The Gospel for Moral People Sermon Recap

The Gospel for Moral People
Sermon Recap
6/16/2013
Acts 13:13-53

Listen to past sermons at http://www.bridgepodcast.com . Watch past sermons at http://www.bridgechurchonline.tv

In this sermon recap we will see how Paul presents the gospel to a non-Christ-centered religious crowd. Then, in Acts 14 at The Bridge  next week, we will see how Paul does evangelism with a non-religious pagan audience.

Audience: Religious people. Jew and Gentile God-Fearers.

The Big Idea: God has always taken the initiation of grace in the history of his relationship with his people

SEE ACTS 13:13-23

The History of God’s Relationship with his People: 

1. He chose our fathers (vs. 17) 
2. He patiently endured them in the wilderness (vs. 18) 
3. He gave them all their leaders and deliverers (vs.17-22) 
• Moses 
• The Judges
• The prophets
• The kings 
4. He promised and then gave them the savior, Jesus (vs. 23) 

This survey of Israel’s history demonstrates that God has a plan for history, and we need to sense a connection to that plan. Jesus is the goal of history, and as we are in Jesus, we are in the flow of God’s great plan of redemption.

Key: God’s favor has never been earned, has always been graciously given, and has always been mediated through great leaders who saved the people by God’s gracious power 

SEE ACTS 13:24-37 

The Case for Salvation in Jesus

1. Jesus’ life and death fit the predictions of a messiah 
2. The greatest prophet, John the Baptist recognized Jesus as messiah (vs. 24-25) 
3. There were eyewitnesses of the bodily resurrection (vs. 31) 

The Heart of the Gospel

• Christianity is Christ (vs. 27-30) 
• His person and life 
• His death 
• His resurrection 

NOTE:  In calling the cross a tree, Paul drew on the idea from Deuteronomy 21:22-23. In that passage, it says that God curses a person who is hanged from a tree. Paul wanted to communicate the idea that Jesus was cursed so that we could be blessed (Galatians 3:13). 

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”—(Galatians 3:13, ESV) 

Key: The heart of the gospel message is not that a teacher has come to show us how to save ourselves, but that a Savior has come to die and be raised for us. 

SEE ACTS 13:38-39 

The Promises of the Gospel 

•  Forgiveness of sin 
• Approval by God 
• For those who trust in Christ 
• Justification by faith alone 

Jesus does not only forgive us, but we are also justified by Him. Forgiveness takes care of the debt of sin, but justification puts a positive credit on our account before God. 

SEE  ACTS  13:40-52 

SIDE  NOTE: Continuing in grace is as important as beginning in grace; we must never leave it as the basic principle of our relationship with God. Far too many only think of grace as the introduction to the Christian life, but God wants grace to remain as the foundation for our life with Him. 

Responses to the Gospel 

1.  Some reject (vs. 45-46) 
• The only way to be worthy is to admit you are completely unworthy.
• Since some considered themselves worthy of eternal life, they were not worthy of eternal life.
2.  Others accept (vs. 48) 
• They do so because God has been at work overcoming their rebellion 
• This is a complete denial that salvation can be by goodness and morality and religiousness. 

Key: When we reject the gospel, it is done so freely. We are not forced to do so — we are responsible for what we have done. But if anyone accepts the gospel, it is because God has been at work in their lives. After we believe we have no one to praise but God! 

What now? 

1.  Trust Jesus 
2.  Live for Jesus
3.  Keep on keeping on amidst life’s circumstances

NOTE ON SHAKING THE DUST OFF: If Jewish people had to go in or through a Gentile city, when leaving the city they shook the dust off their feet as a gesture saying, “We don’t want to take anything from this Gentile city with us.” In this sense, Paul said “I don’t want to take anything with me from you Jesus-rejecting religionists.” 

Where the gospel of grace is preached, it will offend the non-Christ-centered religious, and they may oppose it.

Paul and Barnabas had joy that contradicted their circumstances. 

The joy a Christian has lies far beyond earthly circumstances that always changes. 

How do we keep going as a believer? By recognizing:

1. We have a father (God)
2.  We have a brother (Jesus) 
3. We have a helper and comforter (Holy Spirit)

Enjoying Life by Enjoying God Teaching Notes

Sunday night I taught our first session of Church Summer School answering 15 questions as they pertain to salvation. The 15 questions were: 

1. Why must we be “saved?” 
2. How total is depravity really? 
3. What is the result of our depravity? 
4. Does this mean non-Christians can do no good? 
5. If total depravity is true, what happened to my baby who died in infancy? 
6. So, what about people with cognitive function who never heard the name of Jesus? 
7. If Total Depravity is true, then how is salvation possible?
8. Can I resist His grace? 
9. Does this mean that salvation is then founded in my decisive ability? 
10. What should my response be to such amazing grace? 
11. Will everyone be saved? 
12. Who then will be saved?
13. Can a true Christian lose their salvation? 
14. Doesn’t Hebrews teach a Christian can apostasize? 
15. How should I now live as a believer?

Church Summer School session 1 is in the books! Sadly, I am not sure if the recording turned out or not due to the fact that I taught for three hours. We will know soon. [Update: we have it below] Until then, below is a copy of my entire teaching notes for the night with answers. If you missed a few fill-ins you can find them here.

Download - "Enjoying Life by Enjoying God" teaching notes -- (you will need this for use with the audio)

Audio: Part 1 - Questions 1-10 (70 minutes)

Audio: Part 2 - Questions 11-15 (94 minutes)

The next Church Summer School session will be July 21 from 5-7pm.

Next Topic: Power For Life (Free to live on Mission in His power)

In this session we will take a deeper look at Spirit-Filled living. Sample Topics Covered: What is the Holy Spirit? Are the supernatural gifts available today? What does it mean to be Spirit-filled? Why do I need the Spirit? What have been the abuses of the teaching of the Holy Spirit in recent years? Can we experience more of the Holy Spirit after conversion? How does the Holy Spirit empower me for life on mission?

Jesus Wins - Sermon Recap

Jesus Wins
Sermon Recap
6/2/2013
Acts 12

Listen to past sermons at http://www.bridgepodcast.com . Watch past sermons at http://www.bridgechurchonline.tv



Don't fix it, just listen??? 
Running Theme: Speaking the truth in love can be the most empathetic response we could ever make!

Key Verse:
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. (Acts 12:23, ESV)

The Big Idea:  If you oppose Jesus, you lose. If you stay with Jesus, you win.

Herod pursues idols

The Herods were non-Jews from Idumea.  During the Roman occupation this family served as puppet rulers over the Jews.  The Jews hated the Herods who are remembered for a family of violence, incest and political intrigue.

Family Tree:
Herod the Great—a skillful politician proclaimed king of the Jews by the Romans.  He held this position at the birth of Christ (Mat 2:1).  He slaughtered the children to try to annihilate Jesus.  He rebuilt the temple to try to gain the favor of the Jews, but he also built pagan temples.  He had several sons including: Archelaus (Mat 2:22), Antipas, Herod Philip II, and Aristobulus (father of Agrippa).

Herod Antipas—was the tetrarch of Galilee who divorced his wife to marry Herodias, his half-brother’s wife and also his niece.  he executed John the Baptist and tried Jesus.  He was eventually exiled by Emperor Caligula.

Herod Agrippa I—was installed by the Emperor Claudius as king over all of Jewish Palestine.  Unlike most of the other Herods, he practiced the forms of the Jewish religion faithfully in an effort to maintain the favor of the Jews. This was the reason for his postponement of Peter’s execution (after the Passover) in Acts 12.

SEE Acts 12:1-2

Idols are things or pursuits that we give meaning in our eyes to more than God

1. The idol of control

Control Idolatry:  I have meaning if I can control my ______________________.

What we seek:  control (self-discipline, certainty, standards)
Greatest nightmare:  uncertainty.
Others often feel:  condemned.
Problem emotion:  worry




SEE Acts 12:3-4

2. The idol of approval

Approval Idolatry: I have meaning if I am loved and respected by _______________.

What we seek:  approval (affirmation, love, relationship).
Greatest nightmare:  rejection.
Others often feel:  smothered.
Problem emotion:  cowardice.

SEE Acts 12:5-19

3. The idol of power.

Power Idolatry:  I have meaning if I have power and influence over others.

What we seek:  power (success, winning, influence)
Greatest nightmare:  humiliation.
Others often feel:  used.
Problem emotion: anger.

SEE Acts 12:20-25

4.The idol of comfort.

Comfort Idolatry:  I have meaning if I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of life.

What we seek:  comfort, (privacy, lack of stress, freedom).
Greatest nightmare:  stress, demands
Others often feel:  hurt
Problem emotion:  whiny

God smashes Herod’s idols

• Herod receives judgment from the God he refused to glorify
• No power will ultimately triumph over God

Making it personal:

1.  We are to live for the Glory of God.
    a. Living for our own glory is fleeting
    b. Fighting against God is silly
**Nobody stands at the base of a mountain and says, "Look how big I am!" Nobody stands at the edge of the ocean and speaks of their own vastness! So, why would we live in such a way with the God of all creation?

2.  This does not mean that we will automatically have an easy life.
    a. See Hebrews  11:32-40, Job 1
    b. James was one of the intimate three (saw the transfiguration) and got the sword.
    c. Peter escaped this time but not later

3.  We should pray for other Christians.
    a. The church prayed together
    b. The prayer of the church was full of doubt
    c. God answered a weak prayer
    d. You might say that it was the angel brought Peter out, but it was prayer by the church gathered that  brought the angel out.
    e. We see the sovereign will of god aligning people up with his Sovereign purpose through the means of prayer!

4.  It may look like defeat, but if we stay with Jesus we win.
    a. God is never taken by surprise; He is always in control.  We are called to follow Him in faith, with confidence, serving whether by death or by life.
    b. "We may feel small and insignificant; we may think that we are overpowered when some of our best leaders are killed on a political whim. But the truth is: if we stay with Jesus, we win, and if we oppose him, we lose. So be encouraged. Don't be impressed by temporary worldly triumphs over the gospel. Be bold and courageous to spread the Word of God and leave the outcome to God." - John Piper

5.  If we do not glorify God the wrath of God remains on us.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. – (John 3:36 ESV)

    a. Herod received judgment from the God he refused to Glorify
    b. If you reject Christ, God will reject you.
    c. If God smashed Herod’s idols, what makes us so arrogant to think he cannot smash ours?

6.  We can turn from our idols to Jesus.
    a.  Have you grown tired of chasing empty idols?

Our intro video (above) was called it’s not about the nail. Through a funny depiction we saw that it really was about the nail. You may be reading this today and you know the sin that you have turned to. You know, the one that you repeatedly give more importance to than God. No matter what your idol of choice is,  it is time to turn from it and look to His nails.

You can find forgiveness, hope, love, and meaning by looking deeply at Christ’s nails. The nails He took to bring you home to God and release you from the vain pursuit of self. Yes, his nails can forgive, redeem, and redirect your life pursuit. How? He took the nails. Jesus took your sin judgment. And by his wounds you can be spiritually healed!

BUT, if you are proud, arrogant, and shrug your shoulders at God. Hear me. God will win.

And if you feel small, overpowered, outnumbered, and crushed underneath life’s circumstance. Never forget.
Jesus wins.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.  (1 Peter 2:24 ESV)