Google+

Acts 18:18-28 Lives Devoted

Acts 18:1-17 showed us the encouragement Jesus provided the weary and fearful Paul in Corinth. Jesus came to Paul telling him not to be afraid and gave him promises of Christ’s presence and protection. Jesus fulfilled His promise as Paul stood before the Roman proconsul in Corinth and was set free. In the second half of chapter 18, Paul begins the return journey to his home church of Antioch. But as Luke transitions from Paul’s second missionary journey to his third, we get a glimpse of a cross section of faithful disciple-makers in the early church.

Of course Luke continues to show us Paul, who has devoted himself to the Lord and separated himself for Christ’s service. But as he begins the third journey on his way to Ephesus, we find him going back through the same territory he visited on the first two journeys. It would have been much quicker and easier to sail back to Ephesus, but Paul was just as devoted to strengthening the believers (i.e. making disciples) as he was planting churches.

That is par for the course where Paul is concerned. We have seen that before. But we are also shown that investing in making disciples was also the practice of Priscilla and Aquila, as they come along side a man named Apollos and explain the way of God to him more accurately. And then Apollos himself goes to Corinth to help the church there. From the sending out of Paul, we see a cascading wave of new disciples, becoming disciple-makers, who become disciple-makers. Investing ourselves in making disciples is the calling Jesus gave to every believer. As we devote ourselves to the service of Christ, we find that first our lives must be devoted to Him, and then to the mission He has given to make disciples.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 17:16-34 God's Worldview

Sunday we will examine Paul’s preaching in the city of Athens. Athens was the intellectual center of the ancient world. It was the city of Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. It was a city of grand architecture and philosophy. As Paul encounters the city of Athens, he is struck by how much the city’s culture is immersed in idolatry. And as he reasons with people in the synagogues and in the marketplace, he is quickly noticed by the city’s philosophers and academics. The intellectual elite in Athens come from a completely different worldview than Paul and the Jews, so as Paul preaches at the Areopagus, he does not quote from the Old Testament. However, he does preach the bible’s message in a way the Athenians can understand. He presents the biblical worldview in a way that answers all mankind’s greatest needs. Regardless of what culture, nation, or philosophical worldview a person comes from, we all ask the same questions. Why am I here? Who am I in this world? Who is God and what does He want from me?

These questions are answered differently by differing religions, philosophies, and cultures, but in Acts 17:16-34, Luke presents Paul’s sermon (answering these questions) as the only answers to these fundamental questions that is true, glorifying to God, and satisfying the soul. All other worldviews are empty and can only promise what they cannot deliver. The gospel for the Athenians is the same gospel for the Jews - and for you today. It shows us who our God is and what our purpose is in this world.

Acts 17:1-15 The Authority of Scripture

After Paul and Silas leave Philippi, they head to Thessalonica and then Berea. Luke contrasts the Jewish populations in these two cities by how they respond to the authority of the Scriptures. As Paul, the faithful witness opens the Hebrew Scriptures and proves that all the Bible points to Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Thessalonians rebel against what God’s word says. Though they were members of the synagogue, studied the scriptures every sabbath, and no doubt believed in the authority of the scriptures, they would not submit themselves to the message and command of those scriptures. They incite a mob to hunt the missionaries down and attack any who are associated with them. They hate the true message of God’s word so much that they chase Paul and Silas to Berea and stir up a mob against them there also. 

But on the opposite end of the spectrum, we are shown the Jews in Berea. Luke says that they were more noble than the Thessalonican Jews, even though they were not believers in Christ until Paul evangelized them. They were more noble because they loved the word of God and were eager to receive it. And yet, they were also not gullible. They didn’t just take Paul’s word. They examined the scriptures daily to see if what Paul was telling them was true. They studied the scriptures themselves because they were eager for the word of God, not necessarily the word of Paul. And when they found that Paul’s message was proven in God’s word, they submitted themselves to the word of God and believed the gospel. 

Several applications stand out in this text which we will flesh out on Sunday. Especially as Christians, we should have an eager hunger for God’s word. It indeed is the food of our souls for we don’t live by bread alone. If we are not hungry for God’s word, something is wrong. But we must also examine it for ourselves and place no authority above it. Anyone can twist a single verse or a section and invest their own meaning into it and teach something that doesn’t come from the meaning of the text. Every word uttered from the pulpit of First Baptist Church Mulvane should be tested, examined, and scrutinized by God’s word. And when the message of God’s word is clear from the text itself, then like the Bereans, we must submit to its authority and live according to its truth. 

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 16:6-15 When God Changes Our Plan

Once again, I am continually amazed that God has us in the perfect text we need to hear this week. It has been hard not to question and try to understand God’s purpose and plan regarding the results of Kansas’ amendment vote. But even if this momentous even hadn’t taken place, there are always times in the believers life when we don’t understand what God is doing and can’t see His purposes in the events of our lives. We are often faced with the reality that our plans are not always God’s plans. Paul and Silas face this as they head out on the second missionary journey. In Acts 16:6-15, they attempt to evangelize portions of the Roman province of Asia and Bithynia, and both times God closes the door to them. God has a plan for their journey and He funnels them right where he wants them to go. But I wonder what they thought when those doors shut.

This Sunday we will see that God leads His people to accomplish His purposes (not necessarily our purposes). We will see what it looks like to follow Jesus when we have a direct call and also when we have no idea what to do next. We will remind ourselves from the text that God is in control of His mission. He is in control of all things. When he shuts doors on our efforts, there is a reason and a purpose. And though we often don’t see the big picture, we walk by faith.

Paul and the missionary team are not allowed to evangelize in Asia or Bithynia. Instead they are brought all the way across the Aegean to the edge of Europe in Philippi, so that one woman named Lydia may have her heart opened by the Lord through the gospel. We must follow God’s plan for it is only His power that saves and glorifies Himself by changing hearts.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 15:36-16:5 Discord Among Disciples

Sunday’s passage is quite ironic in the context of chapter 15. Paul and Barnabas were instrumental in opposing false teaching that could have divided the church between Jew and Gentile. They stood against those teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised and hold to the law of Moses to be saved. When the church leaders met, they affirmed that God saves by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. They affirmed this because God’s work proved it, and God’s word proclaimed it. Now the churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia are unified in the gospel. The Apostles also sent a letter asking the Gentiles to abstain from certain practices that would offend the Jewish Christian’s consciences. Now, the church was unified in love for one another as well. A great victory for the body of Christ has been achieved. But in the very next section, Luke records a division among the two disciples that helped bring this unity.

Paul and Barnabas have a disagreement that divides them and sends them to serve separately. They did not disagree on God’s truth, the gospel, Christ’s mission, or weighty theological matters. Their personality differences led them to argue about who should be on their mission team. As we examine this conflict and its effect on the mission, we find that discord and even heated disagreement is possible among godly believers. It is possible among those who’s hearts are focused on Christ and His mission. It is possible among the closest of companions who have risked their lives together for Jesus and suffered persecution together for the gospel. If it can happen among these men, it can happen among any disciples...and it often does. How should we react when secondary disagreements such as these escalate to a heated discord? Who was right in Paul and Barnabas’ disagreement? These are the questions we will wrestle with Sunday. I hope you can join us.

Acts 15:22-35 United In Truth & Love

Although we are focusing on Acts 15:22-35 this Sunday, I would encourage you to read verses 1-35 in order to remind yourself of the context. We will be jumping back into the middle of what is commonly known as the Jerusalem Council. Last week we saw the reason for this meeting. Men had come into the church in Antioch and began teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised in addition to trusting in Jesus to be saved. Paul and Barnabas stood against these teachers and the question was taken up by the elders and apostles in Jerusalem. Our focus in verses 1-21 was the church’s refusal to compromise the gospel. Peter, Paul and Barnabas all spoke up. Then James showed that God foretold the saving of the Gentiles in His word. The church decides to stand on the word and work of God, refusing to add anything as a requirement for salvation. The Gentiles are saved in the same way that Jews are, by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone. 

Sunday we will read the letter that is sent back to Antioch. In it we again see the church stand firm in the gospel of grace, disavowing those who teach contrary, but we also find that "requirements" (or essentials) are asked of the Gentiles. While the church in Jerusalem affirms that salvation is through faith alone and the Gentiles need not become Jews, they can also no longer participate in the pagan worship practices and festivities common in that day. They also recognize that the churches in Antioch, Pamphyilia, Cilicia, and Galatia are made up of Jewish believers as well as Gentiles. In order to preserve unity and table fellowship in churches composed of Jews and Gentiles, they ask the Gentiles to abstain from certain foods to retain unity with Jewish believers. Here we see two sides of unity in the body of Christ. First there can be no unity without the truth of the gospel. Some things are too important to be compromised for the sake of unity. But likewise, love for Christ must compel to walk in holiness and in unity with one another. If this means we sacrifice some foods, drinks, activities, or traditions for the sake of the mission to others, we must do so. 

1 Co. 9:19-23 "19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 14:21-28 Being A Great Commission Disciple

This Sunday, we will finish the final leg of Paul and Barnabas’ first missionary journey. Acts 14:21-28 shows us their route home and describes the missions activities they did along the way. Through chapter 13 - 14 we have seen them preach the gospel in the synagogues and the cities, to Jews and to Gentiles, and even to pagans with no knowledge of the Jewish Messiah or promises. They had been run out of several cities, caused quite a division in the cities, and had almost been worshiped as pagan gods. They had been persecuted and reviled. They had been chased by their opponents from city to city, and Paul had been stoned so severely that he was thought to have died. As we pick up in the city of Derbe (v.21) they continue to preach and make disciples because that is what Great Commission disciples do - they evangelize. But then they turn back to head home to their own church in Syrian Antioch. And on their way home, they retrace their steps to all the cities they had just visited. Not only was this dangerous because by now they were well known and hated by a great number of people in each city, but this was also the long way around to reach their home church in Antioch. Why would they risk it? Why would they backtrack out of their way to these dangerous places. They did so because their mission was to make disciples, not just converts. They returned to strengthen the disciples who were converted on their first trip through the area. They went back to encourage them to continue in the faith despite all the persecution and tribulation they would experience. They went back because they were following Jesus’ Great Commission, not only baptizing all nations, but teaching them to observe everything Jesus had commanded. They went back to organize the local churches there because that is God’s ordained instrument for disciples to grow and to make other disciples.

And when Paul and Barnabas finally get back home to Antioch, we see that even these great men of God knew the importance of being involved with their local home church. They stayed with there a long time and reported on their mission because it was also the church’s mission. The church in Antioch had sent them, ordained them, recognized the call of the Holy Spirit on them for the mission.

The passage demonstrates to us the importance of not only evangelizing but also investing in the growth of disciples. It shows us the importance of the local church for growing disciples to make disciples. Jesus’ call to us today is the same. Make disciples - evangelize the lost - baptize them - and come along side them to teach them TO OBSERVE everything Jesus has commanded. Simply, to help one another follow Jesus. I hope we will be a church who’s heart beats for Christ in the commission He has given.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 14:8-20 Turn To A Living God

Paul and Barnabas enter into Lystra, a frontier outpost town, and as God heals a lame man, the people begin worshipping the missionaries as gods....and then they try to kill them. What we see in this passage is that all people are worshipers. That is how we are created. Even the most devout atheist worships. What we live for - what we put all our hope in - what we sacrifice everything for - that is what we worship. And the truth of God’s message always exposes and confronts our idols. The gospel calls us to "turn from these vain things to a living God" (Acts 14:15).

It is God alone who "satisfies [our] hearts...with gladness" (Acts 14:17). All other things we live for, find our identity in, or put our hope in are powerless to give what they promise. Only a living God who created us in His image, can give the hope of salvation, reconciliation, and relationship for which we were created. But as we see in this text (and all around us) human beings don’t give up their idols easily. To touch someones idol will bring forth rage and hatred. To say an idol - what a person has built their life and identity on - is a "vain thing" will incite a tidal wave of opposition. The people of Lystra won’t give up their "gods" easily. The unbelieving Jews who followed the missionaries here won’t give up their idols easily either. And when they lash out together, we see where Paul has placed his hope and his worship. He values Jesus more than his own life, comfort, and security. He has turned to a living God and calls us to do the same.

Acts 14:1-7 ...And They Continued To Preach

When we left Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13, they had just been run out of town as the unbelieving Jews of the synagogue stirred up the leaders of the city to persecute them. As chapter 14 begins, they enter the city of Iconium and go right back to the synagogue there to continue preaching the same message. And, as you might expect, they same thing happens again. In each place, the gospel goes forth, God saves souls, a church is established, and the missionaries are attacked, persecuted, and banished. What we can see from these repeated situations is an uncanny perseverance that these witnesses exhibit. In 14:1-7, Paul and Barnabas persevere on the mission to which God called them. They persevere in contending for the faith against all opposition, and even when they are forced out of the city, they continue preaching the gospel wherever the Lord leads them.

This is instructive for the church today because Paul and Barnabas are not supermen. They are not free from despair, disappointment, weariness, and uncertainty. Yet something in them spurs them on in their mission. Not only will we seek to follow Paul as he follows Christ, examining his perseverance and applying it to our lives, but we will also see how he is able to persevere through the trials and opposition. It isn’t because he is stronger, smarter, or greater than everyone else.

When we left Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13, they had just been run out of town as the unbelieving Jews of the synagogue stirred up the leaders of the city to persecute them. As chapter 14 begins, they enter the city of Iconium and go right back to the synagogue there to continue preaching the same message. And, as you might expect, they same thing happens again. In each place, the gospel goes forth, God saves souls, a church is established, and the missionaries are attacked, persecuted, and banished. What we can see from these repeated situations is an uncanny perseverance that these witnesses exhibit. In 14:1-7, Paul and Barnabas persevere on the mission to which God called them. They persevere in contending for the faith against all opposition, and even when they are forced out of the city, they continue preaching the gospel wherever the Lord leads them.

This is instructive for the church today because Paul and Barnabas are not supermen. They are not free from despair, disappointment, weariness, and uncertainty. Yet something in them spurs them on in their mission. Not only will we seek to follow Paul as he follows Christ, examining his perseverance and applying it to our lives, but we will also see how he is able to persevere through the trials and opposition. It isn’t because he is stronger, smarter, or greater than everyone else.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 13:26-41 The Gospel Fulfilled

This Sunday we will finish Paul’s first recorded sermon in Acts. He stood and preached this sermon at the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia before those gathered to worship there on the sabbath. Last week, we walked through the first part of his sermon as Paul recounted God’s faithful and gracious works throughout the history of Israel (v. 16-23). His timeline shows that God has been faithful to His word from Abraham all the way to David. As Paul mentions David, he immediately comes to the point of his sermon. In v. 23 he says, "Of this man’s [David’s] offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised."

From this point, Paul shows the people how Jesus has fulfilled the promises of David and the purposes of God in salvation. In verses 26-41, we will see how Jesus accomplished salvation for us, how it was foretold and proven from the Scriptures, and how this salvation is applied reconciling the sinner to God. This gospel message Paul delivers would have been earth-shaking news to these synagogue worshipers. And indeed, it still is today. Though most of us are very familiar with the gospel truths Paul speaks here, this message is not mundane or repetitive. It is the glorious fulfillment of God’s promises and the foundation of how we walk in this world.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 13:1-12 Characteristics of Missions

At the beginning of Acts 13 we will see another "first" in the early church. The church at Antioch became the first congregation composed mostly of Gentile Christians. Now as we begin chapter 13, this church will be the first to send out missionaries with the intent of strategically making the gospel known in other lands. And this is not the result of the goodness of the people or the desire of the Church. It was the Holy Spirit’s specific command to this church as they worshiped and ministered to the Lord. The Holy Spirit called the church to set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work that He has called them to do. As these men are called, commissioned, sent, and engage in their mission on the island of Cyprus, we see the characteristics of missions and to be witnesses to the ends of the earth. Mission is the call of the local church because souls are at stake - eternity is at stake - and the gospel is the only answer for all of humanity.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 12:1-25 No Power Above Our God

As we return to Acts this Sunday, we once again find ourselves in a text that is providentially applicable to us today. Acts 12 presents the early church with a new, seemingly insurmountable opponent. Instead of being opposed and persecuted by the Jewish religious leaders or an overzealous Pharisee (Saul) bent on killing individual Christians, now all the governmental might of King Herod Antipas I (backed by the Roman garrison in Jerusalem) will attempt to destroy the church. The political power and might of Herod is enormous. He is a childhood friend of the Roman Emperor Claudius and uses the Roman garrison of Jerusalem to do his bidding. He succeeds in killing the Apostle James and imprisons Peter. And as the worldly powers marshal themselves to destroy the leadership of the church, all the believers can do is pray.

Chapter 12 is a clash of powers. The power of the world which seems unconquerable, and the power of God to overrule and overcome all others. Sunday, we will see that although individual Christians may suffer and even be killed, the Lord’s power is above all other powers. The Church’s prayers avail much, even when their faith is lacking, and when all the dust settles, the mission of Christ is increasing and multiplying (12:24). The church at prayer is surprised when their prayers are answered in this text, they needed to learn the lesson that we must internalize as well. There is no power in creation that can conquer the power of our God and His gospel.

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 11:19-30 The Church That Changes The World

This Sunday we will finish Acts 11 and be introduced to an incredible event in the mission of Acts. Acts 11:19-30 describes the planting of a church in the city of Antioch. The magnitude of this event in the early life of the church cannot be overstated. This is literally a church that will be used by God to change the world. The church in Antioch will be the first congregation composed of both Jews and Gentiles (the majority being Gentiles). What God revealed to Peter about the Gentiles in chapter 10, will come to fruition here in this large pagan city. The church in Antioch will also be the base of operations for the missionary journeys of Paul and Barnabas. God will move mightily through this congregation as the mission of Jesus takes root, grows, and spreads to the whole of the Roman empire.

In Acts 11:19-30, we are shown the DNA of this church. Luke records for us the planting and growth of this church where God is moving and the gospel is flourishing. Here we see a church that God uses to change the world. Sunday we will examine the fingerprints of a church that is used mightily of God and call ourselves to obey the exhortation of Barnabas to the church in Antioch – “he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (v.23)

Subscribe to the Sermon podcast on itunes or search for "jason velotta" in your podcasting app

Visit http://www.jasonvelotta.com/for more audio, video, books, and teaching materials https://www.fbcmulvane.com

https://www.facebook.com/jason.velotta.1

https://twitter.com/jrv773

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonvelotta/

Acts 10:34-43 The Gospel of Peace

This is the gospel sermon that Peter preaches to the household of Cornelius right before the Holy Spirit falls upon them and they are ushered into the family of God. In this sermon, Peter reflects on what God has taught him (that God shows no partiality between peoples and nations) and he explains the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. I am praying as we gather together to worship our risen Savior that God will move upon hearts in our community just as He did in the household of Cornelius that day.