Presuppositions Matter

Introduction

Please open in your Bible’s to Acts 28:1-10 page 937. The title of today’s sermon is Presuppositions Matter. That is a big word. I need someone who is really smart to help me explain that would.

Presuppositions are our background beliefs, building blocks of our thinking.

[Acts 28:1-10]

Presuppositions Impact How We Interpret Facts v. 1-6

EX: In Acts 27 Paul and his traveling companions of 276 men were lost at sea due to a large storm. Paul is a prisoner being taken to Rome in order to appeal his case. The storm has blown them off course from Phoenix, but by God’s grace they are somehow still on track to make it to Rome as they land on the island called Malta (show map). Meet the native people who are unusually kind. Paul is a good guest and helps with fire wood. Biten by a snake

Brumation- Under 60 degrees F, snake stops eating, slows its metabolism and becomes inactive. Easy to pick up among logs. When its the fire it wakes up and bites.

Natives think Paul is a murderer who has escaped the sea, but that the god Justice is now using the snake. They watch and wait for him to swell up or drop dead. But neither happens. So logically they assume the Paul is a god. Their false presuppositions cause them to double down.

Modern people might think these natives are ignorant, but instead they are working from false presuppositions. Believe the universe is govenered by gods who act through nature to punish murderers. Modern people also operate from presuppositions, background beliefs that are false. When confronted what do we often do, double down.

ILL: Presuppositions are not lightly held beliefs. They functional gods. Idols that rule that we assume rule the world we live in. Perhaps they are not named Aphrodite (the goddess of love and lust), Ares (god of war, violence, or bloodlust) or Narcissus (the god who loved himself). But our world worships lust, violence or aggression, and self. And for all the vices I didn’t mention you can be certain the Greeks and Romans had a pantheon of gods to suit the desires of men and women.

Our functional gods, our building blocks for truth, our presuppositions impact the way we look at the facts. And they impact the way the people you interact on a daily basis. Everyone is a worshiper, everyone holds to a set of presuppositions and everyone is beholden to the conclusions their presuppositions lead them to.

FCF: So what do we do? Acts 14:15 ““Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.”

APP: in two ways. personally and evangelism. 2 Corinthians 4:4 “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” and 2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

And as you continue to announce good news we also have the privilege to live in the light of good news.

Presuppositions Impact How We Behave v. 7-10

EX: Hosted by Publius for 3 days. And his father was sick with fever and dysentery (Malta Fever) visits and prays (while laying hands) and he is healed. Then others come who are sick to be healed and they are cured too.

Paul works off of a clear system most of the time. Here he is shipwrecked and nothing is going according to plan. And guess what, Paul is still Paul. He is a servant and an ambassador for Christ. His background belief, his prevailing presupposition, the building blocks of his life are put on display, and that is the reality that Paul is a follower of Jesus.

ILL: Luke 4:38–40 “And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them. Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.” Parent of a host, pray for healing, and others come

APP: We believe in Jesus, we act like Jesus. Background belief is that Jesus is Lord, then it shows. Three presuppositional beliefs 1) God cares. If Paul did not believe that God would care about this man, then why even waste time praying for him. Why even go visit him. But Paul went because knew God cares. 2) God hears. Paul prayed because he believed that God would hear his prayer. 3) God is powerful. He prayed to God believing could do something and God did do something. This man was healed.

What do you believe about God? Here is the truth, your behavior reveals what you believe about the savior. If you believe he is gracious, you confess your sin. If you believe he cares you pour out your sorrows to him. If you believe he hears you, then you talk to him. If you believe he is powerful, then you implore him to move on your behalf. If you believe he is faithful then you remain steadfast.

And the opposite is also true. If you hide your sin, you don’t really believe he is gracious. If you bottle up your sorrows, you don’t really believe he cares. If you choose to not pray, can you really say you believe he hears you? If you fear asking him for help, it is maybe because you doubt his power and might?

Conclusion

What are your presuppositions about God, yourself, and others? What are the background beliefs the dictate you understanding of the world and your behavior in it? Psalm 111:10, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! The fear of the Lord is to fear him above all else. Not afraid of the dark kind of fear. But a reverent awe of God and who He is. The acknowledgement that He knows all and holds all things together. That He is the author of all that is true. When we fear God we willingly lay aside our own understanding. We turn from vain things and to the living God. We acknowledge our fault presuppositions. To Fear God is to make his Word and our faith in Him our prevailing presupposition, our bedrock background belief, our most primary building block for truth is the character of God as revealed in God’s word. If we do that if we fear him we will be wise and practice wisdom and gain understanding and bring praise to him that endures forever.

MMD: 1)He cares for you. Because while you were still a sinner he died for you. 2)He hears you because he sympathizes with your weakness because he lived a perfect life in your stead, tempted in every way yet without sin. And 3) he is powerful, because he rose from the dead. His gospel is to be our background belief that impacts our understanding of the world and behavior in it.