Acts: Engaging The World You Live In with the Gospel

2/17/2019

Acts 14

In light of the events of Acts 14, today let’s dig into the big idea of joy. We want to end up with a clear idea what bringing the gospel to a post-Christian world looks like and how it is our path to joy. In this discussion, Pastor Jeremy points us to some incredible tools in scripture that can help us out.
(All the questions here are worth going through, but #5-7 are the most important.)

When God brings you into connection with non-Christians (neighbours, classmates, friends, kid’s friends parents, co-workers, etc.) how do things typically go for you? What are your biggest fears? What parts of conversation make you uncomfortable? Do when faith enters the mix, are your feelings about discussing Jesus typically more anxiety than joy?
Read Acts 14:1-23.
Pastor Jeremy identified 4 ways that Paul and Barnabas handled themselves while in Iconium and Lystra. How did the missionaries live out each of these 4 points? Only take a couple minutes on this part, it’s more important to take time discussing #5.
1. Love with word and deed.
  1. V8-10
2. Identify the idols (and longings) of the people you’re speaking with.
  1. V11-13
  2. This is not just about naming their gods, but what did those gods represent to them. What longing did the people have that they wanted the gods to fulfill?
3. Endure the trials.
  1. V18-19. The suffering here is not just physical, but also the very quick reversal of the people from acceptance to violence.
  2. V22 is a key statement by Paul on this.
4. Fulfill the longings.
  1. What were the longings of the people and how did Paul present Jesus as the fulfillment of them?
After living out these 4 steps, would you be encouraged in your ministry and be filled with joy if you got the same results as Paul? What is it that really drove him? How can a human function like this?
Now walk through the four points again, but think about the people in spheres of life. How can you…..
1. ...love with word and deed?
2. ...identify the idols and longings of the people you’re relating to?
3. ...endure the trials? And what could these possibly be? Remember, Pastor Jeremy said that your suffering has the potential to grow you in Christ-likeness (sanctify you) if you walk through it faithfully. Competent people have a very hard time becoming dependent on God but it’s through our dependence on God that we really begin to pray. This, and suffering fosters humility. He said that dependence on God and humility lead to peace and joy. Do you really believe this?
4. ...fulfill the longings of those who need to meet Jesus? What do they actually long for, underneath their words. What do their actions (or their money, time, and worries) say about their longings?
Do you honestly, really believe that these 4 steps are a path to true joy? Check out Hebrews 4:15-16 and 1 John 1:1-4. John says that the readers were told of the gospel so that the writer’s joy may be complete! Completeness of joy requires telling others!
This is the most important point. If you believe that this is the path to joy and satisfaction in Christ, the who can you begin ministering to? Here are some potential places to begin. Just write down 2 names of people you would like to connect with in intentional faith conversation in each of these areas of life and think through the 4 stages discussed today.
1. Friends (neighbors, kids, sports, schools, etc)
2. Work (in the office, in a partner business, in the professional networks, in the factory, etc.)
3. Fun (gym, hobbies, hang-outs, at your coffee shop)
4. Family (non-christian relatives)