Change
Series: 2008 Mission and Vision Series
11/30/08 | Tim Schaaf
- Launch Jukebox
- Download
- Spirit hovered over the water
- Created the universe
- Brought order out of chaos
- The Spirit hovers over fallen humanity
- Recreating the image of God in us
- We need individual renewal
- We need change
- Old Testament - looking forward to Jesus
- New Testament
- Gospels
- Acts & Letters (Epistles)
- Revelation
- a new heaven and a new earth, Rev. 21:1; 2 Pt. 3:13
- the new Jerusalem, Rev. 3:12; 21:2
- the new wine of the eschatological banquet, Mk. 14:25
- new name, Rev. 2:17; 3:12 (Is. 62:2; 65:15), cf. 19:12
- new song, Rev 5:9; 14:3
- 1859: The first self-help book was published by John Murray Publishers.
- Written by Samuel Smiles, the title was Self-Help: with illustrations of character and conduct.
- It is a mistake to suppose that men succeed through success; they much oftener succeed through failures. Precept, study, advice, and example could never have taught them so well as failure has done. – Samuel Smiles
- The self-help book category came into its own in 1936
- Dale Carnegie’s book How to Win Friends and Influence People.
- Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich
- In 1998 1 in 10 books were “self-help” or “self-improvement
- Today that is growing quickly
- Infomercials
- 2 Corinthians 9 kept talking about the generous Macedonians who gave joyfully, even out of their extreme poverty
- These are them.
- Philippians was written to this church a few years later
- The only letter Paul writes with no corrections or challenges
- “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. ” (Philippians 1:3–6)
- But it was started by three changed lives.
- Lydia
- A Slaver Girl
- And a Jailer
- Region of the Lycus Valley
- Old kingdom of Lydia
- So “Lydia” might be a nickname … “The Lydian Lady”
- ASIAN
- This is a Greek area
- No reason to assume she was imported … slave girls were cheap, not worth transporting
- Philippi was rebuilt as a Roman Colony
- After Julius Caesar was assassinated, Mark Anthony & Octavian stayed loyal and went to war against Brutus & Cassius.
- Mark Anthony & Octavian won.
- Octavian was crowned Caesar Augustus
- Philippi helped them, so as a reward they became a Roman Colony
- As such, Philippi became a miniature Rome
- Every citizen of Philippi became Roman Citizens
- Taxes, property ownership and other rights were given as if they were on Roman soil
- They even had their own senate and magistrates, with Roman Law and the Latin language
- To ensure loyalty, they gave free housing and good jobs to loyal Roman war veterans
- After Julius Caesar was assassinated, Mark Anthony & Octavian stayed loyal and went to war against Brutus & Cassius.
- The Jailer had probably fought long and hard for Rome
- Made a citizen after years of sweat, blood and hardship
- Now this is his reward … a few years at a desk job with a warm fire, a home he can visit every night and a good pension
- She’s from Thyatira, but has a large house in Philippi
- The Devil Wears Prada
- Can’t sink much lower in public estimation than to be a female slave
- Approximately 2,500 homeless teens in Seattle every night
- While Lydia eats at Daniel’s Broiler for a casual meal with friends
- The Slave Girl is standing on Aurora somewhere, waiting for her pimp to stop buy with a Big Mac.
- Solid middle class
- Ex-GI
- Empty?
- Successful in business
- A woman (rare in those times)
- Either single or a widow
- No synagogue
- Needed 10 men to start one
- Yet they are together either reading the Bible or discussing the stories they had heard and memorized
- Genesis
- Moses
- David
- Sacrifices
- She wasn’t pursuing the Roman Gods
- She wasn’t being filled with the philosophies of the day
- She was by the river, praying … seeking God
- Temple to Apollo in Delphi
- Oracle of Delphi
- Famous in Greek Mythology
- Apollo had defeated the Python Spirit and made it work for him
- Symbol of medical profession The Caduceus (ka-du-seus)
- Two serpents around a rod
- Python-ian = Pythian
- Pythian Games, one of the four games, precursors of the Modern Olympics.
- Oracle of Delphi
- When a girl spoke wildly
- Making predictions
- Odd voices
- Ventriloquism
- Considered to be a person with a the spirit of a Python
- Parents sold her into slavery
- Exploited, using her to make money
- Practical
- I’m from Missouri … “Show Me”
- Not sexually promiscuous
- Generous with her money
- Not cheating in business to get ahead
- V.14, “…The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul.”
- We know more or less what was said
- We have many sermons of Paul when he spoke at synagogues to Jewish and Gentile “Worshippers of God”
- Acts 13
- Recounts the great events of the Old Testament
- Especially the Exodus
- David the King
- The life, death and resurrection of Jesus
- But it can’t free you from your sins
- It can’t fill that emptiness
- Remember all those sacrifices Moses told you to do?
- You’ve prayed here by this river and you had no idea what do to with them
- Jesus is the perfect sacrifice
- One time- for all – he died and rose from the dead
- He lived the live you should have lived
- He died the death you should have died
- No Bible Study
- No Counseling for her emotional needs
- Not even buying her from her masters and working with her to find new freedom
- Asian Woman
- Demon Possessed Slave Girl
- Roman Veteran
- The Prisoners
- Paul
- 1st Century Jewish Prayer
- Lord, thank you that I am not a woman, a slave or a Gentile
- All three in this church
- 1st Century Jewish Prayer
Change!?!
Titus 3:1-11 Change - Mission Sermon 2008
Introduction
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1iwZKVz6wQ&feature=related
1. The Story of the Bible is a Story of Change.
Genesis - God created the world ex nihilo
In this text v.5 - Regeneration & renewal = a new genesis
The Fall
The flow of redemptive history is how God is bringing change to fallen people
The Bible is a story of:
- Genesis
- Regeneration / New Genesis
- Paradise
2. This Passage is About Change
Titus 3:4-7 - But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Goodness & loving kindness of God our Savior Appeared
Advent / Christmas
Mary's Song in Luke 1 (The Magnificat)
Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever."
Zechariah's Prophecy over John the Baptist:
Luke 1:76-79 -
And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace."
He saved us
We don't save ourselves
Not because of works done by us in righteousness
No religious acts / devotions / Bible Study / Sacrifice
By the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit
Regeneration = παλιγγενεσία
"New Genesis"
- Greek thought - every 1000 years the world is washed by fire and recreated (new genesis)
Eschatological & Moral Revolution
Matthew 19:28 - Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world (παλιγγενεσία/New Genesis), when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel
Renewal = á¼€νακαίνωσις
"new" (καινάς ) is the "epitome of the wholly different and miraculous thing which is brought by the time of salvation".
Isaiah 43:19 - Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
Being Justified by Grace
Grace alone
Justified
Heirs
We inherit all things in Christ
Hope of Eternal Life
This life is not all there is
3. Who are We to Tell People to Change???
Shouldn't We Accept Them As They Are?
Yes & No
Yes - Accept them because we aren't any better
Titus 3:3 - For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.
No - Help Them Change Because Love Compels Us To Bring Healing to People
Story of man with withered hand in Mark 3
Mark 3:1-6 - Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. And he said to the man with the withered hand, "Come here." And he said to them, "Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?" But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was restored. The Pharisees went out and immediately held counsel with the Herodians against him, how to destroy him.
Bill Hybels "A Dearing Dream"
It's a story that should nail us every time we read it because everywhere we look today, we see people with withered parts. Withered hands we can point toward healing. Withered dreams we can point toward support. Withered minds we can point toward wisdom. Withered souls crying out to be saved. But unless we are diligent to constantly raise our awareness for seeing people the way that God sees them, to corral our courage to engage in spiritual conversations, and to resolve our hearts that the way of Christ is the way we will choose to live, we will drift through our days and settle for letting broken people stay broken and lost people stay lost. And who wants to live life like that?
The story in Scripture of the withered hand man ends with him coming forward and finding his healing. But as the Pharisees stormed out that day and the room fell silent, I imagine Jesus standing there with an optimistic gaze. "Someday," I envision him saying to Himself, "places of worship will be filled with followers of mine who are wrapped up in the business of getting people healed. They'll bind up broken souls, they'll weep over hopeless futures, and they'll rescue hell-bound eternities. Healthy hand reaching out to withered ones-this is the dream I dream."
4. How Do We Help People Change?
#1 Pray
Wish list in Bulletin
#2 Network
Last month of brainstorming
Goal = To introduce things that we can invite people to
How Gung-Fu got started
Scrap booking
Keller article - every facet of the church must have an outward orientation
...many churches are discovering that the entire church can be based on a philosophy of networking. It is a complete retooling of the entire church's ministry, giving every part an "outward" face, making virtually every ministry activity a - friendship evangelism event. This means everything -worship, small group life, education, etc. This is to create a "corporate culture." It can be supported by planning and ministry programs; it can be done by even (and by ESPECIALLY) the new believer.
? does this mean we aren't building believers? No!
Both wanderers & followers need:
- To answer tough questions
- To face internal doubts
- To find hope in difficult times
- To hear the Bible taught in clear language
- To be lead to worship in a way that move heart, mind and spirit
#3 Stand Together
Titus 3:9-11 - But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
#4 Share the Gospel
Story of church planting assessment - I failed this
My answer
They were looking for:
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Best = your story
Conclusion
#1 Who Will You Pray For?
#2 What Part of your Network can be Used by God?
#3 How Can You Better Stand Together?
#4 Learn How To Share the Gospel
Change …
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing themselves.” - Leo Tolstoy
“If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change.” – Michael Jackson
A big part of our culture is dedicated to change.
Style Channel “Where Before Meets After.”
Biggest Looser
ü Before & After images
ü We enjoy watching the transformation
On the Self-Help Movement
Bookstore – Dummies Guide vs. Complete Idiots
CGS is in the “CHANGE” business.
Mission Statement –“ To help spiritual wanderers become authentic followers of Jesus.”
To do that, we help everyone Change, Grow & Serve.
Three- Week Series on this.
Today … CHANGE.
Later today I’m preaching in Kent & Federal Way to a Second Generation Korean Church and a Spanish Speaking Latino congregation.
As I prayed about this, I remembered a sermon Tim Keller preached on Acts 16 that was very helpful. As I studied the text further, much of what he shared was backed up by John Stott’s commentary and by other literature, but I still want to give Tim Keller a major footnote here for his help and inspiration.
In Acts 16 we read stories of three “spiritual wanderers” who are changed by the Gospel.
[READ TEXT]
The church Paul ends up starting in Philippi is one of the healthiest churches we know of.
1. Lydia, the Slave Girl & the Jailer Were Very Different
Racially
Lydia was from Thyatira – an Asian city on the other side of the Aegean Sea
The Slaver Girl was a local, Philippian
The Jailer was More Than Likely a Roman
Asian, Greek & Roman
Economically
Lydia was a trader in Purple Dye
ü Thyatira was a center for dye trading
ü Purple was the rarest, most expensive
ü She’s WEALTHY
ü Equal to a successful, fashion CEO
The Slave Girl was on the other end of the spectrum
ü Economically exploited
ü Equivalent of a 14 year old prostitute
The Jailer isn’t rich, isn’t poor … he’s solid middle class.
ü Not Chez Paul or Big Macs
ü He’s stopping at the Seven-Eleven for a case of beer and five or six scratch cards
ü Then home for meat & potatoes and some UFC Unleashed
2. Lydia, the Slave Girl & the Jailer Were Spiritual Wanderers
Lydia has an Intellectual Need for the Gospel.
ü She is rich, powerful, well-off … and Empty
ü She’s a rare woman
ü She is a gentile, but spending a day outside the city gate by the riverside
ü Praying with a group of other women … all trying to follow the God of the Old Testament
ü For whatever reason, she wasn’t following the religion of Thyatira
She wants a discussion – Intellectual argument
ü Luke emphasizes how she “paid attention” … kept listening to Paul.
The Slave Girl Has An Emotional Need for the Gospel
She is spiritually tortured – Out of Control
“Spirit of Divination” (v.16) = “”Spirit of a Python”
Followed Paul shouting “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” (v.17)
Most High God = envious name Satan uses for God. (Isaiah 15)
JAILER – Showed No Spiritual Interest
ü Like most people
3. Lydia, the Slave Girl & the Jailer Were Transformed by the Same Gospel in Different Ways
God Reached Lydia Through Bible Study and Prayer
She was intentionally seeking something more … remember, she was spiritually EMPTY.
She knew the stories of the Old Testament … probably was following the rules
ü Living a morally pure lifestyle
ü Paul met her at this place of worship
“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. ” (Acts 13:36–39)
ü The Law of Moses is good
ü The GOSPEL IS GOOD NEWS … IN JESUS YOU ARE ACCPTED!
ü THE GOSPEL is that Jesus loves you, owns you and fills you.
ü You don’t have to be empty anymore.
Lydia’s emptiness was filled by a sermon … by a bible discussion
God Reached the Slave Girl Through Emotional Brokenness and A Power Encounter
She is shouting that Paul knows the way to salvation.
It’s amazing that she even knew that there was a way to salvation.
Evil Will Always Make You An Idiot Savant – Tim Keller
The more you get sucked into evil, the more broken you get, the more you get insight into how live works.
ü No rose-colored glasses
ü No Idealism
This girl understood the Gospel … she knew that Jesus was the way to salvation
And she hated Him.
WHY? – Because she was a slave to a bad master
Paul drove the spirit out (v.18) “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.”
How does this work?
ü Power Encounter with the demon
ü Jesus is more powerful
ü Jesus is more glorious
ü Jesus is more truth-telling
ü Jesus is the Lord of the Future
ü Jesus is the Lord of life
ü Jesus is the Lord of this young Girl
ü In the name of Jesus … come out of her
Once she saw Jesus as her True Master … she fell in love with Him.
God Reached the Jailer By The Power of Changed Lives
The Jailer had his own issues … he enters this story when he begins to torture Paul & Silas.
TORTURE?
After the slave girl was delivered, her owners lost their ability to make money.
(play on works … Paul exorcised the demon and at the same time exorcised their ability to make money)
They started a racist riot
v.20-21 - And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.”
So they were beaten with rods
v.23 “they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely”
v.24 – “Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”
ü Stocks back then weren’t like New England stocks
ü Feet spread as far apart as possible
ü Ankles turned at an impossible angle
- Paul & Silas sat there
- Backs ripped open from the beating
- Sitting in constant pain
- Praying & SINGING hymns to God
He’s never seen this before.
- Joy so deep that suffering doesn’t take it away
- Here we have a concrete depiction of the Christian ideal of ‘joy amid suffering’ (Rom. 5:3; Jas 1:2; 1 Pet. 5:6)
- Later when Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, his dominant note was rejoicing. Paul said to these Christians, some of whom had perhaps even been in the prison that evening, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4).
Earthquake
Doors open, chains fall apart.
Law of Land – If your prisoners escaped your life was forfeit
ü About to kill himself
ü WAIT … Paul & Silas not only didn’t run away
ü They kept the other prisoners from escaping
They overcame evil with good
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
v.31 “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
BOICE:
…[Paul] answered it clearly. He said to the man, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
I am glad he answered so directly…
… Notice that Paul did not suggest counseling. He did not say to this jailer, “I realize you are asking a very important question, but before I answer, it is important first of all to understand yourself so you will know the terms by which you are asking the question. You have to begin with yourself, and after you have done that, we will talk about the gospel.”
He did not give a lecture on theology.
He did not explore the significance of the jailer’s religious terms.
He did not talk about the sacraments.
He did not even talk about the church. Those things could be dealt with in time, but this was not the time. The man was asking about salvation, and the apostle replied directly: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
4. How Will We Be Changed and Help Others Change?
1) The Gospel Can Change Everyone Because of Jesus
2) The Gospel Can Bring Everyone Together
This church stared with:
3) What Is Keeping You From Being Changed By Jesus?
4) How Does Your “Hit List” Need To Experience the Gospel?