Stand For Jesus
Notes
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Paul has just finished giving his sermon.
So when the Jews went out of the synagogue, the Gentiles begged that these words might be preached to them the next Sabbath.
Acts 13:42
KJV - and when the Jews were gone.
Why did the Gentiles wait until the Jews were gone? They knew to expect a certain reaction from them which we will see later. They knew they would be judged and maybe even attacked for their response.
Are there people in your life that you hesitate 'being a Christian' in front of because you know what their reaction will be? School, work, family, neighborhood.
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Why did the Gentiles wait until the Jews were gone? They knew to expect a certain reaction from them which would come later. Are there people in your life that you hesitate 'being a Christian' in front of because you know what their reaction will be? Why do we allow the opinions of people who don't really care about us, who would drop us the moment we are no longer useful to them, who are only concerned with how things affect them, who more than likely talk about you behind your back, who would never go out of their way to help you to have such a strong influence on how and when we show our faith?
In other words, when you stand up for me here, in this place, I will stand for you in front of God. But if you are ashamed of me and fail to stand for me in front of the world, then I can’t vouch for you in front of my Father!
God is not looking for people to be Christians only when it suits them. As Steve said last week, we either are or we are not.
Yet, we care more about what people think of us than we do about being faithful to our Creator. We allow the opinions of people who:
don't really care about us,
who would drop us the moment we are no longer useful to them,
who are only concerned with how things affect them,
who more than likely talk about you behind your back,
who would never go out of their way to help you
to have such a strong influence on how and when we show our faith? We choose the temporary over the eternal.
When we choose to follow Jesus, it’s got to be a 24/7, 365 commitment! There can’t be any fair weather followers.
Pet peeve: fair weather fans
When we stick to our convictions, we show our character and our faith. When we show our faith to the world, God is glorified.
There are so many people today taking positions on social injustice issues all over the world. There are people kneeling, protesting, rioting, looting, attacking, injuring, murdering. Everyone has an agenda and everyone thinks that they are right. I’m not a very public person when it comes to politics. I have my own views and opinions and if you ask me about them, I will share them with you honestly. But I will tell you this morning that no amount of any of things will heal the hearts and spirits of the people. Only the love of God shown to us through Jesus Christ can do that!
Look at verse 43.
Acts 13:
Now when the congregation had broken up, many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God.
How could they continue in grace if they had just heard about His grace? They had experienced the grace of the Gospel.
When we share the Gospel with our lives, there will be people who will hunger for more. Their lives will be impacted by the truth of God's Word such that they will seek for more of it. Paul and Barnabas continued with these people and encouraged them in their walk with Christ.
Do you know how they did it? By speaking to them. That’s all it takes, speak to the people around you. I know it seems unorthodox and strange, but it works!
It is our responsibility to speak to people about Jesus and also continue along side and encourage those who we see respond to Jesus, which is what Barnabas and Paul were doing here. But it’s not our responsibility to persuade or guilt people into following Him. We are not salesmen. Our job is not to put on our best fake smile and give our best sales pitch as to why people should follow Christ. Our job is to be real and honest. Genuine care and compassion will always beat a manufactured experience. When we get that right, people respond.
Let’s read verse 44.
speaking to them - thats all it takes from us! speak to the people around you.
Let’s read verse 44.
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city came together to hear the word of God.
The Gospel was new to people at that time. I think we sometimes put ourselves at a disadvantage because we assume everyone has heard about Jesus, and there is no need to tell others about Him. Today, we tell ourselves that the Gospel is no longer new, so it is more difficult for us to make a difference with it. But I can tell you this: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is as powerful and relevant today as it ever was because sin, hurt, pain, depression, anxiety, loneliness and fear are as powerful as they ever have been. The difference is not in the time in which we live, but in the passion with which we live.
The Gospel was new to people at that time. I think we sometimes put ourselves at a disadvantage because we assume everyone has heard about Jesus, and there is no need to tell others about Him. Today, we tell ourselves that the Gospel is no longer new, so it is more difficult for us to make a difference with it. But I can tell you this: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is as powerful and relevant today as it ever was. The difference is not in the time in which we live, but in the passion with which we live.
The church wasn't full because Paul and Barnabas went out an invited everyone in town to come. People were excited to share Jesus with others. It was the people who had heard the Word who were excited and eager for their friends and family to hear it also. How excited are you to hear the Word of God? How eager are you for your friends and family to hear it? How passionate are you about seeing people come to know Jesus the way you know Jesus?
How can we expect others to be excited and commit their lives to Jesus if we, the body of Christ, the church, are not excited about it?! The body of Christ grows when we go out with passion and excitement to share the Gospel with those around us. We should not be surprised when someone responds to Jesus, we should be surprised when they don't! We should expect people to respond!
Can we stand for God the way we stand for social, political issues?
Can we defend God the way we defend athletes and celebrities?
Can we represent Jesus the way we represent our favorite teams?
Can we commit to following Jesus and being more than just a part time, fair weather fan?
Prayer
Make a commitment today:
Stop living your life for the approval of temporary people and the gain of temporary things. Surrender you life to Jesus. Live for what matters now and forever.
Commit your
Renew your commitment to Christ this morning. Give Him back the passion and excitement that the world has stolen. Stand for the only One who can heal and restore, the only One who loved you from the beginning and will love you for eternity. Stand for Jesus.
Invitation
Acts 13:
But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul.
Here we see the reaction. Again, the Jews opposed the risen Savior because it meant that salvation no longer came by way of laws and works, but by grace through faith in Jesus. They were angry and jealous because of the crowds and attention that were being taken away from them, so they began to contradict and go against what was being preached.
We have to ask this morning. What things in your life does following Jesus take time and attention away from?
Playing sports, watching sports
boyfriends, girlfriends
sleeping in, taking a nap
playing video games, watching netflix or youtube
How does the enemy attempt to contradict and go against your decision to follow Christ? What lies do you believe?
Are we judging truth by the Word of God or are we judging it by how it affects the lifestyle we want to live? Truth should always make us uncomfortable, it should step on toes and make us evaluate ourselves and be honest about where we are and what we are doing. When the truth is not pleasant, we sometimes choose to ignore it, but ignoring the truth doesn’t make it any less true.
The truth is this:
Gospel Presentation
Jesus is the only way to salvation, there is no other
Any time we make excuses, we are opposing Christ
God chooses us but does not need us
Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.
The world does not revolve around us. We are not necessary for God's will to be done. If we are unwilling to be a part of the kingdom of God, there will be others who are. When we reject the Word, Truth and Life of God, we are judging ourselves as unworthy.
“Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it.
We cannot blame God or anyone else for our own rejection of Him! Though we try! It's my parents fault that I turned out this way, it's society's fault I am not a millionaire, it's the church's fault I am not plugged in, it's the teacher's fault I did not pass my class, it's my wife's fault I cheated, it's my husband's fault I drink. Maybe the reason we are in the situations we are in is because we are dumb and selfish and made some stupid decisions.
We cannot blame God or anyone else for our own rejection of Him! Though we try! It's my parents fault that I turned out this way, it's society's fault I am not a millionaire, it's the church's fault I am not plugged in, it's the teacher's fault I did not pass my class, it's my wife's fault I cheated, it's my husband's fault I drink. It’s my kids fault I have grey hair! (that one may be true). Maybe the reason we are in some of the situations we are in is because we are dumb and selfish and made some stupid decisions.
I know what you're thinking, how can you say that? You don't know my situation. And you're right, I don't! But I know that God didn't create you to be a slave to sin, caught in addiction, controlled by hatred, depressed, disconnected, hopeless, or lost. He created you with a purpose to live a life abundant! To glorify Him in all things, to shine a light in the darkness and be the love of Jesus in this broken world.
Are you only asking God to do for you, or are you asking what He wants you to do for Him? Are you approaching God as though He needs you, or do approach Him with humility and fear, knowing it is you who need Him? We were created for Him! To live for Him, to love Him, to glorify Him, to lift His name, to take His truth to the world. Regardless of opposition, from us or from others, God’s purpose is accomplished.
For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.
For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.
Acts 13:
Acts 13:
For so the Lord has commanded us:
‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles,
That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ”
We should be for salvation. It should be the purpose of our lives. Everything we do should revolve around our call to share the Gospel with the world. We have been given the free gift of salvation. It is our job to take it to the world. What are you doing with yours? Are you keeping it to yourself, or are you taking it to the world?
We should be for salvation. It should be the purpose of our lives. Everything we do should revolve around our call to share the Gospel with the world. We have been given the free gift of salvation. It is our job to take it to the world. What are you doing with yours? Are you keeping it to yourself, or are you taking it to the world?
We should be for salvation. It should be the purpose of our lives. Everything we do should revolve around our call to share the Gospel with the world. We have been given the free gift of salvation. It is our job to take it to the world. What are you doing with yours? Are you keeping it to yourself, or are you taking it to the world?
It is the people who WILL respond to the Gospel that we should look forward to encountering. We cannot allow those that reject His Word to influence our confidence or our determination to do what we have been called and ordained to do.
I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
It is the people who WILL respond to the Gospel that we should look forward to encountering. We cannot allow those that reject His Word to influence our confidence or our determination to do what we have been called and ordained to do. Just know that the enemy will never stop attacking us.
But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.
Acts 13:
Women, you hold strong influence over men whether it’s for the truth or against the truth. Use it wisely!
The world will always use it's most powerful weapon against you. It will use the things that hold the most sway over you. Family, money, success, power, relationships, security. The enemy will constantly try to make you think that these things are or will be in danger if you follow Jesus. Which is not completely untrue.
Matthew 10:34-39
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
This doesn’t mean that you have to hate your family in order to follow Jesus. It means that following Jesus in the way that He asks us to follow Him (fully committed, all in, thick or thin, rain or shine) is gonna cost you certain things and people in your life.
And the world will try to convince you that it’s not worth it. It’s not worth the sacrifice, it’s not worth the effort, it’s not worth the struggle. The world will try to keep you focused on what you will lose rather on what Jesus promises you will gain.
But notice that they were expelled from the area. What do you do with something that you cannot defeat or undermine? You put it out of sight. The truth and power of the Gospel cannot be denied! Which is why there attempts to hide or change it.
But they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Every single day, the enemy throws a little bit of dust on us. Every attempt to slow us down, a little dust. Every distraction from spending time with God, a little dust. Every situation that comes up at the last minute, a little dust.
We must not allow the 'dust' of sin, rejection and unbelief to cling to us as we move through the world. Anyone who’s lived in Midland for any amount of time knows what built up dirt can do. If we do not shake it off, it will build up in our minds, hearts and spirits as it attempts to knock us off of our mission.
There will always be opposition. The enemy will never give up trying to stop us.
The disciple were not happy because they got kicked out, they were joyful because of what they had seen the Lord do. We will never see the Lord work in and through our lives if we are not willing to step out of our lives and into His.
But we have to make the choice, here and now, to:
Be clear about who we are: not ashamed, know the cost
Be excited about what we do: not needed but chosen and loved, knowing what Jesus has done for you
Be intentional about Jesus in your life: no excuses, Jesus 1st and on purpose
Prayer