Acts 17
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Summary
basic story in every city
go to local synagogue - place of worship for Jews, since temple is in Jerusalem
use scriptures (Old Testament) to prove that Jesus was the Messiah
some Jews would be persuaded, a lot of God -fearing Gentiles would be convinced
somebody would get mad, and drive them out
Jews get jealous
businessmen get mad at losing money
in chapter 17, they continue Missionary Journey
some people get saved but they get run out of Thessalonica, city even arrested a man named Jason who sheltered them
had better success at Berea (noted how they searched the scriptures), but then evil doers from Thessalonica came and drove them out
Athens - preached at synagogue, but also goes to the market place to preach (that was common in Athens). He impressed local citizens enough that he was invited to main place to argue
things went along well until he got to rising from the dead, but some believed
did not have to flee for their lives thist time
so tonight
Two lessons
Lesson 1 is pretty quick and straightforward
Lesson 2 is more involved and has 4 parts
Lesson 1 - Spiritual success often brings physical trouble
Lesson 1 - Spiritual success often brings physical trouble
souls being saved in every city, they are starting churches in those cities
but also they have been beat, put in jail, faced mobs, dealt with jealousy, been lied on, and made fun of
spiritual success often brings physical trouble
I believe this is the reason we are in a war right now - members were spiritually tuned in to what was being taught . . . enemy does not want that
How did Paul and Silas deal with it?
kept doing what they were called to do
praying and singing in the midnight hour
3P’s - so keep pressing, keep praying, Keep praising
Spiritual success often brings physical trouble, but keep pressing, praying, and praising!
Lesson 2 - Witnessing Strategy
Lesson 2 - Witnessing Strategy
area that we need to step up in as a church
great comission - go ye therefore
Acts is all about being witnesses for Christ
What is witnessing?
What is witnessing?
witnessing by definition - telling or sharing the gospel of Christ: Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again for us, that we might be saved
I want to differentiate from other good things - being a positive influence, helping the needy, letting your light shine, encouraging somebody, inviting someone to church . . . all good things but not witnessing
So as we talk about witnessing strategy, this is a strategy to get someone’s attention, so that they will listen to the gospel
Step 1 - Understand what you have.
Step 1 - Understand what you have.
There is such a thing as THE TRUTH.
there is right and wrong
there are things that are correct, things that are incorrect
You can have your own truth, and even live by it, but if your truth doesn’t match THE TRUTH . . .
you will eventually fail
it’s not sustainable
you will run into consequences of not living by the truth
Example
THE TRUTH - if you walk in the middle of streets, you will end up in a bad way
Your truth - it is perfectly fine to walk in the middle of streets
if you live by your truth, you might make it for a while
no cars come
cars that do come, miss you
you might make videos of it and become a social media star
but eventually you will end up in a bad way
get injured or killed
get cussed out by drivers
people on social media turn on you because you are endangering others
police arrest you for jaywalking
end up in mental hospital
your truth failed, was not sustainable, rain into serious consequences of not living by the truth
As Christians, we have the truth of truths
we have the foundational truth that covers life and eternity
We know who God is, what he has done for us, the gospel message
Jesus said I am the way, the truth, and the life
understand that you have this precious knowledge, eternity changing knowledge
everyone needs the truth, and you have it!
many (not all) are seeking for the truth, and you have it!
don’t be ashamed, be excited!
Paul and Silas (Luke) are on this missionary journey, because they have a burden to share this truth. (back to chapter 16)
9 A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
when you share the gospel, you are trying to help people
what YOU know, will help people!
it’s important!
understand what you have!
remember what you have!
YOU HAVE THE TRUTH!!!
Step 2: Find that open door.
Step 2: Find that open door.
Start with the part of the Truth they already possess.
10 The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.
at the synagogue where you would find Jews and Gentiles who believed in God of the Old Testament, Paul would start with the Scriptures
the Scriptures were true, they believed the scriptures . . . so that was where to start
they knew the God of the Old Testament was real, they knew He had promised a Savior, so Paul started at showing them that Jesus fulfilled the scriptures they believed.
and those people responded, got into it, they really searched
in Athens, went to the synagogue (Jews and Gentiles who already believed in the God of the Old Testament)
but he also tried to reach the people who did not believe in the God of the Old Testament, so he did some witnessing in the market place
So where did he start?
23 “For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I also found an altar with this inscription, ‘TO AN UNKNOWN GOD.’ Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.
The Truth they already possessed - there was a God that was unknown to them
that was the only connection, but it was a connection
all real truth, flow back to THE TRUTH
it’s like following a path or a thread . . . so find that open door, that thread to the truth that the person you are witnessing to already has
in his speech, Paul uses another truth they already posses
28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
These two quotations Paul used from Greek poets are attributed respectively to Epimenides the Cretan.
that guy wasn’t a prophet, but he hit on a truth
“we can’t live apart from God”
“we all come from God”
then he uses that truth that they already acknolwedge to get to more Truth, and correct a major falsehood they have . . . “it makes no sense to worship idols.”
29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.
we come from God . . . .God does not come from us (our thoughts)
makes no sense to make a statue of gold, silver, or stone
That would be like me quoting the Declaration of Independence, “all men are created equal”
truths in there - creation, equality (God loves everyone, all are important to God)
connect with a hip hop enthusiast, and quote Jay-Z, “I got 99 problems . . . .
that’s a biblical truth, life is full of troubles
Jay Z is not a prophet, but he hit on that truth
so I can say, I got 99 problems and getting to heaven ain’t one of them”
so find that open door, truth connection
Step 3 - Share the resurrection.
Step 3 - Share the resurrection.
you find common truth, but you have to take them to ultimate truth, the resurrection of Christ
this is how Paul concluded his speech
31 because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead.”
judgment is coming, resurrection of Christ is proof that Christ will be that judge
you have to get to the heart of the gospel - you need saving!
we know that it comes by grace through faith
faith in what? Jesus and what he did. Die and Rise!!!!
Resurrection is that proof that Jesus is all that . . . otherwise he is just another religious guy
Step 4 - Leave the results to God.
Step 4 - Leave the results to God.
32 Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, “We shall hear you again concerning this.”
33 So Paul went out of their midst.
34 But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris and others with them.
some sneered and did not believe
others got to thinking
some believed
not your job to worry about all of that, just present the gospel message, just witness!
Work time - Finding that open door
Work time - Finding that open door
People believe in a lot of crazy things, but what simple truths do a lot of people still have?
Ex. There is a higher power
life matters
there is purpose
there is a heaven
life is hard
death is coming
There is one God
some parts of the Bible are real
Jesus was a real person
Atheist - i can make my own choices, death is coming, Jesus was a real person (for some)
Muslim - one god, Abraham, Jesus was a real person (but they say he is just a prophet)
Announcements
no Bible Study next week
hope you have found prayer reminders helpful - keep praying
feel free to expand beyond what is sent, it is not a limit, but a starter