Return to BC Sermons Page


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?

 



Return to BC Sermons Page