THE UNITING/DIVIDING GOSPEL (31 OF 56)
Scripture: Acts 13:42-52
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The Uniting/Dividing Gospel (31 of 56)
Series: The Church in ACTSion
Wyman Richardson
Acts 13:42-52
Read Acts 13:42-52
Our church's four canons are (1) ''An authentic family'' (2) ''around the whole gospel'' (3) ''for the glory of God'' (4) ''and the reaching of the nations.'' The idea in this way of putting it is that the gospel is the center of our life together as a church and we gather around it the way people gather around a fire for life and for light. The gospel, in other words, draws us in together and gives us life.
This is no mere ideal or exercise in wishful thinking. It has been our experience together as a church. The gospel of Christ provides a framework for our life together. It sets the trajectory and equips us with what we need to love one another, to forgive one another, to make peace with one another. This is as it should be.
I am struck, though, by the fact that the gospel not only has the power to draw in and unite, it also has the power to scatter and condemn. This is evident in scripture, in the history of the Church, and in our individual lives as well. What is good news to the one who receives it is hated news to the one who rejects it. Consider our text and how it reveals the uniting and scattering power of the gospel.
The gospel has the power to draw, to save, to unite, and to enthuse.
Paul has just finished his powerful, controversial sermon in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia. We will first observe how the gospel has the power to draw, to save, to unite, and to enthuse.
42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
What a beautiful scene! The people are hungry for the gospel and they '' ...
Series: The Church in ACTSion
Wyman Richardson
Acts 13:42-52
Read Acts 13:42-52
Our church's four canons are (1) ''An authentic family'' (2) ''around the whole gospel'' (3) ''for the glory of God'' (4) ''and the reaching of the nations.'' The idea in this way of putting it is that the gospel is the center of our life together as a church and we gather around it the way people gather around a fire for life and for light. The gospel, in other words, draws us in together and gives us life.
This is no mere ideal or exercise in wishful thinking. It has been our experience together as a church. The gospel of Christ provides a framework for our life together. It sets the trajectory and equips us with what we need to love one another, to forgive one another, to make peace with one another. This is as it should be.
I am struck, though, by the fact that the gospel not only has the power to draw in and unite, it also has the power to scatter and condemn. This is evident in scripture, in the history of the Church, and in our individual lives as well. What is good news to the one who receives it is hated news to the one who rejects it. Consider our text and how it reveals the uniting and scattering power of the gospel.
The gospel has the power to draw, to save, to unite, and to enthuse.
Paul has just finished his powerful, controversial sermon in the synagogue of Antioch in Pisidia. We will first observe how the gospel has the power to draw, to save, to unite, and to enthuse.
42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
What a beautiful scene! The people are hungry for the gospel and they '' ...
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