Sermon Notes for 2/2/2014 (Acts 18:12-22; Luke 9:57, 58)
Resolving to Follow Jesus
A. Being opposed and persecuted (12,13)
1) Paul worked as he introduced others to Jesus (1-4)
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."
B. Not expecting protection from earthly authority (14-17)
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
C. Following God's will (18-22, Luke 9:57, 58)
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “ I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Luke 9:57, 58)
Summary
We have been invited share the kingdom of God with others. Put a different way, we have been called to create a world in which people love one another instead of use one another for selfish reasons. That is what it means to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is not just an inward state of being, but should affect our actions. Our actions can be misunderstood, opposed, and stopped, and we cannot rely on earthly powers to protect us. Instead, those who resolve to follow Jesus need to trust God's power and his will for our lives.
For Discussion
1) Why wasn't Gallio concerned?
2) How can we know God's will?
Resolving to Follow Jesus
A. Being opposed and persecuted (12,13)
1) Paul worked as he introduced others to Jesus (1-4)
While Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him into court. "This man," they charged, "is persuading the people to worship God in ways contrary to the law."
B. Not expecting protection from earthly authority (14-17)
Just as Paul was about to speak, Gallio said to the Jews, "If you Jews were making a complaint about some misdemeanor or serious crime, it would be reasonable for me to listen to you. But since it involves questions about words and names and your own law--settle the matter yourselves. I will not be a judge of such things." So he had them ejected from the court. Then they all turned on Sosthenes the synagogue ruler and beat him in front of the court. But Gallio showed no concern whatever.
C. Following God's will (18-22, Luke 9:57, 58)
Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “ I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (Luke 9:57, 58)
Summary
We have been invited share the kingdom of God with others. Put a different way, we have been called to create a world in which people love one another instead of use one another for selfish reasons. That is what it means to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is not just an inward state of being, but should affect our actions. Our actions can be misunderstood, opposed, and stopped, and we cannot rely on earthly powers to protect us. Instead, those who resolve to follow Jesus need to trust God's power and his will for our lives.
For Discussion
1) Why wasn't Gallio concerned?
2) How can we know God's will?