As significant as this story in Acts 19 is in redemptive history, its significance reaches into our lives today with two questions for our application. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 19:1-7
TITLE: Almost
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”The visible church is filled with people who look and sound like Christians, but they aren’t. They know some about the Bible. They’ve been baptized. They call themselves disciples. But they are missing the key ingredient to Christianity—Christ and His Spirit.”

“…it’s really difficult to question the genuineness of someone’s faith. But, if someone’s faith needs to be questioned, we need to humbly and graciously question it—because eternity is at stake.”

“Here are three reasons why I don’t believe these men were believers and therefore this event does not teach a second theological experience: the men told Paul what kind of disciples they were, these men didn’t know the Holy Spirit, and what happens next in the text.”

“These men knew stuff—but they didn’t know Jesus. They didn’t know the true meaning of the gospel. …Jesus was the missing ingredient. To borrow a phrase, they were ALMOST Christians.”

“…here’s the good news in our text: These ALMOST Christians became bona fide believers. Paul told these men Jesus had come and all he had already done—they got saved. The gospel was powerful enough to overcome their confusion and ignorance. They believed. And they were baptized.”

“If you didn’t speak in tongues and prophecy when you first believed in Jesus, don’t panic. That’s not the norm. Acts 19 is not formulaic.”

QUOTES:
Derek Thomas - “Ephesus marks the transition from the world of the old covenant and John’s baptism, to the world of the new covenant and the Spirit’s baptism that comes from Christ.”

Burk Parsons - “Our Father is the source of our assurance, Christ is the ground of our assurance, and the Spirit is the sustainer of our assurance. And our assurance is not established on the strength of our faith but on the object of our faith, Jesus Christ.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 3:11
Romans 8:9
Matthew 7:21
Revelation 2:4

APPLICATION:
1. Are you an Almost Christian? Or we could ask it this way: What is the object of your faith?
Do you always feel like you are trying to be a good Christian? But no matter how hard you try, you always feel like an outsider? It’s because you are. You don’t know Jesus and possess his Spirit on the inside. Here’s the good news—You can know Jesus today!

Eager to learn more about a personal relationship with Christ? SIGN UP FOR OUR BRIDGE COURSE! Contact Tim Lambros for more information and how to sign up - 520.403.3984

IMPORTANT: That’s not to say a True Christian will never feel like an Almost Christian. In the words of John Piper—Sanctification is not a straight line. Christians can struggle with desiring the Lord at times! Anchored in the preserving power of the gospel, talk to your pastor, CGL, or friend so the church can help you!

RECOMMENDED READING: “When I Don’t Desire God” by John Piper

2. Are you an Almost Witness? What is the subject of your witness?
Does your witness get to Jesus? Is it centered on the gospel? If it never quite gets around to Jesus, sin, and repentance, it’s an Almost Witness. If you never quite get around to Jesus, your Almost Evangelism may be leading people to become an Almost Christian. What is the subject of your witness?

Paul and Apollos were both blessed by the Lord to be mighty preachers. Both would help you see what repentance from your sins looks like. Both would help you see what faith in Jesus looks like. And BOTH would have given ALL the glory to Christ. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 18:18-28
TITLE: The Church Strengthened
PREACHER: Tom Wilkins
BIG IDEA: Jesus’ Church is strengthened and helped by servants that He has strengthened and helped.

POINTS:
I. Strengthened Mightly by Paul - Vs. 23
II. Greatly Helped by Apollos - Vs. 27

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”In the scriptures, Paul will call himself a ‘slave of Jesus.’ A devoted and willing and submitted ‘bondservant to Jesus.’ The very One he so hated in the beginning, was now that very one whom he loved with all of his heart!”

“In our minds, OUR will, OUR plans, OUR forecasts, OUR futuristic thoughts, OUR predictions, OUR forethought, OUR tomorrow - rules our world. BUT, in reality - our future is ruled by “IF GOD WILLS” - every single ‘zeptosecond’ of our past and our present are the result of HIS sovereign will.”

“Apollos was humbly teachable. He receives the instruction, the correction, in humility, and he went on and preached Jesus!”

“Apollos had some serious game, but what was critical was that he preach Jesus and now so more accurately. The healthy preacher of Jesus is always growing in His knowledge of Jesus!”

“Paul did not let fear stop him - he received Jesus’ encouragement, applied it, and continued on! Apollos did not let pride stop him - he received the correction and applied it and continued on!”

“The congregation is always growing in their knowledge of Jesus! THIS makes them a healthy church! A church that is greatly helped grows all the more in strength - a healthy, humble preacher builds the church up in Christ and against the wilds of Satan! Evildoers may be set against the church and will come against it, but they will be readied by Jesus who makes the preacher and them ready!”

“Both of these servants would tower over us - but they are pointing us to Jesus - they strengthened and helped the Church by pointing her to Jesus. The gift of leadership IS a powerful thing, but in the end, it will be pointless if we have not been pointed to Jesus. Jesus saves - Paul does not. Jesus saves - Apollos does not. There is no better Gospel - other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified!”

QUOTES:
Charles Spurgeon - “Dear friends, do not imagine that God will bless one preacher only, or one denomination only. He does bless some preachers more than others, for He is Sovereign; but He will bless you all in your work, for He is God. I shall never forget one day, when my dear old grandfather was alive, I was to preach a sermon. There was a great crowd of people, and I did not arrive, for the train was delayed; and therefore the venerable man commenced to preach in my stead. He was far on in his sermon when I made my appearance at the door. Looking to me, he said: “You have all come to hear my dear grandson, and therefore I will stop that you may hear him. He may preach the gospel better than I can, but he cannot preach a better gospel. Can you, Charles?” My answer from the aisle was: “I cannot preach the gospel better; but if I could, it would not be a better gospel.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 2:1-3
1 Corinthians 9:20
2 Timothy 4:17-18
1 Timothy 4:6-16
Philippians 1:3-11
1 Corinthians 3:4-9

APPLICATION:
There is no better Gospel - other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified! What great comfort this should be as we go and tell others of this great Gospel. Fear is pushed back! Pride pushed back! GO with renewed courage that is granted by God and grounded in the words of the Gospel. 

Paul was no super Christian. In fact, our text reveals just how despondent he was when he went to Corinth. The Lord had to personally minister to Paul with a vision from heaven. Through this vision the Lord ministers to us about one of the greatest hindrances to our walk with the Lord—FEAR. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 18:1-17
TITLE: What Are You Afraid Of?
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: God is able and faithful. So we can be Hopeful and keep going. Keep sharing. Keep caring. Keep serving.

POINTS:
I. God’s Word For Us
II. God’s Promises To Us
A. His Presence
B. His Protection
C. His Power

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”If you are thinking to yourself right now—Good for Paul pastor, but I’m, no super Christian—reject the condemnation and take heart—there is no such thing. Even Paul, who had so many reasons to be encouraged in ministry, found himself gripped by fear and discouragement. And his despondency was acute when he went to Corinth.”

“Fear Not. That was the Lord’s word to Paul. It’s hard to believe, but Paul was afraid. The man who stared down a stoning, bared through a beating, and sang God’s praises in prison was paralyzed by fear in Corinth.”

“We are pros at crossing the river before we reach it, aren’t we? And the tragedy is that too often the result is fear that paralyzes us from following God. And to not follow God is to deny His glory.”

“Here’s the thing about fear—its natural. Its natural because in our flesh we are weak. The world frowns on weakness. But in God’s economy, weakness is the strength of His people.”

“To be tempted to fear is not the problem. Being ruled by fear is the problem. But the gospel speaks to this in two ways:
1. Salvation: Jesus removed the only thing we truly have to fear—God’s wrath
2. Sanctification: Fear can actually be our friend if we allow it to drive us to Jesus who is our strength, sufficiency, and faithfulness.”

“So if you are feeling scared about proclaiming Christ to a neighbor or talking truth to a co-worker because of the potential trouble it could cause you, praise God, take heart in the one whose perfect love in and for you casts out your fear, cast your fears on Jesus, and boldly do what God is calling you to, for, and because of His glory!”

“In his time of fear and discouragement, this is what God reminds Paul of—Do not be afraid. WHY? I am with you! Not, you got this or You were born for this. The promise is not proper equipping or sound discernment in the moment. It is the presence of God—I am with you.”

“This is where studying God’s attributes is important. THAT God I goes before and behind you. He is under and over you. He is in you. Do not be afraid—Keep going—I am with you.”

“…how comforting was this to Paul? Paul doesn’t know who or when. He just knows God will build His church in Corinth through gospel preaching. And this is not because Paul is such a great evangelist. But because there are people in Corinth that God set His redeeming love on before the foundations of the world. People He has chosen to hear the gospel with their hearts supernaturally opened so they willingly and irresistibly run to Jesus in repentance and faith.”

“There is never a moment where God is not with you. God’s presence and protection never means we are free from all difficulties. Jesus promised we would face difficulties. But it does mean whatever God allows us to face, we will not face it alone and it will not overcome us. It will not separate us from the love of God. God will keep us for Himself because greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.“

QUOTES:
James Montgomery Boice - “However, I cannot help but think that if God has placed us in a particular place, it is because he has a work for us to do there, and for that very reason we should be encouraged and stay on and do it to the best of our ability. It is not because he does not have many people in our neighborhoods or cities but because he does. Our job is to keep on keeping on, knowing that God is with us”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 2:1-3
2 Corinthians 12:9
1 John 4:18
Hebrews 13:5

APPLICATION:
We don’t need to be afraid. Not because we are super-Christians, but because we belong to the supreme God. 

This week, as you are out there in your city, whether it is:
1. Telling others about Jesus
2. Persevering through a personal trial 
3. Trying to live righteously in the face of opposition

Do not be afraid. Keep demonstrating and proclaiming the gospel. God is with you. H will keep you. And no matter what, your gospel efforts will not be in vain.

Do I love my city to see it for what it truly is and tell it what it desperately needs to hear? Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 17:16-34
TITLE: Loving Our City
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet

POINTS:
I. What Do You See?
II. What Do You Say?

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”We can be sure the beauty was not lost on Paul. But what he saw above all things was a city drowning in idolatry. And the effect of this raw paganism was—this is Luke’s word in verse 16—his spirit was provoked. Paul was deeply troubled. Seriously grieved. As he observed a city submerged in idolatry, his heart filled with righteous indignation.”

“Like Athens, Tucson is submerged in idols. That is the fundamental problem with society and our city—idolatry. As Romans 1:23 clearly reveals, we have exchanged the glory of the Creator for the glory of the created—IDOLATRY. Tucson might not be the cultural and intellectual center of the world like Athens was, but like Athens, the idolatry and paganism are raw.”

“…like Paul, as those redeemed by Christ, indwelt by Christ, and an ambassador for Christ, our greatest zeal is for Christ. And when we see Christ being denied his rightful place in the lives of others, it should affect us. Move us. Provoke us.”

“As Paul was provoked, he didn’t fall into despair. He didn’t curse the city. He didn’t throw his hands up in surrender. He opened his mouth.”

“If we listen closely and observe carefully, we realize our neighbors, co-workers, and classmates are searching for the diamonds of life. Our city is searching for purpose, meaning, and relevance beyond themselves—it’s why everyone likes a cause. The folks we rub shoulders with daily try to make sense of their existence and experiences. They are looking for a philosophy or worldview to fit it all into. “

“Listen, the doctrine of God is part of the gospel. It is the necessary backdrop to the gospel. It answers why the gospel is necessary. Why Jesus had to come. Why we need a Savior. The doctrine of God is the rest of the story that fills the gospel out.”

“The gospel is not trivial, it is essential. But just as salvation makes no sense apart from judgment, the gospel needs to be set in the context of a Holy God who created all things and will one day judge all things.”

“Paul proclaims an entirely different worldview centered on God and rooted in Christ: God is the Creator of all things, God is the Sustainer of all things, and God is the Ordainer of all things.”

QUOTES:
John Stott - “What Paul saw was a veritable forest of idols. There were more gods in Athens than in all the rest of the country. There were innumerable temples, shrines, statutes, and alters. In the Parthenon stood a huge gold and ivory statue of Athena, whose gleaming spear-point was visible forty miles away. Elsewhere there were images of Apollo, the city’s patron, Jupiter, Venus, Mercury, Bacchus, Neptune, Diana, and Asclepius. The whole Greek Pantheon was there, all the gods of Olympus. And they were beautiful. They were made not only of stone and brass, but of gold, silver, ivory, and marble, and they had been elegantly fashioned by the finest Greek sculptors”

Henry Martyn - “I could not endure existence if Jesus was not glorified; it would be hell to me, if he were to be always dishonored”

John Stott - “Many people are rejecting the gospel today not because they perceive it to be false, but because they perceive it to be trivial”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Isaiah 42:8

APPLICATION:
-As Christians, how do we respond to what we see in our city? 
-Some mocked, and the conversation was over. Others were open but cautious and the conversation continued. But hallelujah, the Lord opened the hearts of some and they believed. So be Hopeful this week as you go love your city like Paul loved Athens!

Can a truth this simple transform the entire world…one person at a time? YES. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 17:1-15
TITLE: Turning the World Right Side Up
PREACHER: Tom Wilkins
BIG IDEA: The Plain Truth, that Jesus is the Christ, is turning this world right-side up!

POINTS:
I. The Plain Truth Proclaimed (Gospel Simplicity) - Vs 1-9
II. The Plain Truth Received (Gospel Shouldering) - Vs 10-15

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”ONE THING moved this man [Paul]: JESUS AND HIM CRUCIFIED AND RAISED.”

“Proved - to give evidence - to ‘place beside’ or ‘set before’ - Paul was coming alongside his hears and leading them to the truth. This was not a passive effort on his part. He believed that they needed a guiding of sorts toward the truth not leaving them behind as he fired off shots of truth and ducking and covering. They were blind and needed to see and they were deaf and needed to hear!”

“The truth of the matter is more grave than this evil mob can imagine. The Gospel of Jesus is flipping this world! THIS JESUS is now turning the whole world RIGHT-SIDE UP!”

“For the believer and the non-believer - an eager and careful consideration of the Gospel according to the Scriptures is paramount because our eternity depends on it AND countless other distortions are on the move as well.”

“In this upside-down broken world, the ‘mob’ wields power. We must be careful to resist joining the mob - the text reveals that even the leaders and authorities can get caught up in the mob they were won over through fear, confusion, and their own hate. …Be careful! Be discerning! And do not join the evil. Don’t join the ‘rabble!’”

“All of the suffering of and the bearing of the reproach of the cross will immediately cease when we see Jesus THE Christ face to face!”

QUOTES:
Kent Hughes - “His life was one of ongoing bravery and determination. The list of Paul’s sufferings in 2 Corinthians 11 is mind-boggling. If anyone questioned the apostle’s sincerity, he could point to the scar tissue on his face and back. He was willing to suffer for Christ and for others because he loved them. Regarding his people, the Jews, he said, “For I wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers” (Romans 9:3). To some of his converts he wrote, “...my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown” (Philippians 4:1). He loved deeply.”

When We See Your Face - Sovereign Grace Music -
”Though the dark is overwhelming
And the brightest lights grow dim
Though the Word of God
Is trampled on by foolish men
Though the wicked never stumble
And abound in every place
We will all be humbled when we see Your face”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
“It was necessary for the Christ to suffer (and die)” - Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:8-9, Psalm 22:1,7,8,16,17,18
The Sacrificial Lamb throughout the OT - Isaiah 53:6-7
The Lamb of God as our substitute - Isaiah 53:10-12, John 1:29
“It was necessary for the Christ to rise from the dead” - Psalm 16:10, Isaiah 53:11-12, Psalm 110:1, Hebrews 10:12-13,
The Thessalonians bear the reproach of the Cross - 1 Thessalonians 1:6-8
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

APPLICATION:
OUR Charge and Challenge

• Anchor yourself in the truth of the Gospel - Jesus is the Christ

• Shoulder the reproach as a believer in Christ Jesus!

• Prepare to bare the suffering for Christ’s sake

• Has your faith been muddled in the confusion of the “world’s mob”? - Then the CHARGE is to be persuaded again and renew your belief again by returning again and again to the Plain Truth - Jesus is the Christ.

• Blow the dust off of good books that point back to the Plain Truth 

• Go back to Christianity 101 and find that it is both milk for babes and solid food for the mature that we so desperately need.

God calls us to see Christ in one another above all things because Christ in us transcends all other things about us. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 16:11-40
TITLE: The Unifying Power of the Gospel
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: Christ in us transcends all else about us!

POINTS:
I. A Respected Business Woman
II. A Young Slave Girl
III. A Rough Jailer

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”In the midst of difficulty and suffering, have you ever wondered—Lord, what are doing? I bet Paul and Silas did at times, like this one? But God is ALWAYS doing something, and whether we sense it or not, that something is ALWAYS for our good (Romans 8:28).”

“Instead of groaning, they gave praises to God. Instead of pouting, they rested in His power and purposes. They had no guarantee how this would turn out. Would they rot in prison or be executed in the morning? Would their story be like James, who was beheaded, or Peters, who was rescued? They had no idea. But this they knew: Our God is a mighty fortress. He is for us. He is with us. He has a plan. His plan cannot be thwarted.”

“While God may not cause the ground beneath your feet to move, Christian, whatever you are going through right now, however dark the clouds hovering over you are—God is for you. He is with you. He has a plan. His plan cannot be thwarted. Pray to Him. Sing His praises. Seek refuge in Him. He has promised He is with you in power.” 

“Right there in that pitch black cell, the jailer asks the greatest, most significant, most profitable question any human being can ask—What must I do to be saved?”

“Have you ever asked that question—What must I do to be saved from the consequences of my sin? Here’s what you must do—Believe in Jesus. Say in your heart, I believe I am a GREAT sinner but Jesus is my GREATER Savior. Have faith in who he is and what he has done to take away your sins.”

“Here’s what I want us to see this morning: Lydia, a young slave girl, and rough jailor. One would be hard pressed to find a more disparate group. But that is The Unifying Power of the Gospel. Three different nationalities, three different socio-economic classes, three different sets of personal needs, but in ALL their differences, they ALL had one spiritual need—they ALL needed Jesus.”

“Their different backgrounds meant different tensions, conflicts, and struggles. But now, as diverse as they were, TOGETHER, in Christ, they ARE God’s church in Philippi. Guess what? One day WE will be in heaven with THEM!”

“This is the wisdom of God. This is the beauty of the church. This is the power of the Spirit. This is the glory and majesty, and wonder of Christ. The gospel reaches people everywhere. But when it binds people to Christ, it also binds people to one another.”

“God calls us to see Christ in one another above all things because Christ in us transcends all other things about us. So when we see Christ in one another above all things, we exalt God above all things.”

QUOTES:
John Stott - “In this city, the missionary team stayed for several days indeed almost certainly several weeks. During this period of mission, there must have been many converts. But Luke selects only three for mention, not because they were particularly notable in themselves, but because they demonstrate how God breaks down dividing barriers and can unite in Christ people of very different kinds”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
The Bible teaches us about the world as it is - Ephesians 4:27-28, 6:10-20, 1 Peter 5:6-9
Psalm 46:1,6,11

APPLICATION:
So, here’s the question: How do we live in the good of that unity and celebrate the reality of that unity in ordinary everyday life? 

SELF: Self-righteousness kills. Remember who you once were 

FELLOWSHIP: Pursue people that are DIFFERENT from you

CONFLICT: Allow WHO the person is in Christ to speak louder than WHAT you are feeling inside

PERSPECTIVE: Remember, people knowing Jesus is what matters most. As we grow evangelistically, this room will fill up with people that don’t look and talk like you. 

There are fewer areas of the Christian life where we tend to throw our hands in the air in surrender more than evangelism, but Sunday’s passage can give us hope! Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 16:11-15
TITLE: The Rest of the Story
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet
BIG IDEA: Only God opens hearts to the gospel, so don’t give up on giving Jesus to those around you!

POINTS:
I. Paul preached the Gospel
II. Lydia listened to Paul intently
III. The Spirit opened Lydia’s heart

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”Paul did what he always did—gave them Jesus. He could have given them unforgettable stories. He could have given them his amazing testimony. And maybe he did a bit of that. But Paul always had one song to sing, one message to bring to others—the gospel!”

“We should never underestimate our audience. God has you in that place with that person. The Holy Spirit is with you and the gospel message saves—Speak to them about Jesus!”

“Never underestimate the power of LISTENING. In a time too many in the church world rely on bells and candles, video clips and power points, artistic expressions, and group dialogue, LISTENING is seen as outdated and passe. …LISTENING to the gospel is to interact with God Himself. Faith comes through hearing”

“God came to Lydia and opened her heart to listen, meaning, He opened her heart to embrace and believe what she was hearing. The imagery of a door is natural here. This door is different, however. Spiritually speaking, the door of the heart has a handle on the outside, not the inside.” 

“Throughout Acts we encounter hopeful, happy, grateful, strategic, courageous, advance-the-gospel-at-all-costs Christians. But all along, God is the hero because only God can open the closed heart to the good news of Jesus according to His mercy and grace. And He does in His mercy and by His grace!”

“The gospel is the glorious message of salvation. Regeneration is the glorious explanation of how we come to willingly and freely believe it, even though we can’t fully comprehend it.”

QUOTES:
Anthony Hoekema - “Since the heart stands for the inner core of the person, we may assume that the opening of the heart describes regeneration. This led Lydia to respond believingly to what Paul was saying—to accept it, to embrace it, and to act upon it….One can only respond in repentance and faith after God has given new life!”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Ephesians 2:1-5
1 Corinthians 2:14
John 3:1-14
Ezekiel 36:26-29

APPLICATION:
- How do you arrange your Saturday night or Sunday morning so that, when you get here, you can LISTEN to the preached Word, LISTEN to the Spirit of God, LISTEN to the encouragement of others? It matters.

- Attend SGU in October! Because the effects of studying the doctrine of Regeneration are greater gratitude, deeper humility, stronger affections for Jesus, and bolder witness.

God is the Great Evangelist and He loves to open hearts to the glory, beauty, majesty, and sufficiency of His Son. So, here’s our application—Don’t give up!

1. Anxious mom and dad—Don’t give up on your unsaved child

2. Weary husband or wife—Don’t give up on your unbelieving spouse

3. Frustrated friend—Don’t give up on your stubborn friend

Sometimes God saves the first time, and sometimes He saves the 1000th time. That’s up to Him!

This past Sunday we saw that even in the midst of deep conflict, re-direct after re-direct, and human barriers, the Gospel of Christ goes forth into new lands and new hearts. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 15:36 - 16:10
TITLE: Gospel Mission Unobstructed
PREACHER: Tom Wilkins
BIG IDEA: The Gospel mission is unobstructed by human failure and barriers and advances in power.

POINTS:
I. Gospel Mission Unobstructed by Conflict
II. Gospel Mission Unobstructed by Barriers
III. Gospel Mission Redirected by the Holy Spirit

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”The context of the conflict is while on Gospel Mission. The heart of the conflict is serious. The nature of the conflict is stark - sharp disagreement! And the result of the conflict is grievous - separation. YET… as difficult as the conflict was, there is a SURPRISE greater result - the conflict leads to Gospel advance - The Gospel is persistent!”

“I think it’s worth recalling the resolve of these Gospel missionaries - these first-century saints. Church history here in Acts reveals moxie - the determination - of the evangelists. REAL pain in conflict and disappointment and maybe even regret did not stop these men from getting back on mission!”

“At times, “Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing” calls for various barriers to be removed for the sake of making a way for the Main Thing.”

“The Spirit is at work in power moving, speaking, directing, coordinating, carrying out, silencing them, barring them, and calling them. It is clear… The Holy Spirit is the one that is advancing the mission exactly the way He has determined!”

“Our sin has caused a GRAVE conflict with God! BUT He did not “sail away!” He came through the conflict and innumerable barriers through His son Jesus! He has sent His Son Jesus as your ONLY WAY of salvation. It’s true - Christians have been in deep conflict throughout the ages and their plans have been frustrated and in the wisdom of Christ it was for your benefit! Turn to Christ. Believe in Jesus Christ as God’s Son. Turn away from your sin you will see the glory of heaven.”

QUOTES:
I Heard The Bells on Christmas Day Lyrics-
”I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.
And in despair I bowed my head:
’There is no peace on earth,’ I said,
For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, goodwill to men.
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, goodwill to men."

Kent Hughes - “So the unthinkable happened, and Paul and Barnabas agree to disagree and went their separate ways of ministry for Christ… the relationship between two great men of God had failed… The omission of a harmonious conclusion indicates the unstated but undeniable failure of two greatest souls the church has ever known.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 9:19-21
Isaiah 61:1-3

APPLICATION:
As a church…
Q. Do I truly believe that God is powerful enough to strengthen our church in the face of - even in or after -deep conflict? Do I believe that He will turn beauty to ashes in these difficult situations? Am I able to trust God to grant grace and strength for this? Can we be so resolved, have a spine, granted only by God to respond in loyalty and love toward others?

Q. What happens in our actions and our faith, and our conversations when conflict breaks out? Where does conflict take us? Do we lose hope? Are we hindered for too long from believing that God is at work even in this?

Personally…
Q. Are we willing to be honest about our own ability to do just like they did… turn from brothers/sisters and sail away? REMEMBER OUR SAVIOR NEVER TURNED AWAY FROM US IN SIN. Let THAT truth be ground for your remaining.

Q. How quick are we to respond to God’s redirection?

Q. Do we see that interruptions to our plans are God at work redirecting our plans into His perfect will?

The text we are looking at today – the clarity that God brought to His Churches - God has used in a powerful way for generations. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 15:1-35
TITLE: The Main Thing
PREACHER: Tim Lambros

POINTS:
I. The Threat
II. The Defense
III. The Effect

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”God is helping this small but growing group of Churches get clarity on a most important question – how do people get saved? How do sinners receive forgiveness of their sins? How do sinners get reconciled to God, accepted by God?”

“What’s at stake here is of huge importance. The question – how are people saved?  What does God call us to in order to be forgiven of our sins, reconciled to God, and accepted by Him? One group is teaching it’s Jesus plus the law. Paul and Silas in Gentile regions are teaching you’re saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.”

“Formerly Gentiles would become part of the people of God by being incorporated into the Jewish community, get circumcised and begin practicing the law. NOW, people are getting saved apart from the law – apart from their works of obedience.”

“The main thing here is to keep the main thing the main thing. In other words, Peter is saying VERY CLEARLY we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. When it comes to the fundamental question of how we are saved Peter says IT IS NOT Jesus plus the law. It’s not grace/faith/Jesus plus Moses. He’s saying don’t test what God is doing in Gentile regions by putting this yoke around their necks. It’s very clear that God is saving people apart from the law.”

“Why do you think there’s this inherent desire for mankind to want to somehow change the gospel of grace to the gospel of grace plus the law?”

“Christ didn’t die on the Cross to improve our good works so they’d be acceptable to God. Christ didn’t endure a horrific death because God’s holiness standard is kind of a high bar and grace means Jesus lifts us up so we can reach the bar! NO! Emphatically NO!”

QUOTES:
C.J. Mahaney - “Legalism is seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through obedience to God.”

William Plumer - “Justification is an act. It is not a work, or a series of acts. It is not progressive. The weakest believer and the strongest saint are alike equally justified. Justification admits no degrees. A man is either wholly justified or wholly condemned in the sight of God.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Galatians 1
Genesis 17:9-14

APPLICATION:
2 ways to keep the main thing the main thing:  

1. Grow – Don’t assume. You must work at keeping the main thing the main thing.  You and I must grow in our understanding, appreciation, and passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Suggestion – build yourself a top 10 list of single verses that preach the gospel (i.e. 2 Corinthians 5:21). Then build a list of your favorite paragraphs. Then build a list of your favorite gospel narratives. Don’t think you are immune from gospel drift!

2. Guard – Guard your heart from the inner legalist that lives in you. If you quietly  live with low-grade guilt in your Christian walk … if you lack joy in your Christian life…you might have what I call “morphed legalism.” Morphed legalism is when you confess that your position and standing with God is by grace through faith in  Christ alone but your daily practice of Christianity is filled with language like “I should be …” A morphed legalist isn’t clear on the difference between justification and sanctification. If that’s you immediately drop everything you’re doing in your  Christian life until you study and get clarity.

Sunday’s passage encouraged us to share Jesus through thick and thin, and to be Hopeful in our witness, come what may. Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 14
TITLE: Through Thick and Thin
PREACHER: Derek Overstreet

POINTS:
I. The Gospel that Saves Divides
II. The Gospel that Saves Clashes with the Culture
III. The Gospel that Saves Puts You at Risk

SERMON EXCERPTS:
”People turn to many things to cure what ails them, but only the gospel meets people right where they are, speaking to their deepest need in a powerful and transforming way.”

“God saves people through evangelism. He is the GREAT Evangelist. Though we don’t know WHO He will save, we know HOW He saves—through hearing the good news of the gospel. So, we tell others about Jesus.”

“The gospel divides because there is no neutrality when it comes to Jesus. You either believe in him or you don’t. And to not believe in Jesus is to reject him as the only mediator between sinful man and a holy God.”

“Amid serious division and opposition, they kept preaching Christ boldly. How convinced was Paul that Christ was everything and the gospel was the only message of salvation?!”

“It is important to note that these men are not running scared. Their life mission is telling others about Jesus and planting local churches. They are filled with the Spirit and armed with the gospel. Paul and Barnabas are not retreating; they are advancing the gospel mission. “

“They didn’t know the Jewish Scriptures that taught them about the eternal God who created all things. So, Paul and Barnabas used their world to help them understand. They confronted and connected their culture and their ideas and stories and perceptions and philosophies and worldview—to the existence of a living God. That’s where the gospel begins— The existence of a holy God who created all things, so all things are accountable to Him.”

“We do mission in a confused culture today, don’t we? Our gods might not be called Zeus and Hermes, but they are there:

• Sexual and gender identity

• Leisure and pleasure

• Freedom of choice at the cost of human life

• Individualism

• Relativism”

“The Gospel will clash with our culture. But as the gospel was effective in the confused culture of Lystra, it is effective today as we claim it boldly, clearly, and in the power of the Spirit into our confused culture.”

“Paul’s resolve and courage in Christ were astounding. He knew Christ sacrificed his life for him, so there was no sacrifice too great that he could make for Christ. Eternity was at stake. Cities were filled with sinners and he had just what they needed—A Savior.”

“Imagine with me for a moment, if each one of us embraced God’s way, trusted in His faithfulness, and shared Jesus with just one person this week; imagine the stories we could tell!”

APPLICATION:
- How convinced are you that Christ is everything and the gospel is the only message of salvation?

Two realities surface that fueled Paul and Barnabas’ courageous witness through the Thick and Thin of their mission. I want to point them out by way of application:

1. Embrace God’s Way—read verses 21-22, Don’t be surprised by division, opposition, or cultural clashing. Living for Jesus and telling others about Jesus will ALWAYS bring a measure of opposition and persecution. But it’s God’s way so embrace it and share.

2. Trust God’s Faithfulness—read verses 24-27, We are reluctant ambassadors, but God is the Great Evangelist. Trust His faithfulness to build His church through your imperfect witness.