The Profession of the Church

Introduction

Two years ago, The Pew Research Center released the results of an extensive study called Modeling the Future of Religion in America. The results were quite alarming. Basically, it discovered that if recent trends continue, less than half the U.S. population would be Christian within a few decades. This is alarmingly the trend that is being shown in the rest of the world. U.S. adults that have moved away from Christianity are younger (typically under 30), more likely to be male, college graduates, and are politically more liberal than those that were in that age group even just 10 years ago. Part of this decline is because those who call themselves Christians, are not sharing their faith period.

If we who call ourselves Christians, believe that a relationship with Jesus connects us to God, provides for us a way of abundant life now and eternal life in the future, then why are we not sharing with others the Good News of Christ? In other words, why do we not care about the salvation of others?

Paul risked his life and begin to share in 3 different languages the truth of his salvation.

Acts 22:1–5 NIV84

1 “Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense.” 2 When they heard him speak to them in Aramaic, they became very quiet. Then Paul said: 3 “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. 4 I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, 5 as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished.

The Declaration by Data

The declaration by the data reveals that we have become so selfish as a society, we are not willing to share the love of Jesus with others. There are three questions we need to hear Jesus ask us as His followers.

Who Do You Say I Am?

First, we must answer the question Jesus asked His disciples: Who do you say I am? Matthew 16:15

Matthew 16:15 NIV84

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Do we say He was the greatest teacher of all time or do we say He is the Son of God? The next question is simply this:

What Have You Done?

What have you done with Jesus? Have you made Him Lord of your life or just someone to look up to?

Romans 10:9 NIV84

9 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Have you done that?

Why Have you Done It?

Hopefully, you have done it so that you can have a relationship with the Author and Creator of the universe who loves you and wants to share His goodness with you!

Titus 3:4–7 NIV84

4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

As a result, we, like Paul can offer a declaration by demonstration.

The Declaration By Demonstration

In the midst of his own persecution, Paul shows us a declaration that we should be more than willing to model and exemplify!

Life Before Christ

He shares his life before Christ. We have seen this in the verses we read from Acts 22:1-5. Paul had an encounter with Christ.

Life Meeting Christ

Acts 22:6–11 NIV84

6 “About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ 8 “ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. 9 My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me. 10 “ ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘Get up,’ the Lord said, ‘and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.’ 11 My companions led me by the hand into Damascus, because the brilliance of the light had blinded me.

Life After Christ

Notice what Paul does after his encounter with Christ. Ananias gives him instructions:

Acts 22:14–16 NIV84

14 “Then he said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. 15 You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

The Declaration By Disposition

Paul declares to the Lord that these men know about him.

Acts 22:19–20 NIV84

19 “ ‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these men know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. 20 And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

Evidence

There was evidence that Paul was a persecutor, but now a changed man.

Examination

There was an examination of what Paul had done and the people were not ready to accept him.

Emotion

The emotion is described in

Acts 22:22 NIV84

22 The crowd listened to Paul until he said this. Then they raised their voices and shouted, “Rid the earth of him! He’s not fit to live!”

The Declaration By Documentation

The remaining verses describe for us what the crowd and Roman government desired to do to Paul. However, Paul makes it known that he has certain rights as a Roman citizen. This is a reminder that no only do we have rights we need to be aware of, we also have responsibilities as Christians.

First, we must know who we are.

Knowing Who You Are

As Christians, we are redeemed, forgiven, and the apple of God’s eye.

Psalm 107:1–2 (NIV84)

1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say this—

those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

Deuteronomy 32:10 (NIV84)

10 In a desert land he found him,

in a barren and howling waste.

He shielded him and cared for him;

he guarded him as the apple of his eye,

God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! Romans 5:8

Romans 5:8 NIV84

8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

So therefore, know whose you are!

Knowing Whose You Are

As Christians, we are not our own. 1 Corinthians 6:20

1 Corinthians 6:20 NIV84

20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

Part of honoring God with your body is actively sharing His love with others.

Knowing Where You Are Going

If you are redeemed, loved, forgiven and bought with a price, be assured that you know where you are going. Isn’t right that you would others to go with you?

Here are some principles from Acts 22.

Christians should always be ready to give an answer for their faith. 1 Peter 3:15

1 Peter 3:15 NIV84

15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

2. Baptism is an obedient witness/testimony of that faith.

3. Religious zeal can be misguided and even fatal.

4. Salvation is by grace and not always a dramatic experience.

5. When faced with persecution for the Name of Christ, Christians should utilize all legal means available.

Here are some applications from this passage:

Be ready for the Lord to break into your life anytime.

Be obedient to whatever He tells you.

Be baptized as a symbol of your faith in Christ.

Be calm in the face of danger.

Be faithful in your commitment.

Trust God with your problems and let Him handle them!

God not only saves people through Christ, He also gives them a mission for life and provides the Holy Spirit to lead and guide them in that mission!

What is holding you back?