An Offensive Faith
1.
A few
moments ago we heard a few verses from Acts 4 (13-18 for the scripture
reading).
2.
The
apostles were being tried for preaching the gospel.
3.
As this
trial progressed, the officials realized that they could not deny that a
miracle had occurred.
4.
These
men also realized that they had no basis on which to charge the apostles
with a crime.
5.
Since
they had to do something with the apostles, they gathered together to
find a solution.
6.
As
these men thought about what to do they said this:
verse 17 – READ.
THE WORDING OF THIS PASSAGE IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT.
A.
Instead
of saying “Jesus,” these men said “in this name.”
B.
These
men avoided using the Lord’s name.
C.
This is
rather striking when we compare it to some of the other verses in this
chapter.
D.
Let’s
look at verse 10 – READ.
E.
The
religious rulers knew who Jesus was.
They were very familiar with Him.
F.
This
point is further stressed in verse 13 – READ.
G.
These
men knew about Jesus.
H.
When
the officials later met with the apostles, they said the Lord’s name –
verse 18 – READ.
2.
If the
rulers knew the name Jesus, why did they not use it when they met
together (verse 17)?
3.
Most
agree that they were so offended by the Lord that they would not
pronounce His name.
4.
Unless
they had to say His name for clarification (verse 18), they did not want
to say it.
A.
This
should not surprise us because this same thing happen every day in our
society.
B.
If
someone does not like a cat or a dog that may refer to the creature as
“that animal.”
C.
Instead
of referring to a restaurant by name, someone may say, “that place.”
5.
When we
look at the New Testament we find that both Christianity and Christ are
offensive.
6.
To some
the truth of the gospel is odious.
7.
It was
offensive in the first century and this is still true.
A.
We live
in a time when people do not like to be offensive.
B.
We are
encouraged to be tolerant, accepting, and inclusive.
C.
Thus,
some try to make Christianity compatible with other religions and even
the ways of the world.
D.
Many
are trying this strategy, but this technique is absolutely opposed to
God’s will.
8.
If
Christianity is not a religion that upsets people, something is wrong.
9.
Let’s
look at some additional passages.
10.
The
first one comes from Lk. 12.
A.
As you
are turning here I want to mention another passage in Luke.
B.
In 2:14
Luke recorded some information about the Lord’s birth.
C.
It is
said that “peace and goodwill” were proclaimed to men when Jesus was
born.
D.
This
information indicates that is God’s will that peace be upon the earth.
E.
Yet, we
find passages that tell us that Christianity has often interfered with
peace.
F.
How can
we reconcile the statement in Lk. 2 with the lack of peace we will find
in Lk 12?
G.
The
answer is found in places like Acts 4.
11.
The
apostles tried to preach a message of peace and reconciliation but they
were opposed.
12.
People
were offended by the message of the gospel and this disrupted the peace.
13.
This is
a critical point for us to remember.
A.
People
sometimes say to us, “Be careful what you say and teach.
B.
“Do not
offend anyone.”
C.
In many
cases, and I believe this is usually true, offense comes from the
message.
D.
If you
have found Lk. 12 let’s start with verse 49 – READ.
14.
This is
a striking image.
15.
Jesus
said that He came to “cast fire” upon the earth.
A.
A fire
is something that makes people pay attention.
B.
A fire
moves people to action. It
can be disturbing and troubling.
C.
These
things are true concerning New Testament Christianity.
D.
In more
than a few cases, people are disturbed and troubled by the gospel.
16.
What
kind of “fire” did Jesus have in mind?
17.
In
verse 50 He spoke of His “baptism” (His death on the cross).
18.
After
the Lord died there would be the resurrection and the preaching of the
gospel.
19.
Verses
51-53 anticipate the teaching that would be done – READ.
A.
These
words are almost chilling.
B.
Jesus
knew that some would believe in Him and choose to obey Him.
C.
Others
would be offended by Him and would not believe or obey.
D.
Because
people’s beliefs would be so strong, Jesus said that families would be
affected.
20. SOME WHO ARE ASSEMBLED HERE KNOW THAT JESUS WAS EXACTLY RIGHT. SOME HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE OFFENDED BY THE RELIGIOUS CONVICTIONS THAT THEY HAVE, THE PLACE WHERE THEY WORSHIP, OR THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT THAT THEY HAVE MADE TO THE LORD.
A.
This
should not surprise us because the Bible often shows the offensive
nature of Christianity.
B.
In
First Corinthians 1:18 Paul said that to some, the gospel is
“foolishness.”
C.
It is
not hard to understand why Paul said what he did if we think about it.
D.
What
kind of Supreme Being would send another supreme being into the world to
be mistreated?
E.
What
kind of God would send His Son into the world to intentionally die on a
cross?
F.
What
kind of God would say that He was treating a problem that we cannot see
(sin)?
G.
We can
describe sin and commit sin, but it is pretty difficult to make it
tangible.
H.
Yet,
God says that this is the most important thing that will ever affect us.
21.
This
same God then instituted a particular way of religion that He says
everyone must follow.
22.
If we
do this, our afterlife will be pleasant.
23.
If we
do not do this, we will be punished.
24.
As we
worship and serve this God we are told that we must do certain things to
please Him.
25.
In the
first century there were people who heard this message and they said
that it was absurd.
26.
This is
essentially the point in 1 Cor. 1:18.
27.
In the
next chapter (2:14) Paul said this – READ.
A.
Who is
the “natural man”?
B.
This is
the person who has no interest in spiritual things.
C.
This is
the typical person in the world.
D.
These
people have their lives, perhaps the bulk of of which is often sinful,
and they are satisfied.
E.
These
people feel like they do not need God and they certainly do not want to
hear about Him.
F.
Telling
them about the Lord would be offensive.
28.
The
gospel is so offensive to some that John commented about it in 1 Jn.
3:13.
A.
In 1
Jn. 3:12 this writer spoke about people who were “evil.”
B.
This is
like the “natural man” in 1 Cor. 2:14.
C.
John
then went on to describe the kind of thinking possessed by the “natural”
man -- Verse 13 – READ.
D.
Some
find the gospel to be so unpleasant that they hate those who embrace it.
E.
Some
absolutely detest the Bible, Christ, or New Testament Christianity.
29.
People
can be so offended by the truth that opposition can be city-wide.
30.
Part of
an entire community can find the church of the New Testament to be
offensive.
31.
This
fact is evident from the book of Acts – 14:4.
A.
Paul
and Barnabas had been working in an area for a long time.
B.
They
spoke boldly in the Lord (verse 3).
They performed many miracles.
C.
There
was no question that these people had the truth, but some in the
community were upset by it
D.
Here is
what we find in verse 4 of Acts 14 – READ.
E.
How
aggrieved were the people who did not believe?
Verses 5-6 – READ.
F.
People
became so outraged that they wanted to kill God’s people.
G.
Christians had to flee for their lives.
32. IF WE ARE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS, AND IF WE LIVE AND WORSHIP AS THE BIBLE DESCRIBES, WE WILL UPSET SOME PEOPLE. THIS IS NOT A PLEASANT FACT BUT IT IS A FACT.
A.
There
are some reasons for this.
B.
As
members of Christ’s church, we will be people who say that truth exists.
C.
We will
affirm, just as Jesus did, that this truth frees us (Jn. 8:32).
D.
We will
affirm that there is only one way to God and this way is “narrow” (Jn.
14:6; Mt.7:14).
E.
In our
all-inclusive culture, these things make people very uncomfortable.
F.
Saying
these things is frequently offensive.
G.
People
do not want to hear that there is a single way to God.
H.
Several
years ago a book was written entitled “I’m okay; you’re okay.”
33.
When
Christians speak to people they should be letting them know that they
are not okay.
A.
If a
medical doctor tells people that there is a problem, most are probably
grateful.
B.
If we
tell someone that they are not in a right relationship with God, get out
the body armor.
C.
People
are outraged and offended to hear that their faith is inconsistent with
the New Testament.
D.
I
remember when someone suggested to me that my “conversion” was
inconsistent with the NT.
E.
I was
not pleased.
F.
Yet,
this put me into a position of making a choice.
G.
Would I
close my eyes to the possibility that this person was right, or would I
examine the scriptures?
34.
The
gospel offends people for other reasons.
35.
Some
despite it because it requires changes in behavior.
A.
People
come to learn that some of their habits must be changed.
B.
Some
things need to be forsaken and new ways need to be learned.
C.
For
many this is outrageous.
D.
Of all
the books in the world, why study and obey this one?
E.
We have
learned a lot since the Bible was written; why use this book?
36.
If we
are communicating the right message people are going to be disturbed and
upset.
37.
To some
this may not sound right.
A.
Would
God really make the gospel offensive to people?
B.
The Old
Testament prophets predicted that it would be offensive.
C.
The
prediction is stated in the places like Rom. 9:33.
D.
Here is
what Paul said – READ.
E.
Peter
appealed to this same truth – 1 Pet. 2:8.
38.
The
Lord knew that some would be offended so He said in places like Mt.
11:6,
39.
And
blessed is he, whosoever shall find no occasion of stumbling in me.
40.
Why did
Jesus say such a thing?
41.
He knew
that there would be people like the men described in Acts 4.
42.
There
are some who are so opposed to Christ and His church that they will not
speak His name.
43.
Other
passages like Mt. 13:57 show that people were offended by what the Lord
said and did.
44.
The
same will be true for us if we live a Christian life.
45.
When
people are offended, they are put into a position of making the choice.
46.
Will
they study and examine the scriptures to find the truth or close their
eyes to what they find?
47.
God
knew what He was doing when He designed Christianity.
48.
Are we
willing to be a New Testament Christian, even though this means
offending others?
49.
Tonight
we hope that you have become a Christian and you are trying to teach
others.
50.
If you
need some encouragement we would like to help you with that.