Your Past Is History
Scripture Text: Acts 13:38-39 (13:17-39/Reading)
Introductory Quote: An interesting map is on display in the British Museum in London. It’s an old mariner’s chart, drawn in 1525, outlining the North American coastline and adjacent waters. The cartographer made some intriguing notations on areas of the map that represented regions not yet explored. He wrote: “Here be giants,” “Here be fiery scorpions,” and “Here be dragons.” Eventually, the map came into the possession of Sir John Franklin, a British explorer in the early 1800s. Scratching out the fearful inscriptions, he wrote these words across the map: “HERE IS GOD.”
Propositional Statement: Are we willing to set aside hindrances and trust God as we glorify Him? Forgiveness of sin and eternal life are the things that will free us from all the things in our history. Not only do they free us from the negative things; but also the positive things that we need to forget. We need to let go of our history so that we can move forward. In the passages that we will look at today, we can be helped in our understanding about how to be released from the things that hold us back so that we can be redeemed for future ministry. You may not have recognized it; but our lives are somewhat reflective of Israel’s history as a people. Although they did not live in a modern society; they experienced the same human problems that we do…. and therefore, we can learn from them.
The New Testament explains how history was changed by the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. What is the purpose of history? What is the most important consideration in life? Does life have meaning? How would people be reconciled to God? Many of us have these questions, and many more! What about dealing with the history of our lives? Are we apt to forget about the past….both bad and good…. and willing to press on toward a future? What kinds of things hold us back…. or allow us too easy a way? I hope to help us answer some of these questions today.
I. Freedom Has Come (v. 38 & 39) Both verses 38 and 39 emphasize that freedom is ‘in Christ Jesus’ through repetition. It says, “through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you” AND “through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things….” Jesus is the worthy object of your faith; it is through Him that salvation has come, and not in any other; but through Him. (His One and Only Son). (He is the author and perfector of our faith) These passages are reminiscent of Paul’s phrase “in Christ.”
A. Forgiveness is Proclaimed. (v.38) Has forgiveness of sins been proclaimed to you? It appears to me that many people seem to believe that they don’t need forgiveness of sins. In fact, for some people it’s too easy to forsake ‘forgiveness of sins’ by looking the other way. Despite the fact that some choose to ignore the message; it’s not a matter of ‘if’ tough times will come, it’s a matter of ‘when.’ Tribulation, suffering, indecision, and all kinds of difficulties or resistance.
1. Verses 17-18 tell us that the Israelites spent much of their lives in the wilderness. They spent a whole generation dealing with difficulty, complaining along the way; despite the fact that they had been delivered from their enemy.
2. Verses 17-22 tell us how seven nations were destroyed in the land of Canaan (v. 19); how they went through years of worshipping worthless idols; and how the people were misguided that they finally had to ask for a king to rule over them (v.21).
-An interesting thing about the history revealed in these passages is that God always was there to protect and provide for His people. When the Pharaoh in Egypt said, “No, I will not let this people go!” …. God with an uplifted arm led them out from slavery. When the nations were destroyed, He gave them a place to live. When they needed guidance, he gave them judges until the time of the kings. So, have you not been confronted by past examples of God’s deliverance that show His mighty power? Has history not shown you how God has provided for you through His protection and provision?
B. Belief Actually Saves- “freed from all things.” (v.39).
“Karl Menninger, a famed psychiatrist, once said that if he could convince the patients in psychiatric hospitals that their sins were forgiven, 75 percent of them could walk out the next day!” (Today in the Word, March 1989, p. 8.)
While verse 38 of Acts 13 provides for the proclamation of forgiveness; verse 39 provides for the justification of those who believe in Jesus and the forgiveness that He provides. When the Israelites asked for a king to rule over them; it says in verse 21, that “God gave them Saul….” Because the people did not accept that they had no need of any king other than God Himself; he granted that they should be ruled by their choice. In a sense, he gave them over to their desire. And, because Saul was not worthy, ….God removed him. “He raised up David to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
-What were the redeeming qualities of David’s life? What made David a man after God’s own heart? Although he had sinned, as we all have; he did two things: first, he sought the heart of God; and second, he repented of His sin. Do you have these redeeming qualities? ….or, would you rather say, “I don’t need anyone to rule over me!” Would Jesus be your king today?
Transition: You see, if we liken our own lives to the difficulties and trials of Hebrew history; would we find similar challenges? When we read about Paul’s encounter here; it is not so much about Hebrew history as it is about our own history. Donald Creighton said, “History is the record of an encounter between character and circumstance.” So then, let us question our own characters. Does our character suffer in the shadow of circumstance? -Shadows instantly remind me of the passage in Psalms 23 that says, “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” Are there times when you would compromise your character depending on the circumstances? The next part of that passage tells us why we should not fear when shadowing circumstances encompass us. It says, “I will fear no evil” why?.... because “you are with me”
Also in verse 39, is a reference to “the things you could not be freed from.” (Read that portion of Scripture) At the proclamation of this message today-the forgiveness of sins and that in belief of His Son you will be saved; you will have been given the same choice that Paul’s hearers had. Freedom or Restriction; but both require some definition.
II. Freedom or Restriction (v. 39) Legalism Limits or Gracious Excuses
MacArthur says: The critical issue for the Jewish people was what to do about sin. As the ancient book of Job expressed it, “How can a man be in the right before God? …How then can a man be just with God? The most common answer, adhered to above all by the Pharisees, was rigid external conformity to the law. But such legalism, being mere human effort, was powerless to restrain the sinful tendencies of man’s fallen nature.” That would become a problem because the law places a burden on people that they cannot carry. And even when people try and place restrictions upon themselves, they cannot follow every one. And so, Paul says in verse 39 that the Law of Moses is not enough. “Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses.” This leads to the first problem in trying to leave your history behind and press on towards today’s goals. Legalism!
A. Legalism Limits: Paul explains the primary reason that has not allowed the people to be free. Because of the coming of Jesus, he is able to proclaim freedom in Christ Jesus. Many of the television shows that are on today have a lot of spectacle attached to them; and I was watching one, in which they purpose to answer the question….”Is the grass greener on the other side?” So, what they do is take two families and then send the wives to opposite homes. In this case, they sent a Southern, Christian woman from Kentucky to a Boston, orthodox Jewish home, and then vice-versa. First, I was amazed about how little the Christian woman knew about where the Jewish faith came from. But, what I thought was truly amazing was the practices of the orthodox Jews. When the men of the house would pray, they were keeping the customs of Deuteronomy 11:18 as they wore these large coverings with tassels over their heads and small leather boxes attached to their heads. They also had things attached to their arms. Deuteronomy says, “You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” Not only that, these people had a KOSHER diet; which means you only eat certain meat; and prepared in a certain way. They went so far as to have two different sets of dishes to prevent the food from becoming mixed. Not only that, they had two different dishwashers! Finally, they lived within a quarter-mile of the synagogue so that they would not have to work on the Sabbath. Driving of course, is work!
-I have to tell you the first question that popped into my mind! “If your neighbor fell into a hole on the Sabbath, could you then pull him out?” It was sad for me to think that a Jewish person could follow all of these restrictions and not have understood Isaiah 53 and other Old Testament passages that point to Jesus the Messiah. Or to contemplate the heavy burden of following some of the law; but not being able to offer sacrifice as laid out in the law. To the Jew, to follow the law is impossible! It is incomprehensible how that could be held onto and the words of the New Testament ignored…. “So if the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.” Or “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
-The biblical Pharisee’s restrictions kept them from doing good works in the name of serving God. What good does it do to have all these restrictions and not serve God? And now, let me ask you this: Despite all the seemingly ridiculous restrictions that this Jewish family has placed upon itself; what restrictions have you placed upon yourself? Do all of the things that you do to supposedly serve God actually free you to do that? Paul says that you are freed in Christ Jesus to go beyond religious legal restrictions in serving God! I am not saying that a KOSHER diet is bad, I am not saying that discipline is bad; but I am saying do not let restrictions allow you to say that you are right with God…..don’t let discipline be the one served…. Jesus paid the full price of your freedom!
B. Gracious Excuses: In complete opposition to legalism is another tendency that we have in the attempting to strike a balance in our lives: that is to excuse ourselves in the name of grace. Jesus paid the price of my freedom; but Paul says, “shall we go on sinning, so that grace can abound?” And then he answers his question, absolutely not! Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Paul says, don’t allow the grace that God has offered to be an occasion, an opportunity, and a chance to end up in a pit. Don’t be held from the plans he has for you because of excuse!
Paul says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” Ahhh, there is so much here; but in effect he is saying this: God has given you the opportunity to be free…. the chance to share that grace with others….so do not waste the opportunity! He says, I was given the chance, ….I labored! And you know what? He was not alone! Yet not I, but Christ in me.
If encouragement is not enough to keep you from forsaking the grace that was given us in Christ Jesus; have you ever considered the cost of that grace? Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was martyred for his trust in Jesus said; Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace...is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer in The Cost of Discipleship, Christianity Today, February 7, 1994, p. 39)
Transition: In Christ Jesus, we have the freedom to move beyond restrictions that hold us back from reaching our goals and beyond excuses that allow us too much latitude. We need to strike a balance in our lives that allow us to move beyond our past and reach our goals. Don’t allow some legalistic religious restrictions prevent you from serving God! And, don’t allow the grace that God has given allow you to excuse yourself from serving Him! Don’t let this churches history be its claim to fame! Certainly there is much to rejoice in from the past; but there is also much work to do in the future! Let’s be active about worshipping and glorifying God here at Evergreen. We need to beware of the limitations that prevent us from putting our history behind us and moving on into the future. Some of us are happy about the past and rest in it. But others want to forget it. Let’s all come together and do what God calls us to do….despite whatever hindrances we might have. Much of Acts 13 talks about the coming Savior that would free his people from bondage and slavery.
-Paul has done much here to help us understand that many times we bear our own weight when we don’t have to. A recent example of this recently was when I lost my Dad this past weekend. Although there were many opportunities to experience God’s grace and share his love with other family members that I did take advantage of; there were even more opportunities that I did not. The grace was there….I was just oblivious to it because of distraction, busyness, or even stress. My point is, I certainly could have experienced so much more had I spent more time with God. Could it be possible that some of my trial be put to away by resting in the arms of God? The wonderful thing is that I know of hope eternal….that I will see my dad again…. and that was shared with the family members that do not know God. And, at this point I should also thank the many of you who prayed for us during that time.
-In verses 24-37, Paul gives us a culmination of history and also the basis for the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of Jesus. But, what I want to bring your attention to is: what kept the people from accepting his message? In reading the narrative, you notice that Paul always identifies with the people by addressing them as brethren and sons of Abraham’s family (26). He has a heart and so much passion for the people. From verse 15, when Paul is able to address those in the synagogue; until verse 22, the crowd is following along with Paul’s argument as he vocally weaved them throughout Israel’s history; but then they were struck to the heart by his next words……..
III. The Striking Revelation (v. 23) You have to remember where Paul is as he is reflecting upon the history of the Israelites…..he is in a synagogue. Paul’s message had never been more rejected than in the synagogue; and yet he cuts the people to the heart about what was apparent in their own history. In Verse 23, Paul said that according to the promises of long ago, Jesus is Savior! David might sin; but the Messiah, never would! The Son would be exalted by His Father! He would be brought forth in the incarnation to be a man, yet fully God! The Scripture tells us that although David died, were buried, and his body decayed; the Messiah would never decay. How do you think they felt about that message? In fact, how do you feel about this message today? Does it strike you to the heart? Does something about it make you want to ignore it? The prophecies of David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel among many more would tell of Jesus’ coming and John the Baptist would pave the way for it. But, the synagogue; with all their own restrictions and excuses would never accept it!
A.Initial Reaction: Despite Paul’s appeal to recognize Jesus and the prophet’s words that were read in the synagogues every Sabbath that told of His coming; Jesus was condemned by His own people. He was an innocent man. Paul said, “And though they found no ground for putting Him to death, they asked Pilate that He be executed.
-You know, many of our mistakes are made with little thought. What are our initial reactions to things we are told about and asked to do by others, even in our own church? "What? Are you kidding me? I could never teach those little 2-3 year olds!" Yet without much thought…. Certainly, not teaching the 2-3 year olds is not as serious as the historical act of demanding the crucifixion of Jesus; but I think you get my point. What do we simply reject out-of-hand? Is the crucifixion of Jesus in anyway indicative of our attitudes? …. especially when it comes to doing something that we are not used to or maybe afraid to do? What interesting, is that Hebrews 6 warns us that if we don’t leave the elementary teachings about Christ and press on to maturity that we might as well “crucify to ourselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame (6:1, 6).” In other words, if we don’t take the opportunities that God has graciously given us to serve Him; then he might as well die over and over and over again…. because then …. His death doesn’t mean anything!
B. Final Action: When they had carried out all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the cross and laid Him in a tomb. …”
…………..SILENCE…………
The implication here: Is that when man had done all that he could do…. ‘when they had carried out their purpose’ …. when man decided that he would not have anyone rule over him…. just when man could not save himself…. Jesus, the promised Savior; laid down His life for the very ones who crucified Him!
-Do you know what the act of washing a man’s feet meant in NT times? It was a dirty, dirty job; but it showed an act of kindness and ministry to another. What act of kindness have you done this week? Might it be something you think unpleasant? …. Embarrassing? What restricts you or excuses you from performing it? from volunteering? Why do I ask?
-One of the passages that totally floored me when I first read it was John 13:1-8. Jesus knew that he was going to be betrayed by Judas; yet what did he do? READ>
Transition: Let Jesus be your example as you love people to the bitter end just as He did. I have to laugh at Simon Peter here: I know one thing! You ain’t washin my feet Jesus! You see what he was doing there? He was limiting the opportunities that God had for him by doing two things: both holding to his own restrictions and excusing himself from God’s grace.
•Conclusion: But, in conclusion; let me ask you to consider something. Let’s not be adamant like Peter was in our denial of what God has for us. Our past has been wiped clean through the forgiveness that God offers us in Christ Jesus. He offers us so many wonderful opportunities; for us just to say…. “Never shall I do that!”
-Rather we should say with Peter after Jesus said, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with me.” Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” In other words, keep washing Lord! Let my past be history!
-Corrie Ten Boom said, “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
Prayer: Whatever our past; whatever is happening to us now; we know that you love us! Even while we were yet sinners…even while we have a terrible past….even while our lives are not the greatest…even while our future looks dim…… you loved us! You even died for someone like me, oh such a wretch as me! In you we have a hope…..even a blessed hope! For those who do not know you Father, I pray that they may make an earnest effort to diligently seek after you! I pray for the people of this congregation, that they may know you! May we recognize the great sacrifice that you made for us all; and may we live as though we know the cost of that sacrifice! Lord, we thank you for forgiving us of all our sin, and for freeing us from all that weighs us down. May our lives reflect your glory; for this is the day that the Lord has made….May we rejoice and be glad in it! Amen.
