Acts 26:15-18
DATE: 18 Mar, 2001
AM
PLACE: BBC Blarney
I.
Introduction (Psalm 16:8; Acts 2:25; Heb 11:27; 12:2)
A.
The key to the abundant life of the Christian is found in those three
verses. This is probably the most important message you will ever hear.
B.
If you will let me lay the ground-work, you will soon see just what it is
that is hindering Christians from turning this world upside down. And it is not
our lack of education, or our financial limitations, or our status in society.
It all just depends upon how “blind” you are.
II.
Message – Why Christians Don’t Reach the World
A.
We Were Saved to Turn the World Around
1.
That may be news to you, but it is so, so true!
2.
God created everything with purpose
a.
The sun, moon (Gen 1:14-16) to regulate our
lives and days
b.
Food (Gen 1:29) be eaten
c.
Man (Gen 2:15) to work
d.
Everything has a purpose
3.
Well, I’ve got news for you - the Christian
was also created for a purpose – not talking about the first birth, but the
new-birth!
a.
We are called a new creature (2Cor 5:17)
b.
But, what is the purpose of this new creature?
1)
1Pet 2:9 to show forth praise! Everyday, in
every situation!
2)
Acts 26:15-18 to turn people from religion to Jesus!
c.
You get to the place where you are doing those
two things in life, you will be a great success! That is where I want to focus
4.
So, How do we fulfil our great purpose? It
begins in Acts 22:11.
The
apostle Paul was probably the greatest traveller of his day. He visited dozens
and dozens of countries and traversed the entire Roman Empire, even up to
Spain, and probably to Britain. He wrote much along the way, where God used
him to pen 14 New Testament books. And yet, as you read those inspired
Scriptures, there is something lacking – the scenery! No mention of
architecture, lakes, mountain ranges. There is a profound reason for it –
Paul was “blind.” As he travelled, he was “blind” to all else but one
thing: Jesus! And from the time he met Jesus on the road to Damascus, he could
see nothing but Him, and tell nothing but His Gospel! To follow our Lord as
Paul did, let’s let the Lord BLIND us to the things of this world, so that
we too can do the impossible
B.
Correcting Our Current Vision – wrong
vision is just as bad as no vision. Lots of people besides just Paul have this
problem (Mk 8:22-25)
1.
Quit seeing soul-winning as too big a task
a.
We see a whole world going to hell (too big to
wrestle with), but we can’t see just one person we can, we ought to talk to!
b.
The task of soul-winning is not too big:
1)
Not when God used simple fishermen, carpenters
and even county councillors (tax collectors) to win tens of thousands
2)
Soul-winning is simple farming, fishing, caring
– that’s all
3)
We just don’t care!
2.
Ignore the fact that so few are involved (Mt 9:35-38) – always been
a.
A Christian church is a BODY
b.
That BODY must be assembled in a unique and
functioning way for it to be really alive
c.
When only a few muscles and nerves are
functioning, you have rapid decay and ultimately, death!
d.
Same with a church – we all must be involved
1)
Praying together for specific souls
2)
Going together talking to people –
door-to-door
3)
Giving together so that families can go places
we never could get to – supporting our missionaries
3.
Start listening for God’s call (Isa 6:8)
a.
We are moved by TV shows, and romance novels
b.
We care more about soaps and their cancellations
than eternity
c.
We LEAP at the ring of our phone
d.
We care more about a DOG’S whimper than the
souls of people – always listening for their whimper and whine!
e.
Jesus said over and over, “Does anyone have
any ears to hear today?” Is anyone listening? If we were, we would be going!
f.
I want to encourage you to make a list – every
time you read your Bible, list out what God is telling you to do, and then pray
over that list, and do it!
4.
Quit seeing only the obstacles, and remembering
only the defeats – this is so wicked
a.
Some see only the barriers; foes; obstacles.
They give up!
b.
But thank God others see the blessings, friends,
opportunities
c.
If you saw only the problems, the
impossibilities, the attacks, the burdens, then you are NOT looking unto Jesus!
5.
Start seeing the rewards (2Cor 4:16-18) what can you take to heaven with you? Any of you going?
What are you bringing with you?
a.
A soul – do you rejoice over the potential to
win one?
b.
How about YOUR family? You whole family
(Act 16:30,31)
c.
Your best efforts for Jesus – not one thing is
over-looked!
6.
Keep a vision of hell! If there is one group that ought to believe in hell, it must be the
Bible believing born-again Christian!
a.
He is still real!
b.
Hell is still painful
c.
Hell is still permanent
d.
But thank God, hell is preventable!
7.
These are things in our vision that get
corrected when we have Jesus before our eyes
C.
What Would Happen if Every Christian Got Busy? (Rom 10:15)
1.
Christians would truly love one another
a.
See how important EACH and every one in here is
to the work
b.
We don’t get along because we don’t see
ourselves as a team – we think it doesn’t matter that Christians bind
together in a local Bible preaching church to win the lost
c.
Let me tell you – IT DOES MATTER! It matters
to the devil!
2.
Our problems would fade
a.
Problems get big simply because they have
all our attention
b.
Put your attention on serving God, and the
problems will magically fade – guaranteed!
c.
A church that is not busy for God is full of
anger, bitterness, division, fornication, adultery, and back-biting (shall I go
on?).
d.
A church that IS busy for God is growing,
stable, maturing, caring, humble, loving, and like Jesus!!!
3.
Souls WOULD be saved (Matt 4:19)
a.
Jesus is a master instructor - He knows what He
is teaching, and does not fail in His instruction.
b.
His ways are perfect (Ps 18:30). It will
accomplish the work God has for it (Isa 55:11)!
4.
People would be called to preach (Acts 13:1,2). God is out for the hearts and LIVEs of people (Rom
12:1,2; 2 Cor 12:14)!
5.
Churches would be established – this is no game! We are here to multiply and win the world. But not
through rebellious Christians who do their own thing, but through, local Bible
believing churches that faithfully meet up and assemble together into a mighty
army for God in their community!
6.
The world would be turn upside-down! (Acts 17:6)
III. Conclusion
– Are You Ready to get Busy?
A.
Get you vision corrected
1.
Quit seeing soul-winning as too big a task
2.
Ignore the fact that so few are involved (Mt
9:35-38) – always been
3.
Start listening for God’s call (Isa 6:8)
4.
Quit seeing only the obstacles, and remembering
only the defeats
5.
Start seeing the rewards (2Cor 4:16-18)
6.
Keep a vision of hell!
B.
Get your feet in motion – following Jesus into a lost world
C.
Watch the transformation
1.
Christians loving one another
2.
Our problems fading
3.
Souls getting be saved (Matt 4:19)
4.
People getting be called to preach (Acts
13:1,2).
5.
Churches getting be established
6.
The world getting turned upside-down! (Acts
17:6)