Straight Thinking
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Have you ever been pressured to make a quick decision that had legit consequences? Everyday is filled with choices. We choose what time we want to wake up, what we will eat for the day, we choose to rest or to work. Many of our decisions each day are made out of a routine. We’ve done the thing for so long, it is simply natural. We don’t even think twice about it. Yet, there are other moments in life that throw us off our routine. So, we must improvise. Adjust our plan.
In 2008, Director Christopher Nolan’s second film in his rendition of Batman came out. In the dark world of Gotham, Christian Bale’s Batman is trying to overcome the evil in his city where Harvey Dent a honorable prosecutor is helping put away the criminals in the city. But Joker comes onto the scene and he is an insane man wanting to watch the city burn in chaos. As the plot develops, Joker sets a plan into motion that led to the kidnapping of Harvey Dent but what Batman doesn’t know is that Rachel, his love interest has also been kidnapped. Watch what unfolds.
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Batman had to make a decision, who was he going to save. He wanted to save Rachel, but he made the mistake of trusting Joker. Joker flipped the address and it made it where Rachel is killed in an explosion and Harvey Dent is badly hurt and turns into the villain two-face. Fact was, Batman when the faced with an impossible decision allowed the circumstances to cloud his judgement.
Thankfully, we are not facing the same kind of decision. Yet, there are times in our life we must make tough, quick decisions and it requires us to have straight thinking.
Why do we need straight thinking? Straight thinking allows for us to live wisely and at peace with the Lord.
Summary of Paul’s life up to this point:
Paul had completed 3 missionary journeys sharing the gospel and planting churches all across the region.
He has returned to Jerusalem and he has gone to the Temple and a mob has developed and is attacking Paul.
A commander of the Roman cohort (he commanded up to 1000 men and several centurions) comes and breaks it up.
He seizes Paul and begins to take him to the barracks where we pick up the story.
Read Acts 21:37-40
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? “Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,
What we witness from Paul is that:
1. Straight thinking empowers us to maximize situations.
1. Straight thinking empowers us to maximize situations.
As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the commander, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek? “Then you are not the Egyptian who some time ago stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” But Paul said, “I am a Jew of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city; and I beg you, allow me to speak to the people.” When he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the stairs, motioned to the people with his hand; and when there was a great hush, he spoke to them in the Hebrew dialect, saying,
Paul didn’t allow the situation to become too big for him.
Why was Paul able to keep his head in a good place?
he was a veteran of beatings and being jailed
he knew his rights as a Jew and Roman citizen
he trusted the Lord.
he knew his mission
Paul understood that the crowd was angry and he knew they needed to hear his story and experience with the Gospel.
Paul explains to them that
he is a Jew of Jews
he had been a persecutor of Christians
he witnessed Jesus on the road to Damascus
He was blinded but given his sight back thanks to the faithfulness of a man named Ananias
He was called to take the gospel to the Gentles
Yet, they reject his message.
Paul then is prepared to be scourged but Paul reveals he is a Roman citizen and must be tried before he is scourged.
Paul is calm and collected and knows what to say at just the right time. And, it keeps him from being beaten.
We should walk so closely with the Lord that every situation we face, we are ready to respond with the right answer. The reason Paul was ready and able to keep his head straight was because he was regularly praying, reading God’s word, and was faithful to the Lord in his life. God was giving him the wisdom needed to respond well in each circumstances.
It wasn’t easy. The situation was dire. But Paul was maximizing the opportunity to praise God with his life.
Not only does Straight thinking empower us to maximize situations.
2. Straight thinking prevents reactionary responses.
2. Straight thinking prevents reactionary responses.
Here’s the deal was not a perfect man nor is he all knowing. He makes mistakes just like we do. We see an example of Paul’s humanity here in Acts 23:1-5.
Even though we see him make a mistake we see that:
a. Paul’s straight thinking provides wisdom to adjust.
a. Paul’s straight thinking provides wisdom to adjust.
Paul, looking intently at the Council, said, “Brethren, I have lived my life with a perfectly good conscience before God up to this day.” The high priest Ananias commanded those standing beside him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, “God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Do you sit to try me according to the Law, and in violation of the Law order me to be struck?” But the bystanders said, “Do you revile God’s high priest?” And Paul said, “I was not aware, brethren, that he was high priest; for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.’ ”
Paul recognized his lack of awareness of the authority of the man who commanded him to be struck and recognized his wrong doing. Even in the face of danger, Paul is willing to submit to the rulers of the people. What a lesson for us as men. Even when we are being wronged having enough wisdom to give respect to those above us in authority.
While being struck for his profession of faith, Paul demonstrates how to walk faithfully with Christ and show honor to authority, even godless authority. A day is coming and is here for some already, where you will be faced with standing for God’s Truth or lose your job. Do you have enough faith and straight thinking to make the decision to stand up for God’s truth to those who hate it? While being assaulted and harassed for standing up for God’s truth will you continue to show respect to your attackers and those taking your job away?
Realizing the situation he was in at that point, Paul adjusts his strategy on the fly. Ultimately,
b. Paul’s straight thinking produces an advantage.
b. Paul’s straight thinking produces an advantage.
But perceiving that one group were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, Paul began crying out in the Council, “Brethren, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees; I am on trial for the hope and resurrection of the dead!” As he said this, there occurred a dissension between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, nor an angel, nor a spirit, but the Pharisees acknowledge them all. And there occurred a great uproar; and some of the scribes of the Pharisaic party stood up and began to argue heatedly, saying, “We find nothing wrong with this man; suppose a spirit or an angel has spoken to him?” And as a great dissension was developing, the commander was afraid Paul would be torn to pieces by them and ordered the troops to go down and take him away from them by force, and bring him into the barracks.
Paul saw the room was split in half. Just for a moment imagine having the religious versions of republicans and democrats in one room. They are both angry about what Paul is sharing but, Paul identifies with the conservative branch of the group, he was one before saving faith, and he explains that the Sadducees have him on trial because of “the hope and resurrection of the dead.” Remember Jesus is the first born of the resurrection. It is part of the gospel hope and message.
The room erupts in uproar and now the issue at hand is between the religious leaders become enraged at each other which provides Paul an escape from the terrible situation. The fact is that when we are faced with difficult situations. We can ask God to give us wisdom to produce an advantage that gives God glory.
If we are simply reacting and not being proactive with the way we handle situations then we will never maximize our tough decisions.
We have seen how straight thinking empowers us to maximize situations and prevents reactionary responses, now lets see how,
3. Straight thinking allows us to rest on God’s promises.
3. Straight thinking allows us to rest on God’s promises.
After the chaos he has experienced, Paul would likely have been a little down. I know I would be. The people I love not responding to the Gospel with joy; instead, they respond with hatred. Also, he had no idea what tomorrow would hold but he knew God was in control and the Lord encourages him listen to Acts 23:11.
a. Paul’s ability to stay focused on Christ gave him peace.
a. Paul’s ability to stay focused on Christ gave him peace.
But on the night immediately following, the Lord stood at his side and said, “Take courage; for as you have solemnly witnessed to My cause at Jerusalem, so you must witness at Rome also.”
Talk about powerful. After the difficulty Paul went through, the Lord comes to his side and gives him encouragement! Essentially the Lord says to him, “I’m not through with you yet, your going to Rome to testify of My greatness!” Talk about the ultimate pick me up. Paul’s focus on the Lord allowed that to be all he needed to be encouraged to keep pressing on!
The we see that Paul’s faith isn’t missed placed either, see
b. God provided the information needed to keep Paul safe.
b. God provided the information needed to keep Paul safe.
When it was day, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves under an oath, saying that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who formed this plot. They came to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have bound ourselves under a solemn oath to taste nothing until we have killed Paul. “Now therefore, you and the Council notify the commander to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case by a more thorough investigation; and we for our part are ready to slay him before he comes near the place.” But the son of Paul’s sister heard of their ambush, and he came and entered the barracks and told Paul. Paul called one of the centurions to him and said, “Lead this young man to the commander, for he has something to report to him.”
We are talking about some wicked and misguided people who are absolutely committed to killing Paul. They are plotting and planning how they are going to kill Paul but the son of Paul’s sister just so happens to hear about the planned ambush. It wasn’t luck, it wasn’t by chance the young man was there hearing the plan. It was all part of God’s sovereign plan! Paul’s safety wasn’t left up for Paul to figure out. It was in God’s hands as long as Paul continued to remain faithful and kept his head on straight.
The boy comes to Paul and shares what he heard so Paul calls a centurion to take the young boy to the commander. Where the boy shares what he heard with him.
So the commander let the young man go, instructing him, “Tell no one that you have notified me of these things.” And he called to him two of the centurions and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready by the third hour of the night to proceed to Caesarea, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen.” They were also to provide mounts to put Paul on and bring him safely to Felix the governor.
The commander hears of the plot against Paul and leaves nothing to chance. He takes with him a well equipped army that would easily subdue any threat that might arise on the journey. God was at work and Paul rested knowing God had his back.
Anxiety and stress often come on us when we are not resting in the Lord. We must trust him in every situation. Maybe you are mulling over tough life or business decision and you find yourself up at night. Instead of worrying yourself to death. Give it to God, ask for wisdom, and know that God will provide the plan and solution he desires for you, your family, and your business situation. Straight thinking is keeping God at the center of every decision and every situation and trusting God to give us the best He has.
Straight thinking empowers us to maximize situations, prevents reactionary responses, and allows us to rest in God’s promises, finally,
4. Straight thinking is developed through faith-filled living.
4. Straight thinking is developed through faith-filled living.
Paul’s life experiences was the proving grounds for the Lord to demon straight that he will never leave or forsake his children. his circumstances to speed him up; he trusted the Holy Spirit’s guidance.
Are you trusting Jesus to provide for you in all situations. With every decision you face?
Ultimately, Believers can have straight thinking when they rest in faith in Jesus.
Ultimately, Believers can have straight thinking when they rest in faith in Jesus.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
When faced with difficult situations:
Pray give it to God and trust him for an answer
Seek answers through reading Scripture
Don’t allow for the situation to speed you up.
Be willing to move when God says move.
Conclusion:
Billy Graham had a weekly radio show titled The Hour of Decision. Normally it was a tape recording of the service and message he’d given at a recent evangelistic rally. And at the conclusion of every message, Graham would issue an invitation for anyone to make a commitment to Jesus Christ, and to do so by getting up out of their seat and making their way to the front, where Graham had been preaching.
Coming forward, Graham would say, was an outward demonstration of this inner desire. He insisted that those so moved would take these physical steps to begin a new spiritual journey. This was, for them, the hour of decision. Billy Graham was tapping into something perhaps even deeper than he knew. Any time a person feels prompted to leave the present in order to embrace a new pathway in life, a decision is required. It’s not a decision just made in the head, or even the heart; it’s something embodied. It requires a physical step forward, leaving behind our desk, or friends, or comforts as we start to walk, vulnerably, into an unknown future.
Straight thinking requires us to first leave our sinful selves at the feet of Jesus and walk away hand in hand with Jesus. Only then can we be assured, as we walk with Jesus, that our decisions are in step with the Lord.