Biblical Evangelism
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Hook: What does it take to change the world? A global headline? International war and affairs? A new Olympic record set? Possibly. But this morning we are going to see that there was a simple way to ensure that the world was shaken to the core: by the bold and public preaching of the Kingship of Jesus Christ. Our Gospel has cosmic, world-wide, and universal implications—because our King is the King of kings, and Lord of lords—to whom all must trust and obey, and confess before men, to the glory of God the Father (as we saw in Ps. 2 & 72).
So what does it take to change the world? Faithful men, filled with the Spirit, going forth to evangelize, and speaking truth to power. The King of kings has a Gospel and a Word for the kings of the earth in specific—and generally for all who dwell on the earth. All people are commanded to repent and believe. In light of this, if Christians would begin to speak the Word of God in the public-square again, through prayer-soaked & Scripture-saturated evangelism, extolling Christ the King in all of life, and actually living in submission to the Lord in all of life, then indeed the world would be turned upside down—and maybe even overnight. It is to this subject that we turn this Lord’s Day morning.
Title: Biblical Evangelism: Turning the World Upside Down
Need: We need to rekindle the flame of evangelism in our church and in our city—we need to grow in courage for Christ—and we need to humbly yet boldly engage the world with the Gospel.
Purpose: To instruct us in the nature of biblical evangelism, to refute common misconceptions about evangelism, to exhort the saints to engage in and to pray for bold evangelism, to comfort the church in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to cause us to examine whether or not we are seeking first the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Turn to our Text for this AM: Acts 17:1-9 ESV.
Context: Acts is written by Dr. Luke, as the second book to follow the Gospel of Luke, continuing the story of how the Risen Jesus Christ continued to build his church, advance his kingdom, and conquer the world by the Word and Spirit of God. In our text for this morning, Luke is recounting the time that the Apostle Paul spent in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey!
3-Week Plan: Over the next three weeks, Lord-willing, we are going to look at Acts 17:1-9 (this morning), Acts 17:22-34 (next Sunday), and Acts 18:1-11 (the week after that). This is a three part series on biblical evangelism, biblical apologetics, and biblical confidence—to equip us to be salt and light for the advancement of the Kingdom of Christ. I hope these sermons might also draw you out to our Sunday School (which started this morning, and will run at 9AM before the service), which will be eminently practical, conversational, and helpful in equipping us to share and defend the faith in all of life.
Follow Along as I read our Text for this AM: Acts 17:1-9 ESV.
PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY - PRAY
(1) Paul Committed to Engaging in Public-Evangelism at the Synagogue - v. 1
(1) Paul Committed to Engaging in Public-Evangelism at the Synagogue - v. 1
Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
(1) Paul Committed to Engaging in Public-Evangelism at the Synagogue - v. 1
(1) Paul Committed to Engaging in Public-Evangelism at the Synagogue - v. 1
This is the first thing that we notice in this narrative. Paul and Silas had just left Philippi—and they left with a divine and devout purpose. They came with a mission—they were sent on a mission—to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth… first to the Jew and then to the Greek. And so what does Paul do? It’s as though he is more concerned about where to evangelize than which hotel he’s gonna stay at. He arrives at Thessalonica and B-lines it for the Jewish synagogue. His chief concern in life was to know Christ and to make Him known.
But why the synagogue? Isn’t that slightly rude, Paul? Isn’t it slightly intolerant to try to convert Jews who were trying to worship God in their way? Isn’t it unloving to be so bold and confrontational in the public? Why don’t you just share the Gospel relationally, privately, and without any commotion! Come on, Paul. Jesus would never do that …. or did he?
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read.
Jesus went to the public & religious square, to the synagogue—and he proclaimed the Gospel and taught the Scripture—and Paul, being an Apostle of Jesus Christ, being a minister of the Gospel, did the very same thing. And it’s quite amazing, actually. In Acts 9 when Paul is converted, what is the first thing that he does? The Scripture says: “And immediately he proclaimed in the synagogues that [Jesus] is the Son of God” (Acts 9:20). To his very own, to the religious ones, he goes first—that by any means he might win his fellow kinsmen whom his heart yearned for with deep love. Hear what the Apostle said about his fellow Jews:
I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
I wonder if we have this kind of deep concern for evangelism, and this kind of deep burden for the lost—especially of our own family. When was the last time you shed a tear for a lost soul? When was the last time you purposed to share the Gospel, because you actually had a burden for one’s salvation from sin? May God give us a deeper heart of love and mercy—just as Jesus came to seek and to save the lost—and just as Jesus wept over the crowds as sheep without a shepherd. Paul did what he did—because he had genuine love for the lost, who are dead in their sins and trespasses, without God and without hope in the world (Eph. 2). Paul did what he did out of genuine love.
(1) Paul Committed to Engaging in Public-Evangelism at the Synagogue - v. 1
But secondly, this morning, we see that:
(2) Paul Reasoned from the Scriptures and Proved that Jesus is the Messiah - v. 2-3
(2) Paul Reasoned from the Scriptures and Proved that Jesus is the Messiah - v. 2-3
And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”
(2) Paul Reasoned from the Scriptures and Proved that Jesus is the Messiah - v. 2-3
(2) Paul Reasoned from the Scriptures and Proved that Jesus is the Messiah - v. 2-3
Luke doesn’t just tell us what Paul did—he tells us how he did it! He went on the Jewish day of worship, and he reasoned from the Scriptures. How so? He proved the Gospel with confidence, based upon the living Word of God, and the necessity of the Lord Jesus Christ suffering and rising on behalf of guilty sinners—Paul rationally proclaimed Jesus Christ, and Him Crucified (1 Cor. 1-2). For herein is the power of God unto salvation.
Yesterday, on evangelism day, Matthias and I spent around 45 minutes reasoning from the Scriptures with folks at Marketplace Square, and with jehovah’s witnesses—proving from the Scriptures that God is Triune, that Jesus is Divine, and calling people to repent and believe. We don’t start with random historical facts. We reason from the Word of the Living God—our divine weapon.
Note, The preaching of the gospel should be both scriptural and rational; such was Paul’s, for he reasoned out of the scriptures: we must take the scriptures for our foundation, our oracle, and touchstone, and then reason out of them and upon them, and against those who wrest them to their own destruction. Reason must not be set up in competition with the scripture, but it must be made use of in explaining and applying the scripture. - Henry
Reason must be subjected to the Word of God, and made a tool toward explaining the Word of God. This was Paul’s custom. This was Paul’s secret. This was Paul’s method. He read the Word, taught the Word, preached the Word, and argued from the Word! He did not cloud the Word of God through his sophistication—he opened the Word of God through his explanation. And he showed that Christ alone is the hope of sinners—Jesus alone bled to save, and rose to reign. And this Jesus fulfills the prophetic Word—it was necessary for Him to die and rise, because it was prophesied so long ago. You wonder what Paul mentioned? Maybe he preached that:
Jesus is the victor over Satan from Gen. 3; He is the ark of salvation from the flood from Gen. 7; He is the promised child of Abraham from Gen. 12; He is the true Passover Lamb who died for our redemption from Ex. 12; He is the goat of the Day of Atonement who washes away our sins from Lev. 16; He is the Bronze Serpent who is lifted high to heal and restore from Num. 21:4-9; He is the one who dies on the accursed wood of the Cross from Deut. 21; He is the greater Joshua who is leading us in the conquest of sin, against the world, the flesh, and the devil—and we could go on and on and on and on. Paul is doing, what Jesus himself did on the road to Emmaus:
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,
Brothers and sisters, Jesus is our hope. Jesus is our message. Jesus is our salvation. Jesus is our all in all. This Jesus, who saves his people from their sins—this Jesus, says Paul, is the Christ! He is the anointed Messiah. He is the Mediator between God and man. He is the Godman, God with us. He is the prophet, who reveals God and salvation to us. He is the priest, who offers himself as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He is the king, who rules and defends us by His Word and Spirit. This Jesus, whom I proclaim unto you, Calvary, is the Christ. There is no other. Christ alone is our hope and stay. Christ alone is our Lord and Saviour.
So repent of your sins and rebellion and indifference toward the God of heaven! Trust in Jesus for the full forgiveness of your sins. Run to Jesus for peace with God the Father, and adoption into his family. Rest in Jesus for the hope of eternal life in the kingdom of God. Cry out to the Holy Spirit, to give you the new birth, to give you new life, that you might be united to Jesus Christ and every spiritual blessing that is found in Him. Come to Jesus—and he will never turn you away.
And saints, when you evangelize—this is what you must proclaim. And if it’s helpful you can remember these 4 words: God, Man, Christ, Response. God and his holiness, man and their sin, Christ and his grace, and the response of repentance and faith. And all of this is in the context of the Kingdom of God.
This was Paul’s εἰωθος, his habitual practice and commitment: to reason from the Scriptures, and to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Is it your commitment? And even if you’re not the one to go out on the streets preaching … are you willing to make it your practice to pray for those who do? And to speak the Word to those around you when God gives you opportunity?
(2) Paul Reasoned from the Scriptures and Proved that Jesus is the Messiah - v. 2-3
So what came of it? Thirdly we see that:
(3) True Gospel Persuasion comes by Hearing the Word of Christ Proclaimed - v. 4.
(3) True Gospel Persuasion comes by Hearing the Word of Christ Proclaimed - v. 4.
And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
(3) True Gospel Persuasion comes by Hearing the Word of Christ Proclaimed - v. 4.
(3) True Gospel Persuasion comes by Hearing the Word of Christ Proclaimed - v. 4.
Were Paul’s labours fruitless? Does God’s Word return unto Him void? By no means. When God sends forth ministers into the field, we must remember that it is because the harvest is plentiful, and Christ’s elect are scattered in every nation, tribe, and tongue. Christ doesn’t send ministers and missionaries to no avail—He sends them to gather in his people into the church, to the ends of the earth. There is a divine power in the preaching of the Gospel.
But Paul didn’t see fruit in a cold proclamation of the Word—he saw fruit in a persuasive proclamatoin of the Word. When the Spirit comes with power, he gives his messenger the fire of God. Luke also tells us that these converts were persuaded!
Which means two things: (1) The Spirit is the ultimate one who reveals the deep things of God to us, giving us a new mind to receive the Gospel by sovereign grace, and (2) The ministers of the Gospel, as tools in the hand of the Spirit, ought to do their best job to present the Gospel in all it’s truth, beauty, goodness, and glory. A minister who sloppily preaches, is proclaiming the glorious God in a sloppy manner—nothing could be more detestable! So as we share the Gospel, lets pray fervently for the Spirit’s wisdom and power, that we might share the unsearchable riches of Jesus Christ—the altogether lovely One—in an altogether lovely way.
And as we do so, we go with confidence, knowing these precious truths that Christ is indeed building his church and saving sinners, so we must go forth to share the Word prayerfully, with persuasive-power:
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:11 (ESV)
Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others.
(3) True Gospel Persuasion comes by Hearing the Word of Christ Proclaimed - v. 4.
So if biblical evangelism leads to conversion, by God’s grace, is that all it leads to? No—it also leads to conflict, from the devil:
(4) True Gospel Ministry leads to Opposition, Civil Unrest, and Persecution - v. 5
(4) True Gospel Ministry leads to Opposition, Civil Unrest, and Persecution - v. 5
But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd.
(4) True Gospel Ministry leads to Opposition, Civil Unrest, and Persecution - v. 5
(4) True Gospel Ministry leads to Opposition, Civil Unrest, and Persecution - v. 5
What happened? Unbelieving Jews became jealous, wanting their own glory, rather than the glory of God shining in the face of Jesus Christ—so they sparked conflict, as enemies of the Cross.
Brothers and sisters, if you are going to take up your cross and follow Jesus, if you are going to faithfully share the Gospel, you need to be prepared to suffer as a soldier of the cross. You need to count the cost, and esteem the worth of Christ’s glory more than human comfort and ease. And especially for you who come out with us on the streets to evangelize, you must prepare to be slandered, mocked, and persecuted. Dare I say, given recent events, that you must be prepared to die—as unto the Lord. Did not our Lord say to the Apostles:
Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles.
And did not the Apostle Paul experience this and exemplify it for us?
but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger;
But dare I also say, that if there is no opposition—that we are not doing our job of biblical and faithful evangelism. We must go into the fray, and we must prepare for the battle with the armour of God—and the fear of God—with the hope of the Son of God. Every time you step into church, and live as a Christian, you must know that you make yourself an enemy of the evil one and his minions. But it’s worth it, beloved—for the King and for His Crown—under the banner of the Cross—it’s worth it. He is worth it.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4) True Gospel Ministry leads to Opposition, Civil Unrest, and Persecution - v. 5
So God help us to be prepared, and send us forth into the world, for your glory and honour.
Our narrative continues, and it gets even more thrilling:
(5) Faithful Christianity Proclaims the Transforming-Rule of Christ the King - v. 6-9.
(5) Faithful Christianity Proclaims the Transforming-Rule of Christ the King - v. 6-9.
And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
(5) Faithful Christianity Proclaims the Transforming-Rule of Christ the King - v. 6-9.
(5) Faithful Christianity Proclaims the Transforming-Rule of Christ the King - v. 6-9.
If you were wondering why I titled my sermon, Biblical Evangelism: Turning the World Upside Down, this is why. In verses 6-9 we see more consequences of faithful and bold Christian witness. What was the essence of the complaint against the Apostles and the Converts at Thessalonica? They would not proclaim that Caesar was lord, god, or master. Why? Because that was a stolen title. It belongs only to one man, to the Godman, Jesus Christ. And so rather than worship a pagan in the spirit of antichrist—they worshiped Jesus Christ, the true Lord, God, and Master over all. And ironically, this very same charge was brought against Jesus himself in Luke 23:
And they began to accuse him, saying, “We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”
Revelation 1:5 (ESV)
from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.
The claims of Jesus Christ are—and always have been—a threat to an anti-Christian political order. The early church wasn’t persecuted because the Romans didn’t like their pyjamas. Or even because they had their form of worship. The Romans understood that when you conquer a people, you should let them keep their gods. But what mattered [most to the Romans] was primary allegiance to the state, [to the Caesar]. Early Christians were persecuted because they refused to put incense on the altar and say, “Καῖσερ Κύριος: Caesar is Lord.” They would not offer incense to the genius of the emperor, to the state as god. Had they done that, they could have received a state license, hung it on the wall of their place of worship, and worshipped whomever they pleased. But the Christian church said we will not pay homage to Caesar [as Lord, because Χριστός Κύριος: Christ is Lord]. We’ll be good citizens. We’ll pay our taxes. But Jesus Christ is Lord. And because of that, they were viciously persecuted … Just consider the first few verses of Acts 17. What is the charge brought against the apostles? “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here too… They are all acting contrary to Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king—Jesus”. (Acts 17:6-7) - Boot.
And notice, that the accusation against Paul was not that Jesus would one day be king. Why would the Romans be upset at that? No. The claim was that Jesus was already seated at the right hand, already on the throne of David above, already reigning and ruling over all things, already pouring out grace as the Prince of peace. And because of this Gospel of the Kingdom—there are cosmic-implications. If Caesar isn’t lord, and Jesus is, then Caesar must bow the knee. If Carney isn’t Lord, and Jesus is, then Carney must bow the knee. All kings of the earth—all ruler—must bow the knee:
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
and the ends of the earth your possession.
Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
be warned, O rulers of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with trembling.
Is this not the scope of the Great Commission? Disciple the nations. Which nations? All of them. Including their kings? Yes.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Risen and Reigning Jesus Christ, the King and Lord of all, is engaged in a world conquest to subject all things to his authority, to save his chosen people scattered in the world, and to destroy all his enemies throughout the world. No wonder the early church turned the world upside down—because they proclaimed another King, Jesus—to whom all owe allegiance; and from whom you can’t hide a single part of your existence. He is Lord of all. And this King, well:
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
He shall have dominion as His Kingdom grows to fill the earth, as it brings with it the life-giving power of the Spirit, making new-creatures in Christ, who live to the glory of God the Father. And when all is said and done, and only after this mission is complete, will the Lord return to usher us into glory. Until then, hand to the plow, as we seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness in the earth. This is the King we proclaim! And he has told us to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth! Your work is not in vain.
There is much work to do. But just pause with me for a moment … Just imagine what would happen if you committed, today, to regularly praying for evangelism, missions, revival, and reformation?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to telling your friends, family, neighbours, and even enemies that their sins could be washed wight as snow in Jesus?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to giving to and praying for ministries that are fighting for unborn children and the elderly who are being murdered just around the corner, downtown in Kingston?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to sacrificially stewarded your finances with an eye toward the growth of the kingdom of God?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to attending our evangelism & apologetics Sunday School to be practically equipped to be Salt and Light in your workplace or neighbourhood?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to giving sacrificially to the work of foreign missions among the nations that have not yet even heard about Jesus?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to spending the rest of your life fighting for the Lordship of Christ over your own life & heart, and all things?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to praying fervently that the kingdom of Satan and the enemies of God would fall, crumble, and be destroyed?
Just imagine what would happen if you commited, today, to devoting your life to living out the will of God on earth, as it is in heaven?
What would happen? Dare I say that you would turn the world upside down—as Christ Jesus rides forth unto victory, through his kingdom of priests, who were made to work and worship for the glory of God alone.
(5) Faithful Christianity Proclaims the Transforming-Rule of Christ the King - v. 6-9.
And so, in conclusion, we learn the following about biblical evangelism:
(C) Biblical Evangelism is Publicly-Bold, Biblically-Sound, Powerfully-Persuasive, Wickedly-Opposed, and World-Transforming.
(C) Biblical Evangelism is Publicly-Bold, Biblically-Sound, Powerfully-Persuasive, Wickedly-Opposed, and World-Transforming.
“The same almighty King will be with His church, protecting and prospering it, in the proclamation of the evangel until the day dawns, when the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 11:9). Christ’s exaltation demands universal evangelism. His gospel must be proclaimed everywhere, both because He is the universal King and in order that He may be recognized as such universally! … [However] more than nineteen centuries have elapsed since the Christian church was commissioned and empowered to evangelize the world, and still its work is not done. To the charge of slothfulness the historic church can only plead guilty. But what accounts for this indolence? Many factors have, no doubt, contributed, but the most potent factor has been a deficiency in godliness. The church has not been as God-conscious as it should have been. If the church had always lived in the full consciousness of God's infinite love, God's sovereign election, God's gracious covenant, God's sovereign commission, and of the truth that the God of the Bible is the only true and living God, as well as the God of all the earth, it would have been incomparably more active in the spread of the gospel.” - R.B. Kuiper
So brothers and sisters, with this charge I leave you: let’s be known as a church that didn’t just sit on it’s pews, but attended evangelism days to stay & pray, or to go & share—let’s be intentional about sharing the Gospel with our friends, family, and neighbours—let’s proclaim the Kingship and Lordship over Jesus Christ over all things, and seek that all that we are, and all that we do, is submitted to His Supreme Word—and let’s watch and see how the Lord might just bless obedience to the Great Commission. Χριστός Κύριος. Christ is Lord.
Amen? Let’s pray.
Discussion Questions:
(1) Why was it Paul's 'custom' to evangelize in the synagogues? Why does evangelism require planning, purpose, and persistence?
(2) What weapon has the divine power to persuade and convert sinners? And how should this affect our evangelism?
(3) If bold-evangelism leads to civil-opposition ... then what does the lack of civil-opposition generally mean?
(4) The early church turned the world upside down, proclaiming the Cosmic-Rule of Jesus Christ. How could that little phrase, ‘Christ is Lord’, carry with it so much weight?
(5) Come up with at least 5 strategic places or opportunities in which you could individually, or together as a church, proclaim the Gospel & Kingship of Jesus Christ. Then do it.
