When Our Problems Become a Pulpit
Notes
Transcript
Circumstances: It has been quite a 2020 so far.
starting with the Covid 19 pandemic which has changed many of our schedules and lives. People have struggled physically, finanically, and in many other ways.
recently we lost a great man of God by the name of Ravi Zacharias a great apologist and defender of the faith.
Also we saw on T.V. the murder George Floyd. Our country mourns his death and our hearts go out to his family at their loss.
Even hear at Grace some of our member have had loved one go into eternity.
Our hearts are heavy and hurting it alot.
We must not let Satan get a foothold in these situations that they would draw us away from Him.
I remember what David said in Psalm 40:1-3
1 (To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.) I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
We turn to God as Paul did
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
backgound:
Growing up in the church I just learned that Acts was the beginning of the Church.
Obviously the church is not a building but it is not individuals either. It is a group of individual coming together for corporate worship.
John Phillips in the book Exploring the New Testament book by book says,
“The book of Acts is a book of people, places, and principles. It’s pages are crowded with seventy or more characters and, as we travel down it’s twenty-eight chapters, we encounter some fifty or more places.”
God is doing some extra-ordinary things in the community. We see several stories some exciting and some sad:
Acts starts with Transition from Jesus to the Spirit of God as Jesus goes up and the Spirit comes down. Empowerment to do His will.
The filling of the Apostle by the Spirit.
The preaching of the Apostles by the Spirit. Acts 2
The Church growing and grappling: Acts 3-5
Light changes hand: Acts 6-12
A True Light- Martyred … Stephen
A Terrible Life- Metamorphosed … Paul
Metamorphoses of Audience from Jews to Gentile. Acts 10
The Foreign Emphasis: Paul in Chapters 13-28
Paul the Pioneer going on three missionary journey’s 13-20
Paul the Prisoner going to Rome to testify 21-28
The movement of Acts occur with three men:
God’s man Simon Peter
God’s martyr, Stephen
God’s missionary, Paul
The book is centered around the movement of these three men of God.
Important to their movements is found in Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
It is in “the uttermost part of the earth.” that Paul shows us what to do when faced with difficulty.
1. Describing the Providence of God vv. 17-20
2. Discussing the Glory of the Gospel vv. 21-29
3. Displaying the Provision of Grace vv. 30-31
I. Describing the Providence of God vv 17-20
I. Describing the Providence of God vv 17-20
Problems of life often provide opportunities to describe the providence of God.
Paul was in the City of Rome three day before He called on the Jewish “Men and Brethren”
This would have been a consistent pattern for Paul
But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down.
And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
Paul was going to the give the Jewish nation what they and everyone needs the most the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
and why because Jesus is the “Hope of Israel”
Paul shared the message in three important ways.
A. The concise message of God’s providence
1. He didn’t reach for their emotions he came right to the point. To the heart of the matter.
2. The heart of the Gospel is Jesus Christ. The Jewish nation was Paul’s heart on the outside.
The Message of Acts a. Paul Addresses Jews (28:17–23)
He emphasized three points. First, he had himself done nothing against the Jewish people (‘our people’, he called them) or their ancestral customs (‘our customs’, he said). Secondly, after being arrested and handed over to the Romans (17), and examined by them, they had wanted to set him free because they could find nothing against him deserving death (18). Thirdly, it was because the Jews had objected to his release that he had felt compelled to appeal to Caesar, although he had nothing against his own people (19). Thus, Paul had done nothing against the Jews, the Romans had nothing against him, and he had nothing (i.e. no charge) against the Jews. It was in order to clarify these points that he had asked to see them. He was in every way a loyal Jew; indeed it was because of the hope of Israel, Israel’s Messianic expectation fulfilled in Jesus, that he was a prisoner (20).
B. The clarified motive of God’s providence
1. The motive of Paul was one of his people coming to the knowledge of Jesus Christ “The Hope of Israel”
2. His motive is clear his people coming faith in Jesus Christ. Do we understand that is what people need. That Christ would be proclaimed unto His People
3. We have an opportunity in this time to shine as stars in the backdrop of other peoples pain and difficulty. The Answer is Christ.
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
C. The central means of God’s providence
1.Paul didn’t make it about Rome or Himself or about anything else except the cause of Jesus Christ.
2. Paul, Rome, Jewish nation or any other controlling factor it was God who was providentially in control of Paul’s imprisonment.
3. The mixed message of why Paul was there and why the chain. “because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain”
4. It was, in other words, for being a loyal Jew, as he saw it, that Paul was wearing a Roman fetter, and this was surely something that demanded the attention of the Jews, since their religion was legally permitted by the Romans.
I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 5, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980), 443.
I. Describing the Providence of God vv. 17-20
II. Discussing the Glory of the Gospel vv. 21-29
II. Discussing the Glory of the Gospel vv. 21-29
God’s providential purpose in our lives is to Glorify Him.
The first question of the Westminster catechism ask, “what is the chief end of man?” the answer is, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.”
This question answers why we are here on God’s earth and that is for God’s purpose, not for our own.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
finish it okay go ahead … to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his Purpose.
Paul’s testimony in Philippians 4:11
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Paul was in a prison and content in his confinement with Roman chains on his legs as a prisoner of Jesus Christ.
God like Paul is governing our lives and we are not left on earth for our own personal fulfillment. We are not hear for our happiness. God’s goal is His Glory and our obedience to His will revealed in His Word.
If you can look at suffering that way and understand what God is doing in your life, you too can be a witness for Christ in the midst of tough times.
Three encouraging things to remember when you proclaim the gospel.
A. God Prepares People to Hear.
A curiosity created in people
a. The Jewish people didn’t have any prior knowledge to Paul coming there.
b. The “this sect” was a known hated growing group among the Jewish people at Rome.
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
B. We witness to Persuade: We want people to respond.
Paul expounded in the original it means to give an account to elaborate on the meaning of something through discourse.
Paul testified which means to bear witness v. — to solemnly assert something, offering firsthand authentication of the fact; often concerning grave or important matters.
“The Kingdom of God” -the domain ruled by king or queen.
Paul was persuading which means: to cause someone to adopt a certain position or course of action. A normative practice for Paul
And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
And when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ.
Jesus as the ordained and predicted Head of the Kingdom.
Out of the law of Moses and out of the prophets- drawing his materials and argument from a source mutually acknowledged.
Our whole purpose is to persuade the people that we are speaking and yes we must use words because to just live a life is not enough
Today we call it sharing the Gospel, but it should be more like an attorney presenting evidence to persuade the jury.
Remember we are not emotionally manipulating, arm twisting or pressuring for a response.
Remember present but God does the saving.
To present we must be prepared:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
C. The Spirit of God Opens Eyes
Paul gives parting words as they leave the assembly a solomen parting testimony.
Giving them Isaiah 6:9-10 which is also given in Matthew 13:13-15 and John 12:38-40 as a stern warning.
The heart of Paul is revealed in
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
and
That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
Paul mentioning the message going to the Gentiles which will hear. Onesimus finding Christ in that very house
I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:
The gospel is not limited but can reach out to anyone. Jew or Gentile God is not limited. We must remind ourselves and others what 2 Corinthians 4:4 says
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Paul knew it was God and not Him as Acts 13:48 reminds us.
And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
God is the one that is creating crisis for curiosity for Christ.
1. Describing the Providence of God vv. 17-20
2. Discussing the Glory of the Gospel vv. 21-29
III. Displaying the Provision of Grace vv. 30-31
III. Displaying the Provision of Grace vv. 30-31
it is clear that Paul’s problem became a pulpit for Him to share the provided provision of God’s grace.
Paul knew this principle previously in 2 Cor. 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
God’s grace is always sufficient for the problem you or I face. Two thing to notice.
Extraordinary things in ordinary place. That ordinary house became a sacred spot the original St. Paul’s Cathedral while wearing prisoner’s shackles no less.
All the Jewish leaders that heard the gospel in that house with some believeing.
So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;
All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household.
Everyone was getting exposed to the Gospel.
2. God also provided special opportunities in unexpected situations.
Paul couldn’t go out so He brought people to Him.
Paul’s problem became his pulpit.
Some of the best and most loved hymns are by Fanny Crosby
“Blessed Assurance,” “I Am Thin, O Lord,” “Praise Him, Praise Him,” and “To God be the Glory.”
One of my favorites is titled “My Savior First of All>”
When my lifework is ended, and I cross the swelling tide,
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see;
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side,
And His smile will be the first to welcome me.
Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face,
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye; How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace, That prepare for me a mansion in the sky.
Refrain:
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
And redeemed by His side I shall stand,
I shall know Him, I shall know Him,
By the print of the nails in His hand.
Fanny Crosby’s problems became a pulpit and a source of blessing for thousands of God’s people over the years.
God will give you opportunities to share His wonderful grace even in the midst of the difficulties of your life.