The Thread of Life – Part 28 (The Journey)

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The Thread of Life (31 Stories that lead to Jesus)

Part 28

Welcome to Jesus Church here and Online

• In a series talking about the Bible… and what the Bible is to us
  • So many people believe the Bible – Don’t believe in the Bible
  • Where we think right… but just not right now
  • So the Bible becomes more of a place holder than life changer
• And for us – If we believe and follow Jesus – Bible is our authority
  • But we have to understand… for those who don’t believe
  • The Bible is not their authority (best way to live… not authority)
  • And as Christians this is so important to understand
    • B/C you can’t put your authority on someone else
    • They have to accept that
• And really its freeing b/c its not our job to make people live by it
  • Nor should we expect for them to if its not their authority
    • Most effective thing we can do is show them by our lives
    • How the Bible has transformed us
    • And pray that the Holy Spirit draws them to Jesus
  • Now if you are a Christian and claim Bible as authority
    • That is where we are called to hold each other accountable
    • Of course in love and grace…
    • But as a reminder that this is the authority we live under

Last week – Talked about the church of Acts… how it began

• Early church was different than what we think of today
  • Not a Movie Theater… Grocery Store
  • Not a Restaurant… Gas Station… or a Gym
• No the church is supposed to be committed to creating family
  • To the teachings of the apostles
  • Fellowship
  • Breaking of bread
  • Prayer
• These are all things that we are supposed to commit to
  • Not to believe… but to believe in
  • That they are the best way to live life

Tag: Today we are gonna see how God can use anyone… pray

Story

Ever watched a movie and the ending sorta blindsides you

• Maybe you weren’t ready for it… didn’t agree with it… don’t get it
  • Like in every movie there should be a solid conclusion
  • And when there isn’t – There better be another movie coming
  • Like inception… You don’t know if still in dream or reality
• So many of you know… Lord of the Rings one of greatest of all time
  • Well in case you don’t know – It’s a very long trilogy
  • End of 1^st movie (3 hrs)… if don’t know there’s another movie
  • That’s the worst movie of all time – Running through field
• But what we know is the story is set up… but it’s also just begun
  • And as we get to this epic conclusion with Jesus & resurrection
  • The story doesn’t end… it really only the beginning

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the holy spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Rest of Acts outlines what that looks like

• Acts 1-7 – Gospel spread to Jerusalem
• Acts 8-12 – Gospel spreads to Judea and Samaria
• Acts 13-28 – Gospel spreads throughout world

And when you read about apostles and church leaders

• You get introduced to Paul really early (main character for here on)
  • And Paul is the least likely leader to reach the masses
  • You would think God would choose someone more relevant
• But how many know… God uses unlikely for His purposes
  • Paul did everything to destroy church… even murders Christians
  • But the theme of the Bible: God can use anyone
  • And what God shows – If God can use Paul… can use anyone
• Early church feared Paul… they hated him
  • Why – He oversaw some of their loved ones murdered
  • Probably passionately agreed with Jesus’ crucifixion
  • Went town to town hunting down Xians… he was the enemy

Acts 9:15 (God speaks to one of the church leaders on Paul)

But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.

Verse 17 Paul gets baptized with the Holy Spirit

• Goes on 3 missionary journeys…
  • Started 10 churches (that we know of)
  • 13 of 27 books in New Testament written by Paul
• Don’t have time to go through all three… So I wanna focus on 1^st
  • Then look at some truth we see about Paul in his journey

1^st missionary journey

Acts 13:2-3

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

This might not seem big… but it was – Churches pastors are sent off

• Which shows this huge commitment to spread the gospel
  • So important that they sent their most dynamic leaders
• Happens in Antioch… sail to island called Cyprus (Barnabas home)
  • Travel to Paphos – where roman government was located
    • And the roman rulers start becoming Christians
    • Sail to Perga – John Mark leaves Paul… a bit ugly
    • Paul feels abandoned… and holds a grude
  • So they walk couple 100 miles to Antioch
    • Tons Jews and Gentiles believe…
    • So Paul really modeled Jesus ministry
  • Head out to Iconium and are there for pretty long time
    • Eventually ran out of town by Jews
  • Go to Lystra… which is really pagan – Like Las Vegas Strip
    • And people really are open to Jesus
    • But these Jews followed Paul – Stone him and left for dead
  • Go to Derbe… goes well – Doesn’t get stones there
    • Then retrace their steps to reconnect with all the churches

Now I look at that… Seems pretty exhausting

• Walking and sailing for year… beat up and almost killed
  • I complain if I have jetlag – which is ridiculous
• Barry Beastel – Atlas of Bible Lands
  • NT registers equivalent of about 13,400 airline miles for Paul
    • He would have sailed across stormy seas
    • Through ship wrecks
    • Roads would have been primitive
    • Unsafe paths controlled by bandits
    • Mountians… rain… snow… beating sun…
• It would have been a very difficult JOURNEY
  • Sometimes hard to see that by just reading it
  • In our nice comfy houses… drinking coffee… completely safe

But today I want to focus in on word “Journey”

Because the Christian life is a journey

• One of the names for Christians in the NT is “traveler”
  • Each one of us is on a journey
• And when you are on a journey… you focus on the location
  • Where is he going
  • Where are you going

Another aspect of the journey… Who you are as you go

• Want to focus on who Paul was as he went…
  • Instead of where he was going
    • Because as much as we can study maps and cities…
    • Most of us won’t visit all of these places
• So the Question is: On our journey what can we learn from Paul
  • Where were things that marked his journey
  • That should mark ours as well

1. – Commitment: Paul was faithful

Many people thing is we follow God… everything will go well

• If its easy – God must have hand on me
  • If difficult… God must not be with us
    • I’ve missed the mark
    • I’ve walked out of his will
  • But that isn’t accurate according to scripture
    • Paul’s journey is riddled with difficulty
    • Look what Paul himself says about his journey

2 Cor. 11:23-25

…been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea.

• I’d say that’s a pretty rough trip – Doesn’t sound like it went well
  • But Paul was commited to the JOURNEY… wouldn’t quit
    • Lystra Paul is dragged outside city to be stoned
    • V.20 – Paul got up and went back to city
    • He even visited the city again
  • If that was my story… it would read much different
    • If I preached somewhere and they stoned me
    • My story would say next “and he died’ or “ran for his life”
  • But Paul was committed to the mission first and foremost
    • Regardless of the difficulty of that mission

So important to hear – Because you can have all the resources

• But if you aren’t faithful… there won’t be much story to tell
  • Because the most successful people aren’t most talented
  • They’re the most faithful
  • They just show up… they serve… b/c they believe in the journey
• Want to challenge you – I know its hard sometimes
  • And you started all excited about the journey
  • But don’t give up… don’t quit… or believe God isn’t in it
  • Let commitment mark your journey

Story: Rudy was a movie awhile ago

• Rudy was undersized kid… trys out for Notre Dame football team
  • And somehow he makes the practice squad
  • And isn’t in the games… but always is giving 110%
  • Works at it every day – No size… no talent
• There’s a scene where the team star is ripping into Rudy
  • Rudy acting like its Superbowl in last practice of season
  • Coach told player… just summed up sorry career in 1 sentence

Some of us are the same way when looking back on our lives

• We meant to work at it and be passionate
  • But we just didn’t get around to it
  • Or we kept pushing it off until it became our reality
• Parents…
  • Commit to be passionate about what God called you to
    • Pour into your family
    • Pray for your children
    • Don’t quit – be faithful
• Husbands & Wives
  • Commit to being a spiritual representation of God & church
  • Don’t just check out and say I’ll be engaged tomorrow
  • Don’t just go into maitenence mode
    • Be faithful… and do it today
• At your work
  • Go to do job for glory of God… don’t just get by
  • Be a light through your work ethic and intergrity
• Followers of Jesus
  • Don’t just make this a gas station…
  • Embrace the mission and journey it well
  • Don’t forget what you are called to – It’s all about the journey

2 – Joy… Paul’s joy blows my mind

When Paul was in Antioch building the church… things going great

Acts 13:44

On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. 

• That’s a pretty good Sunday right… Whole city shows up???
  • Working and investing in relationships
  • It seems like now its finally coming together

Acts 13:45

When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

• So right when things seen to be picking up and going well
  • V.50 – thrown out and attacked
  • But somehow they have this unbelievable joy

Acts 13:52

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit

The only way that is possible… Joy isn’t based on circumstances

• And that marked Pauls journey even when it didn’t make sense
  • For so many… joy is dictated by circumstances
  • And I’ll be joyful if I’m healthy/good finances/team won
• But Paul didn’t allow that to ruin his joy… I’m sure it tried
  • But he was focused on the journey
  • And his joy ways in the LORD…
  • May the joy of the Lord be our strength

Couple months ago we got family pictures (Kathy Cole Photography)

• And I don’t know if you have done family pictures with kids
  • But it isn’t always the best experience
  • When your kids are young and aren’t into it… gets interesting
• We hadn’t done family picture forever – But our kids are older now
  • And it was so much more fun than it use to be
  • Like when we smiled… it was an actual smile (not fake)
• Past family picture moments
  • Not hard to remember because there are pictures of them
  • We can see the smiles with thoughts of murder behind them
    • Kids are crying… stressful… tempers flaring
    • And now everyone smile for the camera!!!

[Pictures of fun family photos]

• And I think this is how some of us experience joy on the journey
  • Where its only there because its supposed to be
  • And so we force it… we walk out the motions
  • And it might actually show up… but deep down it isn’t joy
• But Paul’s joy wasn’t based on circumstance… it was in the Lord

Acts 16:22-24 (2^nd journey and is with a guy named Silas now)

The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

Now that’s pretty much worse case scenario for a preacher

• Never know how people will respond to your message
  • Usually pretty sure no one will beat me with rods afterwards
  • Paul preaches and things can’t get worse… then we read

Acts 16:25

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.

• How does that happen in the midst of such terrible circumstances
  • Beaten… thrown in jail…
  • And Silas turns to Paul – “You thinking what I’m thinking”
    • Night of worship? Exactly!!!Showed love
• But these are hallmarks of his journey… and out of his joy came
  • Love… Patiences… contentment
  • Basically all the fruits of the spirit
  • Why – Because the Spirit of God was leading him on his journey
• In fact after thrown in jail by end of the night
  • The jail guard is getting baptized and his family is all saved
  • Baptized jailer that threw him into jail

And I think what made all of this possible… was patience

• Patience for the story/journey to play itself out
  • With the people who beat him
  • With the fact he was thrown in jail
  • With all of his shipwrecks
• And as easy as it is to focus on location

Journey isn’t just about where you are going; it’s about who you are along the way.

And of course we want this… but how

How do we do what Paul did… well here’s the secret…

• Question: Who do you travel with… Paul traveled with the H.S.
  • The Holy Spirit is who allowed him to have this journey
  • And to maintain all the fruits of the spirit while on it
  • If you are producing those fruits… you can do anything

Acts 1:8

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

• Spirit was there all along… but in N.T. the Spirit takes center stage
  • 57 times the Holy Spirit is talked about in book of Acts
  • Greek – Pneuma
    • Can’t see it, but can feel it
• And nature of Holy Spirit… Can’t be explained – But experienced
  • We see the acts of the Holy Spirit
  • We see the gifts of the Holy Spirit… comfort of Holy Spirit
• Question isn’t “what is the holy spirit” but “who is the holy spirit”
  • He manifests characteristics of person
    • Speaks/acts/calls,/guides
    • Forbids/knows/teaches/decides
    • Comforts/encourages… even grieves

Jesus encourages disciples with coming of Holy Spirit

John 14:16

But very truly I say, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I’ll send him to you.

• Two Greek words for another
  • (Aheadoras) – Another of similar kind
  • (Alas) – Another of exactly of the same kind
    • Jesus uses ALAS… exactly the same
    • Jesus – God in flesh
    • Holy Spirit – God in spirit form
• Jesus says its better I leave so the spirit will come (multiple times)
  • Why better if it’s the same thing
  • God WITH you is good, but IN you is better

John Crokhour – Talks in book “into thin air”

Talks about climbers on Mt. Everest

• Andy Harris – leader of a expedition to the summit
  • Stayed at peak too long and needed oxygen
  • Radios to base cause he won’t make it
  • Other climbers say they left him tanks of oxygen
• But Andy is convinced the tanks were empty
  • He refuses to check them… Because he’s deprived of oxygen
    • Doesn’t realize what he needs is right in front of him
    • He is missing oxygen so he can’t see the oxygen
• Climbers plead with him to just take what he needs cause it’s there
  • He wouldn’t listen

Holy Spirit is oxygen for the Christian

• We can tell and plead with you to take what’s right in front of you
  • If you don’t have him, you won’t realize what you are missing
  • And what you so desperately need
• We are on a journey… and it will be difficult and hard
  • Don’t attempt to travel without oxygen

Gal. 5:25

Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

• Keep in step… let him be your constant companion
  • Acts called “acts of apostles”
  • More appropriate to call it Acts of the Holy Spirit
    • If just of apostles, it would have ended with them
• It continues because it is the acts of Holy Spirit
  • He is alive and in us today
  • He is ready to move and act and guide us on our journey