Defending The Gospel Without Being Defensive

Sep 15, 2024 
GRAND PARKWAY BAPTIST CHURCH

Defending The Gospel Without Being Defensive
Acts 21:17-36

1. Let your actions go before you, v. 17

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”

            -2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Tithe- obedience
Offering- generosity


This offering does two things:

a) helps the poor
b) promotes unity in the church

2. Practice concession not compromise, v. 19-26

1) it is voluntary
2) can be done by either men or women
3) has a specific time
4) has specific requirements and restrictions
5) at its conclusion a sacrifice is offered

“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.”

            -I Corinthians 9:19-23


3. Don’t confuse people’s response to the Gospel with their response to you, v. 27-30

“the people”- your religious nationalism cannot save you
“the law”- the rules cannot save you because you cannot keep the rules
“this holy place”- God lives in people not buildings

4. Trust what you know, v. 31-36

“And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that inmprisonment and affliction await me.”

           -Acts 20:22-23

“While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

            -Acts 21:10-14


Mental worship…

1. Do you know the Gospel well enough to trust it when life gets hard?
2. Do you understand why God prepares us for something instead of always preventing it from happening? 
3. How do you reconcile your belief in the Gospel and your fear of man?
4. Do you understand the difference between the tithe and an offering?
5. How would you describe the difference between conce