NO SMALL STIR
Acts 19:23-28
Introduction
1. No small stir – a GREAT stir
2. In Ephesus
3. We need to work to the end that the same will be said of us.
Notice these observations:
1. The nature of the gospel produces a stir
a. Comfort the afflicted, afflict the comfortable.
b. Dispel darkness with light – Matthew 5:14
c. Spread purity in an immoral world
d. Moderation in world of excess
e. Convicts the world of sin
f. Teaches truth in world of error
2. Our message, the Gospel:
a. May be favorable
i. 3,000 on Pentecost – Acts 2
ii. Samaritans – Acts 8
b. May be unfavorable
i. Stephen – Acts 7
ii. Paul at Ephesus
c. Error is repudiated – a stir is caused
i. One God / Idolater, Atheist
ii. Creation / Evolution
iii. Immorality / Immoral world
iv. Inspiration / Liberal, Modernist
v. Christ is head / Denominational concept
d. Christian conduct is rebuked – a stir is caused
i. Liquor – social drinker
ii. Clothing, language
iii. Gossip
e. Unfavorable stir with a favorable response
i. Angry when first hear the message
ii. Face the truth in their life
iii. Repent
3. Gospel produces a stir because it is peculiar system
a. Not a way of looking at certain things, but a certain way of looking at things.
b. Peculiar thinking – Philippians 4:8
c. Peculiar way of acting – Romans 12:2
i. Philippians 1:27
d. Christianity is losing ground
i. Water down the message
ii. No punch to the message
iii. No distinctive plea
iv. Tradition, compromise
e. Us, today
i. Excitement breeds action
ii. Be excited about our product – gospel
iii. Be excited about taking the world for Christ
f. HOW CAN WE STIR OTHERS, IF WE ARE NOT STIRRED?