All Things to All People (Acts 16:11-34)

Men’s Warehouse

tailor-made

All Things to All People (Acts 16:11-34)

it is a lot like salvation

while everyone needs Jesus for salvation,

we all come to him on our own journey

salvation is a 1 size fits all—repent and believe

BUT not everyone has the same journey

raised in church / never in church

know Bible / no clue

pretty good/ really bad

raised in church / ran from truth / came back

YET all come to salvation through Jesus (John 14:6)

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

since not everyone has the same journey, then we cannot approach all people the same

Are you all things to all people for the salvation of the lost?

salvation is at stake; eternal destinies

who is the last person you told how to be saved?

not just spiritual conversation, but repent and believe

who will be the next?

I can’t but He can (EMPOWERED)

sermon — time of equipping

it will take different approaches with the same gospel

we will see this beautifully displayed through Paul and Silas in Philippi

background (15:1-16:13)

Paul wants to revisit church plants with Barnabas (15:36)

big rift between Paul and Barnabas over John Mark (15:37-39)

Paul chose Silas and they headed out to strengthen the churches (15:41)

2nd Missionary Journey (map)

Paul picked up Timothy in Lystra (16:1-3)

strengthening trip soon became missionary trip by God’s guidance

forbidden by the HS to speak the word in Asia (16:6)

the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them (16:7)

vision of Macedonian man: Come over to Macedonia and help us (16:9)

concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them (16:10)

16:11-12

2nd Missionary Journey (map)

God led Paul and Silas with Timothy (and Luke—“we”) to Philippi

why did Luke include the 3 encounters and not more or less?

not only 3 encountered

but clearly show God breaks down dividing barriers

and can unite people of very different kinds through Jesus

Lydia

16:13-15

sharing the gospel with someone open to Jesus

who in your life is like Lydia?

God-fearer that is may come to church or open to things of God

Kaitlyn

pleasant to be around

tall, curly hair

great volleyball player

not hostile to the gospel (“good person”)

but lost in her sin (even though not heinous)

car wreck made her consider her eternity

asked her, “Are you all in?”

Blaine

been in church for long time

could not give clear time of conversion

drizzly, steamy day in white Ford truck

Blaine clearly placed his faith in Jesus

who around you is sensitive to the things of the Lord?

maybe goes to church or is favorable about the gospel?

but has not been transformed by the gospel?

don’t assume church goers are born again

w/o credible conversion & credible fruit

Lydias are very likely to be in a church service

if you are open to Jesus, respond to the gospel

Mandy over phone

being around God’s people doesn’t make you one

have you placed your faith in Jesus?

can you tell me the circumstances?

are you trusting in your goodness?

OR are you trusting in Christ’s perfection?

not everyone is like Lydia

Slave girl

16:16-18

polar opposite of Lydia

sharing the gospel with someone opposed to Jesus

who do you know that could be like the slave girl? far from God?

Cameron at JCB

Who is Jesus to you?

Believes in God but not literal Bible

Bible is full of good morals but stories are not literal

Jesus is not real person but teachings are good

Afterlife is likely

Heaven may get full

Reincarnation is likely

Not sure of hell

Science and reason seem to be basis of beliefs

Andy

more of a God guy

God likes bananas and 2% milk

John 14:6

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

sharing the gospel with an atheist

Jimmy at Memorial

cannot start w/Bible

must start with a reference point

IF there is a God, He must be perfect

poke holes in theology

worm food?

share eternal consequences

hell

who do you know that needs a jarring approach?

if you are opposed to Jesus, consider the gospel

read Mark or John before dismissing

if the Bible is right, you have more to lose than you are willing to risk

exorcism of spirit also was exorcism of income for slave owners

key: not everyone likes the goodness of the Lord

16:19-24

this world does not play fair

never is real reason revealed (gold mine gone)

These men are Jews…They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice. (16:21)

no longer culturally acceptable to be Christian

Christians are surprised when people hate us

but we shouldn’t be

Jesus was hated and warned us too

stand where the Bible stands on current events

and you stand on the “wrong” side of history

but there is more going on in this account

prison is God’s plan

evil cannot prevail over God’s plans

church thrives under persecution

Christian, do you believe that?

are you ready to point to Jesus when persecuted?

introduce you to…

Philippian jailer

16:25-34

likely Paul would not cross paths with the Philippian jailer if not for providence of God

dealing with prisoners likely resulted in a ruthless attitude

Paul and Silas

bound AND full of joy

open wounds, pain, aching bones and muscles

and praying and singing hymns to God

not groans but songs

not cursing men but blessing God

no wonder other prisoners were listening to them

doubt praying for release

because didn’t run when offered

miraculous earthquake

jailer’s predicament (suicide vs. government punishment)

doesn’t get rebellious

but humble (16:30-31)

bound by the gospel

then bound by the HS when the chains no longer bound

1 Corinthians 9:19 “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”

miracle of earthquake not meant to deliver Paul and Silas

but to deliver the Philippian jailer

Philippian jailer is divinely changed

this is God’s way of doing things

Philippian jailer receives salvation at hands of his prisoners

he is washed from his sins and washes his prisoners’ wounds

he invites 2 prisoners into his house and feeds them is simply amazing

sharing the gospel with someone in a crisis

notice when Dr. Luke records the encounter between the Philippian jailer and Paul and Silas

after (not before) the crisis

not during booking (emptying pockets)

but after earthquake

who in your life is going through a crisis?

Kevin Watts

shared gospel many times

no urgency

then wife threatened divorce

pray for lost, wait for their world to fall apart, be ready with the gospel

some may be hardened…until a crisis

be the one they will call at 2 a.m.

walk with them through the crisis

but mainly point them to Jesus

who has the Lord put in your path that is going through a crisis?

you know Jesus is the only real hope

if you are in a crisis, run to Jesus

God is getting your attention

don’t waste your crisis

Are you all things to all people for the salvation of the lost?

how might Jesus be using you to build His Church?

I can’t but He can

who needs you to be their witness?

how might you need to tailor your gospel witness to them?

Lydia—open to Jesus

slave girl—opposed to Jesus

Philippian jailer—in a crisis

Are you the one who needs to respond to Jesus?

membership class