2013 Acts #16: an exposition of Acts 9:23-43. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, September 8, 2013.
Intro:
Sometimes life stinks. Things go wrong. Problems abound and your world comes crashing down around you. I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t think I want to go to this guy for counseling!” I’m just being honest. We live in a fallen world and bad things happen. There are times when we feel like we are swimming upstream against the current. There are times when you know the whole world is against you and you just don’t have the energy or the heart to fight it any more.
There are times when I can identify with the man who left his beloved cat with his brother. After a couple of weeks he called his brother and asked how the cat was doing. His brother said, “Oh, your cat died.” The man was furious with his brother. “You insensitive jerk! How dare you break the news to me like that. You know how much I love my cat. How could you be so uncaring?” His brother apologized but said he was not sure how he could have done it more gently. The man said, “You could have said, ‘I’m not sure. The cat’s just not be acting himself lately.’ The next time I called you could say, ‘He’s been spending a lot of time of the roof lately.’ Then the third call you could say, ‘The cat fell off the roof and he just didn’t make it.’ That way I would have had time to prepare myself and absorb the shock.” The brother apologized and assured his brother he would try to be more sensitive in the future. The man said, “Well I shouldn’t have attacked you like that. I’m sorry. By the way how is mom?” After a pause, the brother said, “She’s spending a lot of time up on the roof lately…”
Sometimes life is like that. It can suffocate. How are we, as believers, to respond? You can’t change it. You have not power to make life go as you want. You can’t avoid heartache and disappointment. What are we to do when it comes?
Our text this morning is found in the 9th chapter of Acts.
Text: Acts 9:23-43
Through the writings of Immanuel Kant and other Enlightenment thinkers, a new way of looking at theological truth emerged in the late 18th century. Spiritual truth was put in a separate category. There was real truth, scientific truth that can be verified or “proven” and spiritual truth which cannot be verified or proven. Faith was a “leap.” Religion was a matter of “blind trust.” Of course this is not a biblical way of thinking. One does not come into the church and check their brain at the door. Our faith is a reasonable faith. Our God has made himself known by general revelation in the world around us and by special revelation through His Word. Thus He has given us reason to believe. Peter admonishes the church to be prepared to give a reason for the hope that is in us. Biblical faith is a trusting response to a God who is worthy of such trust.
In our text Dr. Luke gives us a series of snapshots of life in the early church.
These snapshots give us valuable insight into Christian living.
This is another of those summary passages.
Bringing an end to this section prior to moving to the next major thing.
We’ve witness the martyrdom of Stephen.
We’ve seen the ministry of Philip in Samaria and the great revival.
Finally the conversion of Saul.
Now comes this summary.
As we walk through these verses we are reminded that…
Thesis: Believers rise above the trials and struggles of life by expecting God to do the impossible.
The consistent witness of the Scripture is that our God is the same yesterday, today and forever.
He spoke to Moses from the burning bush.
He caused the sea to part so that the children of Israel crossed on dry ground.
He caused the sun to stand still for a day and gave Joshua and his army victory over their enemy.
This same God continues to rule our world.
The God who strengthened Joshua, who empowered David, who inspired Isaiah still moves on behalf of His people. The same Jesus who opened the eyes of the blind, warmed the lifeless limbs of the cripple and who raised the dead, still responds to the cry of the hurting. The same God who appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus still reveals himself today. Take heart child of God. In the midst of your struggle look up. In the face of heartache and discouragement look to Christ. Trial, heartache and struggle are inevitable but take heart your redeemer has overcome the world.
You have every reason to be encouraged.
I want to share 3 reasons with you from this text.
- The power of God can transform an archenemy into a trusted ally bringing extraordinary ministry. (9:23-31)
- The power of God can touch a hopeless cripple bringing strength and vitality resulting in a great revival. (9:32-35)
- The power of God can rob the grave of its victory brining life out of death causing many to believe. (9:36-43)
Conclusion:
Life is full of twists and turns, ups and downs. But for the child of God peace is securely anchored in the person of the Lord Jesus. I’m not talking about positive thinking or possibility thinking – I’m talking about biblical thinking. I’m talking about trusting in the power and presence of God despite circumstances. I’m talking about believing in the God of the impossible.