Ground Zero: Unexpected Audience
Notes
Transcript
God Spoke to the leaders who were gathered in Antioch of Syria
-While they were worshiping and Fasting God clearly spoke to them that Saul and Barnabas were to be “Appointed” “Set Apart” “Separate”
A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, Volume 1 Commentary
Paul is a light of the Gentiles only in virtue of the Christ whom he preaches; Christ is a light to the Gentiles as he is preached to them by his servants.
Acts 13:45
45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.
Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 13:45). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
I want you to hear something clearly......the Jews became jealous. From that jealousy they were led into blasphemy.
-Paul preached the truth of Jesus Christ and the people who should have been on board were jealous that what Paul was preaching was supposed to have been for them.
-the call to be the children of God was first given to the people of Israel
Acts 13:47 was a prophecy from Isaiah 49:6 and this prophecy was always thought in regards to being fulfilled by the Jews.
-God’s Holy people…a priestly nation....
-Imagine what that would have felt like to the Jews who were hearing this and the ones who’s hearts were being enraged by this
-At the same time you have Jews who were hearing this sermon and they were delighted
Acts 13:50 The city Pisidian Antioch was in Gentile territory
incited God-fearing women and leading men....when you go back to the greek in this phrase it is really saying that the Jews went to the respected people with a good reputation and influence.
-There is a switch that has occured before, but as you read commentators talk about a theme that has developed and is now evident of the Jewish opposition to the message of Jesus.
-This is not to cast judgement or defame the Jewish faith....and we need in our own Christian faith heed the warning we can see the bible gives us.
Not Everyone who slaps on the title of Christian will be following Jesus
-some will be cultural christians....there parents were and they are because they identify with the moral principals and environment christianity can provide
-some will be political christians.....they agree with the conservative values of that christianity supports in the political realm
We are called into a life of following Jesus and as we look at Jesus’ life we can see many things that can seem radical in our point of view
-How Jesus used his time
-His focus
-Who he decided to surround himself with in his adult life
Jesus was running so far against the grain of the believers culture at that time
-He was seen as rebellious
-He was seen as radical
-The people who he connected with in his messages and teachings we people not worth the time of the mainstream, cultural outcasts.
The message of Jesus that God wants a relationship with them.....God loves all people, wants all people to be in a dynamic, living relationship with him.
-you dont have to look like the christian establishment
-you dont have to think like the christian establishment
-you don’t have to clean up your life first.....thats self righteousness. We are made right with God because of him not us.
Jesus died for all people because he loved them even before they knew who he was and while they were still his enemies.
-The abundant life of the Holy Spirit that fills us and the community we can live in and enjoy while we are here on earth
-we continue to enjoy that community in the presence of Jesus for eternity after we leave this earth or when Jesus returns to gather those who have lived with him here.
-There is nothing we can do to earn this....there is nothing good enough that we can do.
-all that is needed is to believe the only thing that can make humanity whole is the presence of Jesus in your life through a growing marriage like relationship with him.
THIS IS GOOD NEWS
Many hearts have grown cold to this message.
And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Views that Jesus talked about and held closely are not popular in mainstream Christianity.......
-Unconditional love being one of them.
This is a message that will have an unexpected audience if we can live out the life of Jesus.
Is your life able to lead those around you to Jesus? There is an unexpected audience watching you that you might not even be aware of at this point.
-not a person whom you think would be interested
-possibly the person that seems the least interested in our christian culture.
I want you to take time to be quiet before the Lord and listen to your thoughts and see if Jesus is talking to you.
-who in your life coworker, friend, family member
do you have a redemptive relationship with them?
If Jesus is bringing them to your mind there is a possibility they are ready to hear more from Jesus through you.