Problems
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
— Introduce self and quick testimony of salvation, calling to ministry, and going to college
— I remember when I first went to college, I had 5 other roommates.
— describe the situation and how it was terrible, like torture, suffering and persecution “why God?!”
In the moment, that whole situation seemed significant, the fact that i had to live with five other men in one room, but in the grand scheme of things, it really wasn’t a huge deal compared to real persecution and suffering.
take a look at
And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation. And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
1. Probability of Persecution (v. 22-24)
1. Probability of Persecution (v. 22-24)
Persecution- hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of religious beliefs.
Stephen is stoned to death. James the brother of the apostle john was beheaded. Philip was scourged and crucified. Matthew was beheaded. James the brother of Jesus was thrown off of the temple and stoned and smashed with a club. Mathias, the apostle who replaced Judas was stoned and beheaded. Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross. Mark was dragged to pieces. Peter was crucified upside down. Paul was beheaded. Jude was crucified. Bartholomew was beaten and crucified. Thomas was run through with spears and thrown into a fiery oven. Luke was hung from a tree.
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
a) The Christian life is not an easy life
Paul and Silas here were only doing what they were supposed to be doing. They were just trying to do what God had told them to do, and they were being attacked for it.
There are a lot of people and preachers today who believe that the Christian life is an easy life, and that the Bible promises you wealth, health, and happiness and that God wants you to live a life of simplicity and luxury, but we just don’t see that in Scripture. But you know what we do see? Suffering… persecution
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
The Bible is very clear that the Christian life is not a cake walk. You will have your problems. Keep in mind that the only reason that anything bad ever happens is because of us, it is our fault. We, as humans, were living in paradise in the garden of Eden, and the father of our human race, Adam, willfully sinned and disobeyed God. And all of these terrible things that happen are a result of our sin.
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
But thankfully there was a new Adam who came into the world, who didn’t sin, and took our punishment for us so that we could be made into his righteousness.
For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
And this God, who came to earth to save us, does desire for us to follow Him and His will, but, sometimes His will can be confusing.
b) God’s Will can be confusing (v. 9-10)
Especially for the seniors right, you have just a few months before you spring off into the real world, and its a scary thought, especially when you’re trying to figure out exactly what God wants you to do.
I remember being a senior and almost doing a bazillion different things before finally the Lord made it evident that He wanted me to go into ministry.
So following God’s will can be confusing.
So God has just given the apostle Paul a vision of going to Macedonia and planting a church over there. So they go and on their way, they are followed around town by a possessed girl, Paul casts the demon out of her, and they get thrown in jail.
Could you imagine? You’re doing exactly what God has asked, and yet you get whipped and beat and thrown in prison.
God I’m doing exactly what you told me to do and this is how you repay me?
First of all, God does not owe you anything. Just because you do what God says does not mean that you deserve a reward, God does not owe you anything.
Second of all, an attitude of pride and ingratitude is a terrible way to live.
The best way to figure out God’s will for your future is to do God’s will now. Start with what we know we need to do.
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Whenever things seem to be going wrong and you just can’t catch a break, you need to remind yourself who the real enemy is.
c) Remember the real enemy (v. 16-18)
God is not your enemy. Other people are not your enemy. The devil is your enemy, and he hates your guts. He wants to make your life miserable and cause you to forsake and forget your God.
The reason Paul and Silas got thrown in jail in the first place is because a demon had possessed this girl and this girl was taunting them.
So how do I fight spiritually? How do I combat spiritual wickedness?
Here’s how:
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
If you are going to go into battle, you have to suit up and be ready for that battle. The only way that you can conquer your enemy is with the Sword, the Word of God.
Remember how Jesus defeated the temptations of the Devil in Matthew 4?
He quoted Scripture to him.
You need to know your weapon and how to use your weapon.
So there is a probability of Persecution, not only that, there is a
2. Possibility of Positivity (v. 25)
2. Possibility of Positivity (v. 25)
Positivity is the practice of being or the tendency to be positive or optimistic.
**This weekend I went to california to graduate from college right, and my dad came and Abbie’s dad came, and Abbie’s dad is just a neat guy. (talk about how positive he is and asking my dad if hes weird and abbie saying she needs to be more positive)
Being like that is much better than being an eeyore Christian. Yall know what an eeyore Christian is?
explain
a) The Christian can and should always have a good attitude
This is the opposite of what the world says right.
The fact that Paul and Silas had just been beaten and whipped and thrown in jail is cause enough to be a little disappointed and discouraged. But they weren’t. They were excited and happy, so much so that they were praying and singing praises to God.
Singing and music please the Lord.
Singing and music can also edify man.
And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
It doesn’t matter what sort of circumstance you are in or what is going on around you, you can have a good attitude and always be thankful to God.
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
Paul says… (PREACH)
b) Don’t do life alone
Paul had a friend, a comrade, a fellow soldier and missionary that was there by his side. Silas was there with Paul every step of the way. Paul used to have a different friend, Barnabas, but they had somewhat of a disagreement and they had to go separate ways. But Paul got a new friend to help him accomplish God’s will.
Listen, you need friends. And sometimes friends have to part ways and go in separate directions. If that happens, make sure you make new friends because you need them. It is so hard to do life alone, and having friends makes it so much easier.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
If you are friendly, you will have friends.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly:
And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
**When I was in highschool, I won’t lie to you I had a little bit of a hard time making friends. I would say back then I was more of an introvert, I didn’t like talking to people and getting out of my comfort zone. And I suffered for it. I didn’t have a good high school experience, actually quite the opposite I really, really hated it. And I’m so jealous of yall because I see how you have small intimate classes and how yall have the opportunity to build real, strong friendships. In my high school there were 2,000 students in just 9th - 12th grade. It would take up most of First Baptist’s auditorium. It was huge, and I didn’t have any close friends.
So, make friends, and the only way to do that is to be friendly.
c) There is purpose in the pain
but you have to find it.
For Paul and Silas, there was a purpose for everything that they were going through, they might not have realized it at first, but this situation gave them an
3. Opportunity for Preaching (v. 27-31)
3. Opportunity for Preaching (v. 27-31)
I remember the first time i had the opportunity to preach man, it was in my junior high sunday school class and it was terrible.
In verse 27 the prison guard was ready to kill himself because he thought his prisoners had escaped. The reason he was going to kill himself was because if he didn’t, his commanding officer would have. He would have been held responsible for these people escaping and his punishment would have been death.
But Paul stopped him, and gave him the gospel, he preached Christ unto him. And he got saved, not only that, his whole household got saved, his family, and then not only that, but he cleaned up Paul and Silas’s wounds where they had been beaten and whipped, and not only that, but him and his family got baptized.
Of course we know preaching from a pulpit isn’t for everybody, not everybody is meant to be a pastor or preacher, but everybody is supposed to be a witness.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
So how can we preach today to see conversions like this? Here’s some tools for witnessing:
a) Use your testimony
Paul used his testimony all the time when he would preach.
Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I had the seniors in my Bible class do this as an assignment because it is such a great tool for witnessing.
To give your testimony, you explain who you were before you knew Christ, how you came to know Christ, and then how you are after knowing Christ.
So it would go something like this
**Give testimony
Not only can you use your testimony, but you can
b) Use your character
When people see how you act, they will know that there is something different about you.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
People will see how you treat other people and they will know that you are a Christian, just by seeing how you love people.
When people see you doing good deeds, they will know that you’re a Christian.
When people look at your life, do they see the love of Christ? Do they see you loving other people and being kind to them? Do they see you doing good works and good deeds, having a good character being the godly Christian that God intended for you to be? Or do they see something else?
c) Use the gospel
So use your testimony and use your character, but most of all use the gospel, preach the gospel.
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Here is the gospel:
Man is full of sin and the punishment for our sin is death and separation from God.
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Christ came and took that punishment for us, He died so that we wouldn’t have to.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
He rose again from the dead, and if you believe on Him and ask Him to save you, He will.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
That is the gospel.
Conclusion
Conclusion
So here’s the deal, there is a Probability of Persecution, the christian life can be hard, but there is a possibility for positivity, you can have a good attitude regardless of any situation, and finally there are opportunities for preaching and witnessing.
There’s a few questions we need to consider
- How do I react when things don’t go my way?
- Am I following God’s will for my life?
- Do I usually have a healthy and positive attitude?
- Do I witness and tell people about Christ consistently?
Find one thing to apply...
Tonight in the Youth we are going to talk about something mentioned in this Scripture that we didn’t talk about that much today, we are going to talk about chains. The chains of sin and how to get out of them.