Last week we talked about how, the lives we live should be an introduction for the gospel.

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV)
Beloved, I urge you as [those who’s home is not here] sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God [when he comes to visit them] on the day of visitation. Another way of saying this is, “Live a uniquely God-saturated life in front of those around you so that when the time for salvation arrives, they won’t miss it.

Today I’d like to look at an example of this – living a faith-filled Christ-saturated life – this is in Acts 4. Here’s the setting – Even though Jesus was no longer here physically, the Holy Spirit was moving – thousands were being saved. In Acts 2 we see Peter, through the working of the Holy Spirit, speaking the good news of Jesus to a huge crowd of people. And through this preaching three thousand believed and were baptized. Those believers then devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to ministering to each other – and the Lord was saving more people. So, the reality of the Kingdom of God here was growing. In Acts chapter 3 we read of how Peter heals a lame beggar and continues to preach – and the beggar was right there with him. And now we come to Acts 4.

Acts 4:1-14 (ESV)
Vs 1-4) And as [Peter and John] were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (Sadducees didn’t believe in the resurrection from the dead) And they arrested [Peter and John] and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

So, at a minimum, things were not going as the religious leaders had hoped. They had killed Jesus thinking that they would finally be done with him, and his followers, and his blasphemy and arrogance, and his disruption. Not so. What was a few disciples and an infatuated public was now something new. Even as Peter and John are detained there are five thousand converts.

Vs 5-6) On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family.

This was the Jewish supreme court – the most powerful Jewish leaders in the region. These were the same people who were involved in the murder of Jesus. This is actually big stuff – a few weeks ago the result of this type of meeting ended in the death of Jesus – now it’s Peter and John’s turn.

Vs 7) And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” (Do you remember Jesus in this situation?)

Does this sound familiar? This was the same question the religious leaders asked Jesus before they killed him (Matt 21). You would probably want to be careful here if you were Peter and John, don’t you think? You don’t want to get yourself killed.

vs. 8-12) Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by him this man is standing before you well. This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

So, not only did Peter and John stand their ground, they used this forum as an opportunity to clearly state the gospel – Jesus is the only one who can save you from the consequences of your sin, “And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” So much for being vague about their purpose.

vs. 13-14) Now when they saw the boldness (uncompromising confidence) of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated (unqualified), common men (second-class, common soldier vs. officer, ordinary person vs. a ruler), they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition.

So in the end, Luke tells us that the religious leaders were impacted by three things – IMPORTANT:

• First - These were uneducated, common men who would not “back down” or be silent. They were uneducated, common men who were convinced of the truth of the claims of Jesus and were not impressed with earthly power and threats. This would have been a good time to produce Jesus’ body, right?
• Second - they recognized that these men had been with Jesus. Now this is interesting. Some take this to mean that the Jewish leaders remembered seeing these men with Jesus. But that doesn’t seem to be the sense of the reading. The way Luke writes this seems to connect their confidence, their lack of credentials, and their message with Jesus. In other words, they look at Peter and John and remember Jesus. They actually said the same thing about Jesus:

The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How is it that this man has learning, when he has never studied?” So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. – John 7:15-16

• Third - the works of Peter and John shut the mouths of the accusers.

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Often what we think of as a negative is actually a positive – an opportunity to live by faith. Persecution (the negative) gave Peter and John and amazing platform to declare the gospel and call people to faith in Jesus. The real question when called to walk by faith is, will we? Will we let go of the things that would capture us – money, comfort, reputation and , rather, embrace God’s provision?

Even though we are two thousand years from this event, very little has actually changed. The world we live in, at its core, is against the Jesus of the Bible. Even as we cry out for justice at every turn, we refuse to take seriously the coming judgment of a completely holy God. We refuse to repent of sin and wholly trust Jesus as the One who saves and is point of life itself

And just like two thousand years ago when a culturally-sanctioned education was not a prerequisite for a powerful Christ-exalting life, it is not required today.

Boldness is biblical

• First – Saturate yourself with God’s word – 1 John 2:14 (ESV)

I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

• Second – Pray – John 15:7 (ESV)

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

• Believe – Trust – Galatians 3:5 (ESV)

Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith…

]]> http://radicalcall.wordpress.com/2009/11/01/courageous/feed/ 0 Waldean http://radicalcall.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/living-or-dying-for-the-gospel/ http://radicalcall.wordpress.com/2008/11/09/living-or-dying-for-the-gospel/#comments Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:00:27 +0000 Waldean http://radicalcall.wordpress.com/?p=495 ]]>

Second Timothy is a wonderful book that was probably written near the end of Paul’s life. As a result, it has deep and beautiful thoughts about what it means to live for Christ. In verse 1 Paul encourages Timothy to be firmly dependent on the kindness of Jesus, be full and resolute in your dependence on Jesus (be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus). This is the opposite of how the world would program us, right? Independence, self-sufficiency, dedication to the pursuit of pleasure, comfort and financial security first. Not so as we align with Jesus. Timothy’s call was to be dependent on God as he pursued disciple-making.

Then Paul goes on to illustrate what it means to be strong or resolute or focused on being dependent:

• Just as a soldier thinks only about soldiering and should have no distractions, God is pleased when Timothy is living a life dependent on Jesus and focused on the mission – no distractions.
• Just as athletes are only successful if they follow the rules, Timothy must move in a God-dependent way or there is no victory for him. The most amazing athlete you know is just another idiot if they can’t follow the rules. We’ve seen those, right?. In the end the greatest thinkers in the world, the best humanitarians do not get the crown if they are not God-dependent and working for the glory of Christ.
• Just as the farmer must work very hard and have patience in order to receive the results of his effort, Timothy must, in dependence, continue to work patiently for the cause of Christ – his reward will come.

Then Paul moves to how God is working this out in his life:

2 Timothy 2:8-10 (NIV)
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, ⁹ for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. ¹⁰ Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

Verse 8 - Paul primarily points out two things. First, Jesus was the one who defeated sin and death. Death did not and will not win – Jesus wins. Second, Jesus is absolutely the One to receive the Old Testament promises God made to his children through king David – God said David’s throne will last forever (1 Sam 7:13-16) – Jesus was a descendent of king David. This is John’s gospel. The promised One has come and defeated death so we could live.

Verse 9 - Persecution DOES NOT stop the gospel. In fact it’s the opposite, right? As the world looks to press the saints into submission, and the saints refuse to succumb, the gospel can actually be seen more clearly. The gospel can be seen as giving purpose and life – it’s worth dying for. There’s an example of this in Philippians 1:12-14.

Philippians 1:12-14 (NIV)
¹² Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me (imprisonment) has really served to advance the gospel. ¹³ As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. ¹⁴ Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.

Jesus is our ultimate example here. It is in the midst of sacrifice that the gospel shines. At the cross the glory of God exploded – death dies, we live, Jesus is magnified.

2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 (NIV)
…I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We are strongest when we must depend on God’s kindness and power.

Verse 10 - Because God’s word is not stifled by imprisonment, I will endure everything for the sake of the mission.

It’s VERY important that we know this. The saving gospel of Jesus is not compatible with the priorities and thinking of this world. We are called to put Jesus and his mission ahead of what this world has to offer – really. In this God works because we are living by faith. We are living the way God would have us live – for his glory – even though the masses go a different way.

Young people – you will be tempted to put the world’s construct of romance, love, sex, politics, money, career, and retirement in front of God’s vision for romance, love, sex, politics, money, career, and retirement.

Older person – you will be tempted to put the world’s construct of romance, love, sex, politics, money, career, and retirement in front of God’s vision for your life.

I’d like to look at an interesting connection Paul is making here between the beginning of verse 8 and verse 10. Paul – I am suffering because of the gospel and I endure it for the sake of the mission.

- – -

We are not connected as we should be with the persecuted church. I think in many ways I would like to not think of them – that would allow me to more easily think of how God should be getting me a nicer house or a better car or a bigger steak. The author of the book of Hebrews, however, says this:

Hebrews 13:3 (NASB95)
Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

There is more persecution against Christians today than there has ever been – and it actually seems to be spreading. There are three things that are fairly clear to me:

• First – as humanity “advances” and we unite globally in communications, economics, and purpose, the gospel will increasingly NOT FIT the global objective. Persecution is not and will not be going away until Jesus returns.
• Second – at some point this country will be a very hostile environment for any who would follow Jesus. The freedom that we take for granted will have passed and we, as a country, will be in league with “the beast” depicted in the book of Revelations.
• Third – if we are to stand, if our children are to stand, we must, like Paul said to Timothy in 2 Tim 2:1, live lives that dependent on God’s provision and NOT the resources of this world. We must actually live in faith.

Mark 8:34-38 (NIV)
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

In other words, “If anyone would come after me, he must be the new person Christ has created, shoulder the difficulties of this, and follow me.”

³⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. ³⁶ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? ³⁷ Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸ If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

The 20^th Century saw millions of Christians killed or persecuted and I don’t think the 21^st Century will be any different – we should be more connected with them.

Hebrews 13:11-14, “going to Jesus outside the camp” [no audio]

Today is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. I’d like to connect with this issue through Hebrews 13:11-14

Hebrews 13:11-14 – The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

Verses 11-12 – Clean / Unclean

• The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood.

Before Jesus came God required his people to be meticulous in observing rules that would set them apart from the cultures around them and keep the focused on Him. Many of these rules or laws dealt with what was considered “clean” and accessible and what was considered “unclean” and to be avoided. In Hebrews 13:11 we see an example of this. An animal carcass was “unclean” and was to be avoided. When animal sacrifices were made for the sins of the people, the carcass was burned outside the camp – outside the sacred perimeter – outside God’s city, Jerusalem.

The execution of criminals needed to take place outside Jerusalem. The lawless person and the dead body were both unclean. Verse 12 shows us that Jesus was considered unclean. The very people God created to be the embodiment of his mercy and character ultimately decided that Jesus was a criminal to be killed outside the sanctity of God’s city. To most Jesus was someone who had no connection to God’s plan and needed to be rejected. Not much has changed today.

Vs 13 – Our call to identify with Jesus

Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.

What does it mean to go to him outside the camp and bear the disgrace he bore? Lives that embrace Jesus as Savior are always moved to embrace him as Lord. We are always moved to lives of faith (deepening commitment to trust our lives to God instead of this world). We must choose – either we find our home and comfort and security in the construct the world offers or we leave that and identify with Jesus. If we identify with Jesus we will find an increasing number of people who hate us. Some will lose their lives.

Our call is go to Jesus outside the camp. Loyalty to Jesus will lead you outside the camp. The way of Jesus is NOT compatible with a legalistic, religious power structure. The way of Jesus is NOT compatible with treasuring this world as your security. The call of Jesus on your life is NOT compatible with split loyalties – you cannot embrace Jesus as your hope while hoping in the temporal.

• Matthew 16:24-26 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. ²⁶ What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?

Vs 14 – Why would we embrace disgrace

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.

This is a call to live what we claim to believe – our hope is NOT here. Embracing this worldly camp is a death-wish. Embracing Jesus is life. We cannot embrace disgrace if our vision and hope is rooted here. On the other hand, if our hope is in the eternal values and realities of God, the draw of this world will not control us.

• Jesus died for me that I might be forgiven and united forever with him – I cannot die. So why do I protect my life so much?

• God, my father, owns and controls EVERYTHING. So why do I protect my resources so much?

• The heart of God, now beating within me, is purposed on saving the lost. So why do I think inward instead of outward?

1 Peter 4:16 – …if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

Romans 8:38-39 – For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,  neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Matthew 5:10-12, “standing for Jesus in the face of persecution “ [Listen]

3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Background of passage – Jesus had already made enemies. Mark records an event that probably took place before “the beatitudes” – Mark 3:1-6 (Jesus heals a paralytic on the Sabbath) – Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

Two types of Persecution mentioned here:

Persecution simply for standing for the things of God (verse 10)

Persecution when we identify with Jesus (verse 11) – there is current massive global persecution for those who live for Jesus.

The reality of our national environment is moving toward darkness rather than light – persecution is coming.

There will be persecution when we stand for the things of God – the world cannot assimilate a person like the one in verses 3-9 (detail). They will struggle with the atheist and religious alike:

Example of this from Luke

Luke 16:13-15 – “No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight.”

Life devoted to righteousness or godliness will be persecuted or reviled or spoken against. (John Piper)

• If you cherish chastity, your life will be an attack on people’s love for free sex.
• If you embrace temperance, your life will be a statement against the love of alcohol.
• If you pursue self-control, your life will indict excess eating.
• If you live simply and happily, you will show the folly of luxury.
• If you walk humbly with your God, you will expose the evil of pride.
• If you are punctual and thorough in your dealings, you will lay open the inferiority of laziness and negligence.
• If you speak with compassion, you will throw callousness into sharp relief.
• If you are earnest, you will make the flippant look flippant instead of clever.
• And if you are spiritually minded, you will expose the worldly-mindedness of those around you.

Those who follow Jesus will have a difficult time escaping some measure of persecution:

2 Timothy 3:12 – …everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted

There will be persecution when we identify with Jesus

1 Peter 4:12-14 – Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

John 15:18-22 – “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. … If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. …They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. (the glory of Jesus / the purpose of his coming points out the NEED for Jesus – sin)

Matthew 19:29-30 – And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.

Philippians 1:29 – …for it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him

Thoughts:

While we should live lives that are holy and we should hold Jesus high, these lives must be lived following the example of Jesus. We are called to represent Jesus well rather than stupidly – that insults him.

For those who follow Jesus – for those whose lives are home to the Holy Spirit, persecution will further reinforce the ugly disposition of this world and God will prove himself to us as our comfort and strength.

As we live lives that are committed to the heart of Jesus, many will hate us. As the Holy Spirit works in the lives of others, however, they will see the salvation they are looking for. So, persecution serves many purposes.

Do we persecute those who don’t follow a biblical line of thinking?

The stronger our hold on the things of this world, the more difficult it will be to stand during persecution (money).

Matt 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

Are we living lives that actually proclaim Jesus? Brothers & sisters, we must help each other give everything we are and everything we have to Jesus. This life is short and glory is approaching quickly.