First Irving Sermons

Main Idea. The Gospel of Jesus Christ confronts idol worship, leading people to repent or revolt.

We will observe 3 confrontations in this passage:

1. The Gospel Confronts Idol Worshipers (23–27)

Two effects when the gospel confronts.

1. The gospel pushes idols deeper into the heart.

2. The gospel also pushes idols out of the heart

The Gospel actually changes what we love.

2. The Gospel Confronted by Idol Worshipers (28–34)

Three responses to our cultural chants.

1. Despite the cultural chants, we must remember that the gospel is still The Truth.

2. In response to the chants, do not shout back louder.

3. In light of the chants, remember that Christ will one day bring justice.

3. The Crowds Confronted by God’s Care for His Church (34–41)

Responses:

1. Rest because you have a Representative.

2. Repent and return to Christ.

3. Remember that you have the Spirit.

4. Rely on Gospel Relationships.

Main Idea. Christ deserves our highest praise, while sin deserves our firmest disdain.

Driving Question. "Why should we offer Christ our highest praise?

1) Because of his extraordinary power

2) Because of his exclusive worthiness.

1. The Extraordinary Power of Christ (11–16)

A. He is more powerful than diseases and demons.

2. The Exclusive Worthiness of Christ (17–20)

A. Worthy to be extolled (17).

B. Worth leaving sin (and everything) to follow (18–20).

Steps of the Ephesians repentance.

Confessed.

Divulged their practices.

Turned to Christ.

Responses:

Take your soul to task and repent.

In Christ, live a life of faith and repentance.

Main Idea. The church is strengthened through continued discipleship that is centered on Christ.

Driving Question: Why do we need continued discipleship in the word?

First reason we need continued discipleship in the word?

Because we need reminder that Christ is our strength

Case 1: Strengthening Ministry of Paul (23)

Second reason we need continued discipleship in the word?

Because we have deficiencies in our understanding about Christ

Case 2: The Corrective Discipleship of Priscilla and Aquila (24–26)

Third reason we need continued discipleship in the word?

Because we are greatly helped by Christ-centered teaching

Case 3: The Helpful Teaching of Apollos (27–28)

Responses.

1. Cling to Christ today.

2. Consider the deep waters of Christian humility from this passage.

3. Commit to the Lord’s Doctrine.

Main Idea. God’s provisions strengthen his weary saints to persevere in gospel ministry.

Provision 1: Ministry Partners (vv. 1–4)

Provision 2: The Word that Occupies (vv. 5–8)

Provision 3: The Presence of Christ (vv. 9–11)

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me (Rev 3:20).”

Provision 4: Trustworthy Protection (12–15)

Responses.

1. Stay right where you are. Christ is with you.

2. Testify to people about the love of Christ, but warn them too.

Main Idea. Idol worshipers are called to take heed of the gospel of the true God and repent.

What does Paul see?

1. The Problem of Rampant Idol Worship (vv. 16–21)

How does Paul respond to this problem?

2. The Remedy is Preaching the Only God’s Gospel (vv. 22–31)

11 attributes of God’s nature:

Attribute: God as Creator (v. 24)

Application: Trust in what the Bible says (Gen 1:1; Jn 1:1; Col 1:15, 16).

Attribute: God as Lord of All (v. 24)

Application: Submit to his authority (Jas 4:7; Prov 3:5–6)

Attribute: God’s Transcendence (v. 24)

Application: Worship God (Ps 145:3; Ps 95:3, 6).

Attribute: God as Sustainer (v. 25)

Application: Be thankful to God in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:18).

Attribute: God’s Sovereignty and Providence (v. 26)

Application: Rest in knowing that God is over all (Col 1:16–17). Don’t be anxious about anything… make your request known to God (Phil 4:6–7).

Attribute: God’s Immanence (v. 27)

Application: Pursue God (Jas 4:8).

Attribute: God as the Source of Life (v. 28)

Application: Steward the life that God has given you (1 Pet 4:10).

Attribute: God as Father (vv. 28-29)

Application: Be assured of his loving kindness to his children (1 Jn 3:1).

Attribute: God’s Holiness and Righteousness (v. 30)

Application: Repent of sin (1 Jn 1:9).

Attribute: God as Judge (v. 31)

Application: Fear the Lord (Ps 9:7–8; Ps 50:6).

Attribute: God’s Faithfulness (v. 31)

Application: Remember his trustworthiness and works (Ps 77:1).

3 responses:

1. Grow in holy jealousy for the worship of God.

2. Bear in mind God’s sovereign authority over everything.

3. Be intentional with the gospel knowing God placed you where you are. (see v.27)

Main Idea: The disrupting word of God must be eagerly received as our final authority if we are to find life, grow in faith, and please God.

1. The Word is Disruptive

-The Lesson from Thessalonica

2. The Word is the Final Authority

-the Lesson from Berea

Response:

1. Commit to eagerly approach the Scriptures with reverence, humility, and complete submissiveness, even when it disrupts our “familiar.” (Isa. 66:2)

2. Labor to examine the Scriptures when taught something unfamiliar to you.

How do you know if someone is giving a good interpretation of Scripture?

a) A grasp of historical context?

b) Paid attention to literary context? “What has Paul already said in this book?”

c) Interpretation “fits” with other Scriptures. No serious contradictions elsewhere.

d) A grasp of literary genre? Is this wisdom literature? Epistle?

e) Are they laboring to understand the author’s intent?

3. Do you know why it was necessary for Jesus Christ to suffer and die?

God alone is worthy to be worshipped by people from all nations for all of eternity.

1) The end of missions (vv. 1-6).

2) The extent of missions (vv. 7-9)

3) The exigency of missions (vv. 10-13)

Responses

1) Grow in your knowledge of the glory of God.

2) Pray for God to raise up more laborers.

3) Consider your role in missions.

4) Remember that Christ is coming soon.

Main Idea. As the gospel began to transform lives in Europe, Christ's kingdom advanced and his church was established, demonstrating his power over sin and evil.

1. The Lord Jesus Graciously Open Hearts (11–15)

2. The Lord Jesus Powerfully Displays His Authority Over Evil (16–18)

3. The Lord Jesus Drastically Changes People's Allegiances (23–34)

Takeaways.

1. Repent and believe and be baptized.

2. Don’t write off the religious person or the pagan. The Lord saves both.

3. Be vigilant, Satan seeks to distract us.

1. God’s Churches Are Strengthened Despite Conflicts (15:36–41)

2. God’s Gospel Drives Our Missional Commitments (16:1–5)

3. God’s Spirit Supervises His Mission (vv. 6–10)

Takeaways.

1. We have two responsibilities with the gospel: 1) Strengthening the church. 2) Give to non-believers.

2. We must be willing to accommodate others for the sake of the gospel.

Main Point: Jesus Christ reconciles, creates and unites a new people, the gathered church, to display the manifold wisdom of God.

We were a people alienated from Jesus Christ (v.11-12)

We are a people reconciled in Jesus Christ. (v.13-15a)

We are a people created and united in Jesus Christ. (v.15b-18)

We are a new people in Jesus Christ. (v.19-22)

Takeways

The foundation of our discipleship must be the Gospel:

The foundation for the unity of our discipleship must be Christ