Faith in Action: Engaging the World with Resilience

 

Summary

In Acts 14:19-28, we witness the resilience and dedication of Paul and Barnabas as they face severe persecution for their faith. Despite being stoned and left for dead, Paul rises and continues his mission, exemplifying the unwavering commitment required to spread the Gospel. This passage challenges us to reflect on our own faith and the sacrifices we are willing to make for it. In our modern context, we may not face physical persecution, but we are often tempted to compromise our beliefs for comfort or societal acceptance. The church today must resist the temptation to privatize faith, keeping it away from the public square. We must remember that our faith is not just a personal matter but a call to engage with the world, to speak truth to power, and to uphold righteousness and justice.

The sermon also addresses the misconception of the separation of church and state, emphasizing that both institutions are ordained by God and should operate under His sovereignty. The church has a prophetic role to play in society, calling out sin and injustice wherever it is found, including within government. This responsibility extends to how we vote, urging us to prioritize righteousness over personal gain. Voting is an expression of our will, and as Christians, it should reflect our commitment to God's principles, not just our own interests.

The sermon highlights the ethical issue of abortion, urging believers to consider the sanctity of life as a paramount concern when voting. It challenges us to let our faith inform our political decisions, ensuring that we do not leave our Christianity behind when we enter the voting booth. The call is to vote for justice and righteousness, trusting that God will honor our commitment to His values.

Key Takeaways:

1. Resilience in Faith: Paul's experience of being stoned and left for dead yet continuing his mission challenges us to examine our own commitment to the Gospel. Are we willing to endure hardship for our faith, or do we seek comfort and safety above all else? Our faith should inspire us to persevere, even in the face of adversity. [03:44]

2. Faith in the Public Square: The church must resist the temptation to keep faith private and instead engage with the world, speaking truth to power. Our faith is not just personal; it is a call to influence society and uphold God's standards in all areas of life. [06:28]

3. Separation of Church and State: The concept of separation of church and state has been misunderstood. Both institutions are ordained by God and should operate under His sovereignty. The church has a prophetic role to play in society, calling out sin and injustice wherever it is found. [09:39]

4. Voting with Conscience: Voting is an expression of our will, and as Christians, it should reflect our commitment to God's principles. We must prioritize righteousness over personal gain, ensuring that our votes align with our faith and values. [15:25]

5. Sanctity of Life: The issue of abortion is a critical ethical concern that should inform our voting decisions. As believers, we must uphold the sanctity of life and let our faith guide us in advocating for justice and righteousness in the public arena. [27:08]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:35] - Reading from Acts 14
- [01:19] - Paul's Perseverance
- [02:05] - Prayer for Insight
- [02:51] - Hostility and Opposition
- [03:44] - The Brutality of Stoning
- [04:34] - The Blood of the Martyrs
- [05:25] - Freedom and Compromise
- [06:28] - Faith in the Public Square
- [07:22] - Separation of Church and State
- [08:12] - Government Under God
- [09:39] - Prophetic Voice of the Church
- [10:30] - Biblical Examples of Prophetic Critique
- [11:24] - The Kingdom of God
- [12:16] - Church and Politics
- [13:01] - Tax-Exempt Status and Free Speech
- [14:37] - Voting and Christian Responsibility
- [15:25] - The Meaning of a Vote
- [16:18] - Voting for Righteousness
- [17:02] - Government and Economics
- [19:16] - Immorality of Subsidies
- [20:51] - Election Year Politics
- [22:24] - Dangers of Politicized Economics
- [23:53] - Justice and Taxation
- [25:19] - Ethical Issues in Voting
- [27:08] - Sanctity of Life and Abortion
- [29:12] - Voting with a Christian Conscience
- [30:51] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Acts 14:19-28

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Observation Questions:

1. What events led to Paul being stoned and left for dead in Acts 14:19-28? How did he respond to this persecution? [03:44]

2. How did Paul and Barnabas strengthen the souls of the disciples in the cities they visited, according to Acts 14:22? What message did they convey about entering the kingdom of God?

3. In the sermon, what was mentioned as the common pattern of response to the apostles' preaching in different cities? [02:51]

4. How does the sermon describe the current state of the church's engagement with the public square? What metaphor is used to describe the church's current condition? [05:25]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What does Paul's resilience in the face of persecution teach us about the nature of true commitment to the Gospel? How might this apply to modern-day challenges? [03:44]

2. The sermon discusses the separation of church and state. How does it suggest this concept has been misunderstood, and what is the intended relationship between the two according to the sermon? [07:22]

3. How does the sermon interpret the role of voting for Christians? What principles should guide a Christian's voting decisions? [15:25]

4. The sermon highlights the issue of abortion as a critical ethical concern. How does it suggest Christians should let their faith inform their political decisions on this matter? [27:08]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced adversity for your faith. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of Paul's example of resilience? [03:44]

2. In what ways can you actively engage your faith in the public square without compromising your beliefs? What steps can you take to ensure your faith is not kept private? [06:28]

3. Consider the concept of the separation of church and state as discussed in the sermon. How can you contribute to ensuring that both institutions operate under God's sovereignty in your community? [09:39]

4. When you vote, what factors typically influence your decisions? How can you ensure that your voting aligns with your commitment to God's principles rather than personal gain? [15:25]

5. The sermon challenges believers to prioritize the sanctity of life in their voting decisions. How can you advocate for justice and righteousness in the public arena, particularly concerning the issue of abortion? [27:08]

6. How can you encourage others in your church or community to let their faith inform their political decisions, especially during election times? What conversations or actions could you initiate? [29:12]

7. Reflect on your current level of engagement with societal issues. What is one specific area where you feel called to speak truth to power, and how can you begin to take action in that area this week? [30:51]

Devotional

Day 1: Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Paul's experience of being stoned and left for dead, yet continuing his mission, is a powerful testament to the resilience required in the Christian faith. This resilience is not just about enduring physical hardships but also about maintaining spiritual strength in the face of opposition. In our modern lives, we may not face physical persecution, but we encounter challenges that test our faith and commitment to the Gospel. The question is whether we are willing to endure these hardships or if we prioritize comfort and safety above all else. Our faith should inspire us to persevere, even when the path is difficult, trusting that God will provide the strength we need to continue. [03:44]

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 (ESV): "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel challenged to maintain your faith? How can you seek God's strength to persevere in this area today?


Day 2: Engaging Faith in the Public Sphere
The call to resist privatizing faith and instead engage with the world is a challenge to every believer. Our faith is not just a personal matter; it is a call to influence society and uphold God's standards in all areas of life. This means speaking truth to power and being a voice for righteousness and justice. In a world that often values comfort and societal acceptance over truth, we must be willing to stand firm in our beliefs and let our faith guide our actions in the public square. [06:28]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: In what ways can you let your faith shine in your community or workplace this week? What specific actions can you take to be a light in the public sphere?


Day 3: Understanding the Role of Church and State
The concept of separation of church and state is often misunderstood. Both institutions are ordained by God and should operate under His sovereignty. The church has a prophetic role to play in society, calling out sin and injustice wherever it is found, including within government. This responsibility extends to how we engage with political systems, ensuring that our actions and decisions reflect God's principles. As believers, we are called to be a voice for truth and justice, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. [09:39]

Isaiah 58:6-7 (ESV): "Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?"

Reflection: How can you actively participate in addressing injustice in your community or nation? What steps can you take to ensure your actions align with God's call for justice?


Day 4: Voting as an Expression of Faith
Voting is an expression of our will, and as Christians, it should reflect our commitment to God's principles. We must prioritize righteousness over personal gain, ensuring that our votes align with our faith and values. This means considering the ethical implications of our choices and being willing to stand for what is right, even when it is not the most convenient or beneficial option. Our votes should be a reflection of our commitment to God's kingdom and His standards of justice and righteousness. [15:25]

Micah 6:8 (ESV): "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Reflection: As you consider upcoming elections, what are the key values and principles that should guide your voting decisions? How can you ensure that your vote reflects your commitment to God's standards?


Day 5: Upholding the Sanctity of Life
The issue of abortion is a critical ethical concern that should inform our voting decisions. As believers, we must uphold the sanctity of life and let our faith guide us in advocating for justice and righteousness in the public arena. This means being informed about the issues, understanding the implications of our choices, and being willing to stand for life, even when it is challenging. Our commitment to the sanctity of life should be evident in our actions and decisions, reflecting our belief in the inherent value of every human being. [27:08]

Psalm 139:13-16 (ESV): "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

Reflection: How can you actively support and advocate for the sanctity of life in your community? What specific actions can you take to promote a culture of life and dignity for all?

Quotes


We've seen in previous weeks of our study of the book of Acts that everywhere the apostles went to proclaim the Gospel, God blessed their ministry, by giving them fruit, many being converted and added to the church. And yet the pattern is the same in every city they go that there always arises a certain level of hostility and opposition against the proclamation of the word of God. [00:02:31]

Think for a moment of what that manner of execution is like. We can pass over it lightly forgetting how brutal it is to be standing exposed before an angry mob, each one with large rocks in their hands, that they begin to pelt and pummel the apostle as he stands there. And rocks are hitting him in the head, in the face, in the body, tearing his flesh asunder until he is knocked unconscious to the ground. [00:03:19]

In a sense, beloved, we've made a deal with the devil. We have agreed to practice our faith, as it were, on a reservation, a reservation that is removed from the public square. And we are told that as long as we keep our faith private and personal and not intrude into the public arena, we will be able to exercise our First Amendment rights, in terms of the free exercise of religion. [00:06:00]

But in our day, what separation of church and state has come to mean is the separation of state from God -- that God is to have nothing to do with secular affairs of government, that God is not sovereign over the government. Nothing could be further from the purposes upon which this country was founded. [00:08:01]

And it is the responsibility of the church to have a prophetic voice in the culture in which it exists, to call sin, "sin," wherever it emerges in government or anywhere else in the public arena. Now, I know that there are many within the church who believe the church never has any right to criticize the government. [00:09:48]

The purpose of voting is not for what we can get from the government for ourselves. We are to vote for what is right, not for our own personal gain. And I want to elaborate on that. In the Sentinel, I believe it was yesterday, they polled several football players, asked the football players for whom they were going to vote in the election on Tuesday. [00:16:07]

Please remember that, ladies and gentlemen, the government doesn't produce anything. The government can't give to anybody what they don't first take away from somebody else. And when you vote for your own largesse, you are asking the government to use all of its force to take from your brother and sister their private property and give it to you. [00:17:23]

And it's perfectly legal. It's also perfectly immoral and unethical for you to ask the government for a special subsidy for your private enterprise. That's sin, and yet it's the American way. Washington is filled with lobby groups that do this every day. And they ask for legislation not for what is right, not as what is for good, what is good for the welfare of the nation. [00:20:07]

I think slavery is the second worst ethical issue ever to divide the United States of America. But even more serious than slavery is the governmental sanction on the wanton destruction of 1.5 million unborn human beings every year in this nation. I'm not running, and I won't accept a draft, but I tell you, I've written 60 books, and of the books that I've written, the one with the shortest shelf life, the one that went out-of-print first was the book, The Case Against Abortion. [00:27:00]

The church is not asking at this point for the state to become the church when we tell the state: stop sanctioning this murder, this holocaust. What we're doing is we're asking the state to be the state, because the primary reason for the existence of the State in the first place is to protect, to maintain and sustain the sanctity of human life. [00:28:10]

I plead with you as Christians, when you walk into the voting booth this Tuesday, don't leave your Christianity in the parking lot. Let your mind be informed by the word of God. Now it's possible that I'm wrong and that God is perfectly okay with abortion on demand. But I've been studying theology all my life if I know anything about character God, I know that God hates abortion. [00:29:21]

So when you go to vote, and I hope you will vote. I hope you will vote your conscience, not your vested interest, not your pocketbooks. But that you will vote for righteousness, and for justice as your conscience is informed by the Word of God. Until or unless we do that, God will give us leaders after our own hearts, which is a scary thing. [00:30:03]

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Transcript
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