Session #18

The Message Of The Thessalonians
"One Eye Up" • 3.31.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission • Session #18
Intro.

- We are looking at the last of the books that Paul wrote corresponding to where we are in his life. What Paul writes about reflects the personality that God had sown into his life.
- To the Galatians, Paul writes about the need to stand firm on the gospel. To the Philippians, he writes about their joy in the gospel.
- To the Thessalonians, he tells them to keep one eye fixed on the end of the gospel.
- Like the Philippian letter, Paul's joy in the Thessalonian church is quickly observed.
• I Thessalonians 1:6-8 : "And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. For from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say anything."
- As Thessalonians develops, the intriquing subject of eschatology, the study of the last things, comes up and is prominent thematically.
• I Thessalonians 5:1-3 : "But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. For when they say, 'Peace and safety!' then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape."
- Paul's warnings are even more clear as the second book of Thessalonians unwraps. Speaking of those who do not believe the gospel and have troubled the church, Paul says,
• II Thessalonians 1:9,10 : "These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed."
- Let me acknowledge what all of us are thinking: End Times!? Judgement!? Vengeance and wrath!? This is not what the Morning Fill is about!
- What we are about is the Bible and the Bible talks about this subject. Here's a story that illustrates what we are concerned about when we begin to talk about this topic.
- Back at the Packinghouse, I was called out of my cubicle at the behest of a man wanting to meet with a Pastor, the catch-all terminology for every subject under the sun!
- Turns out that the man is a 3 days sleep deprived dentist.
- The subject? A detailed chart he had constructed of every important prophetic event running into the actual day and time of Jesus' return and establishment of the Kingdom!
- Two things should have served as red flags: A Dentist doing eschatology and the fact that he had not slept in 3 days!
- Date setting, paranoid conspiracy theorizing, and discussions that begin with "I'm a pre-" are all what we want to avoid.
- Why does Paul spend a good chunk of time writing these things down for the Thessalonian believers? How can we get into this subject and remain balanced? Paul helps us here greatly.
- Here is Paul's expressly written purpose, which is a reflection of the heart of God for us. Paul writes about eschatology to

I. Relieve Their Fear (v.1,2)
II. Refresh Their Memories (v.3-12)
III. Reset Their Focus (v.13-15)

Text

I. Relieve Their Fear (v.1,2)

• II Thessalonians 2:1,2 : "Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come." : Something had happened to make the Thessalonians jump a little bit. They knew "the day of the Lord" was coming.
- The very phrase encompassed the idea of Christ's return, His deliverance of His people and the subsequent punishment of evildoers.
- This knowledge was part of the fabric of their walks with Christ. There was no doubt that these things were imminent.
- From the context, it seems that there was a rumor among the brethren that the day of the Lord had already come.
- A modern day version of Paul might use the occasion to strike greater fear in the heart of their audience, for the purpose of manipulation. There may even be a sale of a survival kit!
- This was not Paul's purpose. Yes, these things are a part of what we believe. They are God's instructions regarding the end of things.
- But they are not given to the Thessalonians to provoke fear in their souls.
- Apparently, there was a misunderstanding with the Thessalonians, who were troubled about these things. II Thessalonians seems to be a letter of clarification.
- Paul instructs them not be shaken in mind or troubled.
- To be shaken in mind, means to be agitated. It's used of ships in distress upon stormy waters. This is not written to trouble them.
- God is not attempting to use fear tactics with His people. The day of the Lord, judgment day, the tribulation, are insights into what God will do upon the Earth.
- If fear is not the reason for this knowledge, then what is God trying to motivate in us?
- Turn with me to Genesis 18. Abraham has been visited by the Lord and a few angels. God reveals to Abraham the plan to utterly destroy Sodom. What does Abraham do?
• Genesis 18:23-25 : "And Abraham came near and said, 'Would You also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Suppose there were fifty righteous within the city; would You also destroy the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous that were in it? Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?'"
- Abraham begins to intercede on behalf of Sodom for the cause of the righteous. Abraham, a type, a picture of the believer, has been given intelligence on the movement of God.
- Abraham had been called out of Ur of the Chaldees and one of his primary roles was to be a blessing to the nations. This, transferred to us, refers to blessing in action and in intercession.
- Abraham moves to prayer on behalf of those in danger, most of whom are completely unaware that there is anything to worry about.
- God gives us information on things of the end to relieve our fear, while simultaneously recalling us to our duty. Are we praying for the world that is being judged around us?

II. Refresh Their Memories (v.3-12)

• II Thessalonians 2:3-5 : "Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?" : Paul asserts that there is an order that must be followed for the end times scenario to take place and it's one that he has communicated before.
- First, Paul says that "the falling away" comes first. This phrase is one word in Greek, where we get our English word "apostasy." The word means to turn away from, to forsake.
- Before God executes His plan, there must first be a rejection of the tenets of the Christian faith. The concept is one of rebellion against the faith that has been delivered.
- What would this look like? Turn with me to II Timothy 4. Paul has just charged Timothy with preaching the Word. He adds...
• II Timothy 4:3,4 : "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables."
- The word "fables," from the same word for "myths," represents a willingness to believe anything that is not the truth!
- In that case, Sin is an abberration from the norm of human decency, the Cross is relegated to a metaphor for personal suffering, the resurrection, an illustration of man's triumph in life.
- It's teaching the Bible to suit our own inclinations and agreeing with it when it suits us and fits our interpretation of it!
- After the apostasy occurs, then the son of perdition is revealed. This refers to the Antichrist, who will stand in the temple of God and exalt himself.
- How would such a man come to power? Moving ahead of ourselves for a moment, Paul explains this in verses 6 and following.
- First, that which is restraining him is removed in verses 6 and 7. Most scholars point to this being the removal of the Holy Spirit's presence by removal of those He is present in!
- Second, there will be widespread satanic deception in verses 8-10. The Antichrist will be filled with supernatural satanic ability, according to Paul.
- Finally, God will send a strong delusion to those who have rejected Him in verse 11 and 12.
• II Thessalonians 2:11,12 : "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
- The people have sinned in their unbelief. Their punishment is now that God would actively work against them. Their condemnation is complete.
- The existence of a temple means that this scenario is yet future to us, but perhaps not that far from fruition. When I was in Jerusalem in spring of 2001, I went to the Temple Foundation.
- There, we were told that all the articles for the Temple had been constructed through the donations of Jewish people worldwide. All that needed to be found was the Ark of The Covenant.
- That was 8 years ago! The point isn't to discuss viewpoint. The point is that every day brings us closer to the events that Paul describes here.
- Paul had told them these things when he was with them. He is refreshing their memories, bringing it back to their attention.
- Turn with me to I Peter 3. Paul was not the only Apostle sounding the bell.
• II Peter 3:9-12 : "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?"
- Today, our memories are being refreshed. We are not looking at this to find the Antichrist, but to look to Jesus Christ.
- These things are written to remind us that this world is not our home and that making one here is not the best long term investment!

III. Reset Their Focus (v.13-15)

• II Thessalonians 2:13-17 : "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle." : Paul has been talking about judgment! Hey, but look: We've been saved! From the very beginning God chose you.
- He chose His church, of which we are a part because of the faith that lives through us. Because of that, stand fast!
- Stand sure footed and keep that position against what might come your way. Do that and "hold the traditions." The traditions speak to that which expresses the faith and embodies the teaching that they had received.
- The tradition handed down to us of assembling together, taking in the scriptures, praying, receiving communion etc.
- Consider the context. One of the things that will signal the day of the Lord, will be the falling away, the apostasy of the church. Paul exhorts them to keep doing what they have been doing.
- Keep practicing. Keep yourself right where you are, devoting yourself to that which has caused you to grow.
- This is not a message that works for our ears. I was talking with a friend who has noticeably lost some weight recently the other day. I inquired about his secret and he told me what I have always heard: Exercise, watch what you eat...BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!
- Turn with me to II Peter 3. Peter, again, addressing the same topic to his audience gives them this word of advice.
• II Peter 3:1-3 : "Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior, knowing this first: that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts,"
- In times like ours, it's easy to run after the fables and myths. God's purpose through Paul is to keep our focus on those things which are causing us to grow in Him.
- Don't despise the diet of God's Word that will draw you further into His own heart for you.

Conclusion

- I would have us remember a few things here: We live in a world that has rejected Christ. Someday, judgment will fall. I pray that we will take the attitude of Abraham and the admonition of Jude, who wrote that we would snatch some as if by fire.
- Today is a day of mercy, God's hand being withheld. Let us work, knowing that God has chosen us to reflect Him in this lost world.

Session #17

The Message Of The Philippians
"Joyful Possibilities" • 3.24.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #17
Intro.

- We are in the midst of a study of Paul's personality, which has brought us to look at some of the man's letters, which also happen to be inspired Epistles to first century churches.
- We are beginning with the books that correspond with his second missionary journey.
- Philippians is a book that has it's roots in a miracle. Paul's imprisonment, ending with an Earthquake intervention, also saw the birth of a new work with the conversion of a Philippian jailer.
• Acts16:30-34 : "And he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' So they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.' Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household."
- The Philippian church began joyously and remained a joyful church throughout her existence.
- Joy is an illusive term that is defined by description. Simply, biblically, the word is gladness that comes from the presence of the Lord in a person's life.
- We are tempted to make little of joy. It's more than just a disposable character trait.
- Turn with me to Nehemiah 8. Ezra, the scribe, is bringing the word to God's people for the first time. The people are cut to the heart and weeping because of their conviction.
- Nehemiah tells them that this is not what God wants on that day.
• Nehemiah 8:10 : "Then he said to them, 'Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.'"
- The joy of the Lord, the possession of Christ's joy, is our strength! It's not just nice to have. It's not just good to learn about. It's indispensable in walking successfully in Jesus.
- Today, I believe that we need to rediscover the secrets of a joyful life. I want us to see, in a broad overview, the three attitudes that the Philippians possessed that let them embody joy.

I. Cooperation In Christ's Work (1:3-7)
II. Conformity With Christ's Character (2:1,2)
III. Contentment With Christ's Gifts (4:10-13)

Text

I. Cooperation In Christ's Work (1:3-7)

• Philippians 1:3-7 : "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; just as it is right for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart, inasmuch as both in my chains and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers with me of grace." : What a drastic difference in Paul's tone from what we studied last week. The Philippian church was a true blessing to Paul.
- "Every time that I think of you, I thank God!" What a testimony! What is the source of his joy? Notice the word "fellowship."
- I have mentioned before that we often equate fellowship with pie and a good conversation. Biblical fellowship is much more than that.
- Fellowship is common interests, common resources and common concern, focused in a common direction.
- Fellowship is partnership. When you are a Doctor in fellowship, you are sharing information, resources and experiences.
- Paul, thinking of the Philippians, could look back to the very first day of their existence. From the very beginning, the Philippians had come alongside Paul in his work.
- This encouraged and brought gladness to Paul's heart and it did the same in Philippian's heart as both parties were engaged in Christ's work.
- Paul had been part in getting that work established and here, as they grew, they grew up spiritually to become partners.
- That work that had begun, grown, and matured into a partnership, Paul asserted with confidence, that the good work begun in them would be "completed." Literally, He would perform it.
- Turn over a page to chapter 2. Paul elaborates on this thought.
• Philippians 2:12,13 : "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."
- God was at work in and through them. There is no greater human experience than to be in partnership with God, employed in His service, working toward that which Christ is working toward.
- It's interesting just how compelling it is to work for the Lord. Turn with me to John 4.
- Jesus has been walking all day and comes to sit by a well. The disciples went on a food run.
- While they were gone, an amazing, life changing conversation went on for a Samaritan woman. After that woman had departed, the disciples return from their trip.
• John 4:31-34 : "In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, 'Rabbi, eat.' But He said to them, 'I have food to eat of which you do not know.' Therefore the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought Him anything to eat?" Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.'"
- The implication is that engaging oneself in the work of the ministry is just as necessary to the soul as fulfilling a physical need.
- It's not unreasonable to deduce that when the disciples had left, Jesus was very hungry. Yet, they return and He has not eaten, nor does it appear that He needs to.
- I am not saying that He did not eventually need to eat. I am saying that being occupied in the things of God, co-operating with Him in the work that He wants done, brings a joy to you that makes you forget what you might otherwise long for!
- I know personally of times when I chose not to sleep because I took a call that God was using. I have foregone the meal that I might have otherwise had for the sake of a godly conversation.
- In those times, I can honestly say that in the moment of partnering with God, I forgot my need and was joyous in the work of His commissioning. He'll do the same for you!

II. Conformity With Christ's Character (2:1,2)

• Philippians 2:1-2 : "Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." : In the previous verse, Paul told the Philippians that they should walk worthy of the gospel, even in the midst of the suffering that they were then experiencing.
- Therefore, in light of the suffering, Paul offers the antidote. It's found in Christ and in their local body. I like the way that the NLT translates this verse:
• Philippians 2:1 NLT : "Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and sympathetic?"
- The question is rhetorical. Paul is saying that they will suffer. It follows that these things will become increasingly evident. There is encouragement, comfort, fellowship, affection and mercy to be found in Christ.
- How many have experienced that in their time with Christ? How many have been encouraged by the Lord to get up when the desire is just to stay down?
- How many have sensed His deep love for them in their most unlovable moments?
- How many have seen the Holy Spirit work in the most miraculous ways?
- All of these things are ours in the Lord. They are given to us in the midst of suffering from the Lord. In this way, it's almost enviable to suffer, because these will be what you receive.
- Paul exhorts them to understand that these are the gifts for the suffering ones.
- Now, he writes "fulfill my joy." The words mean to have a liberal supply of joy.
- "Fulfill my joy by expressing Christ's character to one another!"
- They were to be likeminded, living in harmonious agreement with one another. Maintaining the same goals, living in the same love that Christ has shown them.
- How is this possible? How can that happen amongst diverse people, with differing temperaments and opinions?
- In our flesh, this type of living is an impossibility. However, Paul does not suggest that.
- Paul tells them that the road to joy is not through pride and self-seeking, but through humility and self-forgetting! He then turns them to Christ's example of humility.
- Take a look at Philippians 2:5. To not read it all would be criminal!
• Philippians 2:5-11 : "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
- Theologians call this passage the "kenosis," Greek for the concept that Jesus purposely emptied Himself of His divine attributes in order to serve His people in His humanity.
- To the Philippians, this incredible, theologically dense passage, was meant to put them on a path of humility.
- If you cannot drop your agenda, your selfish interest, your pride after reading this passage, and seeing the Jesus did JUST that, then you may not know anything of redemption!
- We don't have time to get into the facets of this passage. Just look over the passage with me and catch a few soundbytes.
- Jesus made Himself of no reputation...took the form of a bondservant...humbled Himself...became obedient. Just hearing those words should realign us with each other!
- That was Paul's goal. His joy would be complete knowing that their joy would be complete when they conformed themselves to Christ's character.
- What I will comment on, just for our purposes today, is that Paul said, "Let this mind be in you." It is ours to appropriate.
- Allow Christ's mind to take root. Choose to take on His mindset towards one another!

III. Contentment With Christ's Gifts (4:10-13)

• Philippians 4:10-13 : "But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." : The Philippian church was never without desire to come alongside of Paul. At this point in their history, the simply lacked the opportunity. But Paul was not needy.
- He had learned to be content. The word means to be sufficient in oneself, not needing anything externally.
- Contentment is wanting what you have and being completely satisfied in that condition!
- What a priceless piece of information for those seeking the joyful existence that is in Christ! What a piece of advice! What a healthy word!
- Paul says that he has joy in being treated lowly like a slave or highly like a king.
- Whether he is physically satisfied or physically in want, the key to his joy was that he was not dependant on which state of mind or body that he was in.
- Again, please note the operative word: Learned! Paul acquired this skill. It was not and is not a natural state for anyone. It is something that is developed over time and experience.
- These things were beyond him, which is why he adds this line: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
- What a line! Quoted by so many, but often lacking the context. Evander Holyfield used this line to justify an ill advised boxing comeback!
- This scripture does not give the believer carte blanche for anything they would like to achieve. I cannot drive to El Segundo, open the door to the Lakers' practice facility, tell Phil I'd like a chance and then say, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"
- The context is that if you want to learn contentment, if you want to learn to live Christ's character, express all that He has expressed to you, and if you want to cooperate in His program, then He will strengthen you toward those goals.
- He will provide strength to be satisfied with what you have. He will provide strength when you are tempted to be selfish and thoughtless. He will provide the energy needed to work when you just want to quit!

Conclusion

- Are you living a joyful life? As I step back and consider all of these concepts, one theme really sticks out. One might lack joy for just one reason: Self Focus.
- Today, focus on your job and station in life being the avenue through which Jesus employs you for His service.
- Today, focus on whether or not you are willing to look at those around you as opportunities to extend His love, mercy and fellowship toward.
- Today, look at what you have and ask the Lord to make you content. I promise: You'll find the joy that is alluding you!

Session #16

Acts 16:6
"Paul's Galatian Communication" • 3.17.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission, Session #16
Intro

- Our series in the book of Acts has dealt with the life and impact of the Apostle Paul. He is one man, who lived one life, living in light of one mission.
- Acts gives us a good look at Paul's performance as a pioneer missionary. His letters give us a better look at his personality.
- One of the letters that that offers a personal, vivid look at Paul and his relationship to the churches that he helped to establish is the book of Galatians.
- While on his second missionary journey, we're told in Acts 16, that he spent time in the region of Galatia when God forbid him to go into Asia.
• Acts 16:6 : "Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia."
- It doesn't take very long for Paul to establish the tone for the Galatian letter. After his usual apostolic greeting, he gets right into the heart of the matter.
• Galatians 1:6 : "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ."
- Often we imagine the Apostles being soft spoken, sensitive men. These guys were diplomats. Unassuming. The letter to the Galatians puts a knife into the back of that argument!
- Paul was addressing a group of churches, not just a singular church. It's likely that this letter circulated all around the Galatian region to several churches.
- Today, we're going to take a bird's eye perspective on the book of Galatians, but hopefully, as we do that, we'll learn a bit about what made the Apostle tick.
- What personality traits can we observe that we need to look at and pray would be added to our character as we seek to be men of impact.
- More than any other aspect of Paul's character, one struggle really sticks out in his letters. It's the establishment of his authority.
- We'll use Galatians as the platform from which to examine this key component that every man of impact must possess. Note Paul's position on his own authority.

I. It Was Given To Him By God (1:1)
II. It Was Given For The Galatians (2:7,8)
III. It Was Given For One Purpose (4:19,20)

Text

I. It Was Given To Him By God (1:1)

• Galatians 1:1 : "Paul, an apostle (not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead)," : Paul was a man who was sent. That is what an Apostle means.
- I read this week that an Apostle was one who was sent with orders!
- Paul is a man, sent on behalf of a dignitary, with an official message, with orders.
- He is a man of authority. He has the authority to speak to the Galatian church. Why?
- This is where he immediately states the source of his authority. It did not come from a vote of confidence. It was not given to him by committee. Indeed, God had given this authority to Paul.
- Why is this important to note? For Paul personally, in a world of itinerant preachers, it was important to establish credibility to speak to these congregations.
- If it came down to any other criteria, then anyone could contradict Paul's teaching, and thus ruin the work that God had established through Paul's teaching.
- Paul's message was so important, that he then takes a large portion of chapter 1 and 2 just to establish his official status. Galatia was not the only place that questioned Paul's credentials.
- Turn with me to II Corinthians. There are hints of deep division in the first Corinthian epistle. When we come to the second letter, Paul flatly rebukes the Corinthians for their credential request.
• II Corinthians 3:1-3 : "Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart."
- The people that were walking with the Lord, healthy in terms of their response to the Lord, was all the commendation that Paul needed.
- Paul was confident that he had the Lord had called him, placed him in the ministry, and endowed him with a mantle of authority that he was to carry.
- We have answered why this was important for Paul. Why is it important for us? God has given you, as a man, a realm of authority as well. It has been that way from the very beginning.
- Turn with me to Genesis 3. In the beginning, God gave Adam charge of the garden of Eden to tend to it and protect it. In Genesis 3, we find that a snake has made his way in and his wife has been drawn away. Notice where we find him:
• Genesis 3:6 : "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate."
- She also gave to her husband with her! Don't miss the significance of the order. God had given Man the role of responsibility, the mantle of authority, and her we see her holding it!
- There is nothing more pathetic than a man who has lost the will to carry out the authority that he is intended to have. This does not mean that we are to be unbearable jerks who always insist on our own way.
- Rather, it means when it comes to protection, direction and wisdom, we are to lead our families in the direction that Jesus is leading.
- We need to say like Joshua: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
- That takes an understanding and wielding of authority.

II. It Was Given For The Galatians (2:7,8)

• Galatians 2:7,8 : "But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles)," : In context, there has been a dispute among the disciples regarding Paul's work among the Gentiles.
- Most scholars then assume that Galatians was written prior to the Jerusalem council, which obviously would have settled most of the issues found in Galatians.
- What was understood in the minds of the Apostles was that Paul's mission had an effective working among the Gentiles.
- Notice the phrase "He who worked effectively." In our language this is a pretty tame. In the original language, it carries more strength.
- The idea is God behind the ministry of Peter, providing the power to motivate and to bring about results. This was agreed on by all.
- The people that are signing off on Paul's ministry recognized that God was providing the same power for Paul's ministry, because the same effect was happening through Paul.
- It's interesting to me that there would ever be a question about Paul's ministry, but we have to remember the context. When Galatians was written, Gentiles in the church was a controversial question.
- The fact that people recognized that God was behind it, both in providing the power to Paul, and to the result, pre-Jerusalem council, is significant.
- The application for us is quite simple. We are to labor where God has provided His power to operate and to bring about His result.
- There was a group that God designed Paul to minister to. Likewise, there is a specific group that will respond to who you are as a minister of God's mercy to them.
- I mention this for two reasons. First, there will be some who drive their heads into the wall trying to minister to people that they have no power to minister to.
- When they speak, the response is blank faces. When they encourage, they are met with obstinance. There is no annointing for ministry there, no effective power.
- Turn with me to Acts 19. There is a great story detailing the sons of Sceva, who were itinerant exorcists. Fun job! It happens that they come upon a demon possessed person. Time to go to work! They yelled out loud, "We cast you out by the Jesus that Paul preaches."
• Acts 19:15,16 : "And the evil spirit answered and said, 'Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?' Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded."
- This is what happens when there is no power in one's ministry. You can say the right words, have the right heart and still be in a place where God is not working!
- By the way, this does not count with family and especially with teenagers! That look on their faces is mostly there by self-delusion!
- The second reason why I think that this is important in terms of being a man of impact, is that you and I should be pointing the canon that is our life, into the place where Jesus is going to work.
- This should serve to encourage you. You might be discouraged by the current state of your ministry. Hey, you might not be in the right place. Begin praying today that God would focus you in the right direction.
- Turn with me to Psalm 127. There is a promise here that you have to apprehend.
• Psalm 127:1 : "Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain."
- The inference then is that if God builds the house, the labor will not be in vain. When you are where God wants you to be, there is no stopping you!

III. It Was Given For One Purpose (4:19,20)

• Galatians 4:19,20 : "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you." : Notice Paul's language here. He loves the Galatian region of churches. They are loved like family and Paul felt deeply and responsibly toward them.
- I want to digress a moment here, and mention that I believe that Paul at one time had been married. Having been a conservative Pharisee, it's very likely that Paul had at least a wife.
- It's my opinion that when Paul became a Christian that his wife left him, which makes I Corinthians 7, in Paul's instruction about marriage, a bit more autobiographical.
- I mention this because God is in the business of making a new family out of members of his body. Paul's fatherly instinct, his desire to pass on a legacy, is channeled toward the people that he worked with.
- God's plans are so amazing. While He works through us toward others, He works in us the beautiful connection of life and makes us family by His blood!
- But that is not the purpose of Paul's authority. The purpose is in the next statement: "For who I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you."
- Write that over your friendships. Write that over the discipleship mantle that you have! Paul says here, "I labor, like a woman labors in birth." Only he adds an interesting word: AGAIN!
- Paul considers the Galatians his children spiritually, in terms of his role in their life.
- He had brought them to Christ. They walked into a place that they thought was deeper, more true, but in doing so, walked away from what Paul birthed them into.
- Now, Paul is saying to them that he has to give birth to them again in order to bring them back to Christ.
- Some who have experienced labor understand how vivid a picture this is.
- For a woman, it's painful. It takes hours, sometimes days. It's a personal body trauma for the woman, who is ever changed for the experience.
- The process is grueling and unsavory before one eats! However, the end result is amazing.
- The end result, the purpose of our authority in someone's life is for this moment, when Christ is formed in the people that we are sowing into.
- The word "formed" is literally "morphed." The lexicon says it best: "A mind and life in complete harmony with the mind and life of Christ."
- When I see you in complete submission to Christ, willing to assume responsibility for His Kingdom, walking successfully in the things of God, reproducing that work in others lives around you, then I will be able to rest!
- Turn with me to III John. This is the Apostle's last letter. He writes as an old man, ready to go home to Jesus. He writes profoundly of the joy of his old age.
• III John 1-3 : "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."
- As you may be aware, I used to be the Junior High Pastor back in my Redlands days. I recently received this note in my Facebook mail box from one of the kids from those days.

˚ "I think about you and Lela all the time and how it is amazing how the Lord used you in having a long term impact on my life. I'm now a Jr. High leader at _____ Church and pray that God will use me in my girls' lives the way He used you both in mine!"

Genoa Cablay Norris

- Friends, the purpose of your authority is to produce Christ in someone else's life. The joy that that brings will thrill your soul.

Conclusion

- Today is your day to seize the authority that God has given you to minister and bear His name and agenda to another.
- Are you pointed in the right direction? If not, you need to pray and ask for the Lord's wisdom.
- When you are, you will labor, but that labor will produce the greatest joy you could ever receive.

Session #15

Acts 16:35-17
"Keys To Evangelical Success" • 3.10.09 • The Power Of One: One Man, One Life, One Mission Session #15
Intro.
- We are in the middle of Paul's second missionary journey. When last we left him, the earthquake in Philippi led to a jailer's conversion and a mighty deliverance.
- The Apostolic band moved from Philippi into Thessalonica where they met a crowd of Jewish adversaries that ultimately were the source of trouble for them.
- The Apostles moved on when the trouble became too much, going into Berea. The mission was looking like a success.
• Acts 17:12,13 : "Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds."
- These circumstances split the apostles apart by necessity. Timothy and Silas went off in one direction, while Paul moved into Athens.
- This is where I want to land today with what I view as instructive material when it comes to being on mission, which has been a strong topic for us recently.
- I find this story telling for the fact that it was unconventional for Paul.
- Paul's plans have been changed. He did not plan to move so quickly, neither did he imagine that a mob would be God's mechanism to move him!
- Additionally, Paul's personnel have not yet arrived when we catch him in Athens. Silas and Timothy have yet to join him and we find him in the streets of Athens.
- In every way, it seems that Paul is at a disadvantage and could probably justify a little down time. That's not what happens.
- Instead, we learn in Paul's improvisation, key elements to making effective contact with the culture that surrounds us.
- It's my hope that we will see principles of engagement that will spur us on to the same type of mission fervor that was such a huge part of Paul's heart.
- What we have here is a great example that we should follow if we are to be successful in the mission that God has called us to. Notice with me that Paul:

I. Sensitive To The Spiritual Climate (v.16-18)
II. Seized The Open Door (v.19-31)
III. Surrendered The Results (v.32-34)

Text

I. Sensitive To The Spiritual Climate (v.16-18)

• Acts 17:16 : "Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols." Something about this passage really stuck out to me. On each previous trip, Paul had been with a team.
- First, it was Barnabas. On this second journey, it has been Silas and Timothy.
- Here, he is alone, waiting for the others to arrive, but not inactive.
- Often many believers are waiting for the team to show up before they are willing to engage themselves. Paul was not that way. He was aggressive, but not impetuous.
- I remember being in Europe for the first time. I was in Eastern Europe with a friend who had planted a church there. He picked me up from the airport and asked me what I wanted to do.
- I told him to put me out on a street corner and let me preach. Thankfully, he did not listen to me because I was asleep just an hour later from the jet lag!
- That is being impetuous. Rash, thoughtless, given to action without a thoughtful plan. I think that we picture being on mission this way. Notice that Paul waited for his friends and while he was waiting, "his spirit was provoked within him."
- This is an important concept for us to seize upon. The word "provoked" means to be irritated, stirred up. He looked around, saw the spiritual climate that he was walking in and it provoked him.
- In this case, the city that he was in was given over to idolatry. This was their spiritual problem. Paul, like a Doctor, took the time to see it. He saw the malady then pronounced the cure.
• Acts 17:17,18 : "Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there. Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, 'What does this babbler want to say?' Others said, 'He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,' because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection." : Paul has seen and come to an understanding of the city that he was in, then springs into action.
- His message was the same. His method was slightly different. In other cities, Thessalonica and Berea for example, Paul taught, explained, demonstrated and preached.
- Here in Athens, it's recorded that Paul reasoned. Literally, he dialogued. He spoke, then listened and responded, then listened again and then responded again. He did this daily.
- Does this sound familiar? Without raising hands, how many of you are in the middle of a "dialogue" today? The conversation about Jesus has been ongoing for sometime.
- There is context. Arguments have been built. Questions have been refined. That is what Paul is doing here. Nothing glorious, nothing fancy and nothing special, in terms of result.
- That is until these certain people encounter him and they bring him into a larger audience. His message was getting out and it piqued the interest of these philosophers.
- Otherwise, Paul was going one by one, just like you and I do.
- Let me encourage you if this process has not begun: Don't force it! Ask the Lord to show you spiritually how to focus your attention. Wait until your spirit is provoked to move.

II. Seized The Open Door (v.19-31)

• Acts 17:19-21 : "And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, 'May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak? For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.' For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing." : Paul's method kept him under the radar, but his message had gained him attention.
- "What is this resurrection talk about?" they asked. They took him to the Areopagus. In Paul's time, this was the place where the city officials met and where they sat in judgment over ideas.
- Paul would gladly oblige! What follows is an incredible sermon, tailored to the situation, given in context of a thinking, philosophical society. Notice how he affirms and draws them in.
• Acts 17:22,23 : "Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, 'Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:" : This takes us back to the earlier point of Paul's sensitivity to the spiritual climate.
- Here when he is seizing the opportunity, he references all that he has seen. He notes that they are already people who believe in spiritual things.
- Among those idols is the idol that points to the God that Paul serves. From there, he starts to instruct them about and introduce them to God.
- I need to summarize for the sake of time, but Paul tells them that the "Unknown God" is the creator and the one that has placed them in their location.
- He is provoking their hearts to seek Him, which makes sense seeing that all of us are to have our being in Him. In other words, because we are made in His image, we naturally need to fill that hole with worship. They are listening intently until Paul comes to this last point.
• Acts 17:30,31 : "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.'"
- Paul is coming to his point. He has taken the door that they have given him and he is swinging for the fences.
- Turn with me to Colossians 4. Paul is in prison, writing to the Colossians about open doors, not to freedom from prison, but for freedom to minister.
• Colossians 4:2,3 : "Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,"
- Turn with me to Revelation 3. Jesus is talking to the church of Philadelphia. He speaks to them about the doors of opportunity that lay before them.
• Revelation 3:7,8 : "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write, 'These things says He who is holy, He who is true, "He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens': I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."
- I wonder how many doors of opportunity lay before you today? What doors are there that you have refused to go through? Paul looked for a door and when it came to him, he walked through.

III. Surrendered The Results (v.32-34)

• Acts 17:32-34 : "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, 'We will hear you again on this matter.' So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them."
- Just like any other time, when it comes to Jesus, there is a dividing line. Paul lays out the logic and the strong foundation of God's mystic power and authority over creation.
- Then he spoke about the resurrection. The Greek mind was stumbled.
- The Greeks believed in immortality of the soul, but not the resurrection of the body. To their minds, the body was the source of evil. A new body meant a new evil.
- Some in the crowd mocked. For others, there was a willingness to hear more at some other time, but merely as something to tickle their ears. Either way, the response was lukewarm.
- Here is an important principle that needs to be understood when it comes to being on mission: You cannot control the results!
- Paul is an Apostle. He has personally met Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He has had access to the Apostles teaching almost first hand. He has super gifts. Here, he strikes out!
- He has put together a great message. It's articulate, logical, cutting and culturally in tune.
- He still struck out! So what did Paul do? He kept egging them on! He pestered them with his second sermon. No. Wisely, Paul knew when it was time to walk away.
- In the same way that you are sensitive in discerning the cultural temperature, so also should you know when to stop pushing. You should know when you are just wasting your words.
- Turn with me to Matthew 7. Jesus uses a wonderful picture to us that is perfectly apt for this passage before us.
• Matthew 7:6 : "Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."
- The picture here that sticks with me is the pig farmer attempting to feed hungry pigs with a pearl necklace. That is not going to end well!
- A pig wants slop. That pig desires the most gross looking food. Pearls, of great value to us, are of no value to pigs!
- When a person who has knowingly turned down the offer of salvation and has looked at Jesus Christ with contempt, we can try with all of our heart to change them, but it will hurt us more than it will help them!
- I think back upon a man like Pharoah, who was confronted by Moses about the existence and power of God. The Bible says over and over, that the Pharoah hardened his heart.
• Exodus 9:12 : "But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses."
- Our job is never to control the outcome. Ours is to testify and add to any person's story. In doing so, we add water to the seeds that have already been planted.
- Turn with me to I Corinthians 3. Paul comments on this concept there.
• I Corinthians 3:5-8 : "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor."
- Peace and success in being on mission comes when you realize that you are a part of another person's redemption. Play your part and watch the Lord bless your ministry.

Conclusion

- Today, you can begin this process even if you have neglected to do so up to now. Ask the Lord to show you what the spiritual temperature is in your environment.
- Look for, wait on open doors that He will present to you and be bold! Walk through them!
- Finally, stop worrying about the results! You worry about doing your part and watch what God does with His!