Have You Lost Your Mind?

Discovering the Church   •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  34:09
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The world puts those on trial who proclaim the foolishness of the Gospel, believing we have lost our minds.

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Acts 26:24–29 ESV
24 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
The world puts those on trial who proclaim the foolishness of the Gospel, believing we have lost our minds.

Introduction

It was said by many that Jesus was out of His mind, that He was insane...
John 10:20 ESV
20 Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?”
Jesus own family briefly thought Him to be out of His mind...
Mark 3:21 ESV
21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
A poor servant girl named Rhoda was told she was out of her mind (that she was frantic) because she spoke true and rational words that Peter was at the door when all assumed he was still in prison...
Acts 12:15 ESV
15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!”
Now Paul is proclaimed out of his mind as he goes on trial before the world.
He must witness the World things they consider foolishness, yet they are the truth.
It is not that unusual for those who proclaim truth to be labeled out of their mind...
In that way they are put on trial...

On Trial by the World

Paul and the rest of us who go by His name must use true and rational words so the world can become Christian and be saved...
The world is put on notice by the unique nature of the Gospel...
after Paul addresses the Areopagus...
Acts 17:32 ESV
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”
Jeremiah was put on trial before Isreal by the false prophet Shemaiah...
He usurped the real priest Jehoiada to get rid of all God’s Right Prophets whom the world thought lost their mind...
Jeremiah 29:26 ESV
26 ‘The Lord has made you priest instead of Jehoiada the priest, to have charge in the house of the Lord over every madman who prophesies, to put him in the stocks and neck irons.
Jeremiah was preaching an inconvenient truth so the world put him on trial
as the world puts us on trial...
While on trial we testify to things the world deems foolishness...

Witnessing to Worldly Foolishness

Foolishness denotes a division of wisdom and foolishness...
a division of knowledge and ignorance...
a division of smartness and dumbness...
a division of strong and weak...
a division of light and darkness...
a division of right and wrong...
Paul was obligated to both...
We are to sow seed without discrimination...
Romans 1:14 ESV
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.
The wise think they have it all figured out...
However they have it figured out by the world and the things in it...
1 Corinthians 1:20 ESV
20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
The strong think they have the upper-hand...
One who is strong outside the Lord will come to shame...
1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV
27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
Paul’s testimony should speak to us because we were once foolish ourselves...
Many of us thought ourselves wise or strong in the world...
Titus 3:3 ESV
3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
Men must stick with the truth...
Truth is determined by God...
Truth is God’s reality even when it is unseen...
In faith speak what is true and rational God’s testimony can be done without many words...

Speaking True and Rational Words

Paul tells Festus and Agrippa that he has not lost his mind...
Paul is only relaying simple facts...
2 Peter 1:16 ESV
16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
There is no need for us to make up our salvation...
Paul chooses to stay in his right mind because it will save others.
the right mind in Christ others see as having lost our mind...
2 Corinthians 5:13 ESV
13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you.
The world had it’s chance to know God by simple wisdom...
God was ignored in the power of His might...
Ignored and left in the evidence of the miraculous...
Now what remains for man is to heed the preaching of God’s mighty salvation...
1 Corinthians 1:21 ESV
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
Let the words of God penetrate to the inner man...
Listen with the heart that is not hard but open to the truth...
Fanciful myths nor cleverly devised tales will deliver men from sin...
1 Corinthians 2:13–14 ESV
13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Conclusion

Are you on trial today?

Have you been proclaiming the foolishness of the Gospel?

Do you know the true and rational words that saves the souls of men?

God’s Foolish Plan of Salvation

Hear His Foolishness

Romans 10:17 ESV
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Believe His Foolishness

Hebrews 11:6 ESV
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Repent of Worldly Wisdom

Luke 13:3 ESV
3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Confess Jesus the Simple Truth

Matthew 10:32–33 ESV
32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.

An Act of Foolishness “Be Baptized”

Acts 2:38 ESV
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Remain Steadfast in the Foolishness of God

Revelation 2:10 ESV
10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
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