The Paradoxes of Gospel Growth -- Satan, Sobering, Suffering
Acts (To Be Continued...) • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 1 viewNotes
Transcript
Please turn to Acts 5:12-42.
Acts 5:12-42.
A paradox is a statement that seems to contradict itself—doesn’t seem to make sense—but in actuality might be true. on the surface it seems like a contradiction—but when you dig deeper, beneathe the surface, might contain some wisdom.
Let me give you some examples of paradoxes:
The more you fail, the more likely you are to…succeed. for instance—Thomas Edison famously made over 10,000 prototypes of the light bulb before getting the light bulb right. Michael Jordan—famous commercial—says “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I have been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life, and that is why I succeed.”
this a very adulting statement and paradox— “the only constant in life is ________ (change.) so true. It seems like a contradiction—but is true..life is always changing.
last one "sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards...” so true in many areas of life...
I want to relate this to the Gospel...
I believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ---as it is spreading and multiplying here in the Early Church (and in our world today)—Gospel growth contains at least 3 paradoxes.
and one is from last week’s by way of review.
Here is the first one:
The Gospel (of JC) results in both supernatural change and supernatural deception. (Acts 4:32 - 5:11)
both at the same time
in other words—when the Gospel is going forth—we see radical conversion....people are converted from darkness to light.
from Satan to God
from slavery to sin to freedom of forgiveness
and it is amazingly wonderful and attractive—in fact, the early church we read was so supernaturally converted that they would take care of one another’s needs by selling their land and houses—and bringing the money to the apostles. It’s amazing! (end of chapter 4)
but then at the same time—while you have this amazing work of the Spirit...
we read in Acts 5:3
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?
Satan comes and works....he sows and raises his own deception—convincing Ananias and Sapphira to make it seem like they too have sold their property and gave all the money—when in reality they gave only part. they were not required to give it all—or even sell it—but they in their deceit and hypocrisy made it look like they gave it all. and God strikes both Ananias and Sapphira dead—it is surprising!
I believe this is a Gospel paradox—that as the Gospel goes we want and expect genuine heart change—and we see it…but at the same time—we need to be prepared that we have an enemy at work—also sowing his Satanic seed.
we need to understand both—or can be naive or cynical. if we are not ready for Satanic opposition—even among our own people—we will be naive . we won’t be prepared for Satanic attack. we will be crushed down and defeated.
and if we are always looking for Satanic attack, we will be cynical—never realizing the Gospel is triumphant—we need both.
Jesus taught this in his parables--
24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.
25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.
26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
this parable teaches that both our God and the enemy are sowing their seed....both are growing....and this will happen until Jesus returns
30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’ ”
people of wisdom embrace this paradox—trusting the Jesus is greater, not being surprised by enemy attack. but standing strong in Jesus—knowing that His kingdom is still advancing.
here is the 2nd Paradox…let me read it. please stand
Acts 5:12–16 (NIV)
12 The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon’s Colonnade. (a section of the Jewish temple courts)
13 No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people.
14 Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.
15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
16 Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed.
2. Gospel of JC both repels people and invites people. (Acts 5:12-16)
vs. 13 says no one else dared join them...
yet vs. 14—says nevertheless more and more men and women believed and were added to their number
so which is it?
the answer...
BOTH!
if the Gospel of Jesus is truly being shared, taught, and preached in its fullness...
if we are teaching both the twin realities that...
we are more sinful than we can imagine
yet more loved than we can ever hope...
i think it will produce this…and that’s good.
we need all of us to understand that we have a great need before God…that all of us are not just struggling with surface-y sins—but our sin goes to the heart. that all of us have a little bit or a lot of Ananias and Sapphira in us…that all of our actions, thoughts, and heart—are laced with sin…that part of the message of the Gospel—can be repelling and offensive...
yet at the same time—God has graciously poured out his favor on us through Jesus…we can be forgiven, restored, made new—all b/c of Jesus Christ and his life, death on the cross, and resurrection…and join a new community of believers—a family spreading the kingdom…and we don’t earn it—Jesus does—it is all the grace of God…that is more attractive...
if we are preaching this good news and living it out...
it will do both.
and I mentioned this is a good thing?
why?
for 1—it shows us God in His fullness—slow to anger, abounding in love forgiving—but holds and punishes the guilty
for 2—as we live out and share the Gospel---there are not superficial conversions—but true genuine—people counting the cost of following Jesus Christ and joining His kingdom movement…people sobered by their sin and excited by the grace and mercy of God.
people attracted not just to the miracles of Jesus—and the miracles here—but also know they are surrendering to a holy and gracious God—who can ask anything of them.
i believe this paradox brings wisdom…just like the first one about the kingdom of God. the kingdom of God and Gospel brings supernatural change and supernatural deception/resistance...
and here—when the Gospel is spreading—it is inviting all kinds of people and also repelling people at the same time. In any healthy ministry or healthy church—I believe we will see both...
do we live and share a Gospel that only invites (all grace and no truth) or only repels (all truth and no grace)?
if we only see one or the other—perhaps our Gospel is not being shared in its fullness. if we are always repelling people—perhaps we have forgotten the grace of God and have focused on the holiness of God
or if we are always inviting people—perhaps we have forgotten the holiness of God and have over-emphasized the grace of God. We need both.
This is Gospel wisdom
the third paradox we see is in verses 17-42. Let’s stand.
Acts 5:17–42 (NIV)
17 Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.
18 They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail.
19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out.
20 “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
btw—what would you have done? you have just been arrested—lives threatened...
and God does this amazing miracle---frees you from jail—and says go back to the place where you could get arrested again—and keep telling people about Jesus?
21 At daybreak they entered the temple courts, as they had been told, and began to teach the people. When the high priest and his associates arrived, they called together the Sanhedrin—the full assembly of the elders of Israel—and sent to the jail for the apostles.
22 But on arriving at the jail, the officers did not find them there. So they went back and reported,
23 “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing at the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside.”
24 On hearing this report, the captain of the temple guard and the chief priests were at a loss, wondering what this might lead to.
25 Then someone came and said, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple courts teaching the people.”
26 At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
27 The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest.
28 “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” (talking about Jesus)
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
30 The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead—whom you killed by hanging him on a cross.
31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.
32 We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
33 When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.
34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.
35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.
36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.
37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.
38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.
39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
3. Gospel of JC brings both great victory and great suffering. (Acts 5:15-42)
This is the 3rd and final paradox…that as the Gospel spreads—we see victory—in fact, they see victory on numerous accounts...
healing miracles earlier in the texts - Peter’s shadow…people bringing their sick and demon possessed
God breaking them out of jail—through an angel - the Gospel can’t be jailed!
the crowds seems to genuinely be interested in what they have to say and are joining this Jesus movement
that’s victory! progress! This is Gospel and Kingdom advancement...
and yet as they are faithful to Jesus...
the resistance, opposition, and suffering—increases, too.
in vs. 17—the religious leaders have a reaction that many of us get—they are jealous! the apostles and early church are growing in #’s and influence! This is the same reaction we get—when someone else is taking our “spotlight or fame...”
I even see this in Christian ministry—and among us as Christians. sometimes as churches we can be jealous of the church down the road—b/c of their gaining influence or popularity. or even as Christians if we have mentored and discipled someone—and another Christian comes along and starts mentoring or discipling them, too, we can get territorial...
that jealous that we see here—still exists today...
as the Gospel goes forth—we see incredible influence, progress…we also may encounter jealousy from others...
suffering...
and yet amazingly—look at how the apostles repond:
vs. 29
29 Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!
they have boldness.
Peter preaches a sermon about Jesus—this is 4th recorded sermon in Acts (Acts 2, 3, 4, and 5)
and the apostles’ response at the end is even crazier--
41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.
42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
why would they respond this way?
I think it’s because they understood this paradox and expected it.
remember Jesus had warned them:
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.
20 Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.
12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.
13 And so you will bear testimony to me.
up to this point in the book of Acts…it has been more victory than suffering.
Acts 2—the Holy Spirit comes—and over 3,000 are added to their #.
Acts 3—God uses them to heal a man crippled from birth—and Peter preaches another sermon
4 But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand.
the Jesus movement is spreading and growing.
yes they have been arrested once...
and told not to preach anymore...
but things are going very well.
they probably thought—where is this persecution Jesus promised? the suffering?
and now—they finally get a big taste of it—they are flogged—whipped—possibly 39 times. 1/3 of those lashings in the front, 2/3 in the back.
and yet they have joy...
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Jesus says—you are blessed when this happens!
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
joy....they have joy in Jesus...
it’s not that they were denying reality—they suffered…they probably hurt—39 times…joy is not denying reality—this would have been hard and involved lament and grief...
but they also had a real depth of joy in Jesus because Jesus is their #1 prized possession more than money or comfort or people’s opinions of us or career…joy in Jesus—so identifies with Jesus—that we want to know Jesus and everything He experienced.
Paul said in Philippians 3:10
10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
this is one of the paradoxes of Christianity—we get to know Christ and His resurrection power—It’s powerful—and also participate in His suffering—the Christian life is both resurrection power and suffering with and for Jesus...
and true joy stems from that—b/c if Jesus is your prized possession—you get to identify with Jesus…suffering produces a kind of union and intimacy with Jesus that nothing else can.... (now suffering can also drive you away from Jesus and make you bitter)—but when you allow it to press you further into Jesus…it makes all the difference.
this paradox of victory and suffering—we need both.
if we only expect victory and no suffering—we will give up…we will be surprised...
and if we only expect suffering and no victory—we will be the most depressing Jesus followers ever…and nothing will happen.
we need both...
for true Gospel growth wisdom...
you may have heard me say this—but I believe the book of Acts teaches:
The Kingdom of God has come (b/c of Jesus)—it’s here—the Holy Spirit is...
but it is not here fully (until Jesus comes back)
It is already but not yet…we need both… (this is what Acts is all about—God’s kingdom has come in power…but it’s not here fully yet…until Jesus returns)
if we don’t believe this, I have found we will fall away from Jesus b/c we were too naive and optimistic, or grow cynical.
so 3 paradoxes—
This Gospel results in supernatural change and supernatural resistance from Satan and from within
this Gospel both invites and repels people—at the same time.
and this Gospel brings both great victory and great suffering.
a life that follows Jesus—embraces all of this—so we can know God, enjoy Him, and identify with Jesus.
One of the best ways to respond is with communion...
—open to anyone who is a believer
—don’t have to be a member or regular attender
please raise your hand if you need elements
Luke 22:19-20 say this (read with me)
19 And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
what we are about to do as a church family—reminds us of the greatest thing ever done for us.
Jesus Christ gave His body—the bread for us…to give us life—just like manna from heaven. He is the bread of life—and it was broken so we might be healed and restored.
and He gave his blood—poured out for us—so that our sins may be forgiven, and we enter the kingdom of God.
there are a lot of paradoxes here...
what Jesus did answers an incredible paradox about God—How can God be holy, punishing sin, holding us accountable while at the same time merciful and gracious? the cross—where holiness and grace meet. God was so holy He had to punish sin through Jesus Christ, and so loving that He gladly sent His Son.
Jesus died—so we could have life—the best paradox.
Jesus—the eternal Son of God—fully God—became fully man without losing his status and identity as God—both 100% fully God and 100% fully man.
and in the Christian life—more paradoxes…we lose our life—so that we will find it. we lose it for Jesus’ sake.
we surrender and give up our freedom to Jesus—to find the ultimate freedom. We become His slaves—so we can be free as we were designed to be.
the greatest among us must be like one who serves
when I am weak, then I am strong…in Christ
and if we are going to enter the kingdom of God, we must humble ourselves and become like little children.
Conclusion:
is Jesus the greatest paradox?
is the cross the greatest paradox?
Nov. 26th—decorating...
Nov. 29th — Robyn Moore....