AUG 28 2022 | Paul’s Second Missionary Journey S1E5 | Jesus and Me or Jesus and We?

Sea Change Church · AUG 28 2022 | Paul’S 2Nd Missionary Journey | Ep. 5: Jesus and Me or Jesus and We?
Acts 16:16-21
Automated transcript. Not reviewed for accuracy.

We have at Santa Clara Point Mission Bay, we have a softball game. It's married against singles. So we are still short a few players, definitely short on women for sure. So if you've played or interested in playing and want to have fun, please, please reach out to us, myself or Garrett, and we will get you connected. For the scripture today, I'm going to be reading from Acts 16, 16 through 21.

Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a female slave who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune telling. She followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, These men are servants of the Most High God who are telling you the way to be saved. She kept this up for many days.

Finally, Paul became so annoyed that he turned around and said to the spirit, In the name of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her. At that moment, the spirit left her. When her owners realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, These men are Jews and are throwing our city into an uproar.

By advocating customs and lawful for us Romans to accept our practice, or practice, the word of the Lord. Amen. Don't stop believing. Ben, such a good song. I'm here with you today. Pastor Adam's on vacation, dessert vacation. And right off the bat, I just want to get out this truth that this whole message is not about demons. We read a story about demons, very unusual.

And the principles of this biblical story is we do not have to be afraid of demons, nor focus on them, though they do exist. So let's move on in mission in Jesus' name. Does that sound good? When we trust in Jesus, we are sealed. We are saved. He intercedes for us. We're his children. Nothing can harm us. He knows every hair on our head. Okay? Okay? Just wanted to get that out.

And then Alistair Begg, who's a great pastor and theologian, in your bulletin, if you want to look up on YouTube, he has an eight-minute information session on the role of demons in Christianity. So just want to get that out there because it was in the text. All right? Let me pray. Father God, thank you so much for this day. Thank you. You're a God of mission so much that you sent your son into the world to bring light of salvation, to reconcile people back to you.

Thank you for the Holy Spirit that seals us, that adopts us. Thank you for your church. Thank you for spiritual friendships that we don't have to walk in this world alone. Speak through your text. Speak through your spirit. Give people a word that they've needed. Help us put off something today and help us put on something today so we can max out for your glory.

In Jesus' name. Amen. All right. There's a lot of you. This is great. You know, I was watching Netflix. Imagine that. And or some streaming service. And it was actually just yesterday. And there's a show called Alone. Alone. And it's, I think, 10 different survival experts where they take them in like British Columbia or Alaska or something. And they drop them off literally alone.

And they're in nature and they have 10 tools they can bring like an axe and a tarp and things like that. And there's grizzly bears. You know, there's the weather. There's everything. And one of the interviews said, it's not the grizzly bears I'm most scared about. It's not going starving. It's being alone. Nobody to talk to. No cell phone. And I was thinking that sometimes we approach our walk with God alone.

Do you ever have that experience where, yes, it's you and Jesus. Like, he saved you. Or maybe if you haven't been saved yet and believed in him, you will believe in him. And you will meet him. There won't be somebody right beside you when you meet him. But we're trying to walk out on this earth in aloneness. And there's this quote in this movie.

I don't know who this guy is. Sukarno. And it says, the worst cruelty that can be inflicted on a human being is isolation. I don't know if you've ever experienced that type of aloneness. That isolation. So much that it takes you off mission. It takes you in anti-gospel thinking. It causes you to, does God really love me? Even though I've believed in Jesus.

Does this person really love me? But let's go to the text. Let's go to the text. We're a church that believes the Bible is the word of God. And I love that. I love that. In Acts 16, 16 through 21. Notice, there's these little words that I think are very theological. Once when we were going to a place of prayer. Yes, we're called to pray by ourselves.

But notice it says, once when we were going. And I know they were apostles. And, you know, there's something special about the apostles. But also there's these principles that transcend throughout time and space that land on us. And we're not supposed to just be alone, I think, when we pray. Once when we were going. Middle part of 17. She followed Paul and the rest of us.

Notice he wasn't alone. The later part of 19. When the owners realized the making money was gone. They seized Paul and Silas. Not just Paul. And they dragged them. Next verse. They brought them before the magistrates. And then he said, these men. Notice the plurality. Plurality. And then these scriptures are not up behind you. But in my Bible. In your Bible.

In Acts chapter 13. Verse 2. It says, while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting. The Holy Spirit said. Set apart Barnabas and Saul. For the works which I have called them. And then the next chapters is Barnabas and Paul. I kept thinking. You know, Paul wrote the majority of the New Testament. And I think the Apostle Paul. Apostle Paul. And I haven't even thought about it.

The majority of times when he does his ministry. He's with somebody else. He's not alone. You do not have to be alone. Oh follower of Jesus. In this walk with God. Do you have a spiritual friend or two? That's not just your wife. That's not just your husband. Because that's too much for one person. You know. Do you have an overt missional spiritual friend.

To do life with. So when you're in a valley. They can lift you up. Or when you're both are strong. You can be outward. And I think that's with the book of Acts. With Paul's second missionary journey. Is he did it with us. Later in verse 4 of 13. The two of them sent on their way by the Holy Spirit. Verse 6. Chapter 13. They traveled. Barnabas and Saul.

They wanted to hear the word of God from them. Verse 13. Paul and his companions sailed. The brothers said. Brothers. If you have a message of encouragement for the people. Please speak. I'm just trying to prove my point here. Later in chapter 13. 42. Paul and Barnabas were leaving. And the people invited them to speak. Paul and Barnabas. Who talked with them.

And urged them. Continue in the grace of God. 46. Paul and Barnabas answered boldly. And 49. The word of the Lord began to spread. Just trying to show. That it doesn't have to be. Just you. In this journey. On mission. Wherever you're going. This also fits with. In Luke 10. Jesus. When he called the 70. The 12. And then the 72. It said he sent them out. Two by two.

And yes. They were apostles. And they had a special. Unique mission. In time and space. But it sent them out. Two by two. So why. Would we think. We need to do. This walk with God. Alone. Well. I know one reason. Is because we're in a very. Individualistic society. I was looking up. On this. Cultural. Like some website. About. Like cultural experts. And it was so fascinating.

That I found this. And. Because I'm not a big research guy. Among all. The nations. United States of America. Is rated. Ninety one. Percentile. In the regards. To individualism. The focus of. Me. Approaching reality. And I was just in Ecuador. This summer. Ecuador. I was like. They're so nice. They're so warm. They're so friendly. And we're very friendly here too.

But. They're rated. Sixteen percent. Not that. Anybody's better. Or worse. But meaning that. They have a more corporate. Warm. Communal. Approach. To life. And we have such an. Individualistic. Approach. To life. I think it becomes. Invisible. To us. Are you doing. Your walk. With others. Are you doing it. By yourself. And notice. Even back. In the text. In Acts chapter.

Sixteen. Verse sixteen. There's prayer. Too. A lot of us. Of course. Like. Pray to God. By yourself. Somebody can't pray for you. But isn't it so powerful. When you're praying. With others. When there's somebody else. That you're praying with. We have groups on Tuesday. And Wednesday. And half the time. I'm stuck in my head. During the day. And struggling with stuff.

And like. Is anybody going to ever show up. And my prayer life. You know. They're like. Little one sentence prayers. I don't even do that. One sentence prayers. I'm not a big prayer warrior. That's like my worst thing. Anybody. Not very good at prayer. A little bit transparency. Think. Two people. You guys are prayer warriors. Let's do this. All right. That's in my voice.

And then I show up. On Tuesday. Or Wednesday. And we break up. In small group prayer. And I go. Oh my gosh. I feel the love of God. Through you. As you pray to the Father. And you believe in the same Father. The same Jesus as me. I'm not crazy. You know. They. We're praying. Together. Do you have somebody. To pray with. Can. Just like you. Proactively in business.

Or trying to get that sale. Or proactively. In your workouts. Trying to get that six pack. Or whatever it is. Have you. Devoted. Some time. To trying to develop. And find spiritual friends. That will help you in mission. That will engage with you in prayer. Is it just. I'm just. Gonna. Just show up. I'm so stoked you're here on Sunday. Of course. But. Is that just like.

Becoming more passive. Could we devote. More time. And attention. Towards. Finding these spiritual. Missional. Missional. Friends. That help us. Charge more. For the glory of God. And make Jesus name known. Even more. And I know. If I struggle with this. I think you might also. Okay. So. Another thing too. Another thing too. And we'll go to the next point. Is sometimes.

We have a we. Some people are. Are married. And that's great. But I remember in. Again. When I was in Ecuador. Fresh stories from Ecuador. And. Anybody been to Ecuador before? I loved Ecuador. Yeah. That's great. Yeah. So. I was eating at this restaurant. I was alone. But I didn't feel alone. Just because you're alone. Doesn't mean you feel alone. You know what I'm saying.

So. I was alone. I was like. I don't know. I was reading a book. Or something. And thinking. And there was this. This family. With friends. And laughter. There's like 10 of them. I'm like. Oh my gosh. It's so palpable. And beautiful. And then I looked at this husband and wife. And they were sitting there. And you know. They went on a date night. But they had nothing to talk about.

And the aloneness. In. I couldn't even enjoy my food. Because it just felt so alone. Between them. Even though they were together. One of my worst fears. To get eaten by a shark. The next one. Is to have. A marriage. Where there's just that aloneness. You're together. But you feel alone. I don't think that. Just because you're married. In a Christian marriage.

That's supposed to satisfy. All of your relational. I don't know. Relational categories. We're supposed to have spiritual friends. Maybe you. I've seen this a lot. In the groups I've led. Have singles groups. All throughout my life. And college groups. Oh. I want to get married. Yeah. They get married. Then you never see them again. What happens? I don't know.

All right. Second thing. I see from. From the text. Is. Start with a quick little story. I was in Santa Cruz. I don't know. How long ago. 20 years ago. I don't know. Remember those. Volvo station wagons. The old ones. So sick. I used to have a Volvo station wagon. We were a Volvo family. Super safe. Bad gas mileage. Hard to work on. Really expensive. And I remember washing my car.

And these guys came up to me. White shirts. And they had like cut off. Or like tapered shirts. They weren't long sleeve. And they had a name tag. And I. And they're really nice people. Mormon missionaries. And they came up to me. And I just. I was kind of. Not annoyed. I mean Paul. It says he was annoyed. With the slave girl. And then finally. After many days.

He rebuked. You know her. Which is. There's so much there. It's so. Such an interesting story. But he was annoyed. And said you know. Get out of. Get. Spirit. Get out of her. You know. And she was restored. And sometimes we can be annoyed. Or we've reached our limit. And it causes us to actually be bold. And I think that's actually okay. As long as you're not a jerk.

You know. As long as you're not mean. They came up to me. I'm washing my car. Now I just drive through. I love those drive through car stuff. And they look at me. And I'm like guys. I know you're nice. I know this can seem judgmental. But let's turn to Galatians 1, 8, and 9. And they turn the Bible. And it says. If an angel of light. If we or an angel of light.

Preach to you another gospel. Then the one that's already been preached. Let you be eternally condemned. And he repeats it. If we or an angel of light. Preach another gospel. The gospel that Jesus Christ. Grace alone by salvation. Reconciled to the Father. Let them be eternally condemned. I go. Guys. I'm not even better than you. I know that seems very judgmental.

But Joseph Smith. In 18. I don't know what. 40. He said. All the churches are wrong. And he added all these other books. And it actually says. That Satan can be disguised as an angel of light. Satan can be disguised as an angel of light. Any thought system that's organized. It's not just Mormons. And now people. Oh my gosh. These people are arrogant. You know.

They think. There's a way. There's the only way. Jesus is the only way. It's not us. We're not any better than you. Jesus who. Co-created the earth. With the Father and the Spirit. Stepped into the earth. He created. First John. Dwelt among us. Did the healings. Did the love. Did the communication. Gathered his disciples. Apostles. Gathered other ones. Lives that perfect life.

And our place is a substitute. Suffers. Dies. Buried. Ascent. Resurrect. And then ascends. Now he intercedes. And he will come back again. And in the meantime. He sends out the Holy Spirit. For all who will believe. And that's what Christians believe. He is our champion. He is our savior. And it's. And so if anybody. If this demon possessed girl back then was saying they're the servants of the most high.

Or if any thought system says something about Jesus. They'll say the name Jesus. But actually import the wrong information about who he is. We need to be jealous about our Jesus. We need to be willing to potentially lose that friendship for a moment to say. No. You know what? No. That. The Jesus you're talking about is. It's. It's wrong. That Jesus. I know about.

Is revealed. In. Scripture. Scripture. She was annoying. Paul. I was wondering. Why did it take him three days to rebuke this demon? Look at that. Did you guys notice that? That's very interesting. She was annoying them. After many days. Then he rebukes them. She was speaking a form of truth. But not the entire truth. Truth. Satan can be disguised as an angel of light.

And in 1 Timothy 4. This is so. This is the word of God. So I'm not going to be embarrassed about. Not. Not apologize for it. That's it. Because some things are so cutting. We live in a culture right now that's so. You. You can't speak about anything without getting in trouble. Or offending anybody. Right? You know. It's just like this offensive type thing.

You got to be nice. You got to understand everybody's like. Terms and. And whatnot. I just don't speak to people anymore. I'm just kidding. But in 1 Timothy 4. It says. Actually in the later days. In the latter times. People will follow doctrines invented by demons. Actually by the darkness. By the darkness. We're meant to be with others when we encounter dark forces.

We are meant to be with others when we encounter dark forces. And sometimes it's not as overt as like demon stuff. But it's just dark. Non-biblical thinking and speaking. And when you're alone and you're surrounded in a group. It's very hard to be bold. When you're all alone. Isn't it? And I find myself. I keep forgetting I'm a pastor. You know. But I find myself as a pastor struggling with this.

When you know. I go hunting with my dad. And we would go on these duck clubs. And dove hunts in Mexico back in the day. Sorry. Some of you guys are anti-hunting. And I'd be all alone with 20 other manly men. And I'd be the only Christian. And I didn't compromise. But I wasn't that bold. You know. There's stuff. You know. We know how to calibrate stuff.

Right. We know how to calibrate stuff. But I know if I had another friend with me. I would have been bolder. I would. When I face the darkness. Or when I face the opposition. I would have felt bolder. Are you trying to face dark things alone? In Ephesians 6. 10 through 13. If we can have that up on the. Great. Finally. How do we be strong? When the darkness comes.

Finally be strong in the Lord. In his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God. So you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. The devil's like a master chess player. He has schemes. Next slide please. Oh. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood. But against the rulers. The authorities. The powers of this dark world. Against the spiritual forces in evil.

In the heavenly realms. And therefore. Put on the full armor of God. So that when the day of evil comes. It's going to come. You may be able to stand your ground. Some of you guys need help standing your ground. When that day of evil comes. I know I do. We're not meant to do it alone. On mission. And sometimes. That darkness can actually be in your mind.

It's not just the devil. It's not just the world's systems. It's actually in your mind. And Galatians 5. And Romans 7. Talks about this battle. They talk about the old men. Or the flesh. The sinful nature. You know. That's not perfectly killed. Before we meet God. And there's these battles of the mind. And the emotion. I was officiating a wedding with Sam Park.

On Friday and Thursday. And I didn't get much sleep or something. I was sleeping up in the ocean side. At a friend's house. And they didn't have AC. And I think I woke up five times. It's humidity. And you know when you get really tired. And you feel weak. And I was just like thinking. And feeling stuff. Just stupid. I'm like what? I was like battling with my mind.

I'm like God. No that's not true. And blah blah blah. That's all myself. Driving around. Waiting for the wedding at five. And nothing bad happened. But there's. Where does that battle come from? It's actually. The darkness can be a little bit. In your brain. And that's another reason. Why we need other people. We're not meant. To be alone. In this mental.

Emotional battle. To really believe. God's word. And God. And what. He says. About us. And about his son. And then. The last point. When we face opposition. From angry people. Having a we. Helps us. To continue. When we face opposition. From angry people. Having a we. Helps us. In the text. And the story. After. Paul rebukes. The demon. The spirit. From the girl. And.

The owners. Realized. They were going to lose. A lot of money. In verse 19. It says. When our owners. Realized. The hope of making money. Was gone. They seized Paul and Silas. And they dragged them. Like literally dragged them. You ever been dragged? I've been dragged. But. Sometimes it feels like it. But you really haven't. And. They dragged them. Into the marketplace.

To face the authorities. And then they brought them. Before the magistrates. And said. These men are Jews. Throwing our city. Into an uproar. Were they throwing their city. Into an uproar. Nor were they lied about them. You ever been lied about. Ever. You know. Or slandered. And you're like. No. I didn't do that. That's not what I meant. But they're already.

Twisting. Things. And then. Advocating customs. All unlawful for us. To accept. Or practice. Is. I remember. It was Thanksgiving. In Aptos. Which is in Santa Cruz. A little sub city. And. My family never watches videos. Because I speak freely. And. We're at Thanksgiving. Big Italian family. I think there was 20 of us. And there was. Ones that were missing. And.

My uncle Pat. Bless his heart. I'd been. A Christian. Pretty fiery Christian. Probably could have worked on my grace. Back when I was a younger Christian. Just. I don't know. I was getting the sweet potatoes passed to me. Or something. And he goes. Joey. Is Eli going to hell? And I'm like. Dude. I just wanted my sweet potatoes. With the marshmallows. I love those.

It's great. Um. Everybody's quiet. Eli is like my brother. You know. I grew up with him. First cousins. We just kind of grew up together. And I didn't answer it directly. I go. And then. Janet says. Pat. Pat. And he keeps going. Pressing in. As he's the master of the house. I'm like. Okay. And my dad's looking at me. Totally embarrassed. He knows probably what I'm going to say.

I go. You know. Anybody. That doesn't believe in Jesus. Alone for salvation. I don't believe will go to heaven. I said a little softer. You know. And I'm not any better. Than Eli. Or anybody. But I know. There's certain things I know. And I know. That again. Jesus. Who created the world. And stepped into the world. Died. Risen. Ascended. It's his heaven. It's his and the father's heaven.

So whatever ideas. We think. As humans. That. Make us viable. To get up there. It's who Jesus is. And what he says. And I said that. Again. You know. I'm not any better. But it's. You have to believe in Jesus. I go. Eli. Do you believe in Jesus? I don't know. Yes. Okay. I hope that's true. You know. But there was opposition. And. I know. I embarrassed my dad. And after that.

My uncle. He really didn't talk to me. After that again. And when you receive persecution from your family or opposition. Doesn't it hurt just the guttural part of you? You know. It's almost. I'd rather get physically beat up than that. That's just me. We also have ibuprofen now. So it's a little easier. I think a lot of us. Don't expect rejection. We don't expect persecution.

And that's. That's not the mindset of the original. Apostles. And disciples. And what Jesus said about them. And an amazing cross reference. Is in. Matthew 10. Matthew 10. I should have a scripture up there. I think. Matthew 11. So this is after the Beatitudes. And this is. I think this is really prophetic. What we need right now. And I need this. I've gotten so soft.

And with how I share Jesus. Because I just know how to calibrate. I've been through church splits. And I. Had a lot of fighting in my family. And I just know when a fight's going to come. Somebody's really strong. I'll just tone it down. You know what I'm saying. I just. I can't. I have like PTSD from that stuff. Or something. But. Jesus says this. To the original followers.

And this. Is for y'all. If you believe in Jesus. Blessed are you. I'm blessed. I got the house. I got my wife. I got my kids. I'm blessed. Yes you are blessed. But. What about this? Let's think about this blessing. Blessed are you. When people insult you. And persecute you. And falsely say. All kinds of evil against you. Because of me. Rejoice and be glad. Because great is your reward in heaven.

For the same way they persecuted the prophets. Who were before you. So. When that. Opposition comes. Or you're going to calibrate. And like not say something. Try to say something. And see what happens. If you get opposed. If you get rejected. If you get laughed at. If you get called a kook. Actually. I believe that Jesus is in heaven. Seeing what happened.

And is smiling. Because you're saying. Even though. These people in the moment. My homies. My brothers and sisters. Even my own wife. Or husband. Or whatever. Are trying to drag me down. And. And make me. Water down the gospel. In love. In gentleness. In graciousness. I got to stand strong. And I think in that moment. Jesus is smiling. Saying. You identify with me.

More than what they think of you. In that moment. I know it's happened to me. It may seem like I'm talking down to you. But I'm not. I'm preaching this to myself. I'm preaching this. To myself. He says. Somewhere else. I send you out. Sheeps. In the midst. Of wolves. Sheeps. In the midst. Of wolves. And then. As we close. Back to the text. In Acts 16. This is such a beautiful.

Story. A real story. Of. When. They faced. Opposition. When they faced. Darkness. And they actually were in prison. How did they fight this? Again. Paul wasn't alone. He had somebody else. And it says. In verse 25. Chapter 16. Of Acts. About midnight. Paul and Silas. Were praying. And singing hymns. To God. I'll tell you. If I'm by myself. I'm not praying. And singing hymns.

I'm telling you. I just. My default. Is like the glass half empty. And I'm trying to make it more full. You know. There's just. Some people are just so. Wow. The glass is full. Michael Gonzalez. Kai. You know. Some other people. Just. Everything's good. Mine's like half empty. But when I'm with somebody else. That has a different type of faith in mind. And a different personality.

And strength. And they like help lift my eyes a little bit. I. It supercharges my faith. And I join with them. And we do it together. And they. Cause us to lift our eyes up to Jesus. Right. And interpret. Whatever we're going through. Through the lens of faith. Back to the text. About midnight. Paul and Silas were praying. Singing hymns to God. And the other prisoners were listening.

Suddenly. There was such a violent earthquake. That the foundations of the prison were shaken. And at once. The prison doors flew open. And everybody's chains came loose. I strongly believe that. When we have somebody else. To pray with. To sing worship songs. To do mission. God. It might not happen right away like that. But God will break the chains. He will let you out of the prison doors.

Whether it's in your mind. Whether it's in a bad job situation. Whatever it is. But we're not meant to do this alone. We're not meant to do this alone. And then let's remember the gospel. That we're never going to be perfect people on mission. That talk to people about Jesus. Some of you in here. Maybe haven't even accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior.

And you're on a different mission. But you're here. You're seeking. You're curious. And we're going to have a prayer team that's going to come up. And I'm winding up Chris or whoever the music people are. That we're going to have a prayer team up here. That can answer any question you have. If you want to explore more about Jesus. But if you're feeling all alone.

And you're like blowing it in mission. If the darkness in the world in your mind. Is always seems to be winning. And if you get opposed. You're always kind of shrinking down in fear. You're not saved by your good works of doing mission perfectly. Or facing opposition. You're saved by Jesus. Perfect works on mission. By Jesus battling Satan. And battling the world and being victorious.

And you're saved by Jesus. That faced all opposition and suffering. And he says. I love you. I created you. You're an image of God bearer. But you've lost your way. Come to me. I'm gentle. Come to me. I will protect you. Maybe if you're already a follower of Jesus. This is resonating with you. Where I've. I don't know. I've just been living in the world afraid.

I've been thinking too much of my own comfort. And you haven't stepped back into mission. I'd encourage you to try to find some other people that will help you. To come up with the prayer team. If the prayer team wants to come up. To follow up with the next step table. And ask how can I get deeper involved with God's mission. Let me pray. Oh God. Your word is so strong.

It's so powerful. Forgive me even as I prepared for this. Wondering like. Oh is this too strong of words. This is your word. We need to stand under your word. And that's how you reveal yourself. Is through your word. And Jesus was the word. And sometimes when we speak about your word. Or speak about Jesus. It seems like we're. Nothing's sticking. Nothing's happening.

But you are the one that makes things grow. Help us not forget that. You are the one that makes things grow. And who. If anybody's alone here. In their walk with you. Help them find Christian friends. Help them join a small group. Because we're not meant to walk alone with you. We ask this all in Jesus mighty name. Amen. All right y'all. If you want to stand.

Thank you. Thank you. We. Pastors up here. We don't have any power. But we like to send you out with a blessing. Which is like a symbol. So if you want to open your hands. Like you're going to receive. I will speak a blessing. And hopefully this will help the trajectory. Of your week. May the mission of God. Be deep. Inside. Your soul. May God give you. A Christian spiritual good friend.

To do mission with. And whatever opposition. You're going through. May you look. To Jesus. The author and perfecter. Of your faith. Go in God's grace and love. Church. Amen. Okay. That is. It you. It. It. It.