Easter: The Gospel’s Seal Of Authenticity

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Acts 17:16-34

We live in a day and age where people want proof for everything. They are tired of being lied to, scammed, or taken for fools. This is true of government, education, science, entertainment, even religion. Today we celebrate a historical event that was God’s seal of authenticity for the Gospel message.

In our text the Apostle Paul is on his second missionary journey, and has arrived in Athens (Greece) to wait for his ministry partners (vs. 16-17). What he saw there made his spirit “stir in him” (lit. to stimulate, irritate, provoke to anger) because he saw the entire city literraly full of idols and idolatry. Paul couldn’t sit still and do nothing, so he began to speak with Jews in the synagogue and with religious people and everyone else in the street markets every day.

That is when two groups of philosophers found him (vs. 18). The Epicureans were followers of Epicurus; they were atheists who promoted the pursuit of a pleasant, smooth life, living for pleasure. Sounds a lot like Americans today! Some thought Paul was a “babbler” (empty talker), while others thought he was talking about strange gods, because Paul’s preaching always involved two things: Jesus and the Resurrection. You see, the Resurrection of Jesus has been at the heart of the Gospel from the very beginning.

These men take Paul to Areopagus (latin name for Mars’ Hill, vs. 19-21). This was a rocky peak in Athens, opposite to the Acropolis. They wanted Paul to explain this “new doctrine.” For these people, steeped in philosophy, pursuing pleasure and happiness outside of the true God, the Gospel was a “new doctrine,” even something “strange” or foreign, new, shocking. Just like today’s society, they were looking for the next new thing, the newest book or philosophy, or the latest fad to come on the scene (NYT bestseller list, latest celebrity to come up with the “secret” to their happiness and well-being). It was then that the Apostle Paul stood up and delivered a timeless classic, a message more relevant to 21st century Americans than ever before in our history. If you heart and mind has been bombarded and inundated by the philosophies entrenched in our grade schools, university, media and entertainment, and government institutions, this message is for you. And it all points to Easter: the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (vs. 22-31)!

Paul begins by pointing out that he noticed them to be “too superstitious” (vs. 22), believing everything they had been told, “sold a bill of goods,” though there was no true, real, solid foundation to support it. It was fiction presented as fact, just like the secular evolutionary humanism of today. They worshipped in ignorance, while Paul revealed the truth (vs. 23).

The First Cause (vs. 24-26)

Of the universe (vs. 24) – God is the Creator of the universe, that transcends matter and time, that created matter in the first place (matter is not eternal, it came from somewhere), the Intelligent Designer behind the amazing universe in which we live. A universe so mind-boggling and stunning whether you look as far into space as humanly possible, or as deep into the microcosmic world of the human body. God cannot be contained in anything made. That’s our God!

Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Romans 1:19-20 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.

Of life (vs. 25) – Even the biological sciences acknowledge that “life comes from life.” Human life, plant life, animal life, could not have come or evolved from lifeless matter. The eternal God is the Giver of life, Sustainer of life, that “breathed into [man’s] nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). That’s our God!

Of nations (vs. 26) – All nations of the earth have the same blood line – all trace back to Adam. No race, nationality, culture, language is superior to any other. We all bleed the same. From “one blood” God scattered the human race at the Tower of Babel throughout all the face of the earth, creating various languages, forming different nations, and through genetics developing various traits and physical appearances. All determined and ordained by God. The Bible explains it all. That’s our God!

The Primary Command (vs. 27-30)

The Creator of all things as determined that we as human beings, as the high point of all creation, created by the hand of God in the image of God, should “seek the Lord” in our heart and life (vs. 27). By faith, you just need to “reach out and touch him” because He is “not far from every one of us.” He is close, even now. You can’t see Him with your physical eyes (like so many other real things), but He is here.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.

Even the Greek poets believed to be “offspring” of deity, the handiwork of a Superior Being, even though they couldn’t identify Him. The most primitive of societies have the sense, instinct, and intuition to look up, around, and within and see the overwhelming evidence of a Creator. But we can’t be foolish enough to think that we can put God in a box, in man made labels and limitations (vs. 29). A God big enough to create stars millions of light years away can’t be encapsulated in a carved stone or idol of gold or silver. This God commands us to seek Him – not with our eyes, ears, hands, and feet, but with our heart and soul – by faith! And seeking God involves another step (vs. 30).

God in His infinite mercy “winked at,” temporarily overlooked, held back His judgment upon the Earth despite our “ignorance” (lit. agnosticism). He gives us more and more time and opportunities (that we don’t deserve). For what? That we might repent of our sin. Our Creator has commanded that “all men every where” repent. Repent of our sin, of breaking God’s moral and revealed laws, of rebelling against Him with our behavior and thoughts. With the overwhelming evidence of God all around Creation, the Bible says we are without excuse (Romans 1:20). We cannot run from, hide from, or ignore our sin and guilt (Romans 3:23). We must fall upon our knees before God, plead for mercy, and turn away from our sin to follow God (Acts 3:19a). No other command in the Bible is more important than this. Everything else is secondary. Repent!

Isaiah 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

The Ultimate Consequence (vs. 31)

The reason it is so urgent that you repent and turn to God is that the same God who created you and commands you to repent, also made an appointment for you. A day in which you will stand before Him to answer for your life. You will be judged by the very One we celebrate today. The “man” whom God ordained for this purpose, who lived for you, died for you, and rose from the death for you. His name is Jesus.

It is Easter, the Resurrection of Jesus, that gives proof, evidence, “assurance” (lit. faith, conviction) that this is a fact, that the Gospel is true. Easter is the Gospel’s seal of authenticity. This message of hope and warning is true (Hebrews 9:27). Easter proves that you will answer to God one day.

It is interesting to see how the people in Athens responded to Paul’s powerful message (vs. 32-34). You have three responses:

  1. Some mocked – ridiculed talk of Jesus rising from the dead

  2. Some reflected – it piqued their curiosity. They wanted to think about it and hear more

  3. Some believed – lit. they stuck to him like glue, embraced the truth of the Gospel. They placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God, the Savior of the world.

Which are you today? Some of you are looking at me and listening, but mocking it in your heart (God, Bible, Jesus). Easter is just another tradition, fable, fairy tale, but you are too smart or intelligent to believe it is true. Some of you are honest enough to give it some serious thought. You are not ready to become a true, born-again Christian, but you are thinking about it – wanting to come back for more. Caution: you have no promise of tomorrow. Some of you are ready to make the leap, take that step, be converted to Christ. You know you are guilty and need to beg for mercy. You know Jesus is God the Son and He died in your place. You want to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior today. And you will have that chance.

Whether you believe it or not – it is true. Jesus rose from the dead, was seen of over 500 people for over a month, then ascended to Heaven. But at any moment Jesus is coming again to take His people to Himself forever.

Acts 1:11 Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Are you ready? Now is your time to decide.

Facing The Financial Instability Of Missionary Life

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Here’s an article from the Missionary’s Corner archives: 

As I recently stood before a group of fellow preachers (mostly pastors), I presented a few  biblical principles to help us face the often inconsistent, unstable and uncertain income that many ministers live on.  These are realities that affect pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and many Christian workers.  But my heaviest burden that day was for my fellow missionaries who at that moment were ministering around the world, some in remote places, having to face these challenges alone.  It is for them that I want to share these thoughts once again.

The Apostle Paul penned some beautiful words to the Philippian believers as he encouraged this missions-minded congregation to continue its long-term involvement in his ministry (4:10-19).  But in doing so he opened a window to shed some light into his heart and life as a minister of the Gospel.  He allows us to see the truths that enabled him to face this kind of ministry life.  Here is what we can learn from the apostle:

Contentment is not based on our level of support (vs. 11).  Paul’s contentment did not waver in times of financial or material need – it was consistent.  As missionaries we cannot be content when we have a good month, and discontent when we have a bad month.  Our contentment cannot rise and fall with the giving of God’s people or the regularity of our supporting churches.  This will lead to spiritual distraction, depression, discouragement, and even resentment.  Our contentment must be consistent – by being rooted in the One who never changes.

Contentment is learned through experience (vs. 12). Paul had learned to be content.  The circumstances had literally instructed him in contentment.  The unstable circumstances taught him the “how to”s of ministry life: how to handle the good months and administer God’s provision, how to handle the low months without getting distracted, depressed or discouraged, and how to even be “abased” or leveled by a situation.  We must remember that contentment is developed over time as we experience the ups and downs, abundance and necessity, fullness and hunger.

Christ is our Source of provision (vs. 13). It was Christ who gave Paul the strength and provision to face life – in the good times and in the bad.  At times God’s provision came through the giving of God’s people.  At times Paul’s hands had to labor in a personal trade.  But he did not look to these things for provision – he looked to God.  This kept him from becoming resentful if a church did not give much, or even dropped his support. This kept him from looking to his own skills and actions to get him out of a bind.  As missionaries most of our income comes through the giving of God’s people, and sometimes as the result of a letter, presentation or sermon, so it is easy to look to these for our provision.  But this will lead to a roller coaster ride of emotions because people don’t always give as they should, pastors do not always make the decisions we expect, and our own efforts are not always effective.  Our focus must remain on Christ.  He is our Provider.

Consider the mutual benefits (vs. 17). The Apostle had no reservations in encouraging the Philippians to give to his ministry because his motives were pure and he knew that they each had a role to play in the kingdom of God.  Both sides benefited from their participation.  When the Philippians gave, Paul could better carry out his God-given ministry, and the Philippians could better fulfill the Great Commission.  Missionaries have no reason to feel like beggars as they seek to raise financial support, as long as they remember that they are seeking a relationship of mutual benefit.  The entire work of God is benefited when God’s people give and God’s servants are able to carry out their ministry calling.

Perhaps you have been struggling with the financial ups and downs that come with missionary life.  Let me encourage you through these truths to learn to maintain your contentment no matter what circumstances the Lord allows.  Learn from your past experiences.  Seek the advice and encouragement of veteran pastors and missionaries.  But above all and before everything else, keep your focus on the Lord Jesus Christ as your one and only Provider.  “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

The “Coincidence” Of Twelve Years

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Here is the conclusion to Pastor Rick’s message: Learning A Lesson In Faith (Mark 5:21-43).

 

There is something fascinating about these two stories: both make reference to twelve years.  Jairus’ daughter was twelve years old when she got sick and died.  The woman on the street became sick with her blood issue twelve years before. Coincidence?  Not on your life!  A dozen years before God set in motion a series of events that would lead up to this very day in which the power and glory of Jesus would shine for all to see.  A baby girl was born.  A woman became ill.  One joyful occasion, one tragic occasion.  And yet both orchestrated by the sovereign hand of Almighty God who knew that twelve years later, Jesus would step off that boat and meet those two families.  Like the man who was born blind:

John 9:3  Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

You may not understand why bad things have happened in your life.  You may not know why God has allowed you to get sick, a loved one to die, or a painful situation to go on and on.  But friend, God has not forgotten about you!  He has a glorious work to do in your life if you will let Him.  It will be a work so beautiful that only God could orchestrate (Rom. 8:28).  Let your desperation drive you to Jesus. Let your need press you to call out to God.  Let your faith keep you waiting on the Lord until the answer comes.  Never forget that God is who He says He is, and He does what He says He will do.

Keys To Reaching Others For Christ

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The vision of our local church is to build bridges to knowing Christ, maturing in Christ and reaching others for Christ.  This third “ministry bridge” is the ultimate bridge we want to cross as Christians.  But how?

1. Nurture your own relationship with Christ.  If you are not in love with Jesus, passionately obeying and following Him, connected with fellow believers in worship and a Bible study class, serving others in a ministry, what is there to share?  What do you have that will be a magnet to the unchurched and unsaved?  It all starts here. The genuine product. The real deal.

2. Limit your involvement.  Yes, you need to be involved in church ministry and faithful to all services.  But the faithful core often get overextended and overcommitted with no time to build bridges with the lost.  Too busy reaching in, no time to reach out!  This is often the fault of church leadership.  We feed the beast!  We stretch people too thin.  We encourage the vicious cycle.  But if are serious about reaching others in our community for Christ, we must be intentional about avoiding this, especially in a growing church.  Two or three ministry areas max.

3. Connect in the community.  Build relationships with the lost!  Join a sports team, art club, craft class, volunteer organization.  Meet other parents, athletes, artists, business people.  Build friendships and trust.  Serve them and love them.  Model Christian behavior and Biblical priorities (in the world, but not of the world).  Share Christ!  Give away a tract, outreach card, book or sermon series.  Invite them to church or a Bible study.  Take time to invest in them.  As someone has said, you never win your enemies to Christ, only your friends.  And friendship takes time, effort and intentionality.

Sent Out By Christ

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Excerpt from Pastor Rick’s message: “Called and Empowered” (Series: If God Could Use Peter)

 

“These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:5-8).

These disciples became apostles (messengers, sent ones), and immediately we find Jesus sending them out on a kingdom mission, primarily to the Jews at this point (vs. 5-6). He then gives them a detailed list of instructions. Their first priority at all times was to preach the Gospel (vs. 7). They were now “fishing for men,” reaching the lost, sharing the Gospel.

Notice the phrasing: “as ye go, preach” (poreuomai kerusso). The imperative command is the word preach, and the present participle is the going. It is the same structure you find in the Great Commission, which is translated “Go ye therefore, and teach” (poreuomai matheteuo). The present participle is the going, but the imperative command is to make disciples. In other words, whether we “go” or not is not the question. It is not open for discussion. It is assumed that as followers of Christ we will reach out to others. That is what Christians do. And as we go, we must share the Gospel and disciple believers.

Jesus then gave them some powerful words of challenge and encouragement as they made their way into cities and towns, sometimes received with open arms, other times going out “as sheep in the midst of wolves” (vs. 16). He warns them of being delivered before governors and kings for cause of Christ, and even tortured (vs. 17-18). But even then the Holy Spirit of God would give them words to speak (vs. 19-20). Being a follower of Jesus Christ, sent out on a kingdom mission would at times divide their families, cause others to hate them, and bring about suffering and rejection, just as their Lord and Master would endure. But despite the risks, challenges, and opposition of serving the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Jesus urges them not to fear others, but to fear God (vs. 28, 31). Serving Jesus Christ means putting everything and everyone in our life on the table, even our life itself, in order to take up our cross to follow our Savior (vs. 37-39). We die to ourselves, so that we may live for Him!

This challenge was not just for that first mission. It would guide Simon Peter the rest of his life. These words ought to challenge anyone who is serious about serving the Lord Jesus Christ, whether in vocational ministry or as a volunteer. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. Whom God calls, He empowers. “Where God guides, He provides.” God will give you anything and everything you need in order to carry out His will for your life. It may mean sacrifice, it may disappoint or anger your family, it may cost you things that you dearly love, but friend,

“It will be worth it all when we see Jesus! Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ. One glimpse of His dear face all sorrow will erase. So bravely run the race ’til we see Christ!”

Empowered By Christ

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Excerpt from Pastor Rick’s message: “Called and Empowered” (Series: If God Could Use Peter)

“And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1).

It is important to notice that Christ’s calling to ministry came with the power to do the work (vs. 1). Jesus empowered Simon Peter (and his fellow apostles), through His Spirit, to preach the Gospel, heal the sick, and cast out demons.

Mark 3:14b-15 That he might send them forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils:

This power over demons and diseases did not come from the Apostles themselves. It was given to them by God. And it was given for a unique purpose, spelled out by Mark: “confirming the word with signs following” (Mk. 16:20), as they had no written New Testament as of yet. As they went and preached, God empowered this select group to perform miracles of all kinds (vs. 8). They were merely the vessels in the hand of God to minister to the needy.

This is a principle we must remember in the Lord’s work. The power to serve the Lord and minister to others comes from God. When God calls us to a task or to a ministry, He empowers us to do it. It has nothing to do with how gifted and talented we are, or if we have what it takes. Just like in salvation, it is all about God.

Philippians 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

2Corinthians 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God.


Cross-Cultural Ministry

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It is a new day in ministry. Actually, the day has long been here, but many of us are just beginning to realize it and respond to it.  The classic mindset in ministry has been that cross-cultural ministry is for missionaries, single-cultural ministry is for pastors.  That is how we have trained people for ministry for quite some time.

Pastors are trained to preach the Word of God and to lead and shepherd within a historic American church model, where most of the congregation is primarily from a single culture, in a community of a single culture.  That culture is often the same as the pastor’s.  And that local culture has been relatively constant for decades, even generations.

Missionaries, however, are trained to think outside the box.  They are challenged to break free from many of their personal stereotypes, to discern between what is biblical and what is cultural in ministry.  They are taught to immerse themselves in a foreign culture, find points of connection in that culture with which they can creatively share the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ.  From there missionaries are drilled with the understanding that the Great Commission is about church planting, and that church planting involves church reproduction.

But those days are gone.  That distinction in the Gospel ministry is no longer relevant.  The reason is that pastors everywhere find themselves surrounded by a culture that is far different from theirs, far different from the one they were trained to reach, far different from the one they ministered to decades ago.  Reaching modern-day Americans with the Gospel of Jesus Christ is cross-cultural ministry!

The average person in our community was not raised in church.  They did not go to Sunday School and hear basic Bible stories or sing classic hymns. They do not have a JudeoChristian worldview, nor do they believe in absolute truth or the inspiration of the Bible.  Many of them were not even raised in the United States, and do not speak English.  When they have a problem, the church is the last place they will turn to for advice and guidance.

What we need in America (as in every other country of the world) is a mentality of cross-cultural ministry.  We need to ask ourselves hard questions and challenge our stereotypes.  We need to ask God to help us better discern between what is biblical and what is cultural.  We need to be willing to seek creative ways to find points of connection with those in our communities so that we can share the unchanging Gospel.  We need to be constantly reminded that the Great Commission is church-planting and that our churches need to reproduce themselves.

It is a new day in ministry.  The question is: Will we realize it and respond to it?

Why Sunday Evenings Matter

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I recently posted a question on Twitter and Facebook: “Why do you go to church on Sunday evenings?”  It was fascinating to read the comments that kept coming for several days.  Some had to do with obedience to, and love for, God’s Word, others to merely a habit or routine.  The Sunday evening service is one of the most overlooked and neglected of our three weekly services.  Let me share a few reasons why I think it matters that you be there.

 

  1. God commands it – Hebrews 10:25 exhorts us not to “forsake” (abandon, desert) the times when the local church assembles as a body of believers. It matters to God, and should matter to us!
  2. It is the Lord’s DAY – The entire Sunday is the Lord’s Day, not just the morning.  We ought to dedicate the entire day (individually and as families) as a day of worship and spiritual re-focusing for the rest of the week.
  3. The content is beneficial – We strive to offer a variety of Biblical emphases and studies that are interesting, practical, and beneficial.  Every series is selected with you in mind.  And yet we also mix in our Fifth Sunday Sings, Teen Services, and observances of the Lord’s Supper.  You are truly missing out if you aren’t there!
  4. Parents can model their faith and devotion – It gives parents the opportunity (in a church service) to demonstrate to their kids that the Lord’s work truly matters.  Kids can observe parents and adult believers worshiping the Lord and listening to God’s Word. They need role models!
  5. Children can learn to be in church services – Yes, Sunday School, Kids Zone and AWANA are important ministries that can drive home God’s Word in an exciting, practical and challenging way to our children.  But they also need to learn that church is more than just kids programs.  They need to learn to behave in the sanctuary, sing with the congregation, and yes, sit still during the preaching (I Tim. 3:15)!  Not “fun” for them?  Neither are vegetables, winter gloves and vaccinations – but they are important in life.
  6. We need the fellowship – The time we can spend with our fellow believers is so small compared to the time with our secular co-workers and classmates.  We need the encouragement and fellowship.  The truth is, Sunday mornings are often so rushed and busy that we can’t really stop and talk much.  Sunday evenings give us a better environment and atmosphere to be with each other.  Why not make it a point to start coming?