Untitled Sermon (6)

Paul’s second point teaches us to…

b. Proclaim God's power vv. 25-26

v. 25 – He sustains all things.Worshiped – θεραπεύομαι (therapeuomai) heal; cure. To be served (ministered) v. — to have one’s wants or needs attended to by another. Finite verb, present, passive, indicative, third person, singular.As Lord of heaven and earth, there is nothing within God that lacks. Therefore, our service to Him does not add anything to Him, it does not benefit God in any way. This begs the question, why then are we commanded to serve? Because of our lack and the benefit we gain when we serve!God’s commands for our service are for our good and blessing.This is an exhaustive list. God gives life, breath, and all things. This is often referred to as common grace. All humankind, believers and unbelievers alike, are alive by God’s grace and by His divine activity. When we breath in, we do so by divine enablement. Everything we have, we have by God’s grace.v. 26 – we are all one blood. No races.The life of the body is in the blood. As descendants of Adam and Eve, we all have the same blood. The same lineage. While our blood can carry diseases and germs, there is no such thing as racial or national contamination.This is a purpose statement. God created mankind to dwell on the earth. He has determined life expectancy and geographic location for all of us.This is one of those times when we must be careful not to go beyond what is written. Paul says God has determined our times and the boundaries of our dwellings. That’s it. Does God determine the infinite minutia of our lives? Paul doesn’t address that. Paul’s third point teaches us to…

c. Proclaim God's purpose vv. 27-29

vv. 26-27 – He has placed us on this earth that we might seek Him. He initiates, we respond.Here we hit a conundrum.Paul says here that God has done these things so that we will seek Him.Yet in he says the opposite (S).Is this a contradiction? How do we solve this?Context.In Paul is writing to demonstrate that everyone is under sin. He is establishing the need for salvation. To do that he is demonstrating that in our natural state, we are unrighteous, ignorant, opposed to God, etc. Here in Acts Paul’s point is that God intervenes in the lives of all men. This is made clear in (S).Jesus was lifted up. He was crucified. Now He draws all to Himself.This is where I disagree with the Calvinistic doctrine of Irresistible Grace. God draws all to Himself, but not all come. declares that people know God, but willingly choose to reject Him.Grope = blind reaching out and searching (hold arm over eyes and reach out with the other). It is an active searching for God!Being = existence. We exist in God. Paul knew the writings of popular poets. He used what they wrote to connect with his culture so he could preach Christ to them.Think = believe. Don’t believe that God is some idol fashioned by men’s hands and imagination.The god of imagination is not the God of revelation. We don’t serve a made-up being. We serve the one true and living God.Paul’s fourth and final point teaches us to…

d. Proclaim God's program vv. 30-31

v. 30 – All men everywhere to repent. Change their mind. Deal with REPENTANCE!God cannot and will not command something that we are unable to do. Where God commands, He enables. Where God calls, He equips.v. 31 – There is an appointed day of judgement. Jesus will be the judge.Ordained = same word “determined” in v. 26. To preach the message, we must know what it is.

3. We Preach Because There Is A Response vv. 32-34

vv. 32-34 – This is always the three-fold response of people to the gospel. Some mock, some wait, some believe.

a. Be ready for denial v. 32a

b. Be ready for delay v. 32b

c. Be ready for departure v. 33

d. Be ready for declaration v. 34

Conclusion