TITLE: Three Responses to the Gospel
TEXT: Acts 17:32-34
PROPOSITION: People may respond in different ways to the gospel message.
QUESTION: How?
KEY WORD: Responses
READING: Same
1. After meeting - “Any responses?” - Yes, everyone present responded.
2. Paul is preaching in Athens, Greece.
3. We notice that three responses were made.
4. Today, this sermon, = same three choices.
1. You Can Mock. 32
A. Word = “play like a child, sport, jest, tease, ridicule”
B. Many mocked Christ on the cross - Luke 23:36 soldiers
C. Mocked on Pentecost - Acts 2:13
D. Today - laugh, ridicule, tease,
E. Can come from - Family, co-workers, social, school, military, college
2. You Can Wait. 32
A. Don’t decide too quickly. This is good - to a point.
B. Agrippa - Acts 26:28 “Almost persuaded”
C. Felix - Acts 24:25 “More convienent season”
D. Today - Wait too long = Too late
E. Wait long enough to be informed, sure
F. Don’t wait any longer than that
3. You Can Believe. 34
A. Comes by hearing the Word - Rom. 10:17
B. It is based on Substance and Evidence - Heb. 11:1
C. Faith is not a “leap in the dark”, a guess, a blind wish
D. Faith is “knowing that you know”, assurance, conviction
E. Faith will cause you to act:
1. Repent - turn away from sins
2. Confess - Openly tell world “I believe”
3. Baptized - wash away sins, added to church
4. Live for God - faithful, active, involved