June 20, 2021

Living for God – Favour and Disfavour

Preacher:
Passage: Acts 28:17-31
Service Type:
  • Looking at Complementary and Paradoxical Truths
    • Last week - Judge and Judge Not
    • This week - looking at Favour and disfavour
  • There are various truths in scripture that have to be hold in balance
    • Example - transcendence vs imminent, Individual vs Corporate Worship
  • Favour and disfavour
    • Example of favour
    • Example of disfavour
  • Do you find this?
    • Accepted by some but rejected by others?
    • The fruits of the Spirit are often respected ...
      • ...but the things of Christ are often counter cultural
    • The disciples - riots, stonings, beatings, imprisonment
      • They are received good treatment - Example of Gamliel standing up for Paul, King Agrippa and Festus wanting to hear from Paul
    • The Church had great favour with those around them - in the beginning of Acts
      • As the book progresses, this favour has turned
  • The context of the passage:
    • All 287 people from the ship wreck are saved - it seems because of Paul
    • They came to Malta
    • The power of God is seen in the situation with the snake
    • Publius brings them into his house
    • They stayed 7 days with friends - v14
    • Paul was given special treatment - v16
      • Example of Joseph who was given favour
    • Paul was able to write several letters from prison
  • Paul has considerable freedom
    • He calls the Jews to him
    • He is concerned with the report they have of him
    • The Jews had not received any letters but they had not heard any bad reports of him - v21
      • The Christians were being spoken of everywhere - v22
    • Paul preached to the Jews all day long - v23
    • Some were persuaded but some rejected - v24
      • Some hardened their hearts - some in church today hardened their hearts also
    • There was a great dispute amongst the Jews after Paul's preaching - v29
      • They did not want the gospel to go the Gentiles
    • Paul does not give up
    • Many come to Paul over 2 years
  • The book of Acts ends with no statement of what happened in his future
    • Maybe Paul was released from prison - Phil 1:19
    • Prepare me a guest house - Philemon v22
    • To later be re-imprisoned and probably executed
  • Think of the life of the Lord Jesus
    • He was rejected by many
    • Some made positive statements towards Him
      • Jesus warned us of persecution
    • He promised the Holy Spirit would comfort us
      • We are never alone and following in the masters footsteps
    • 2 Cor 6:8-10 - the paradox of the Christian life
  • Persecution and the riches of God's grace