The Power of the Gospel
Notes
Transcript
interns:
remind us who you are and parents are… (I will mention Jess - Jud and Lori Myers)
remind us future plans - (Jess - junior at Moody Bible in Chicago - non profit organizational management)
how can we pray for you?
Chris Hawbaker - 1st service; Lloyd Sarasin 2nd service
Please turn in your Bibles to Acts 16…Acts 16, beginning at verse 11.
If you have been watching the Olympics…you have noticed just how powerful these athletes are.
Two of the events I have watched the most are...
gymnastics and swimming.
I am not a great swimmer…I can swim…but as these swimmers line up…did you notice how they are built—big muscles here in their shoulders and latissimus dorsi… (I am speaking in tongues)
or in watching gymnastics..I watched some of the finals of the men’s team—I loved watching the nerdy guy who specialized in the pommel horse…the strength it takes to do the pommel horse…or watching the women’s team and people like Simone Biles do the vault or floor routine—she generates so much power on the floor routine that they showed her going 11.9 ft in the air—crazy stuff! that’s comparable to Lebron James who is 6ft 8 - going 14.9 ft in the air!
It’s pretty impressive...
As I was thinking about the Olympics and my text today—I was thinking about the subject of power.
When we compare ourselves to Olympic athletes, most of us don’t consider ourselves nearly as powerful physically…do we?
and as we think about life in general…most of us probably don’t feel powerful overall...
physical or chronic conditions
circumstances
suffering
or we think we are pretty ordinary…that we don’t have a lot of influence
However, the passage we are going to look at today—reminds us that part of the Good news of Jesus Christ, the Gospel—is one of power…power to change others…and power to changes ourselves through the Holy Spirit.
Look at Acts 16:11…Paul is on his 2nd missionary journey with Silas—just received a vision to go to Macedonia—probably not sure which city but starts moving...
Acts 16:11–15 (NIV)
11 From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis.
12 From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.
(Map)
13 On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.
14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
15 When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Look at the Power of the Gospel here...
You have Lydia—a successful business woman...
On the Jewish Sabbath day, Paul, like his normal strategy was…was to look for religious Jews who gathered…and since there was no Jewish synagogue here in this Roman colony of Philippi—they go to the river, and find a group of women praying.
Lydia is religious…Lydia is successful—from Asia—modern day Turkey—purple cloth was rare and expensive…and as Paul spoke…look what verse 14 says...
Acts 16:14 (NIV)
14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
so point #1—The Power of the Gospel:
The Gospel has the power…opens people’s hearts to believe. (vs. 14) (now you could substitute God—yes—but it is in preaching this Gospel—that God works, the Holy Spirit works, and people’s lives can be changed.) yet but it is through the teaching, preaching, explaining the Good news of Jesus Christ.
look at Acts 16:14
Acts 16:14 (NIV)
14 One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.
Paul spoke, He preached the Gospel message…and God did the work...
just so we are on the same page—when we look at Paul’s preaching of the Gospel…He included as part of his message…the idea that: (usually at least 4 points)
there is a God who made us and loves us, and we are responsible to...
that God stands in judgment against us—not because He hates but He hates sin—He hates how we have rebelled against Him
so we deserve it, and all of creation has been affected by sin.
but the good news—is that God sent his Son—His only Son—Jesus Christ as a Savior—on a rescue mission
His life was perfect--
He died the death willingly on the cross in our place—taking the wrath of God for sin...
and He rose from the dead, proving that sin, death, and the devil is defeated..that the kingdom of God is here
and our response: if we admit our sin and trust in Jesus alone to save us—we will be forgiven…we will be made new—we will join in what God is doing to eventually make all things new.
and as Paul spoke—God moved. One writer says it like this: “Although the message was Paul’s, the saving initiative was God’s. Paul’s preaching was not effect in itself; the Lord worked through it. and the Lord’s work was not in itself direct, he chose to work through Paul’s preaching.”
If you are a believer, you may not feel powerful…but did you realize when you share this good news, this Gospel, the Holy Spirit does the same thing today that he did then? True, some will resist it. but some will accept it. It may not happen in one conversation of course—it may take time—but don’t forget the power of the Gospel—that God loves to save.
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
if you are a believer—don’t forget the power Gospel you have...
and if you are a non-believer, we are glad you are here.
if you are a non-believer, and we think about Lydia, you maybe can relate.
maybe you are seeking like she was…she was religious, she was praying…but it wasn’t enough to save her. She needed Jesus. Our good works don’t save us—Jesus’ do. religion - doesn’t save us—only Jesus…and there is power in admitting that we need a Savior—it feels like weakness but there is power (think of those with addiction—real change comes when they come to grips with the reality of their situation—)
or maybe you are very successful, have lots of money, a successful leader. As great as those things are…they can never save us. We can’t take money or stuff with us…and if Money or possessions is our ultimate goal…I would argue that that is a harsh master—you can never have enough money or success to truly satisfy.
In an interview with Vogue magazine years ago, Madonna said the following, (talking about her career and success and money) “My drive in life comes from a fear of being mediocre. That is always pushing me. I push past one spell of it and discover myself as a special human being, but then I feel I am still mediocre and uninteresting unless I do something else. Because even though I have become somebody, I still have to prove that I am somebody. My struggle has never ended and I guess it never will.” whatever you think about her—you got to admire her authenticty.
career and money is not our ultimate treasure—only Jesus Christ is. you can be free from the drive to have money or career define you—b/c Jesus is your identity not those. and when you are free—they no longer dominate you…you can make money to the glory of God—and use it for good kingdom purposes.
it changed Lydia’s life—it can change yours too.
Let’s keep reading…same city...
16 Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling.
17 She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.”
18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
2. The Power of the Gospel....defeats demonic forces, the kingdom of darkness. (Acts 16:16-18)
So the Bible had told us about Lydia—now we learn of a girl who is being oppressed, really human trafficking by 2 forces...
the slave owners...
and some type of demonic spirit that enabled her to predict the future...
and Paul interestingly—doesn’t say anything at first. Maybe he had to discern first if it was a demonic spirit.
and interestingly—the demon is speaking some truth—we see that when Jesus encountered demons—demons always knew His identity when others did not.
but despite her true statement—others in that culture—might confuse it—b/c in a culture of many gods—she may have simply been saying that Paul’s god is the highest of the pantheon of gods.
so Paul casts out the demon
18 She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her.
The Gospel brings freedom from demonic forces.
The Bible is clear that we have an enemy:
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
and there is a kingdom of darkness with demons who are bent on destroying us and dishonoring Jesus.
His main tactic is deceit, deception—lying...
and yet in this passage—we see that the demonic spirit is no match for Jesus Christ.
Paul simply commands the demon to come out of her and she does.
We don’t know what happens to her next—but most scholars assume that she became a follower of Jesus and part of that first church in Philippi.
and that same power that Paul possessed—really it was Christ in Him—is what we walk in today.
If we are Christians, we have tremendous power over the enemy b/c of Jesus…we need not fear the enemy. We are forgiven by the blood of Jesus.
He cannot condemn us or accuse us—we are God’s beloved children. (he can’t bring up that stuff in our past…)
and his temptation can’t deceive us—because we have a greater pleasure in Jesus than sin.
and if we face demonic influence—we simply stand and speak in the same authority that Jesus had.
If you are a believer—do you remember this? do you stand in this? you may feel powerless but you have great power over the kingdom of darkness—all because of Jesus—it’s not even you—it’s Christ in you.
if you are a non-believer—I have had enough conversations to know that you, too, feel the devil’s attacks. You can have freedom from that through Jesus who defeated all powers and authorities (more on that later)
1 John 4:4 (NIV)
4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them (evil spirits—the spirit of the antichrist), because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
Let’s keep going vs. 19
Acts 16:19–34 (NIV)
19 When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities.
20 They brought them before the magistrates and said, “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar
21 by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” (weren’t allowed to follow a religion that Rome did not support—or start a riot)
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods.
23 After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. (explain flogging?)
24 When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
27 The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.
28 But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!”
29 The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house.
33 At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.
34 The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole household.
pretty amazing..we see at least 2 more ways the Gospel is powerful...
3. The Power of the Gospel....changes (or converts) entire households. (Acts 16:29-34)
think of the Philippians jailer...
he works for Rome…it is a demanding job..his life depended on no prisoners escaping…and yet…he and his entire household come to faith in Christ.
He asks one of the greatest questions that can be asked:
30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
and Paul responds with one of the greatest statements:
31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
now, what would cause him to ask that question...
maybe he had a religious background...
but I think it was the testimony from Paul and Silas....
and this takes me to #4...
—(from political fear—to truly living for the king)
4. The Power of the Gospel....changes our perspective on suffering.
We learn that Paul and Silas are arrested...
they are accused of … basically being Jewish in background (so some racism) and following a religion that has not been officially approved by the Roman Empire (that was a problem)—disturbing the peace.
so they are arrested, beaten with rods…and flogged.
most flogging—we know from Jesus’ crucifixion..was not just leather straps—but pieces of sharp objects—like bone—so that, not to be too graphic—the whip would literally rip off skin..and involved 39 lashes, b/c 40 could kill a man.
they are placed in the jail in the stocks—can’t move. (possibly even widening their legs, so they would get cramps, be extremely uncomfortable)
25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
what is it that changes an entire household?
well—it is the power of the Gospel
the message that Paul and Silas preached..
and the effect it had on their lives....they are singing in their suffering...
and everyone is taking notice...
Paul will write a letter to Philippi later—the letter to the Philippians comes out of this chapter.
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.
13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.
14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
In thinking about the jailer’s question—what must I do to be saved...
Kevin DeYoung - what prompted the jailer to ask that question:
he had exposure to the basic contours of Christianity - he apparently had heard some of it—from maybe Paul...
don’t under-estimate how your life and example points beyond you — to Jesus. People are watching you...
they didn’t even run when the jail fell apart
Paul had integrity—people are watching your integrity...
he/the jailer had a moment of crisis
as we walk with people to follow Christ—it often takes a moment of crisis for them to really be open to listening about Jesus.
the biggest thing that influenced the jailer…how P and S handled suffering...
Paul and Silas are singing—people take notice when you suffer for Christ—and not that you have to ignore it or grin and bear it—but you testify for Christ—that is powerful...
when you are mocked for following Christ, and yet still love Him dearly—the world takes notice...
when you face any suffering or hard time for Christ—and still trust Him—the world notices...when you face cancer and testify to Christ—the world takes notice...
when you face death as a believer—not that you say “bring it on...” but when you know your time is short—can you die well to the glory of God…that is a huge testimony to a watching world...
P and S treasured Jesus Christ and His Gospel more than anything else
21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
when that is a reality...
and entire households can come to Christ...
the jailer went from fearing Rome and for his life—to giving up his life for Jesus Christ—to washing the wounds.
we don’t get the idea that he quit his job—but he had a new purpose and a new mission.
Let’s finish the story:
35 When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: “Release those men.”
36 The jailer told Paul, “The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to the officers: “They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out.”
38 The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed.
39 They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city.
40 After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.
Paul often does not demand his rights…but here he stands on his Roman citizen rights…why?
b/c many believe that he is seeking legal protection, legal precedent for Christians. He is willing to suffer—yes—but he wants to protect his brothers and sisters in Christ. He wants the Roman Empire to approve of their religion.
why he didn’t speak up earlier—is hard to say—maybe it wouldn’t have helped. but here…this man who is so passionate about the Gospel—wants to have the best environment and culture for the Gospel to flourish and thrive.
In a moment we are going to take communion...
if you are new here—communion is open to anyone who is a believer in Jesus—He is your Savior and Lord and Treasure.
You don’t have to be a regular attender or member.
raise your hand if you need elements.
We are going to celebrate this powerful Gospel.
and if you are not a believer, perhaps you are seeking, we ask that you do not partake but just watch what is going on.
Paul says this:
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
The Gospel is powerful to save...
We see this here in...
Lydia,
the slave girl
the jailer...
all 3 are very different...
Lydia is religious, the slave girl is oppressed by a demon, the jailer would have probably worshipped multiple Roman gods...
they are different economically..
Lydia—white collar, businesswoman very successful
slave girl - trafficked, oppressed
jailer—blue collar, middle class
different backgrounds—and both genders
The Gospel affects all.
I want you to take a moment and think of the freedoms the Gospel brings here..
it redefines true success—in Jesus not wealth or money
from spiritual powers—freedom fear of Satan to walking with Jesus as His child.
from political powers like Rome—to living for Jesus for the jailer
from moping in suffering to joy in the midst of it - the Gospel redefines suffering.
Take a moment and think about what you need freedom from—what are you living for—is it Jesus or something else?
If it’s not Jesus—confess it. Real power comes from weakness,,admitting our sin and need before God.
Take a moment and acknowledge just how powerful Jesus and the Gospel is...
(take a moment)
(take a moment and pray for someone who needs the power of the Gospel)
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread,
24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
God gave us a tangible reminder of his love for us...
that He is to be our greatest treasurer...
that He loves us so much no matter what...
even death cannot separate us from the love of Christ
Final Plug...
Some things coming up like the pool party (this Friday) and the canoe trip (this Sunday). Please RSVP - sign up if you plan to come.
last...
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.