Five Things New (And Old) Believers Should Be Doing

It’s 11:00am here, EST. By this time, 11am on September 11, 2001, two planes had crashed into both the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in Manhattan. Both towers of the World Trade Center had collapsed — 100 floors of skyscraper now made up of piles of smoldering concrete, steel, and glass.

[9/11 SLIDE]

By this time on Sep. 11, 2001, one plane had crashed into the Pentagon outside Washington, DC. Another plane crashed in Pennsylvania.

By this time on that day, the White House and US Capitol building had been evacuated. By this time, the FAA had forced every plane over US airspace — that’s over 4,500 planes in the sky — to land. No planes over the US; no planes entering or leaving the US.

By this time on that day, in fact, between 8:45am and 10:28am — less than two hours — thousands of Americans were dead along with 19 terrorist hijackers.

Some around the world celebrated what happened. Most of the world mourned along with us. On that day, the entire world came to a standstill. People in Berlin and Johannesburg and Istanbul paused in front of their TVs, hands over their mouths, stunned at what they were seeing. One thing is certain: September 11, 2001 was a day that will never be forgotten, at least as long as people remain alive who saw it. If you saw it, you could never forget.

I remember watching the news that day and just having this feeling that there was no going back. Things were radically different now. The world had changed in the blink of an eye. The world did change on Sep. 11, 2001, and now, looking back from 2022, we can see that the world did change permanently.

That’s because September 11 was what we call a crisis. A crisis is a defining event, an event that forces a decision upon us. A crisis is an event that is so monumental that you must respond to it — you must go one way or the other way but you can never remain the same.

That’s sort of what conversion is like, isn’t it? Previously dead in sins, now alive like never before. Previously weighed down by sin and guilt; now forgiven and free. Previously enslaved to destructive habits; now strong with new power to live a new kind of life. Coming to Christ is a crisis — you can never remain the same once you have truly come to know Him.

Which is why it is so puzzling when we see how many people do make commitments to Christ but then seem to remain the same. Many believers have received Jesus and Lord and Savior but have not really figured out how to live fully like a Christian in every area of life. And because they did the first without the second, they’ve become weak, complacent, and self-satisfied. In other words, many Christians become Christians but don’t really learn to live like a Christian and so they don’t act or look like a Christian.

Saul — who from here on out we will call him Paul — shows us an example of a Christian actually digging in and living like a Christian.

The Facts of Acts 9:19-31

Where? Damascus & Jerusalem

Who? Paul, Barnabas, Jews, Christians

What? Paul becomes a missionary & is hated/feared/embraced/protected

Five things every believer should be doing:

Connecting

Studying

Growing

Enduring

Engaging

These things don’t save us, but they serve as evidence that we have been saved. Five things every believer should be doing.

#1: Connecting - Connecting Consistently With A Church

One of the first things Paul does after his salvation experience is connect with a church. Verse 19b picks up right after Luke tells us the story of Paul’s salvation experience on the road to Damascus. And the next thing we read is this in verse 19b:

Saul connected immediately with the church in Damascus

“For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus...”

Acts 9:19b ESV

Now look down with me to verse 26. This is after he’s left the city of Damascus and now has traveled back to Jerusalem. New city? Gotta find a church. Verse 26:

Saul connected with the church in Jerusalem when he arrived there.

“And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples.”

Acts 9:26 ESV

Paul was going to Damascus as a Jewish official from Jerusalem and his goal once he got there was simple: hunt down Christians, round them up, arrest them, tie them up, and bring them back to Jerusalem where they would stand trial, for being Christians.

But Jesus had other plans for Paul. He was going to take this man who at the time was the chief persecutor of the church and turn him into the chief missionary of the church. Jesus reveals Himself to Paul on the road; Paul is stunned and traumatized by this; he’s blinded for three days. He uses this time to think and pray. He emerges as a changed man. And the first thing he does, upon emerging from his seclusion, is: gathers with other believers in Damascus.

This is such a priority for Paul.

By contrast, we’ll let almost anything interfere with our church attendance. Our kids and grandkids have Sunday morning ballgames? No problem — we’ll just pick back up at church in a few months. We’re having a tough time with something? Things aren’t going well? Can’t go to church if I don’t have it together. I’ll just stay home until things get better for me. Then I’ll go back. COVID-19 pandemic is under control? We’ve come to enjoy our family time on Sunday mornings, sitting on the couch drinking our coffee and eating our chocolate chip pancakes. Church is a lot more fun with chocolate chip pancakes. Let’s just keep doing this a little while longer; we’ll get back eventually.

Adults aged 18-57:

More than 66% do not attend church even once a month

These are people who say they made a commitment to Jesus in the past that is still important to them today

Source: The American Bible Society 2022 State of the Bible Survey

Every year, the American Bible Society conducts what they call the State of the Bible Survey. This year they found something really remarkable. What did they find?

They found that people — Christians, who call themselves strong Christians, practicing Christians — you ask them, are you a Christian and does it make a difference in how you live? And they answer yes! That group of adults in America, ages ranging from 18 to 57 years old — they aren’t likely to come to church even once a month.

But here’s the thing: they probably consider themselves active churchgoers. They have a church where they’re a member. They keep in touch with people from church on social media. Their church where they’re members — that’s our church, they say. How often do they go? Maybe 8-9 times a year.

And keep in mind — these are not just Americans who identify as Christians. These are American Christians who identify on the survey as strong, practicing Christians.

Look around the room, church. What age ranges do you see? Predominantly 60s and up? And children, teenagers. Where’s the rest? Where’s the 18-57 crowd? They’re the ones who claim to be strong, practicing, churchgoing Christians. They’re not here.

I say that with no shame or condemnation whatsoever. We don’t motivate people to change by shaming them. I say that to light a fire under you, those of you who are here. Do you mourn the fact that they aren’t here? Take the responsibility upon yourselves and reach them.

Are you connecting consistently with your church family? Are you helping others connecting with our church family?

These things don’t save us, but they serve as evidence that we have been saved. First thing Christians should be doing? Connecting — connecting consistently with your church family. What’s next? Studying. Connecting >> studying.

#2: Studying Your Bible And Sharing What God Is Showing You

[SLIDE]

Saul confidently shared his faith because he had studied diligently!

“Immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.”’ (Acts 9:20 ESV)

Saul is not only gathering with believers. He’s contributing something to the gatherings. Look with me at verse 20 and note the word “immediately”. “Immediately” — wasting no time, because there was no time to waste — “immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’”

How did Paul become so confident in speaking and teaching and preaching? By studying.

[SLIDE]

Saul confidently shared his faith because he had studied diligently!

“But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 9:22 ESV)

We see it again in verse 22: “But Saul increased all the more in strength” — he grew in his abilities, in his knowledge, in his understanding — “increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.”

[SLIDE]

Buffalo by the numbers:

We average 90-115 in worship on Sun. mornings

We average 10-25 in Bible study Sun./Wed. evenings

Not even 30% attend Bible studies

That breakdown is pretty typical of most churches. But whether it’s typical doesn’t concern me at all. It still isn’t good.

I’m not trying to demean anybody or make you feel bad. That is never my goal. Some of you are in seasons of life that make it genuinely hard to come to anything beyond Sunday morning.

But probably most of you are not. I love you all and I count it a privilege and a joy to be your pastor, and I’ll love you whether you ever come or not. More importantly, Jesus loves you whether you ever come or not.

But if you don’t come to Bible studies, small group Bible studies of some kind — you’re missing out. You’re missing out on who God is. God wants to reveal Himself to you and the beauty of His Son Jesus and the depth and attractiveness of the gospel and the preciousness of the Scriptures. Your personal quiet time and prayer time is not where that is most likely to happen. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that just coming to worship service on Sunday morning is not enough. God has ordained that His people grow in their knowledge of Him and their love for Him when they study and discuss Scripture in the context of a small group.

Are you studying your Bible and sharing what God is showing you with others?

These things don’t save us, but they serve as evidence that we have been saved. Third thing Christians should be doing? Growing — growing in knowledge and confidence. Connecting >> studying >> growing.

#3: Growing In Knowledge And Confidence

Look with me at verses 28-29. Paul has come from Damascus to Jerusalem after some time has passed. What does he do in Jerusalem? The same thing he did in Damascus. He preaches boldly.

[SLIDE]

Boldness and confidence

“So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And He disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him.”

Acts 9:28-29 ESV

Verses 28-29: “So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.”

What does it mean to be bold? It means the absence of hesitation. It means to have a low level of uncertainty. It means to be brave, to be courageous. To be bold is be daring. To be bold is to have confidence, in the face of opposition.

How many of you would like to have more confidence as Christians?

[SLIDE]

1 Peter 3:15 ESV

but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Sooner or later, we all will need more confidence, because opposition to the Christian message is only going to get worse.

We’re not likely as Christians in the US to be hurt or killed for our faith. But we are likely to be disagreed with. People will tell us we are wrong. People will tell us that we are hateful, narrowminded, intolerant. People may even tell us we are racist, homophobic. We may be cancelled. We may be told our ideas and convictions are out of place, that we’re on the wrong side of history.

Things weren’t much different for Paul. In verse 28, just after we’re told that he was preaching boldly in the name of Jesus, we read in verse 29 that his preaching was rejected by some. Verses 28-29: “So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord” — and here it is, verse 29: “And he was disputing against the Hellenists”. The Hellenists were Greek speaking Jews. They’re the ones who killed Stephen. And we read in our passage that tried to kill Paul too — for what? For preaching the truth about Jesus as the Son of God.

Here’s the test of boldness: can you still stand for biblical convictions, with truth and love, knowing that it’s going to cost you? If you can, you have boldness. If you can’t, go to God, the Giver of holy confidence.

Are you growing in knowledge and confidence?

These things don’t save us, but they serve as evidence that we have been saved. Fourth thing Christians should be doing? Enduring — enduring hardship and difficulty. Connecting >> studying >> growing >> enduring.

#4: Enduring Hardship And Difficulty

How many of you are going through hardship of some kind right now? Don’t worry about those who have it worse than you do. Right now, focus on how you feel: are you going through a hard time? Raise your hand if so.

Now, follow up question: for those of you who didn’t raise your hands, if you’re not going through something now, how many of you have been through some kind of hardship in the last 12 to 24 months?

I rest my case.

If you’re suffering now, hold on; lift your head; look to Jesus. It won’t last forever. Your suffering will pass.

If you’re not suffering now, you’ve either been through it — that was the second group — or you’re going to go through it. Suffering comes and goes and affects everyone.

[9/11 fireman slide]

There are two kinds of suffering in this world for Christians. First there’s just the normal kind of suffering that everyone faces. To live in this world is to hve trouble. Christians and non-Christians get dementia and cancer. Christians and non-Christians go through divorce. Christians and non-Christians are abused and harrassed.

But there’s a particular kind of suffering that only Christians can experience, and that is the suffering that results from you living, acting, and talking like a Christian in a fallemn world.

The photo on your screen is one that always moves me. This guy, this FDNY firefighter, is helping to drag a fire hose up flight after flight of stairs. You notice that everyone around him is going down the stairs. What’s this guy doing? He’s going up. There was a cost that came along with that.

This particular guy, I looked it up - his name is Mike Kehoe. He survived, escaped just one minute before the tower fell.

But many other fire fighters did not escape. They were burned or they were overcome by smoke inhalation or they were crushed when the towers fell. And this suffering would not have happened to them or their families if they had not chosen to be a public servant who fights fires. These men and women are the people who are going up into the tower rather than fleeing down out of the tower. These people are the real deal - they run toward suffering even as everyone else around them runs away.

And in the same way, Christian suffering happens because we are Christians.

Paul was well-acquainted with suffering. Look with me at verses 23-25: “When many days had passed” - Paul is still at Damascus — “the Jews plotted to kill him” — there’s the opposition, the hostility — “but their plot became known to Saul” — there’s God’s intervention. Verse 24 continues: “They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples” — Paul’s disciples, showing us that Paul already had a following as a teacher and a leader — “his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket” (Acts 9:23-25 ESV).

This was just the beginning of the suffering Paul encountered for being a Christian, and for preaching and teaching about Jesus. Listen to him in his own words as he tells his story in 2Cor. 11:21-33.

[SLIDE]

[READ INTENTIONALLY]

2 Corinthians 11:21–33 (ESV).

[I have had] far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

[SLIDE]

How did Paul endure suffering as a Christian? How did he suffer well? What was the key to his success?

2 Corinthians 12:9–10 ESV

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Are you enduring hardship and difficulty?

#5: Engaging Meaningfully With Non-Believers

Quick poll: Give me an “amen” if you know you should share your faith more with unbelievers.

Give me an even louder “amen” if want to share your faith more with unbelievers.

Give me a super “amen” if you feel guilty at times because you don’t share your faith more with unbelievers.

Now, the guilt — it’s gotta go. “There is therefore now no condemnation or those who are in Christ. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” (Rom. 8:1-2 ESV).

“There is therefore now on condemnation” — none, not even for failing to share your faith — “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” — that’s us, if you’ve trusted in Jesus for salvation and given you life to Him, even if imperfectly — that’s you! - “no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death — in other words, God has forgiven our sins and freed us from all the expectations we can’t fulfill, and that frees us up to actually meet those expectations, not because we have to but because we want to. God’s Spirit within us gives us both the desire to share our faith and the ability to share our faith. That’s good news.

If we want to get better at something we have to see how the “experts” do it.

Paul’s evangelistic strategy:

He went to people he already knew and understood

He went to where he knew lost people would be

Paul continued despite opposition

Paul spoke the truth about Christ boldly

Notice with me Paul’s evangelistic strategy.

Paul went to people he already knew and understood. He went to the synagogues. He knew who would be there. Paul knew the synagogue would be full of Jews who did not know Jesus. No longer going to the synagogues to arrest Christians who were worshipping Jesus. Now he’s going to the synagogues to try to persuade his fellow Jews that everyone ought to worship Jesus.

He also continued despite opposition. He kept talking about Jesus. His opponents tried to persuade him he was wrong. Luke tells us that Paul just got stronger; such a powerful annointing from the Lord was on Paul. They got angry and tried to tell him to stop preaching. Eventually that wouldn’t work either and they would just try to kill him.

By the way. Note this, church: the reason the world persecutes Christians is because they can’t successfully refute Christianity. And they’ll never stop serious Christians from talking about Jesus. So all they have left is to kill you. Jesus says not to fear them. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,” Jesus said. “Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28 ESV).

Third step: Speak boldly. We have a life-changing message. That life-changing message is grounded in real historical events. We take it on faith but we have excellent foundations for our faith. And we don’t even have to do the hard part: Jesus draws and softens and saves. Our part is to go to them, and open our mouths.

Are you engaging with non-believers?

These things don’t save us, but they serve as evidence that we have been saved. Connecting >> studying >> growing >> enduring >> engaging.

Conclusion and call for response

Many of us have received Jesus as Lord and Savior, but we didn’t take that next step of saying, “You know, I really want to live like a Christian in everything I do.” And what happens when we become Christians but then fail to live like Christians? We become weak, complacent, and self-satisfied. In other words, many Christians become Christians but don’t really learn to live like a Christian and so they don’t act or look like a Christian.

Let’s change this today, church. We’ve been changed. We’ve gone through the crisis of saving faith in Christ. But we haven’t changed accordingly.

Maybe some of you are here and you haven’t been changed. You haven’t given your life to Christ. You haven’t committed yourself to Him. You haven’t trusted in His death for your salvation. Your sin and your guilt remains upon you. The Bible says “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:36 ESV).

The Bible also says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life”. Stop trying to live your life on your own. Stop trying to be good enough for God on your own. Trust that Jesus on the cross bore the guilt of your sins — past, present, and future. Trust that He did that for you. Trust that by faith you can be right with God today.

Let’s commit this morning that we will live like Christians, not just claim the name of Christian.

Related Media

Related Sermons