Matthew 10:34–35 (ESV) Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

The Troubling Gospel Acts 13:42-52 July 28, 2019

The Initial Reaction: They were pleased.

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His voice, 2 Corinthians 6:2 (ESV) For He says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Hebrews 3:7–8 (ESV) Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness,…”

The Initial Reaction: They were pleased. They were persistent. They were professing.

1 John 2:19 (ESV) They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

John 15:1–6 (ESV) I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser John 15:1–6 (ESV) I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.

Colossians 1:21–23 (ESV) And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

Hebrews 10:38–39 (ESV) “…but My righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

The Initial Reaction: They were pleased. They were persistent. They were professing. They were present.

The Subsequent Response: The negative response. John 3:18 (ESV) Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. The positive response.

John 6:65 (ESV) And He said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father.” Colossians 3:12 (ESV) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV) But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

The Results

Implications & Applications: Do you judge yourself unworthy of eternal life? Be filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Share the good news!