The Church is (Still) A MIssional People

Introduction:

· 1-stop shopping: from 1% of the US economy —> Ch. 11! Real Estate? “Prodigy”? Credit cards?

· Acts 1:8-28:31: Theological crises; racial divisions; shipwrecks, imprisonment…BUT:

THE CHURCHC IS STILL A WITNESSING COMMUNITY THREE REASONS WHY: IT’S CENTRAL TO OUR MISSION, IT’S THE POWER TO HEAL; IT’S GUARANTEED SUCCESS.

I) …Because it is Central to our Mission (vv. 17-24)

A. Filling in the Background:

i. Charged with a capital crime, Paul is under house-arrest (vv. 18-20)

ii. Paul initiates a series of Conversations with the Jews

1. Paul is trying to win over the Jewish people (vs. 17, 21-22)

2. Part of his approach: perhaps strategic for his trial

B. The Church Witnesses to the “Hope of Israel” (vv. 23-24)

i. The Church Presents Jesus as the Hope of God’s People (vs. 20, 23-24)

1. First to Israel: Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel

2. Paul shows Jesus as the “hope” of scripture

ii. The Church presents Jesus as the center of Scripture (vv. 23-24)

1. Christians should be people of HOPE – not critics, and cynics…

2. The Church proclaims the hope of Jesus central to God’s story

YOU’LL NOTICE THAT PAUL’S MESSAGE…FALLS FLAT.

II) …Because the Gospel is the power to heal hearts (vv. 25-29)

A. We Resist the Gospel Because Our Hearts are Stubborn

i. Paul’s Closing Words: History Repeats Itself (vv. 24-27, Is. 6)

1. Many Jews rejected the hope offered in Christ so Paul quotes Is. 6

2. Our hearts are hardened to the message of God’s holiness & our sinfulness

ii. Likewise, we resist the fundamentals of the gospel

1. We prefer a God crafted in our image: tolerant, accepting,

2. And, we prefer to justify, blame, etc. and so marriages, families,

B. But the Gospel is God’s Healing Power for the Nations (vs. 28)

i. The Gospel Heals us by showing how God fixes what we can’t (vv. 27c-28)

1. Jews solved the problem themselves; Gentiles admitted helplessness (Romans 9:30

Romans 9:30 ESV

What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;

2. True healing begins with an honest diagnosis of our condtion & ability

ii. The Gospel heals us by providing the penalty for, and power from SIN

1. Marriage? Addiction? Habit? We are sinful & helpless, but God is not!

2. EXAMPLE: A counselor seeks brokenness…in order to see redemption

WE ARE STILL A WITNESSING COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT’S CENTRAL TO OUR MISSION, IT’S THE HEALING FOR THE NATIONS, BUT THERE’S MORE.

III) …Because God’s mission WILL succeed (vv. 30-31)

A. Even chains can’t stop this Task!

i. The Gospel may be chained, but it is unhindered

1. Paul concludes under house-arrest – just one of many troubles (Phil. 3)

2. Yet: though the gospel is chained, it’s not hindered (vs. 30b)

ii. We must confidently witness, facing troubles, yet “unhindered”

1. In a world of chains (“secularism” “division” “polarized”…) the church bears witness

2. Whatever it might cost us – God redeems this for his purpose

B. The church is still a witnessing community until the ends of the earth hear!

i. From beginning to end…Jesus accomplishes his task!

1. The book begins w. a mission (Acts 1:8)

2. As the story ends, Paul is boldly proclaiming Jesus, thus showing Jesus’ story WILL succeed!

ii. And even as the story is unfinished today, WE participate!

1. What happened to Paul? The story seems unfinished…

2. …so it continues today, even until Jesus returns!

Transition:

Conclusion

As a church – we are a witnessing community; where do you fit?