Unstoppable Faith

Acts 21:10-15 “After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’” When we heard this, we and the people there pleaded with Paul not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.” After this, we started on our way up to Jerusalem.

A little over a week ago, we attended our church’s Baptismic Denomination annual conference locally and the title of this year’s symposium was ”Unstoppable”. But, Pastor Kyle explains in last week’s Sunday Sermon, continuing through the book of Acts, that we seem to live in a world that appears to be very stoppable. We have our comfortable customs and traditions, but how fragile they are. There is also nothing wrong with trying to follow God’s law, because they are good and right. The apostle Paul explains in Romans 7:7 asking, “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! On the contrary, I would not have known sin except through the law.” It’s perfectly okay to observe God’s law, but don’t expect to be saved by doing so. Following God’s law doesn’t make you right with God; being right with God makes you follow God’s law. People around us are watching and want to know what is different about true Christians. The one foundational thing that all Christians have in common is stated by the Lord in Matthew 16:15-18, where Jesus asking of the Apostles, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The head of the Christian church is Christ. Being a disciple (Learner/Follower) of Jesus is to live for the Lord and Savior of the world. They are “ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 

Acts 21:17-20 “And when we had come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things which God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord.” 

Pastor Kyle gives some good ways how to handle questions about our faith. (1) Like Paul, relate one by one the things that God has done in and around your life. Recounting and sharing the amazing stories of God’s workings and God working in our life is a great witness. Oh, it is easy to characterize people, for sure. The biggest questions often come from those who have never been in the mission field. Salvation, forgiveness, restoration and spiritual healing are foreign concepts to those who have not experienced them. Misconceptions can run wild with the imagination. Not everyone is going to Heaven and once a person becomes a Christian, it’s a beginning, not an end. It’s not a “get out of jail free card” and we don’t have to do anything. Repenting, learning and following are “doing” actions. (2) Take your time and pay on your dime to answer their questions, within reason. Do it, do it well and for the right reasons. It’s not about a “pecking order” and legalism is a disconnection from the good works of God in bring the world to Him. We never have to prove that we are “better” sinners. Instead, be focusing on the world-wide work of the Lord.

John 3:30 “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

(3) Figure out if they are a critic or are they struggling to articulate how they care? There was a story of a wife of a pastor, whose father went to be with the Lord and she was grieving. Many people at church came by saying “At least he’s in a better place” or “At least he’s no longer in pain” and similar things to comfort her, but they didn’t help. When they got home, their little daughter seeing her mother sad decided to pick some flowers for her, She picked and gathered some dandelions, some crabgrass, some dead twigs together and handing this ugly bouquet to her said, “This is for you mommy. I don’t want you to hurt anymore.” Great ministry! She was saying “I love you and I care about you” and so where all those people at church. They all were trying to hand her a “ugly bouquet” to genuinely show their love and care. Recognize it and acknowledge it.

(4) Change the tone from negative questioning to a positive conversation about how to transform the world for Jesus. God wants His children go from superficial to a deeper love for people around us. It’s not just about talking to each other, but learn to be a good listener too. With an unstoppable faith, enlarge your heart with the heart of Jesus.

 We do not know if people are open to hear unless we try. But we have to try. Be on the “same page’ for the Lord or we will not be able to reach the world. And remember that this is a corporate Christian mission of the church to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” – Matthew 28:19. We need brothers and sisters in Christ around us.

From my edited notes of Pastor Kyle’s sermon.

In Christ, Brian