"Glad Tidings of Great Joy"

Sermon Series by Samuel E. Ward Sermon 2: The Gospel According to Acts Introduction It is a problem that has come to the church as a result of the passage of 2,000 years and the lack of care in defining our terms for each new generation. Words that Christians use with great frequency are not always accompanied with great understanding by those who use them. The term "born again" to a post-Christian American makes as much sense to them as it did to Nicodemus when Jesus coined the term to explain the need of mankind to experience a spiritual birth apart from the physical one. One who is physically born only will die and not gain a life that is eternal beyond the grave. One who is spiritually born after his physical birth will die physically but be resurrected to new life in a new body that will continue for eternity. In an effort to clarify and anchor ourselves again to the essential nature of what the gospel is, we continue our study in a series of sermons entitled "Glad Tidings of Great Joy". This is what the gospel is. It is good news that brings great joy. Arguably is the best news that brings the greatest joy imaginable. We began the series with a sermon focusing on what the Gospels of the New Testament meant by the "good news" or gospel message. Jesus, we discovered, was the fulfillment of promises made by God in the Old Testament that included the opportunity for salvation for the nation of Israel as well as for individuals who could enter the kingdom of God by faith. It is called salvation because we are being saved from the eternal consequences of our offences against a holy and morally perfect God who demands righteousness. It is also called salvation because we cannot save ourselves except by faith in Christ's righteousness as a substitute for our own unrighteousness. To have broken one commandment is to have broken them all and shown disregard to the right of God to rule, the One Who formed us for His purposes. His desire for our reconciliation is so intense that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to pay the debt we could not pay ourselves. God accepts Christ's righteous perfection for our willful offenses against His righteousness. That is what the good news is from the perspective of the gospels. Now let us look into the book of Acts for more knowledge and understanding of what the gospel is. I. The Gospel in Acts Begins in Luke, Luke 24:36-49. Luke 24:36-49 (NIV) 36While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." 37They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." 40When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?" 42They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43and he took it and ate it in their presence. A. The Gospel Is the Fulfillment of God's Prophecies Concerning Christ, Luke 24:44-46. Luke 24:44-47 (NIV) 44He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms." 45Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. B. The Gospel Is About Repentance and the Forgiveness of Sins, Luke 44:47. Luke 24:47 (NIV) 47and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. C. The Gospel Is Meant to Be Shared with Others That Jesus Suffered, Died, And Rose Again From The Dead, Luke 44:48. Luke 24:48 (NIV) 48You are witnesses of these things. D. The Gospel Is So Central to God's Plan for Man That He Empowers Each Believer by His Holy Spirit to Be Witnesses of What They Know, Luke 44:49; Acts 1:4-8. Luke 24:49 (NIV) 49I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." The scene of this dialogue with Jesus and His disciples is probably the same as that which is recorded in Acts 1 (the ascension of Jesus back to His Father in Heaven). The only substantive difference in what Luke shares here and that which is written in Acts concerns the main message of the gospel; repent and receive the forgiveness of sins. It is the forgiveness of sins that qualifies one to gain eternal life. It is the blood of Christ which provided the justification for God to provide it to sinful mankind. II. The Gospel in Acts Begins with Proofs and Power, Acts 1:1-8. A. The Gospel Is Based Upon Verifiable Historical Facts That Are Offered as Proof of Jesus' Resurrection, Acts 1:1-3. Acts 1:1-3 (NIV) 1In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach 2until the day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen. 3After his suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. If the resurrection is not true, then Christianity is baseless. If Christ has not been raised, then we have no hope for our own resurrection. If there is no life after death, no accountability or judgment, then we are free to make up our own rules and do as we please. The down side is this. Since man demands some kind of order in society, the strongest and/or the most powerful get to set the rules for everyone else. The Apostle Paul used the main elements of this argument when he wrote his first letter to the Corinthians to combat those who were saying that there was no resurrection from the dead. In 1 Cor 15:1-9 he listed eye-witnesses (himself included) of Christ after His resurrection that included over five hundred who had seen Him at the same time. The meat of the argument follows in 1Cor 15:12-20 and concludes by saying that " If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (1 Cor 15:19 NIV). B. The Gospel Is to Be Spread Throughout the World by Believer-Witnesses Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Acts 1:4-8. Acts 1:4-8 (NIV) 4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." The gospel ministry from start to finish is the work of God. Believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to cooperate with Him to bring others to Christ. What kind of power do we need? I suggest that we need at least three things from the Holy Spirit in order to be effective witnesses: 1. The ability speak words from the Spirit that will bring conviction of sin, leading to salvation, John 16:8. John 16:8 (NIV) 8When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt(NIV) in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 2. The ability to speak words of truth by guiding us to the truth, John 16:13. John 16:13 (NIV) 13But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. 3. The ability to speak with boldness in the face of opposition and threats, Acts 4:29-31. Acts 4:29-31 (NIV) 29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. 30Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly. People once described a certain non-confrontational style of sharing their Christian principles as a "silent witness". The problem with a silent witness is that people may observe the right living and sacrificial love of a Christian without a word being said; but without opening our mouths and speaking that it is for the sake of Christ that we live that way, no gospel is being shared. The very nature of the gospel is that it be spoken and explained and then its redemption offered in Christ. III. The Gospel in Acts Is Offered First to the Jews, Acts 3:11-26. A. The Gospel Is Meant to Evoke Faith in Jesus Christ, Acts 3:11-16. 1. The reality of their resistance to God is seen in their willful rejection and crucifixion of God's Christ, Acts 3:11-14. Acts 3:11-14 (NIV) 11While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade. 12When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? 13The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 2. The reality of Christ's resurrection is a fact upon which our faith in Christ can be justified, Acts 3:15. Acts 3:15 (NIV) 15You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witnesses of this. 3. The reality of Christ's ability to heal is a fact upon which our faith in Christ can be justified, Acts 3:16. Acts 3:16 (NIV) 16By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see. 4. The reality of Christ's fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning His suffering is a fact upon which our faith in Christ can be justified, Acts 3:17-18. Acts 3:17-18 (NIV) 17"Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. B. The Gospel Is Meant to Call God's People (Israel) to Repentance, Acts 3:19-24: Acts 3:19-24 (NIV) 19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. 21He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.' 24"Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. If Israel repents, then . . . 1. Their sins can be forgiven 2. Times of refreshing may come 3. Christ will be sent back from heaven to keep the covenant promises made to Abraham and confirmed by the prophets from Samuel on. C. The Gospel Is Meant to Be Presented First to Israel with the Intent of Turning Each One from Their Wickedness, Acts 3:25-26. Acts 3:25-26 (NIV) 25And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' 26When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways." This would be an appropriate time to sing the gospel song, "Wonderful Grace of Jesus." Certainly, universally, we all need the grace of Jesus because we were once all sinners in need of God's grace. The Jews especially so because, as the Apostle noted in Romans, they had every reason to believe because of their long history with God, His deliverances through miracles in their midst, and possession of the Word of God as represented in the Old Testament. With all that knowledge and witness and all that prophecy of good things to come through a Messiah, they should have been able to recognize Him when He appeared. Yet, they still rejected God's offer of hope and reconciliation. And God still loved them so much that He gave them the privilege of first acceptance. IV. The Gospel in Acts Is Extended Next to the Gentiles (non-Jewish world), Acts 13:44-49. A. The Preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles Caused Much Jealousy Among the Jews When It Was Preached by Paul, Acts 13:44-45. Acts 13:44-45 (NIV) 44On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 45When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and talked abusively against what Paul was saying. B. The Preaching of the Gospel Went to the Jews First Who Were God's Conduit of Blessing to the World Through Christ, Acts 13:46a. Acts 13:46a (NIV) 46aThen Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: "We had to speak the word of God to you first. C. The Preaching of the Gospel Was Rejected by Israel and Thus Eternal Life Was Offered to the Gentiles, Acts 13:46b. Acts 13:46b (NIV) 46bSince you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. D. The Preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles Was a Part of God's Plan from the Beginning, Acts 13:47. Acts 13:47 (NIV) 47For this is what the Lord has commanded us: "'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" E. The Preaching of the Gospel to the Gentiles Was Received with Overwhelming Gratitude and Joy, Who Responded with the Honoring of God's Word, Acts 13:48-49 Acts 13:48-49 (NIV) 48When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. 49The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. V. The Gospel in Acts Is Clearly Presented with All of Its Elements A. The Gospel Message Includes These Basic Elements, Acts 10:34-36 1. The gospel is an offer of peace with God for all peoples, acts 10:34-36. Acts 10:34-36 (NIV) 34Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism 35but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. 36You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 2. The Gospel is based upon the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to certify Him as the one who will one day judge all mankind, living and dead, Acts 10:37-42. Acts 10:37-42 (NIV) 37You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39"We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, 40but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 3. The gospel is confirmation of the prophets' promise for a Redeemer who would bring forgiveness of sins to those who believe in Jesus name, Acts 10:43. Acts 10:43 (NIV) 43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name." B. The gospel message to the Gentiles was confirmed by the giving of the Holy Spirit to them, Acts 10:44:48. 1. The Holy Spirit came upon the Gentiles, Acts 10:44. Acts 10:44 (NIV) 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 2. The Jewish witnesses were astonished, Acts 10:45. Acts 10:45 (NIV) 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 3. The speaking of the Gentiles in tongues and praising God was a proof to the Jews of their salvation, Acts 10:46. Acts 10:46a (NIV) 46aFor they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. 4. The baptism of the Gentiles in Jesus' name was ordered by Peter as a testimony that they had received the Holy Spirit in the same way the Jews had, Acts 10:46b-48. Acts 10:46b-48 (NIV) 46bThen Peter said, 47"Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days. Applications 1. The plan of redemption has always been God's intent since the fall of man, therefore the mission of the church is to preach the gospel to the world. 2. The sharing of the gospel is the responsibility of every believer, not a selected or gifted few since God has gifted every believer with the power of the Holy Spirit to be a witness. 3. The message of the gospel is that: a. All men are sinners by the fact that they have lived in rejection of God's righteous will, seeking their own way. b. Jesus died to cover the sins that resulted in that rejection and satisfy the God's requirement that all sin be paid for. c. Anyone desiring eternal life must repent of sin, accept Christ as the payment for their sin, and submit their lives to God's rule, and thereby enter the kingdom of God. d. The two main results of accepting the gospel is forgiveness of sin, eternal life, and escape from judgment that would separate them from God forever. All that is left is for us to "spread the good news."