Continuing in Courage
Continuing in Courage
Acts 22:22-23:11 January 7, 2001
Scripture Reading:
Introduction:
Have you ever felt rejected?
We can often fell that way when trouble comes.
Illustrations: "Stephen's Test of Faith"
Current illnesses.
Big Question:
How can we find courage in the face of rejection?
I. Cycle One
A. Narrative (vv. 22:22-22:29)
B. Implication
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of ourselves.
C. Illustration
D. Application
Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you— although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
(1 Corinthians 7:21 NIVUS)
But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out."
(Acts 16:37 NIVUS)
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household,
(Ephesians 2:19 NIVUS)
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
(Philippians 3:20 NIVUS)
II. Cycle Two
A. Narrative (vv. 22:30-23:5)
B. Implication
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of our adversary.
C. Illustration
D. Application
as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
(Philippians 3:6 NIVUS)
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ— the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
(Philippians 3:9 NIVUS)
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
(Acts 24:16 NIVUS)
Meanwhile, the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. "I have spoken openly to the world," Jesus replied. "I always taught in synagogues or at the temple, where all the Jews come together. I said nothing in secret. Why question me? Ask those who heard me. Surely they know what I said." When Jesus said this, one of the officials nearby struck him in the face. "Is this the way you answer the high priest?" he demanded. "If I said something wrong," Jesus replied, "testify as to what is wrong. But if I spoke the truth, why did you strike me?"
(John 18:19-23 NIVUS)
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
(1 Peter 2:23 NIVUS)
We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
(1 Corinthians 4:12-13 NIVUS)
But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
(Matthew 5:39 NIVUS)
But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not dare to bring a slanderous accusation against him, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
(Jude 1:9 NIVUS)
"Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people.
(Exodus 22:28 NIVUS)
III. Cycle Three
A. Narrative (vv. 23:6-23:10)
B. Implication
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of truth.
C. Illustration
D. Application
But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
(1 Corinthians 15:12-19 NIVUS)
The priests and the captain of the temple guard and the Sadducees came up to Peter and John while they were speaking to the people. They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
(Acts 4:1-2 NIVUS)
IV. Cycle Four
A. Narrative (v. 23:11)
B. Implication
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of God.
C. Illustration
D. Application
After all this had happened, Paul decided to go to Jerusalem, passing through Macedonia and Achaia. "After I have been there," he said, "I must visit Rome also."
(Acts 19:21 NIVUS)
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
(Proverbs 16:9 NIVUS)
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
(Acts 18:9 NIVUS)
"When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying at the temple, I fell into a trance and saw the Lord speaking. ‘Quick!’ he said to me. ‘Leave Jerusalem immediately, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’
(Acts 22:17-18 NIVUS)
Conclusion:
Big Answer:
How can we find courage in the face of rejection?
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of ourselves.
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of our adversary.
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of truth.
We can find courage to face rejection by having a proper view of God.
Timeless Truth:
The degree of our courage to continue comes from the depth of our confidence in Christ.
The important thing is not who we are. It is who he is.
In other words, who he is is who we are if we are in him.
And nothing and no one ever defeated him. Not even the cross.
The worst blow that man could give him only resulted in the greater victory he achieved.
Therefore take heart because there is victory in Jesus, my Savior forever.
God has said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you."
And in the words of Jesus himself, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart because I have overcome the world."
Illustration: Movie Castaway and the man-made god "Wilson".