Mob Mentality Vs. Christ Mentality
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Please turn to Acts 17. Acts 17:1
We are back in the book of Acts after 5 weeks looking at Jesus and Politics.
and currently on Wednesday nights, we are going deeper into various topics—we recently look at Christian nationalism this past Wednesday, and are going to be looking at our identity as exiles this Wednesday (from Scripture) and how that makes a difference.
and today’s passage actually is filled with a political charge against the church.
let me read
1 When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
look at map on screen—Paul just got out of prison in Philippi—and then travels 100 miles to Thessalonica…that’s an ultra marathon.
Thessalonica was the capital of Macedonia.
Let’s keep reading:
Acts 17:2–9 (NIV)
2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (that’s 3 weeks from the OT Scriptures)
3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said.
4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,
7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.
9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.
you may be seated.
I want you to notice one observation to start…and then we will do a comparison…
observation---
We see here one style of responding—the Jews in Thessalonica—while some respond to the Gospel, there is a group that is stirred up.
and gets the city official stirred up.
look at verses 6-7 again—these are very political charges
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,
7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
that verse 7 is a political charge...
in that city, scholars note that the Roman Emperor/Caesar—was viewed as a universal savior whose aid was proclaimed as good news throughout the region.
one writer wrote about Emperor Worship:
Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire Chapter 6: Paul and the Counter-Imperial Gospel
Worshipping the emperor wasn’t just a private act that some people did in their hearts. It was woven into the fabric of civic life. “These new imperial cults,” New Testament scholar Greg Carey points out, “became the ritual bonds that held imperial society together, from the highest level of the province and its constituent cities, where the temples and shrines adorned the city centers and grand festivals were staged, extending into the neighborhood, associational, and even family levels.”
Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire Chapter 6: Paul and the Counter-Imperial Gospel
There’s no way Christians could have dodged all forms of social pressure when they clung to their confession that Jesus, not Caesar, is the ultimate King. Remember, politics and religion were intertwined. Refusing to venerate Caesar wasn’t just a religious decision. It was politically unpatriotic.
Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire Turning the World Upside Down
The Thessalonians were steeped in Roman imperial ideology. Caesar Claudius was the emperor at the time, and he had been declared “the most divine Caesar and truly our savior” (tou theiotatou Kaisaros kai hōs alēthōs sōtēros hēmōn), among other divine epithets that early Christians also used of Christ. Coins minted earlier in Thessalonica show Julius Caesar wearing a crown and bearing the title theos (“god”), with the coins’ other side showing an image of Augustus and the word “Thessalonica.” It’s no wonder Paul’s announcement about “another king” raised quite a stir.
so Paul and Silas’ Gospel message—deeply stirred up the people.
while Paul and Silas and company followed the laws of the land and government authorities, their message was challenging — “Yes we will abide by the laws of the land but not because Caesar is in charge—but because the crucified and risen Jesus is in charge.”
so they are accused of causing trouble—one translation says—turning the world upside down—disrupting the social order through the upside down ways and leadership and politics of Jesus...
so we see one response from the Jews in Thessalonica...
Let’s keep reading—we will see a different response from the Jews in Berea...
10 As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
13 But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up.
14 The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea.
15 Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
The Bereans are much different in their response—did you catch what they do?
look at verse 11 again.
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
I want to contrast the 2 responses we see—between the Thessalonian Jews—persecutors, on the one hand
and then on the other side--Berean Jews on the other hand along with some, a smaller group of Thessalonians that respond. (along with Paul, Silas and Timothy).
We actually see a tale of 2 responses here.
and one I am calling a mob mentality...
and one a Christ-like mentality...
What is a mob response vs. a Christ-like response:
a mob response often impatiently reacts vs. a Christ-like response patiently considers
look at 17:2-3 - we see a lot of reasoning and considering going on from Paul’s side
2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said.
look at these words—he is reasoning with them
he is explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead
while it almost certainly included a passion and emotional speech, this is Paul digging into the data of Scripture, which would have been the OT.
he is trying to build a patient, careful case that the Messiah—God’s rescuer and deliverer that they were waiting for—He’s come! and He’s different than you expect.
He is using logic, reason, explanation—trying to prove.
for those of you who think you have to check your brains at the door to believe this stuff—that’s not true. You need to critically think about what the Bible says about God, us, Jesus, and our response.
vs. 3—this Messiah—according to Paul in his reasoned explanation--had to suffer… (that’s not what they expected) it was necessary...
what Scriptures would Paul have used—there are passages like Psalm 16 or Psalm 110, quoted in Acts. but I also think Isaiah 53:3-5
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.
4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
yet despite the suffering—Isaiah goes on to say this in vs. 10
10 Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
so you have a prediction here of suffering for someone, and some type of resurrectio and prosperity..
some OT scholars believe the Jews were waiting for 2 Messiahs—
one who suffer like this
and another who would come like a king in the line of David with military power.
almost no one expected that both strands of strength and weakness would be in on Savior—Messiah—Lord—Jesus Christ. how is that possible?
so Paul is pleading with them from the same OT Scriptures—showing them that Jesus fulfilled both…on the cross, and his resurrection
it was necessary he died according to Isaiah 53—because he was killed for our transgressions, iniquities, sins—punishment—he took it on him…by his wounds—we are healed—spiritually before God. It was absolutely necessary.
He may have also talked about all the rich OT symbolism—like animal sacrifices—how they could never pay for sin—they were pointing to the ultimate Lamb of God—Jesus Christ to pay for sin.
and in Acts 17:4—God does what He always does—saves some through the preaching of His Word and Jesus Christ
4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
The Bereans have a similar Christ-like attitude, peaceable response, I am going to consider all the facts--
11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.
they didn’t just take Paul’s Word for it—but they looked at the Scriptures—the OT.
and they wouldn’t have had their own copy yet of the Bible—the printing press was not invented. nor did they have an app on their phone they could listen to. they would have had to go to the synagogue—have the scrolls unrolled—talk about it, discuss it, digest it, in community!
and as as result vs. 12...
12 As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
a Christ-like response—is willing to consider the facts, reason, discuss, debate, examine for themselves—let me do the research. it involves thinking, logic, digging in deeper.
it involves working together on this...
I would encourage you to always do this for my sermons—or any talk you hear here at FMC. do the same with any preacher online or on a podcast—dig into the Scriptures yourselves—is this right or not? ask a fellow Christian...
this is an especially helpful too in our political season where political leaders make all kinds of claims—to stir us up—but I think a peaceable response says, “Take a breath, slow down, and consider what is being said. Is this true or right? Does this line up with Scripture or not.”
social media stirs us up—
but a Christ-like response—slows down and considers the facts. prays and considers how it lines up with Scripture.
in contrast a mob like response—like the ones in Thessalonica…what are they doing?
often gets emotional—very quickly.
verse 5—it gets jealous—of other people—and people getting the spotlight or acclaim or power. that was part of their thing beneathe the thing driving their heart—their potential loss of influence and power.
Rome allowed them to meet as a Jewish religion as long as they stayed calm, and didn’t cause any disturbance to the peace, but ironically they are causing a disturbance to the peace.
a mob is easily stirred and formed. It preys on emotion—it doesn’t take a deep breath.
it gets caught up in the fervor—group think...
i recently had a conversation with my 6th grade son (he said I could say this), kind of giving him a dad speech about how middle school and high school boys are often dumb. (no offense)
because I remember being that age. we would sit around on a Friday or Saturday night—looking at each other “what do you want to do?” “I don’t know what do you want to do?” and before we knew it—somebody was skateboarding up a ramp through a hula hoop that we lit on fire—and somehow between the 10 of us young men—it all seemed like a good idea at the time.
a mob mentality has that effect on us...
just think of this past Tuesday—did you watch the Presidential debate? while it is easy to get frustrated and emotional—were you able to examine any of the claims later, with calmness, peace, and civility? moreover, were you able to remember the truths of Scripture—there is another king—one called Jesus—who He is really ruling and reigning.
some of you are like— “Nope...” haha. I understand…but that’s our goal as Christ-followers.
even this past week—how were you reactions to life when things didn’t go well—was it the mob? or did Christ come out in and through you?
a mob response will inflict hurt/harm while a Christ-like response is willing to suffer harm
vs. 5 - they are formed…they start a riot…they rush to Jason’s house
vs. 6 we see the violence
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,
they not only physically harm them but verbally
7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
but look at what a Christ-like response is willing to do...
I want to read 1 Thessalonians 1. beginning at verse 3.
Paul was not there long, but he wrote 2 letters in the NT—1 and 2 Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 1:3–10 (NIV)
3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,
5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.
8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it,
9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols (like Emperor Worship, social acceptance) to serve the living and true God,
10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.
a mob mentality goes along with the culture
but a Christ-like mentality—because it has found Christ—considers all things rubbish compared to knowing Christ. They are willing to suffer—because Christ is so precious, and beautiful and worth following.
that word imitation is there in vs. 6--
1 Thessalonians 1:6 (NIV)
6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
when they have this Christ-like mentality—they are imitating their Savior.
this is the key I think to helping us actually transform and be more like Jesus—because it’s tough—but when we focus and consider Jesus Christ...
amazingly when Jesus Christ was on trial before He went to the cross, the Chief priests were bringing all kinds of accusations against him.
Luke 23 vs. 2 shows a similar accusation
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.”
And what did Jesus do?
62 Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”
63 But Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.”
7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
do you always feel like you have to defend yourself? yes there is a time and a place for that—but Jesus didn’t. He entrusted Himself to the will of the Father.
he had the Christ-like mentality and response—fully at peace, ready to go to the cross for us.
and what is more He suffered…on our behalf...
on the cross--
23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
think back over this past week—where have you had a mob-like reaction whether than a Christ-like response?
where have you been quick to judge, quick to speak, quick to accuse, rather than patient, loving, getting all the facts, reasoning, considering...
where have you been quick to hurt or harm rather than willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake?
when you act like Christ rather than the mob—you will be showing the world—that you are following another king—another leader—one called Jesus Christ.
and you will turn the world upside-down.
let’s pray.