Compelled by the Cause of Christ
Notes
Transcript
Handout
What cause is worth living for?
There are all sorts of causes in our world that give people purpose in life.
Family relationships, Environmental causes,
Political causes: candidate or party, agenda, or issue.
Education, teaching students.
Causes can be compelling but what cause is worth dying for but more importantly, what cause is worth living for?
Paul and Barnabas knew there cause, they knew there mission.
In Acts chapter 13, when they started their mission, they faced difficulties, struggles, conflict, other people bailing on them. But many people came to know Christ.
Paul and Barnabas knew that it was the Holy Spirit who set them apart for this mission, it was the Holy Spirit who opened doors, gave the words to speak, gave them the strength to fight those battles, strengthened them to persevere, to be faithful to God’s calling, and to make this mission fruitful.
In Chapter 14 as they moved from Antioch to Iconium the tribulations increased for Paul and Barnabas.
Paul and Barnabas never gave up because they were compelled by the cause of Christ. Even when resistance was inevitable giving up was never an option.
After leaving Antioch, Chapter 14 begins in Iconium.
Acts 14:1–7 (ESV)
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
PRAY
When we are compelled by the cause of Christ, Not everyone will approve.
When we are compelled by the cause of Christ, Not everyone will approve.
If we are looking for approval we will be greatly disappointed. It’s impossible to have everyone approve what we do no matter how wonderful we think our cause may be.
We will experience rejection when sharing the gospel. The disciples were not to blame if the gospel was rejected, as long as they had faithfully presented it.
After being in Antioch, Paul and Barnabas had to moved on.
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
This movement was no fluke… more and more Jews and Greeks were coming to faith in Christ.
They spoke in such a way…
Be aware of your audience and speak the Gospel message well. This cause is too important to make it confusing. When presenting the Gospel, make sure it is clear and articulate. Know God’s Word well and what you believe.
Allow the Holy Spirit to give us the words to say in the right moment.
Great numbers of Jews and Greeks believed. But… when good things happen there is always a but…
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
Even though many people were presented with the gospel and many people had received the Gospel, the unbelieving Jews stirred up confusion and poisoned their minds against Paul and Barnabas.
So Paul and Barnabas responded not by defending themselves but protecting this young church against these false prophets, these unbelieving Jews.
They responded by spending a long time teaching and discipling them. As they did that, the Lord blessed them by confirming HIS Word with signs and wonders.
But as division took hold and caused conflict within the community. As things began to escalate to such a point that they were trying to stone Paul and Barnabas, they decided to move on for their own safety. They went to Lystra.
Acts 14:7 “7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.”
Regardless of threats, even though their safety was compromised, they never stopped preaching the gospel.
They never gave up on the cause of Christ because Jesus never given up on them. The power of the resurrection infused them with mighty strength and authority.
Paul and Barnabas were consumed by the cause of Christ. That’s why they kept going, kept preaching, kept teaching, kept answering questions, kept protecting those who were vulnerable and weak in their faith.
When we are compelled by the cause of Christ, not everyone will approve of our message.
Our job is not to be liked by everyone but to be obedient just like Jesus was obedient to HIS Father. As followers of Christ, we are called to do all things in love whether people like it or not. Love God, and Love People.
So Paul and Barnabas left Iconium and went to Lystra
As we are compelled by the Cause of Christ, Not everyone will understand.
As we are compelled by the Cause of Christ, Not everyone will understand.
In order to understand something, context is important.
knowing how to run an ice cream machine at McDonalds is different then running a nuclear power plant.
We must have the knowledge and experience in both contexts.
As Paul and Barnabas were in Lystra they quickly realized that they did not have a Jewish context. Normally they start off by going to the synagogue and preach to the Jews but this time, they went to the Gentiles first. They went to the people of the city.
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.
So right away there was a man who was crippled from birth. This man never walked before in his life and Paul seeing him and took notice that this man had faith to be healed. Paul told him to stand up and so the man jumped to his feet and began to walk.
This got the crowds attention but this was not the attention that Paul and Barnabas were seeking.
11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
The people did not understand what had just taken place. They could only interpret it through their own lens.
According to Greek and Roman mythology, Zeus and Hermes were two gods. People from Lystra claimed that these gods had once visited their city and, according to the legend, no one offered them hospitality except an old couple. So Zeus and Hermes killed the rest of the people and rewarded the old couple.
That’s the reason why the crowd called Barnabas Zeus appeared to be the leader and Paul Hermes because he was the chief spokesperson.
So Paul and Barnabas responded as the crowd quickly became a mob.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 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.
Crowds can be very controlling, crowds can manipulate especially if they are in your favor.
The Apostles could have received the glory but they feared God enough to know that if they received the glory from man then God would not get the glory, the only one who deserves the glory.
like HE judged King Herod… Like he judged Ananias and Sapphira
Paul and Barnabas were trying to stop them from offering sacrifices. They showed them their humanity by tearing their garments.
They refused to take the glory for this miraculous healing so they turned this around as an opportunity to share the Gospel.
Paul continues…
16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
They pointed the mob to the God of All creation, who created everything; all the things that we enjoy in life, God created it all and sustained everything for our benefit.
God never leaves HIMSELF without a witness. When you doubt God, look around and you will see abundant evidence that HE not only exists but HE is also at work in our world.
Paul could hardly restrain the crowds.
God did a wonderful work in one man but the crowd did not understand.
They had no context about God or Jesus, they only knew Greek mythology so they responded in fear. The didn’t want to be wiped out like before because of their lack of response.
People will often respond to God based on their past experiences. They will see God in a way that is twisted and warped.
Trauma from people’s past, deeply held pagan beliefs requires a deep work that can only happen through time and consistent healthy relationships with Jesus and fellow followers of Jesus.
Even when people don’t understand, don’t give up. Be compelled by the cause of Christ because Jesus Christ can change anyone.
When we are compelled by the cause of Christ, it will cost us everything.
When we are compelled by the cause of Christ, it will cost us everything.
Just as the crowd was beginning to be subdued the unbelieving Jews followed Paul and Barnabas to Lystra and formed a mob.
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Mobs can be persuaded to do just about anything. This group of people who did not understand anything about God. They were willing to accept anything, even killing the same two people they thought were Zeus and Hermes.
“When people stop believing in God, they do not believe in nothing. They believe in anything.” G. K. Chesterton
We must always be firmly grounded in our faith in Christ and compelled by the cause of Christ.
When we are compelled by the cause of Christ, not everyone will accept our cause.
We must be willing to hold on to what we have with an open hand.
Nothing is guaranteed, tomorrow, our money, our family, our friends, our very life… nothing here on earth is guaranteed.
Paul and Barnabas were willing to die for the cause of Christ. Here, we see that Paul was stoned to death. He was dead.
20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
Could you imagine how this built the faith of the disciples. Praying for Paul and watching him resurrect from the dead. Paul faced death but death did not scare Paul.
So often people are scared of death.
I get it, death is final, we can do nothing and enjoy nothing here on earth after death.
But… as believers we should never fear anything including death.
Paul never feared death because this wasn’t the only time he faced death.
Philippians 1:18–21 (ESV)
Yes, and I will rejoice, 19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
As long as Paul had breath in his lungs he was preaching the gospel, sharing the good news, causing more and more people to become disciples and followers of Jesus.
Paul was so compelled by the cause of Christ that after his resurrection encounter, he didn’t take a break, he didn’t abort or adjust his mission. It says “the next day” he kept on mission going back to those difficult places that sought to kill him.
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
Paul went back to the new believers in Lystra, the place where he was stoned to death. To Iconium, the place where they almost stoned him to death. To Antioch where he encountered much resistance.
Paul went back because these young churches needed to be developed, discipled and strengthened. It was wonderful that so many people got saved but getting saved is just the beginning. Growth requires strong committed leaders who are compelled by the cause of Christ to reach there communities.
As believers, we will have to face many tribulations if we are going to enter the Kingdom of God.
Paul and Barnabas encouraged these new believers not to give up even when tribulations and trials come.
23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
These young church plants needed to be grounded in prayer and fasting.
They don’t just need a pep talk every once in a while, they need pastors and leaders within the church who will walk with the people when life is tough, when going through loss and persecution.
Even though Paul was stoned to death, the mission was not over. God’s church was too important to neglect because of our fear and doubt. Be compelled by the cause of Christ even if it cost us everything.
Paul wrote this…
20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Declaring that I have been crucified with Christ means that I no longer live but Christ lives in me.
We must die every day so that Christ, the cause of Christ can become alive within us.
Church, the job is not done yet, don’t give up no matter how you feel.
Don’t let feelings lead you, we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us so that we are compelled by the cause of Christ. As long as we have breath in our lungs, Jesus still has a cause that is worth giving up everything for.
Take Away
Is the cause greater than your comfort, your pain threshold, or your future plans.
Jesus still has a cause that is worth giving up everything for but we have to be willing to give it all up for Jesus.
Is Jesus the cause that compels you?