Stream or download Open-air mtg June10th 2018
Some of the congregation who supported the open-air witness on our village green on Lord’s Day evening June 10th, when Rev Ivan Foster preached. Others were sitting in cars.
Read Acts 16:9-40
Stream or download The Christianity of 2000 years ago
This is one of the central chapters of the Bible. Here we have wonderful ‘gospel’ texts. For example, 30-31.
Moreover, here is given us the record of the entrance of the gospel witness into Europe. It is, as it were, the ‘official’ launch of the message of Christ into our part of the world, Europe.
Paul is here on his second missionary journey. His original intention (15:36) was to revisit the places he had evangelised on his first journey which would be all in Asia. But God had another plan. Europe was in God’s mind. Today, there is little evidence of the gospel in those places where Paul first preached but in this part of Europe anyway, much remains of the message Paul delivered all those years ago.
Here we have a detailed account of the founding of a Christian congregation. In a day in which men are determined to impose their notions and views upon what the Church of Christ should believe, do and witness, it is important we take note of the faith and functions of apostolic Christianity! Please bear in mind that the purpose of Christ for His people has not and cannot change from what it was back then.
Please listen to these words. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever,” Heb 13:8. Christ is unchanging in His person, power and purpose. “For I am the LORD, I change not,” Malachi 3:6 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” Numbers 23:19.
“Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,” Isaiah 46:10.
In the light of this truth we may learn just what the Church of Christ ought to be today!
I. THE FOUNDING OF THE CHURCH IN PHILIPPI
1. The place where it was founded. “And on the sabbath we went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made,” 13. No great edifice. It was marked by prayer. It was obviously a small gathering of women. Such humble beginnings are forgotten today!
2. The Word was preached. That is also a chief feature of God’s Work. No ornamentation, rituals – just prayer, praise and preaching!
3. Please note the role of women here. The first convert, Lydia, a business woman. She was not ashamed to be identified with such a reproached gathering. There were no men mentioned!
The second convert was a woman, 16-18. Paul would not tolerate this demon-possessed woman to speak as she did even though what she was true.
II. THE FASHION OF PAUL’S EVANGELISM
1. His tool was ‘words’! “She attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul,” verse 14. It is the “words” of the gospel that saves sinners. Acts 10:22, 32; 11:12-14. This blessed Book is the key to salvation.
2. Lydia was saved by “attending to” Paul’s words. The meaning of the word “attended” = Matt 6:1, “Take heed.” How many take heed to what God says?
3. Lydia took heed because the Lord ‘opened’ her heart. Meaning of the word ‘opened’. Mark 7:34-35, Luke 24:31, 45. This is that secret, heavenly action to which the Saviour refers in John 3:3. “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” He is “born from above.”
4. Lydia immediately manifested the change which had taken place within her heart. She openly professed her faith and she opened her home to Paul and his companions. All that she was and had was now the Lord’s and would be used in His service.
III. I MUST POINT OUT THE TROUBLE THAT TARGETED THE NEW-FOUND CHURCH.
Consider briefly what we read in verse 19-40.
1 The gospel is at war with the devil’s kingdom. V 19. It cannot exist ‘peacefully’ alongside the devil’s activities. Gen 3:15. “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men,” Romans 12:18.
It is not always possible. David said: “I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war,” Psalm 120:7. If Christians would keep quiet – ‘no trouble’! But that we cannot do. Acts 5:18-33.
2. The devil’s weapons has ever been persecution. Verses 19-24.
We have the record here.
3. Please note that God’s cause can still thrive amidst reproach and persecution. Verse 25. Paul and Silas sing, sustained by God’s grace. Isaiah 43:1-3. Souls are saved despite the persecution, 26-34. What devil-confounding scene we have here!
4. Please note that there is pictured here the final outcome of all things. What happened here foreshadows what will one day take place on a world-wide scale.
One day the enemies of the gospel will know just who it is they have been persecuting! “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:1-2. They were humbled before Paul – verse 39.
Please follow Lydia’s example and ‘attend’ unto the gospel tonight.
Read Acts 15:36-16:10.
Stream or download Tribulation and Trouble-the lot of God’s people, Pt1
On their first missionary journey, Paul and Barnabas exhorted their recent converts, issuing a timely warning, speaking to them of the certainty of difficulties and affliction. “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God,” Acts 14:22. The Saviour had said the same. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world,” John 16:33.
I. THE EARLY CHURCH WAS BESET BY TROUBLES WITHIN AND WITHOUT
It was not long until the wisdom of these words was demonstrated, Acts 15:5-7, 35-40.
1. False teaching must be opposed. Verse 6. Cannot be tolerated or ignored.
2. There is a proper way for this to take place. “And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter,” verse 6. This is rule by Presbyters (presbuteros) or ‘Presbyterianism’.
3. The Word of God, confirmed by the actions of the Holy Ghost, should guide us. Verses 12-21, 24-29. This was how they settled the dispute. Even so must we use this method. “What saith the Lord?” Used to be the watchword of the FPC. Let be so still.
II. THE VERY BEST OF MEN CAN HAVE DISAGREEMENTS
Acts 15:36-40. I believe that Barnabas was wrong!
1. I believe that he was motivated by family loyalty. Mark was the nephew of Barnabas. Colossians 4:10. Nothing is easier than to be biased, to show undue favour to a relative. It has been a snare to many! Ahithophel became a bitter enemy of David. “And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom,” 2 Samuel 15:31. He had been a close friend and advisor. “Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me,” Psalm 41:9.
He was a picture of Judas. “I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me,” John 13:18.
2. What turned Ahithophel from friend to foe? He was the grandfather of Bathsheba, 2 Sam 11:3, 23:34, and was greatly offended by David’s actions. God forgave David as did Bathsheba but her grandfather could not. It led to rebellion and finally suicide, 2 Sa 15:31, 17:23.
3. Beware of undue loyalty to family. Our loyalty must be to Christ. Remember the Saviour’s words. “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me,” Matthew 10:37.
III. THE WAY GOD’S PEOPLE SHOULD GO IS NOT ALWAYS EASILY DISCERNED
At the beginning of chapter 16 there is a record of the circumstances Paul and his company found themselves in which I believe may be helpful to you all here. Verse 6-10.
1. Learn that sometimes God hides from us the way forward. This is meant to intensify our seeking of God.
2. In such circumstances, we should seek to be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. “Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not,” verses 6-7. It is His will we desire to know and obey. Notice that they continued to explore openings. They did not just sit on their hands, as it were!
3. As it was, direction was given in the place of prayer. “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night,” verse 9.
I am inclined to believe that Paul was in prayer when he was given this direction. Peter’s vision was given to him as he prayed, Acts 10:9. “I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision,” Acts 11:5.
4. I do not doubt that, if we wait upon God and look to Him, the Spirit will make clear to us what He wishes us to do. It is important that we keep in memory the word of God, in order that it may be a guard against all our own imaginations.
Is there not direction here for this congregation as its seeks God’s direction regarding a minister?
5. Such direction is to be followed by prompt obedience. “And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them,” Acts 16:10.
What blessing followed this leading by the Holy Spirit and the obedience of the disciples.
May it be the experience of the church here in Kilskeery.
Amen.