Responding to a Hostile World - Acts 21:37-22:29

“Responding to a Hostile World”

Acts 21:37-22:29

©Copyright 2004 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, January 18, 2004

There is quite a stir that has taken place over a movie titled “The Passion of Jesus”. The movie was produced by actor Mel Gibson, who is a very devout Catholic. I’ve heard the movie is all in Aramaic and Latin and has sub-titles. You wouldn’t think anyone would pay attention to any movie such as this. You’d be wrong.

The Passion is a re-telling of the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus. Because it is an accurate portrayal of what took place, many people are upset. Some are upset because they feel it puts Jewish people in a bad light (of course, the main character was Jewish also!) Some are upset because the movie seems to suggest (even with subtitles) that Jesus was no ordinary man. The movie seems to call you to stand with Christ or against him. (Which I’m sure was Gibson’s intention). Most of all people are upset because they simply don’t like the idea of a Savior having to die for sin. They don’t like the idea of a suffering Savior. The movie makes Jesus “too real”.

Mel Gibson has gone to a great expense and endured incredible abuse simply because he wanted to accurately tell the story of the last twelve hours of the life of Jesus. What has happened to Gibson should not surprise us. Those who stand up for the gospel are often attacked. Even back when I was in high school I was taunted with the label, “Jesus freak”. Evangelical Christians are today labeled, “Extreme conservatives”, the “religious right”, “fundamentalists” (said with a sneer but not a bad was to be identified (as one who holds to the fundamentals of the faith). Christian students are often singled out for ridicule by Professors. Christian employees are sometimes ridiculed for their ethics. Christianity generally evokes some kind of response from people.

This morning I believe we can learn about how to handle hostile situations by looking at the example of the Apostle Paul in Acts 21:37-22:29.

Let’s review. Paul had arrived in Jerusalem to bring an offering to the church. While there, he reported on the work that God had done in the various cities that Paul had visited. The leaders of the church warmly embraced the great news of the advance of the gospel.

These same leaders asked Paul for his help. Many Jews were also coming to faith in Christ as the Messiah and they were becoming more zealous to keep the law (if they were true believers they were not trying to keep it to be saved, but out of love for God.) These leaders asked Paul to engage in a “good faith” venture. They asked him to participate in a purification ceremony. I believe Paul agreed to the plan in hope that he could build a bridge to his Jewish friends.

The plan didn’t work out. Paul was accused (probably by non-Christians) of desecrating the temple and was almost killed before being rescued by the Roman guards. It is at this point that we pick up our story.

PAUL HAD UNCOMMON STRENGTH

37 As the soldiers were about to take Paul into the barracks, he asked the commander, “May I say something to you?” “Do you speak Greek?” he replied. 38 “Aren’t you the Egyptian who started a revolt and led four thousand terrorists out into the desert some time ago?” 39 Paul answered, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no ordinary city. Please let me speak to the people.”

The Roman soldiers believed that the best way to stop the growing riot was to remove Paul. He had been bound with two chains (as if he were a dangerous criminal) and was carried out of the crowd. I think we can safely conclude Paul had received quite a beating.

As they were going up the steps to the barracks Paul asked for permission to speak to the crowd. The commander was caught off guard by Paul’s educated Greek language. The commander had thought Paul was a notorious Egyptian terrorist. When Paul explained that he was from Tarsus (a city known for it’s education) the commander knew he was mistaken (and perhaps curious). He was more impressed when Paul began to speak to the crown in Aramaic.

As fascinating as this is, however, don’t miss a significant point. Paul had been beaten badly and yet he had the strength . . . and the desire . . . to speak to the crowd. Where did he find the strength to speak? Where did he find the strength to face his attackers?

There are many assaults in the world that are never reported simply because the person who was attacked does not have the strength to confront the situation. They don’t want to face their attackers, they don’t want to face the many questions, and they just want to escape. We would have understood if Paul had simply chosen to be carried away from the mob.

When we are attacked by the world, when others resist and fight us, it is easiest to throw up our hands and simply surrender. That is the wrong move. God has promised that He will strengthen us. He has told us that he would never leave us or forsake us.

Jesus warned his disciples that they would face hostility. He told them that when they were brought before the court because of their faith, they should trust the Holy Spirit who would give them the words to say. In the Olivet Discourse or the last teaching session Jesus had with his disciples before the crucifixion he told them, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [Jn. 14:27] Later in the same discourse Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, for I have overcome the world.” [Jn. 16:33]

There are three ways in which a skier can get to the top of the ski slope. He can try to walk up on his own, be pulled up as he holds on to a strap, or he can ride up in the chair lift. This illustration graphically depicts the various ways Christians try to live the Christian life. Some try completely to live in their own strength; others try to combine their own effort with some degree of dependence on God. But the only way to know true victory in every situation is total dependence on the Holy Spirit.[1]

Paul found His strength in the Lord. It’s possible you are worn out today. You are working hard but you don’t seem to be getting anywhere. Maybe you seem to meet roadblock after roadblock. Are you trying to walk up the hill? Are you trying to “help” God? If so, I remind you that He calls us to rest in Him. Trust Him for the strength you will need.

NOTICE HIS TRANSCENDING LOVE

The second thing to notice is the spirit with which Paul spoke to his accusers. He called them “fathers and brothers”. There was a surprising tenderness in his words. He spoke to them in Aramaic, which was “their” language. There is no sense that Paul spoke with anger or even with an “edge”. When Paul began to speak, the people became quiet and listened. They were taken off guard by his tone. They expected anger and rebellion but what they heard was love.

When we face hostility a big obstacle is having the desire and the compassion to keep trying. It is always tempting to say, “Fine! Be that way. The heck with you.” No one would have blamed Paul if he resolved never to try to minister to the Jews again. No one would have been surprised if he called down curses on his attackers. That’s not what he did. Paul had compassion on these people.

Paul never forgot that there was a time when he was zealous for the law to the point where he attacked Christians. He never forgot that he too had been a sinner in need of God’s grace. He had participated in a mob action that cost Stephen his life. When that day was over Paul felt he had done well.

Sin blinds us. We can think we are good, we can believe we are doing the right thing, and still be headed to Hell. Paul had compassion on the people. They hated him . . .but they needed the message of grace he had been charged to deliver. He saw these people through the eyes of the Father.

So here is the application: Are you at a point of decision in your life? Have you reached the point where you are ready to give up on someone?

· Your foul-mouthed co-worker?

· Your classmates?

· A rebellious child?

· An obnoxious family member?

· An unappreciative friend?

· A distant parent?

· A hostile professor?

· A person who always “pushes your buttons”?

Maybe you are ready to dismiss all those who live in Iraq, Iran or follow the Muslim faith. Perhaps you have written off those of a different political party. Maybe you want to wash your hands of another church in the area. I don’t think Paul would have done any of these things. He remembered that he was lost before he met Christ and he knew that anyone who did not receive the gospel would spend eternity in eternal torment.

Paul refused to give up. He was a recipient of grace and was going to extend grace to others. On the surface, it appears his tenacity was useless on this occasion. The truth however, is that we don’t know who Paul may have helped move toward Christ in his simple words. And there is another thing to keep in mind. Once you start giving up on people you will start doing so repeatedly.

We must see our opponents through the eyes of God. We must look for ways to present the truth in the hope that God’s Spirit will open the heart of those who oppose us. It should be our prayer for God to turn our opponent into our brother.

PAUL ADDRESSED THE HOSTILITY WITH THE SIMPLE TRUTH

There is nothing particularly noteworthy about Paul’s message to the people. It was very simple. Note a couple of things.

First, Paul identified with his audience. He literally spoke their language. He told them about his Jewish upbringing. He was trained by one of the finest Jewish teachers of the day. He too was enthusiastic in his zeal for the law. His enthusiasm (just like theirs) led him to strike out at the early Christians. Paul wanted the people to know that he wasn’t much different than they were.

One of the barriers to effective witnessing is our own self-righteousness. People feel we are judging them. They sense that we are talking down to them. Paul did not lecture, he identified with his audience. In most 12 step programs (such as Alcoholics Anonymous) the thing that makes the program work is the fact that everyone in the group knows they are one step away from addiction. They are “fellow alcoholics” who are in various stages of recovery. We as Christians need to relate to others as “recovering sinners”. We share a common disease (sin) and are just as helpless, apart from Christ, to overcome that sin.

Second, Paul shared his personal story. He didn’t share a sermon, he shared his experience. Too many times we miss opportunities to share the gospel because we “don’t know what to say.” We don’t have a presentation prepared. God does not ask us to all be preachers. He asks us to share our story, to testify to what God has done in our life. He asks us to simply tell the truth. Most people will listen to your experience before they will listen to your instruction.

Paul’s experience was certainly dramatic on the Damascus road. Your story may not be as dramatic. Mine isn’t. I was simply a young boy who always went to church but didn’t really know the Savior until God opened my eyes and my heart when I was 13 years old. It’s really not a very riveting story. It is however my story and God will use it for His purpose if I am willing to share it.

When sharing your story you should tell people what you were like before you met Jesus; what brought to a point of realization and faith; and what has happened since you put your faith and trust in Christ. That’s it. That’s what God wants you to share.

“But, what if somebody has a different experience than mine?” the answer to that is simple: Everyone has a different experience from yours . . . but you don’t know what part of your story may be used by God to touch another.

“What if someone asks me a question I can’t answer?” Tell them you can’t answer the question! Remember the blind man who was healed? The Jews interrogated this man. They wanted to know who was responsible for his healing. They did not like the answer that it was Jesus. They charged that Jesus was a sinner. The man who had received his sight said, “whether he was a sinner or not, I don’t know. All I do know is that I was blind and now I see.” [John 9:25] You don’t have to have all the answers . . . just tell your story.

“What if they don’t accept my testimony?” First of all, your testimony is not something that is either acceptable or unacceptable. It is simply your story. When someone says, “I don’t buy your story”. My response would be, “It’s not for sale. I’m not asking for your approval or applause, I’m just telling you what happened to me. What you do with this information is up to you.”

Paul never was able to finish his testimony. He never had the opportunity to tell people how to be saved. As soon as he mentioned that he had been sent to the Gentiles, the people went crazy again. You may not always be able to share your full testimony, the important thing is to share what you can share.

CONCLUSIONS

I find a number of lessons from Paul’s experience. First, we learn that we should not be surprised by hostility. Not everyone is going to appreciate the grace of God. Not everyone is going to be willing to admit that they need a Savior. Don’t be surprised by hostility, it comes with the territory.

Second, we must turn to God for strength in the hard times. Whether that hard time is the assault of a crowd or the loss of a loved one—God’s strength will get us through. He will get us through the times of shattered relationships. He will get us through the times of physical degeneration. He will get us through the times when we don’t know what is going on, or what to do about it. In these tough times we are called to hang on to Him. We are called to believe His promise that he will NEVER leave us or forsake. We must trust that he was telling us the truth when he told us that His Spirit would guide us, strengthen us, and comfort us.

Third, we must remember that even those who hate us, are still loved by the Father. God still loves those who slander us in the media; those of other religious faiths; those who are in the church but are really “wolves in sheep’s clothing”; and those who scorn God in the way they live. These are all people who will cause us grief but they are also all people who are loved by God.

Some of these very people will be transformed by God’s grace. Some of these people will be friends and neighbors in the Kingdom of God. We must not dismiss these people and we must not give up on them. We also must not withhold the truth from these who are loved by God. We know that the message of grace is the only hope of Heaven. To miss this truth or continue to ignore this truth is to face eternal torment. If we understand Hell even a little, we will not be able to give up in our attempts to share the words of life.

Finally, we have here a reminder that “witnessing” doesn’t have to be complicated. To witness means to share what you have seen and experienced. You don’t need a seminary degree. You don’t need to have been a believer for a long period of time. You just need to tell your story.

It would be nice if everyone liked us. It would be great if movies like “the Passion of Jesus” were received with an open mind. That is not the way it is. We need to face the fact that there will be people who are opposed to the gospel. There will be people who dislike us because we hold to the truths of the Bible. It is not enough to face the fact that we might face opposition. We must be prepared. Peter told us,

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy. Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath. [1 Peter 3:15,16, THE MESSAGE]

It’s good advice: be prepared with the truth, present that truth with love, and pray for God to use that truth and give you the strength to survive the hard times and those who are antagonistic to the faith. When you feel you are all alone in the battle I hope you will gain strength not only from the courage of Paul, but also the courage of Mel Gibson.

©Copyright 2004 by Rev. Bruce Goettsche, January 18, 2004 www.unionchurch.com

[1]Green, M. P. (1989). Illustrations for Bilical Preaching : Over 1500 sermon illustrations arranged by topic and indexed exhaustively (Revised edition of: The expositor's illustration file.). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.