These notes briefly outline my sermon on Acts 23 from this past Sunday. Read Acts 22:30 through the end of 23, then stop (it'll be difficult, the story is so compelling) and read through the following notes:
There’s no casual conversation going on here. This is intensity turned all the way up - then up a little more again and again as the story continues.
Paul calls the High Priest a “whitewashed wall,” then is confronted as to how he spoke to the high priest who is a very wicked man, but is still the leader. Leaders are to be respected, not reviled, and Paul immediately repents of his sinful attitude. In doing so he gives us a great principle.
Principle of spiritual maturity:
The time between being upset at a confrontation about your sin and genuine heart repentance will grows shorter as you grow spiritually. It's a measure of spiritual maturity.
We’re then reminded that:
The central claim of the gospel is the resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 19 – if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 17 your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 19 …we are of all people most to be pitied.
If you claim to be a Christian - you absolutely must stand up for the truth of the resurrection.
You have to say: I believe in Jesus - risen from the dead. If you do not , you’re not a Christian
Right in the middle of this passage - maybe the most important phrase in chapter 23: Take courage!
This was a Message of Courage, Comfort, Commendation, and Confidence
Principle: God brings us exactly what we need right when we need it
We can be confidence in God’s plan for us. Always.
The Plot to Kill Paul is one of the BEST illustrations of God’s sovereignty in the Bible.
It’s so abundantly clear that God is actively intentionally orchestrating every little detail of this whole thing as it unfolds.
God is at work! All the time. In every situation.
1 Peter 5:7 – casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you
What does this passage mean for my daily life?
1. Be Bold
We need to be bold in words & conversations
We need to pray for one another to be bold.
Whether that means
- standing up for what’s right
- leaving a conversation
- correcting a friend’s sin
- receiving correction
- simply bringing up the gospel.
The Boldness you need - He stands ready to give - just ask.
2. Trust God
Where and in what way do you need to trust God?
Start trusting?
Trust more?
Whatever situation you’re worried about.
coronavirus
my job
my finances
my health
that certain relationship
1,000 other things…
He’s got this
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
10 … on Him we have set our hope
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