Tentmaking and Encouragement
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Beginning Announcements:
*welcome to all ages...
we are glad you joined us in person or online or in the coffee area/overflow area...
We are glad you are here.
*and just a few announcements as we gather:
the purpose of this Sunday is to worship Jesus Christ, Our Savior, Our Lord, and our Treasure as ONE church—all ages—TOGETHER in one service. and our hope was to do in outside, the weather made it difficult. It is getting increasingly difficult to have just one combined service because we don’t have enough space to contain you all—and that’s a good thing—but we do believe there is value in being reminded that we are church for ages birth through 100+.
secondly, with that being said, how many of you would say you know everyone here by name? I don’t think I do either—and I feel bad asking people—I should know but I can’t keep up with it either, so we have these wonderful things called name tags. Please wear one—it gives us permission if we have failed to remember someone’s name, and if you are the kind of person who is a rebel by nature—I dare you not to wear one.
if you do have kids—don’t sweat it. Noisy kids are a beautiful thing b/c they are the future of the church and our future leaders. If you need to take them out and roam the halls, that’s fine. The nursery room and 1 year old room is open (but unstaffed)—TV’s are on in there and you can take your kid and watch from there. but please don’t freak out parents or people beside you.
fourthly, a couple announcements about giving and worshiping by giving. You can give normal tithes and offerings in the normal offering boxes or online. If you put your offering there it will go to the normal offering. However, after church, we have a luncheon, you are all invited to. and I want to call up Pastor Logan Dettmer, our student ministries Pastor, to explain how you can give at lunch and what it goes towards.
how much does summer camp cost per student? how much does it cost to go to Bolivia?
Stand and let’s read together:
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Please turn to Acts 18. Acts 18 vs. 1.
Let me read
1 After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.
so, as we are reading this…keep in mind that this context is where Paul wrote 1 and 2 Corinthians to…to the church there… (or guess which books he wrote to Corinth)
2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them,
3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.
4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Here we learn something new about Paul...
He was a tentmaker—he had a trade-or a leather worker.
so even though Paul often worked full-time to plant churches and preach the Gospel—he made it a point to support himself whenever possible and work a 2nd job.
He told the Ephesians Elders in Acts 20:33-34
33 I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.
34 You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.
9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you.
so Paul had a couple of strategies to fund his ministry:
1. Paul would raise money for his missionary work at times...
BUT he never asked any of the churches he ministered to in that city for support right then—but as he moved on—he would sometimes take financial support from previous churches he planted to preach the Gospel and do missions work in new territories.
and this is very appropriate—for missions and pastors to make ask for financial support.
13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?
1 Corinthians 9:14
14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
2. 2nd strategy: but sometimes he chose to work in the mission field, in the marketplace in a normal job—as a tentmaker or leather worker to support himself and make connections with the people there. this was his trade—tentmaking!
This is how he met Priscilla and Aquilla.
so the phrase “tentmaking” has taken on a bigger sense in the mission field...
Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989) “Tentmakers” in Minneapolis
This is where the term “tentmakers” comes from.
• A tentmaker today is a person who supports himself in another culture in order to make known the reality of Jesus Christ and build his church.
• A tentmaker is a person who believes that Christians ought to be engaged in thousands of secular vocations, but who believes the product or service he is providing is always secondary to the effect he has on people’s lives through his work.
• A tentmaker has set his eyes on things that are eternal.
• And so God has helped him see that making money, getting promotions, becoming well-known are at best secondary means to what really counts for eternity, namely, God being glorified and people coming to know and trust him.
• And then tentmakers look at the cities of the unreached peoples where there are no churches, and no Christians, and they hear God’s call to go to these cities and live there and work there in order to bring the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the gospel.
I believe God has called all of us in one sense to the ministry of tentmaking—of using our particular vocations, careers, jobs, no matter where God has placed us to:
make him known to others—represent Jesus—share the Gospel in our local context...
and to even consider moving someplace strategically—like another country, or city or region, for the sake of the Gospel.
so think of this—you are strategically placed…to do your tentmaking right where God has placed you.
how can you engage in tentmaking to the glory of God?
in other words—how do you work to the glory of God?
Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989) (“Tentmakers” in Minneapolis)
I have in mind at least five things—five ways to make God known through your secular job and all of them are important. When one of them is missing, the witness to the truth of Christ suffers.
1. First, the excellence of the products or services you render in your job shows the excellence and greatness of God. (I believe Christians should be the best workers of any workers—work hard and excellently to the glory of God. do not slack. produce the best products.)
2. Second, the standards of integrity you follow at your job show the integrity and holiness of God. (Christians should be the most trustworthy—and when we mess up or fail, the first to apologize and make amends)
3. Third, the love you show to people in your job shows the love of God. (we should be the most loving)
4. Fourth, the stewardship of the money you make from your job shows the value of God compared to other things.
5. Fifth, the verbal testimony you give to the reality of Christ shows the doorway to all these things in your life and their possibility in the lives of others.
use your tentmaking to the glory of God. your job matters—your trade matters. your business matters.
but also, some of you should consider global missions—or urban areas...
of using your particular trade, skill, training, teaching, take it overseas or to a global city and use it strategically to build connections and make Christ known.
Sermons from John Piper (1980–1989) “Tentmakers” in Minneapolis
This must be part of our overall strategy to penetrate unreached peoples! First, because the amazing opportunities are there—thousands of jobs everywhere enable lay Christians like you to live in other countries and make Jesus Christ known. Second, because the cost of sending vocational missionaries is skyrocketing. Third, because at least 60% of the world’s population is off-limits to traditional missionaries, like China and most of the Muslim and Hindu world. Fourth, because Christians living for Christ in the secular workplace are crucial models for new believers in these unreached groups.
It is not an easy life. It would require training and strength and constant recommitment under the pressures of the work place and the foreign culture. But by the power of the Holy Spirit and for the glory of the One who loved us enough to be crucified for us, it is possible.
so I want to pray for you — how can you use your tentmaking to the glory of God?
but before I do that...
Think of the types of jobs we have here—and I need your participation....
you can stand more than once....stand if this job description defines you (even if you are unemployed—you can stand for the area that you normally work in)
if you are currently working in education....would you stand? (teachers, professors, admins, custodians, cafeteria workers, maintenance, assistances, athletic dept, preschool workers, home school parents, public or private education…)
daycare, child care workers
medical field, healthcare, dentist, eye doctors, specialists—nurses, doctors, surgeons, pharmacists, admin, office staff, CNA’s, physical/occupational therapists—would you stand?
farming and agriculture
trucking, transportation, drivers, delivery...
finance and economics—banking, insurance, accounting, real estate---auctioneers
manufacturing, Smith Brothers, EP Graphics, Micromatic, Red Gold, FCC—whether assembly line or admin work or executive work
construction,masonry, plumbing, welder, electrician, hvac, auto repair, repairman, handyman or trade type jobs? (remember Jesus had a trade and worked construction until he was about 30)
small business owners—or working for a small business? consulting...
advertising, marketing, graphic design, social media, photographer, journalist, editor
legal field as a lawyer or lawyer’s office
food and restaurant business and hospitality, whether fast or slow food
retail?
technology, computers, IT, software, networking, and/or engineering?
social work, counseling, therapists
entertainment industry and or fashion industry
government or working for the city or police, fireman, first responders, jail, sheriff’s office
stay at home parents or grandparents or guardians? that’s a huge job
anyone else that I didn’t call?
let’s pray for you....now?
so use your tentmaking to the glory of God....
and I want to read the rest
7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God.
8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
12 While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews of Corinth made a united attack on Paul and brought him to the place of judgment.
13 “This man,” they charged, “is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law.”
14 Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to them, “If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you.
15 But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law—settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things.”
16 So he drove them off.
17 Then the crowd there turned on Sosthenes the synagogue leader and beat him in front of the proconsul; and Gallio showed no concern whatever.
This city—Corinth was not the easiest place to minister, and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ and start new churches.
lots of persecution and suffering...
lots of difficulties in this ministry
Christians were very much in the minority...
with Corinth being the largest city in Greece, the city was well known for its idol worship and just general evil and ungodly living. The verb to live like a Corinthian meant to act like a prostitute.
One could easily become discouraged...
b/c earlier in vs. 6 it says:
6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”
they rejected the message, especially those in the synagogue.
in verses 12 and following, we read that they brought Paul before the place of judgment and charged him with worshiping God in ways contrary to the law.
And Gallio, the local Roman guide wanted nothing to do with it, so the crowd turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler—and beat him—another mob mentality.
What do you do when you as a Christian are in such a culture?
maybe you are one of the few Christians in the your family or only one—and at family gatherings it can be difficult to represent Christ—what do you do?
or maybe at work—in your tentmaking—you are one of the few Christians or it’s hard to live for Christ—what do you do?
or maybe you are just discouraged—you don’t feel like your work matters or it isn’t making a difference for Jesus—what are you to do?
look at vs. 9-11 again
9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
10 For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”
11 So Paul stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.
vs.10—I am with you...
that’s the first thing you need to hear—when God is on your side—you are in the majority.
2nd—I will protect you—no one will attack or harm you.
3rd - I have many people in this city...
Most theologians agree that this means that God is declaring that Paul’s ministry there will be effective. Many will come to Jesus Christ...
now whether God just sees that and knows that about the future...
or he predestines it—plans and chooses it to happen is for another theological conversation—but God is telling Paul, “I know this is a difficult place, but don’t give up.
so God’s presence...
protection...
and profitable results
so so far we have said--
so use your tentmaking to the glory of God—it is legit ministry
but now--- don’t get discouraged in your vocation if you are the only one or a minority—God has you there for a reason...
I want you to form small groups 5 to 10 people, grab hands, and designate one person to pray for you and your group to keep reaching your city and your vocation to the glory of God....
pick one person to pray that you would keep pointing to Jesus no matter what.
God will be with you
He will protect you
and He has many people prepared to hear the good news of Jesus and respond
Final instructions:
all are invited to stay for food—prepared by the student ministry
if you feel led to give, they are using it as a chance to take donations for summer camps next summer—(that’s through our denomination and region—the Central Region of the Missionary Church—we take our middle and high school students to Camp Michindoh near Hillsdale Michigan), and also Logan and Gabe take students every other year on an international missions trip. this upcoming summer will be one to Bolivia with missionaries we support—the Wolheters. James and Jennifer Wolheter—and we have 25 plus people going. So any money we raise today goes to help offset those costs.
You can go through the food line in our carpeted gym—the fellowship hall or the normal gym in the youth center, and eat in either place.
Let me pray for the food and you will be dismissed!