Sermon Notes for 11/17/13
Dual Citizenship (Acts 16:35-40)
When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left. (16:35-40)
A. Paul and Silas were Roman citizens
1) Citizenship in God's kingdom
"Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." (9:15,16)
2) Roman citizenship
B．We also have dual citizenship
1) Citizenship that we were born with
2) Citizenship that we chose
Summary
Paul was aware that his first and most important citizenship was that of the kingdom of God. In this world, his Roman citizenship was also part of his identity. This affiliation gave Paul the desire and the ability to introduce the people of his region to Jesus. In our world today, there are some countries that don't allow multiple citizenship, but in God's kingdom, we are invited to own our earthly citizenship and to fulfill our roles within our communities. Whether our communities are large or small, loving the people there and helping to meet their needs, is a important part of loving God.
For Discussion
1) What did Roman citizenship mean for Paul?
2) How do you show love for your earthly country?
Dual Citizenship (Acts 16:35-40)
When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace." But Paul said to the officers: "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out." The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia's house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left. (16:35-40)
A. Paul and Silas were Roman citizens
1) Citizenship in God's kingdom
"Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." (9:15,16)
2) Roman citizenship
B．We also have dual citizenship
1) Citizenship that we were born with
2) Citizenship that we chose
Summary
Paul was aware that his first and most important citizenship was that of the kingdom of God. In this world, his Roman citizenship was also part of his identity. This affiliation gave Paul the desire and the ability to introduce the people of his region to Jesus. In our world today, there are some countries that don't allow multiple citizenship, but in God's kingdom, we are invited to own our earthly citizenship and to fulfill our roles within our communities. Whether our communities are large or small, loving the people there and helping to meet their needs, is a important part of loving God.
For Discussion
1) What did Roman citizenship mean for Paul?
2) How do you show love for your earthly country?