Think Twice / Cut Once – Part Two

Acts 19:35-41 “The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash.  You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples  nor blasphemed our goddess. If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen  have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.”

Continuing Pastor Kyle’s message on thinking once was continuing the Sunday Sermon series through book of Acts. We were looking at the five instances when to think twice before saying yes to an opportunity. (4) When a situation is emotionally stirred and charged. When in the heat of the moment and there is no little disturbance, we need to “chill out”. Paul concern was not about getting his rear kicked, but getting out the Word of God. But an incited and hostile crowd is never good timing for the focus of that fury. Think twice. (5) When a decision is rushed and may actually be opposing God. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The Ephesian city clerk calmly speaks wisdom and logic that defuses this difficult situation. Remember Acts 5:38-39 “For if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

Kyle gave us three final things to remember: (1) We can prepare ourselves by thinking twice before, or we can pay the price thinking twice after. We can never prepare for every contingency. (2) We always have a choice. We tend to hear what we want to hear, but we always have choices and options to consider. (3) If danger is always my deterrent, than I will never do anything great for Jesus. Danger is synonymous with the Christian job description. Comfortable, safe and happy outside of Christ is not our lot in life. God’s words, God’s works and God’s people are all direction signs. Worldly people will say: “Woo, don’t go there.”, while the Lord is saying: “that is exactly where I want you to go.”

God is our compass. Think twice and respond to God. Follow Jesus and know that God hears the faith in your heart.

In Christ, Brian