Sermon Tone Analysis

Paul has just finished giving his sermon.

Acts 13:42

KJV - and when the Jews were gone.

Why did the Gentiles wait until the Jews were gone?

They knew to expect a certain reaction from them which we will see later.

They knew they would be judged and maybe even attacked for their response.

Are there people in your life that you hesitate 'being a Christian' in front of because you know what their reaction will be?

School, work, family, neighborhood.

Why did the Gentiles wait until the Jews were gone?

They knew to expect a certain reaction from them which would come later.

Are there people in your life that you hesitate 'being a Christian' in front of because you know what their reaction will be?

Why do we allow the opinions of people who don't really care about us, who would drop us the moment we are no longer useful to them, who are only concerned with how things affect them, who more than likely talk about you behind your back, who would never go out of their way to help you to have such a strong influence on how and when we show our faith?

In other words, when you stand up for me here, in this place, I will stand for you in front of God.

But if you are ashamed of me and fail to stand for me in front of the world, then I can’t vouch for you in front of my Father!

God is not looking for people to be Christians only when it suits them.

As Steve said last week, we either are or we are not.

Yet, we care more about what people think of us than we do about being faithful to our Creator.

We allow the opinions of people who:

don't really care about us,

who would drop us the moment we are no longer useful to them,

who are only concerned with how things affect them,

who more than likely talk about you behind your back,

who would never go out of their way to help you

to have such a strong influence on how and when we show our faith?

We choose the temporary over the eternal.

When we choose to follow Jesus, it’s got to be a 24/7, 365 commitment!

There can’t be any fair weather followers.

Pet peeve: fair weather fans

When we stick to our convictions, we show our character and our faith.

When we show our faith to the world, God is glorified.

There are so many people today taking positions on social injustice issues all over the world.

There are people kneeling, protesting, rioting, looting, attacking, injuring, murdering.

Everyone has an agenda and everyone thinks that they are right.

I’m not a very public person when it comes to politics.

I have my own views and opinions and if you ask me about them, I will share them with you honestly.

But I will tell you this morning that no amount of any of things will heal the hearts and spirits of the people.

Only the love of God shown to us through Jesus Christ can do that!

Look at verse 43.

Acts 13:

How could they continue in grace if they had just heard about His grace?

They had experienced the grace of the Gospel.

When we share the Gospel with our lives, there will be people who will hunger for more.

Their lives will be impacted by the truth of God's Word such that they will seek for more of it.

Paul and Barnabas continued with these people and encouraged them in their walk with Christ.

Do you know how they did it?

By speaking to them.

That’s all it takes, speak to the people around you.

I know it seems unorthodox and strange, but it works!

It is our responsibility to speak to people about Jesus and also continue along side and encourage those who we see respond to Jesus, which is what Barnabas and Paul were doing here.

But it’s not our responsibility to persuade or guilt people into following Him.

We are not salesmen.

Our job is not to put on our best fake smile and give our best sales pitch as to why people should follow Christ.

Our job is to be real and honest.

Genuine care and compassion will always beat a manufactured experience.

When we get that right, people respond.

Let’s read verse 44.

speaking to them - thats all it takes from us! speak to the people around you.

Let’s read verse 44.

The Gospel was new to people at that time.

I think we sometimes put ourselves at a disadvantage because we assume everyone has heard about Jesus, and there is no need to tell others about Him.

Today, we tell ourselves that the Gospel is no longer new, so it is more difficult for us to make a difference with it.

But I can tell you this: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is as powerful and relevant today as it ever was because sin, hurt, pain, depression, anxiety, loneliness and fear are as powerful as they ever have been.

The difference is not in the time in which we live, but in the passion with which we live.

The Gospel was new to people at that time.

I think we sometimes put ourselves at a disadvantage because we assume everyone has heard about Jesus, and there is no need to tell others about Him.

Today, we tell ourselves that the Gospel is no longer new, so it is more difficult for us to make a difference with it.

But I can tell you this: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is as powerful and relevant today as it ever was.

The difference is not in the time in which we live, but in the passion with which we live.

The church wasn't full because Paul and Barnabas went out an invited everyone in town to come.

People were excited to share Jesus with others.

It was the people who had heard the Word who were excited and eager for their friends and family to hear it also.

How excited are you to hear the Word of God? How eager are you for your friends and family to hear it?

How passionate are you about seeing people come to know Jesus the way you know Jesus?

How can we expect others to be excited and commit their lives to Jesus if we, the body of Christ, the church, are not excited about it?!

The body of Christ grows when we go out with passion and excitement to share the Gospel with those around us.

We should not be surprised when someone responds to Jesus, we should be surprised when they don't!

We should expect people to respond!

Can we stand for God the way we stand for social, political issues?

Can we defend God the way we defend athletes and celebrities?

Can we represent Jesus the way we represent our favorite teams?

Can we commit to following Jesus and being more than just a part time, fair weather fan?

Prayer

Make a commitment today:

Stop living your life for the approval of temporary people and the gain of temporary things.

Surrender you life to Jesus.

Live for what matters now and forever.

Commit your

Renew your commitment to Christ this morning.

Give Him back the passion and excitement that the world has stolen.

Stand for the only One who can heal and restore, the only One who loved you from the beginning and will love you for eternity.

Stand for Jesus.

Invitation

Acts 13:

Here we see the reaction.

Again, the Jews opposed the risen Savior because it meant that salvation no longer came by way of laws and works, but by grace through faith in Jesus.

They were angry and jealous because of the crowds and attention that were being taken away from them, so they began to contradict and go against what was being preached.

We have to ask this morning.

What things in your life does following Jesus take time and attention away from?

Playing sports, watching sports

boyfriends, girlfriends