Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Introduction
says that… (S).
This can be demonstrated using thread.
Many of you have probably heard the term “lone ranger Christian.”
This refers to someone who believes that they do not need other believers.
They don’t think they need the church or anyone else.
This is what happens when we are alone (SNAP).
In order to be strong, to resist attack, to stand firm in the face of opposition, persecution, and difficulty; we must stand together (NO BREAK).
Last week we discussed how community and fellowship bring us courage and boldness.
Today we will learn how that theme continues into the end of chapter 18.
Evangelism, personal growth, and the stability of the local church all depend on the ability of believers to stand together in unity.
This morning we will explore two reasons why believers are better together.
Understanding these two reasons will drive us to stand together.
Only when there is community and unity can our purpose be realized.
What purpose?
Growing in Christ and spreading the gospel message.
Reason #1.
We are better together because…
1. Together We Find Boldness vv.
18-23
Again, we touched on this last week.
Today, however, let me give a slightly different illustration (S).
How do you think it would feel to be this one piece?
ANSWER
Intimidating, fearful, powerless, hopeless etc.
This is what it is like when we try to stand without our brothers and sisters in Christ.
However, this is how the church is supposed to operate (S).
Each piece in its place doing what God has called it to do in support of one another.
A chess game with missing pieces is at a severe disadvantage.
In the same way, a local church that is missing key pieces will find it difficult to accomplish its God-given task (S).
Together we can face the enemy.
Together we can be bold.
What do we do with that boldness?
First, we have…
a. Boldness to proclaim vv.
18-21
READ v. 18
This first sentence is a powerful testimony to what fellowship and boldness accomplish.
Remember that Paul just got called before the ruler of the whole area.
He saw the ruler of the synagogue get beaten.
Yet he stays a good while.
When the body of Christ stands together there is courage.
“Took leave of” means to say farewell.
He says goodbye to the believers there and sails to Syria with Priscilla and Aquila.
v. 18 took leave of = said farewell.
First they stop in Cenchrea where Paul takes a vow and has his hair cut off (S).
READ v. 19
They sail to Ephesus (S).
Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus.
As is his custom, Paul reasons in the synagogue.
The fellowship that he had enjoyed in Corinth has brought Paul’s boldness back.
Remember that he arrived in Corinth in “fear and trembling.”
Then he met Priscilla and Aquila and then Timothy and Silas arrived.
This fellowship seems to have restored Paul to his former passion.
Fellowship and community keep us passionate in our responsibility.
When they arrive in Ephesus, he opens a dialogue with the Jews in the synagogue.
Paul boldly proclaims Christ because he has believers with him.
Believers who have his back.
When we are together we give one another boldness to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.
That is what Paul does.
Apparently, as he reasons with them, he meets with some success.
READ vv.
20-21
They ask Paul to stay and he says no because he wants to be in Jerusalem for the feast.
This is not the response Paul normally gets.
When Paul reasons in the synagogues, he usually gets attacked.
Here, he is invited to stay.
As we already mentioned, he refuses so he can be in Jerusalem for the feast.
He tells those in Ephesus that he will be back if that’s God’s plan.
Then he sails away.
In some ways it may have been easy for Paul to remain in this city because the doors seem to be open to the gospel.
Yet Paul has a desire to be back in Jerusalem for the feast.
Why?
Why does Paul want to go to the feast in Jerusalem?
Jerusalem is the center of Jewish life.
Paul wants to be where there are a lot of Jews.
Why?
I think we get a hint in ; (S).
;
Get a hint in ; .
This is Paul’s heart.
This is why he always goes to the synagogue first.
This is why he always reaches out to the Jews.
This is why he wants to visit Jerusalem.
Paul had a heart for His people to know Christ.
Who do you have a heart for?
Experience teaches us that we are bolder in groups.
Paul’s boldness to proclaim the gospel is enhanced when he is able to fellowship.
If we want to be bold in giving out the gospel, we need to have fellowship and community.
Bold gospel proclamation is fueled by fellowship.
We have been given a commission by the King of kings.
Our Savior has given us a task.
Our Redeemer has commanded us to take the gospel to a lost and dying world.
This is a corporate commission!
This is a task that we will best accomplish together.
Now, does that mean we will always have someone next to us when we share the gospel?
No.
It seems clear that in this passage Paul is alone.
However, the support of his brothers and sisters in Christ is what gives him boldness.
We can support one another in prayer, we can ask each other about opportunities to witness, we can strengthen and encourage one another.
Together we find boldness to proclaim.
But that’s not all.
Not only do we find boldness to proclaim when we are together.
Secondly, we have…
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