1. #nofilter? Acts 15:1-35 Opening Introduce concept of #nofilter
The hashtag is used to help categorize messages to facilitate broader discussion on a specific topic or theme.
#NOFILTER is a very popular hashtag on social media, especially Instagram.
Instagram & Snapchat have many filters.
#NOFILTER reveals a desire for a more accurate representation of reality.
Transition: As we read Acts 15, can you identify the filter that the Holy Spirit is challenging in the 1st century Christians?

2. Acts 15:5-11
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” 6 The apostles and elders met to consider this question. 7 After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. 
Introduce Passage
The Holy Spirit has an agenda (mission, message and method).
The gospel message and evidence of the Kingdom of God is spreading, advancing, growing… Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, Europe…Jew & Gentile…
The Holy Spirit is introducing people to Jesus!
Paul has just completed his 1st missionary journey- open doors and opposition- into Syria, Cyprus and Turkey.
Chapter 15…
In Antioch
Jewish Christians believe that you must become Jewish in order to be saved (circumcised and obey the law)
Gentile Christians believe that faith in Jesus is the only requirement for salvation
Church sends Paul & Barnabas to Jerusalem to see the Apostles and Elders to get to the bottom of this issue.
We arrive in Jerusalem

3. Acts 15:5-11
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? 11 No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

4. #NOFILTER Approach
5 Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.” (15:5)
#NOFILTER Approach
Jewish Christians= #NOFILTER Approach= Law.
The law is the perfect standard of righteous/holiness.
So, if the law can be perfectly obeyed, then one would be considered perfect.
Therefore, could enter into a relationship with a righteous/ holy God.
Therefore, no filter is required between man & God.

5. Galatians 3:19-22 (NLT)
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people...21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
The Apostle, Paul, writes the letter Galatians to address this exact issue.
His conclusion is that the law doesn’t save us but leads us to Jesus.
God has fulfilled his covenant with Israel in sending Jesus as messiah, the covenant family is now thrown open to all, without distinction (N.T. Wright).
The #NOFILTER Approach is not the right approach.

6. #JESUSFILTER Approach
8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. 9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. (15:8-9)
#JESUSFILTER Approach
Gentile Christians= #JESUSFILTER Approach= Grace.
Jesus is the only one who can restore the relationship between God and man.
Jesus must be the filter between God and man.
Jesus is a gift of grace, undeserved, unearned and unmerited favor from God.
Peter’s Speech
”Knows the Heart”
Romans 2, “circumcision of the heart”. External to Internal.
“Giving the H.S”
The deposit of the H.S is a sign of God’s approval and that the heart has been cleaned/ purified.
Acts 11- Cornelius.

7. #NOFILTER Approach
10 Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? (15:10)
4 They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. (Matthew 23:4)
A #NOFILTER Approach places an unbearable yoke on ourselves and others
Matthew 23:4- Jesus speaking of the Pharisees.

8. #JESUSFILTER Approach
28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
A #JESUSFILTER Approach places a bearable yoke on ourselves and others.
This is not just a 1st century issue. We can so easily fall into the trap of taking a #NOFILTER Approach…Jesus AND…
Examples of 21st century “circumcision and obeying the law”…
Stop drinking/partying
Stop swearing
Stop having sex outside of marriage/living together
Stop doing things on Sundays instead of going to church
Stop flying off the handle in anger at others
Stop being gay
Behavior doesn’t’ save us, Jesus alone saves us.

9. Acts 15:19-21
19 “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
James’ Recommendation
The #JESUSFILTER is grace
The currency of the Kingdom is grace.
We receive grace (no needful circumcision) and we extend grace (no needless offense).

10. Introduce the paper filter
Invented in 1908, by a German housewife, Melitta Bentz.
Removes bitter taste
Leaves a cleaner, less oily taste.
Personal Experience: Drinking Greek Coffee (No filter coffee).

11. #nofilter #JESUSFILTER #GRACE
This morning, the Holy Spirit wants to replace #NOFILTER approaches with some #JESUSFILTER approaches.
The #JESUSFILTER is required in order to have a more accurate representation of a Kingdom reality.