original. And this chain reaction, a reaction that would alter the course history, all started on a quiet August morning with an explosion that rocked the world.

Now, you might be asking yourself why a pastor would start an Easter service by mentioning some of the most notable and horrific effects of World War II. Should not this day, of all the days the Church gather together, be a day of celebration, not a day of mourning and sadness? Indeed, I would say you are right! I mention these events, sad though they may be, to draw your attention to the fact that a single event, a single inflection point, was enough to set in motion actions far unseen. For it was on this day, 2,000 years ago, when Jesus Christ, the Son of God, rose from the dead; and in doing so He conquered death and the power of sin. It is on this day when the ‘atomic bomb of Christianity’ detonated, and humanity could never be the same.

It was not His birth. It was not the miracles and supernatural wonders He performed. It was not the sinless life of perfection He lived, nor even His brutal death on the cross that altered the course of human history. By themselves these events, though perhaps spectacular, are meaningless. By themselves, these events merely point to a good Man who lived an incredible life and died a horrible death. No, all these events led towards the climactic moment, the inflection point, the supernatural ‘explosion’ which is Christ Jesus’ resurrection!

This supernatural explosion permanently changed the future of humanity. It sent ripples flowing throughout space and time. It was an explosion whose effects did not merely affect a singular city, nor even a state or a nation. No, this explosion’s effects have reverberated around the world. And today, as clearly as they were felt that Sunday morning, the empty tomb testifies more powerfully than ever that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He died so that all men might be free. That by His blood and flawless sacrifice, my sins, your sins, have been paid in full. That my relationship and your relationship have been made right with God if only we will accept His freely given gift of eternal life, which is Christ Jesus His Son.

This morning, I invite you to open up your Bibles to the book of Acts, chapter 13, where we will begin to unpack the life-changing effects that this event has.

The ‘Atomic Bomb’ of Christianity ...

Changes those who believe its message

Has been sent to you

Perfectly fulfilled Scripture

Drives you to an inflection point

I. Changes Those Who Believe Its Message

A. Who is this man Paul?

The Book of Acts is otherwise known as the ‘Acts of the Apostles’

It can perhaps best be summed up by Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 NASB95

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

In the first seven chapters we are introduced to many notable events including: Pentecost, the beginning of the Apostles’ ministry, the choosing of the seven, and the trial and death of Stephen, the first martyr for the Christian faith.

Acts chapter 7 is the first time we are introduced to ‘a young man named Saul’

Acts 7:58 NASB95

58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their robes at the feet of a young man named Saul.

Saul, a young Pharisee, not only oversaw the stoning of Stephen, but actively sought out any belonging to ‘the Way (Acts 9:2).’ Saul is a devout Jew. He believes his actions are justified because he is doing them for the glory of God.

In Acts chapter 9 though, we see Saul converted in a powerful way.

Acts 9:3–6 NASB95

3 As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but get up and enter the city, and it will be told you what you must do.”

Saul is given a new name, Paul, is welcomed among Christians, becomes and apostle chosen by the will of God, and begins an incredible ministry on behalf of the One he was persecuting. In fact, God told Ananias, that Paul would suffer mightily for the Lord’s name

Acts 9:15–16 NASB95

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”

It is this same man who now stands preaching before the very people he once persecuted severely, testifying on behalf of the Savior whom he once despised.

II. Has Been Sent to You (v. 26)

A. ‘Those among you who fear God’

Paul’s message, while directed at Jews, is for anyone who fears God.

Fear (Gk. phobeo) means to fear or to be afraid of, or to reverence, to treat with reverential obedience.

It is my belief that both definitions apply in this instance. The message of salvation has been sent to those who believe in God and seek to follow Him, and to those who despise and fear God and want nothing to do with Him.

III. Perfectly Fulfilled Scripture (vv. 27-37)

A. Messianic Prophecies in the Old Testament

1. Judas will betray Jesus

Prophecy:

Psalm 41:9 NASB95

9 Even my close friend in whom I trusted, Who ate my bread, Has lifted up his heel against me.

Fulfillment:

Mark 14:10 NASB95

10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them.

2. The payment for Judas’ betrayal

Prophecy:

Zechariah 11:12 NASB95

12 I said to them, “If it is good in your sight, give me my wages; but if not, never mind!” So they weighed out thirty shekels of silver as my wages.

Fulfillment:

Matthew 26:14–16 NASB95

14 Then one of the twelve, named Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 and said, “What are you willing to give me to betray Him to you?” And they weighed out thirty pieces of silver to him. 16 From then on he began looking for a good opportunity to betray Jesus.

3. They will mock the Messiah

Prophecy:

Psalm 22:7–8 NASB95

7 All who see me sneer at me; They separate with the lip, they wag the head, saying, 8 “Commit yourself to the Lord; let Him deliver him; Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”

Fulfillment:

Matthew 27:41–44 NASB95

41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking Him and saying, 42 “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. He is the King of Israel; let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe in Him. 43 “He trusts in God; let God rescue Him now, if He delights in Him; for He said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 The robbers who had been crucified with Him were also insulting Him with the same words.

4. Jesus would thirst on the cross

Prophecy:

Psalm 22:15 NASB95

15 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, And my tongue cleaves to my jaws; And You lay me in the dust of death.

Fulfillment:

Matthew 27:48 NASB95

48 Immediately one of them ran, and taking a sponge, he filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and gave Him a drink.

5. The method of Christ’s death

Prophecy:

Isaiah 53:3–5 NASB95

3 He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

Fulfillment:

Mark 15:24 NASB95

24 And they crucified Him, and divided up His garments among themselves, casting lots for them to decide what each man should take.

This prophecy was given 700 years before Jesus was crucified, before the method of crucifixion had even been invented.

B. ‘When the had carried out everything that was written concerning Him ...’

1. Jesus would rise again

Prophecy:

Psalm 16:10 NASB95

10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

Fulfillment:

Luke 24:6–8 NASB95

6 “He is not here, but He has risen. Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” 8 And they remembered His words,

2. The entirety of the Christian faith hinges on the simple truth of Christ’s resurrection

1 Corinthians 15:13–19 NASB95

13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; 14 and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. 15 Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised; 17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.

IV. Drives You to an Inflection Point (vv. 38-41)

A. If you are sitting here today, you are at an inflection point.

An inflection point simply means a change of direction.

B. God is not only doing a work, He has done a work.