Acts 18: When Others Reject The Gospel

Finding Peace When Others Reject the Gospel

Have you ever tried to share your faith with someone who just wasn't interested? Perhaps you've experienced the heartbreak of watching a loved one reject the message of Jesus despite your best efforts. This painful situation raises an important question: When should we continue sharing, and when should we walk away?

When Sharing the Gospel Becomes Difficult

In Acts 18, we find the Apostle Paul facing this exact dilemma. After arriving in Corinth and working as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla, Paul began devoting himself fully to preaching when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia.

"When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. But when they opposed Paul, they became abusive. He shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, 'Your blood be on your own heads. I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.'" (Acts 18:5-6)

This moment represents a turning point. Paul had been faithfully sharing the gospel with his fellow Jews, using Scripture to show how Jesus fulfilled the prophecies about the Messiah. He pointed to approximately 300 different Old Testament passages that pointed to Jesus, including:

1. Jesus being a descendant of King David (2 Samuel)

2. Coming from the tribe of Judah (Genesis)

3. Arriving before the second destruction of the temple (Daniel)

4. His suffering, death, and resurrection (Isaiah)

Despite this evidence, many rejected his message and became hostile toward him.

Why Do We Keep Trying When People Reject the Gospel?

What drives us to continue sharing our faith even when faced with rejection? For Paul, there were several motivations:

1. A Sense of Responsibility

In Ezekiel 33:8-9, God says:

"When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die,' and you do not speak to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, but I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved."

Paul felt this responsibility deeply. He knew the truth about salvation through Jesus and couldn't bear the thought of people perishing without hearing it.

2. Love for His People

Romans 10:1 reveals Paul's heart: "Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved."

Like Jesus who wept over Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37), Paul had a deep love for his fellow Jews. This love drove him to continue sharing despite the risk of rejection and even physical harm.

When Is It Time to Walk Away?

Looking at Paul's pattern throughout Acts, we find that his decision to move on wasn't based on a specific timeframe but on the condition of people's hearts.

In Acts 19:8-9, we see this pattern clearly: "Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them."

The turning point came when people:

1. Became obstinate in their hearts

2. Refused to believe

3. Publicly maligned the gospel

When hearts hardened to this degree, Paul would redirect his efforts toward those who were more receptive.

The Wisdom of Protecting What Is Sacred

Jesus taught in Matthew 7:6, "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."

This isn't about labeling people as animals but about protecting what is precious. Just as you wouldn't give something valuable to someone who doesn't recognize its worth, there comes a point when continuing to share the gospel with someone who consistently rejects and disrespects it becomes unwise.

The gospel is precious—it's the most beautiful message we have to share. When someone repeatedly treats it with contempt, it may be time to direct our efforts elsewhere.

What Happens When We Redirect Our Efforts?

Interestingly, whenever Paul redirected his efforts, revival followed:

"Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized." (Acts 18:7-8)

By focusing on those whose hearts were open, Paul saw tremendous fruit. In Ephesus, his redirection led to a two-year ministry where "all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord" (Acts 19:10).

How Should We Approach Those Who Reject the Gospel?

1. Never give up hope - We continue to believe God can do anything, including softening the hardest heart.

2. Don't push them away - Maintain loving relationships even when they reject your message.

3. Don't judge them - Remember Jesus' warning about judging others.

4. Don't become "the ugly Christian" - Treat people with respect and love, even when they disagree.

5. Recognize you're not their savior - Only Jesus can save them; you're just the messenger.

6. Trust God's timing - Everyone's journey to faith is different.

Life Application

This week, I challenge you to:

1. Evaluate your approach: Are you continuing to push the gospel on someone who has clearly shown they're not receptive? Consider whether it might be time to step back while maintaining a loving relationship.

2. Look for open doors: Who in your life might be more receptive to hearing about Jesus? Instead of focusing all your energy on those who reject your message, redirect some effort toward those who might be waiting for someone to share with them.

3. Pray for wisdom: Ask God to show you when to speak and when to be silent, when to persist and when to redirect.

4. Trust God with your loved ones: If you have family members who reject the gospel, release the burden of being their savior. Continue to love them, pray for them, and trust that Jesus is still knocking on their door.

Ask yourself:

1. Am I treating the gospel as something precious when I share it?

2. Have I been trying to be someone's savior instead of trusting God with their salvation?

3. Who in my life might be more receptive to hearing about Jesus that I've been overlooking

4. How can I maintain loving relationships with those who reject my message?

Remember, we never give up on people because we never stop believing that God can do anything. But sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is to respect their choice while continuing to pray that God will work in their hearts in His perfect timing.

2nd Thessalonians 3: True Peace in a Chaotic World

Finding True Peace in a Chaotic World: Lessons from 2 Thessalonians

Have you ever experienced a moment of perfect peace? Perhaps you were on vacation, lying in a hammock, or simply waking up one morning feeling that all was right with the world. These moments can be precious but fleeting. What if there was a way to experience peace that transcends circumstances—a peace that remains even when life gets difficult?

What is Biblical Peace?

In 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18, the Apostle Paul concludes his letter with these powerful words:

"Now may the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

This wasn't just a casual sign-off. Paul was writing to a church experiencing persecution and confusion. They were hurting and needed reassurance. His prayer for them reveals something profound about peace it's not just the absence of trouble but something deeper and more lasting.

Why Does Paul Keep Mentioning "Grace and Peace"?

If you've read Paul's letters, you've likely noticed how frequently he mentions "grace and peace." This pairing appears at the beginning or end (sometimes both) of nearly all his letters. Peter and John use similar greetings in their writings as well.

When something appears repeatedly in Scripture, it signals importance. But why these two concepts specifically?

The Ancient Blessing Behind Paul's Words

To understand Paul's emphasis on peace, we need to look at his Jewish upbringing. Throughout his childhood and into adulthood, Paul would have regularly heard the priestly blessing from Numbers 6:22-26:

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;

The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."

This blessing was spoken over the Israelites at religious festivals, during sacrifices, and at significant life moments. It was deeply embedded in Jewish culture and continues to be used in Jewish services today.

The blessing contains three mentions of God's name (Jehovah/Yahweh), emphasizing that only God can truly provide blessing, grace, and peace. This repetition communicates an essential truth: these gifts come exclusively from God, not from other sources.

What Does Biblical Peace Really Mean?

In our American culture, we often think of peace as a feeling—the absence of anxiety or conflict. But the Hebrew concept of peace (shalom) is much richer. It's not primarily about emotions but about wholeness, completeness, and fulfillment.

When God gives peace, He's not just calming our emotions temporarily; He's making us whole. He's addressing our deepest need—to be right with Him. This peace is part of our identity in Christ, not just a fleeting emotional state.

The Difference Between Old Testament and New Testament Peace

Under the Old Testament law, the blessing of peace was conditional. Deuteronomy 11:26-28 makes this clear:

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse—the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today; the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God and turn from the way that I command you today by following other gods, which you have not known."

The peace offered through the law could be lost through disobedience. But through Christ, something revolutionary happened. Romans 5:1 tells us:

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Through faith in Jesus, we receive a peace that isn't dependent on our perfect obedience. It's secured by Christ's perfect sacrifice. This is why Paul calls Jesus "the Lord of Peace"—because only through Him can we find true, lasting peace with God.

What Steals Our Peace?

If this peace is available to us, why do we struggle to experience it? Several things can rob us of peace:

1. Unresolved sin - Sin creates distance between us and God. Bringing our sin to the cross is the only way to find peace.

2. Worldly distractions - Pursuing wealth, power, or pleasure as substitutes for peace only leaves us emptier.

3. Self-reliance - The message that "you can handle anything on your own" isolates us from God and others.

4. Worry and fear - Anxiety steals peace, but prayer restores it (Philippians 4:4-7).

5. Counterfeit community - Social media and superficial connections can't replace authentic relationships in Christ.

How Do We Find True Peace?

True peace begins with peace with God through Jesus Christ. When we understand that the greatest problem in our lives—our separation from God—has been solved through Christ's death and resurrection, we can experience peace regardless of our circumstances.

This doesn't mean we'll never face difficulties or emotional turmoil. But it does mean we have an anchor for our souls—a relationship with the Lord of Peace himself who promises to be with us always.

Life Application

This week, I challenge you to pursue true peace by:

1. Identifying your peace stealers - What specific things distract you from experiencing God's peace? Is it unresolved sin, worldly distractions, self-reliance, worry, or counterfeit community?

2. Surrendering them to Jesus - Take these peace stealers to the cross. Confess them, release them, and receive God's grace.

3. Remembering your identity - Peace isn't primarily a feeling; it's knowing who you are in Christ—complete, forgiven, and loved.

4. Practicing God's presence - Set aside time each day to be still before God, remembering that He is with you and for you.

Ask yourself:

1. Where am I seeking peace apart from Christ?

2. What worries am I holding onto instead of surrendering to God?

3. How might my life look different if I truly believed that the Lord of Peace wants to give me peace at all times and in every way?

Remember, peace isn't the absence of trouble—it's the presence of Christ in the midst of whatever you face. May the Lord of Peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way.

Citizens of Another Kingdom

Understanding Our Role as Christians in Voting Season

Introduction

As we approach another election season, it's essential to reflect on our responsibilities as Christians. This week's sermon delved into the complexities of voting, the importance of prayer, and our ultimate allegiance to the Kingdom of God. Let's explore these themes and understand how we can navigate this season with faith and wisdom.

Why Is Voting Important for Christians?

Voting is a civic duty that allows us to influence the direction of our nation. However, many Christians feel conflicted when the options don't align perfectly with their values. This tension can lead to disengagement or frustration.

Biblical Guidance on Leadership and Authority

The Bible doesn't directly address voting, as it wasn't a practice in biblical times. However, principles from scripture can guide us. In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul urges us to pray for all people, especially those in authority, so we may live peaceful and godly lives. This peace and godliness are crucial for spreading the knowledge of truth and salvation.

The Power of Prayer Over Politics

Prayer is more powerful than our vote. While voting is important, our primary responsibility is to intercede for our leaders, regardless of their faith or actions. This intercession can lead to a more peaceful society where the gospel can flourish.

Living as Ambassadors of Christ

Our True Citizenship

2 Corinthians 5:17-20 reminds us that we are new creations in Christ and ambassadors of His Kingdom. Our primary identity is not as citizens of any earthly nation but as citizens of heaven. This perspective should shape how we engage in politics and view our role in society.

Seeking the Prosperity of Our Nation

Jeremiah 29:7 instructs the Israelites in exile to seek the peace and prosperity of their city. Similarly, we should pray for and work towards the prosperity of our nation, understanding that our well-being is tied to the nation's well-being. However, our ultimate hope and identity lie in God's Kingdom.

Navigating Political Tensions

Engaging with Grace and Wisdom

It's easy to get caught up in political debates and lose sight of our Christian witness. We must engage with grace, remembering that our goal is to reflect Christ's love and truth. This means being informed about issues, voting according to biblical principles, and maintaining a spirit of peace and unity.

Avoiding Division

Political seasons can be divisive, even within the church. We must remember that our unity in Christ is more important than any political affiliation. We should strive to understand and love those who vote differently, focusing on our shared mission to spread the gospel.

Life Application

Applying the Sermon to Our Lives

As we approach the polls, let's remember that our hope is in Christ, not in any political system. Here are some practical steps to apply this week's message:

1. **Pray for Leaders**: Commit to praying for all leaders, regardless of their political stance. Ask God to guide them and bring peace to our nation.

2. **Stay Informed**: Educate yourself on the issues and candidates, seeking to understand how they align with biblical principles.

3. **Engage with Grace**: Approach political discussions with humility and love, prioritizing relationships over winning arguments.

4. **Remember Your True Citizenship**: Keep your focus on your identity in Christ and your role as His ambassador.

Reflective Questions

1. How often do I pray for our leaders and the peace of our nation?

2. Do I approach political discussions with grace and a desire for unity?

3. How can I better align my voting decisions with biblical principles?

4. Am I more passionate about my political views or my identity in Christ?

By keeping these reflections in mind, we can navigate this election season with faith, wisdom, and a focus on our ultimate allegiance to God's Kingdom.