Sunday Sermon - Acts: The Gospel to All People | Count the Cost - Acts 21-23

Mother's Day Message and Introduction to Scripture

Opening Remarks

• Ken introduces himself and wishes everyone a Happy Mother's Day, indicating the scripture reading will be from the book of Luke.

• He invites attendees to stand for the reading of Luke 14:27-33, emphasizing the importance of scripture at Story Church.

Reading from Luke

• Jesus speaks about the cost of discipleship, stating that one must bear their own cross to follow Him.

• The passage includes parables about counting costs before undertaking significant projects, such as building a tower or going to war.

Transition to Acts and Mother's Day Reflection

Acknowledgment of Mothers

• Ken acknowledges mothers in attendance, particularly mentioning his own mother and another important figure in his life.

• He highlights historical examples of influential praying mothers in church history, encouraging moms by recognizing their impact on faith.

Theme: Count the Cost

Introduction to Sermon Theme

• The sermon is titled "Count the Cost," connecting back to the earlier reading about discipleship costs.

• Ken discusses hidden costs in life using Spirit Airlines as an example of unexpected expenses.

Understanding Costs

• He contrasts hidden costs with willingly paying high prices for valuable things, emphasizing that true value often comes with sacrifice.

Paul's Willingness to Pay the Cost

Paul's Commitment

• Paul expresses readiness not only for imprisonment but also death for Jesus' name (Acts 21:13).

Reality of Following Jesus

• Ken emphasizes that following Jesus can lead to trials and suffering but is ultimately worth it due to Christ's resurrection promise.

Key Points on Discipleship Costs

Main Takeaways

1. Obedience - It is costly but worthwhile because Jesus gave everything for us.

2. Witnessing - Sharing faith can be costly; sometimes it offends before it saves.

3. Courage - Standing firm requires bravery; we are never alone in our struggles.

Obedience Illustrated through Paul’s Actions

Paul's Return to Jerusalem

• Upon returning from his missionary journey, Paul shares what God has done among Gentiles with church leaders who receive him warmly.

Addressing Rumors

• Leaders inform Paul about rumors claiming he teaches Jews against their customs; they suggest he participate in a purification vow.

Humility and Unity

Paul's Response

• Despite knowing he was free from Jewish law obligations, Paul humbly agrees to join the vow for unity's sake within the church community.

Consequences of Obedience

Unexpected Outcomes

• After completing his vow, Paul faces violence instead of peace when falsely accused by others leading a riot against him.

Suffering as Part of Faith

Understanding Suffering

• Ken explains that suffering does not discriminate based on status or background; it's universal yet offers hope through Christ's example.

The Call to Obey Despite Costs

Reflecting on Sacrifice

• Just as Jesus sacrificed Himself for humanity, believers are called to obey even when faced with personal cost or hardship.

The Call to Witness and Disciple

Importance of Parenting and Vocation

• The primary calling for parents is to pray for and disciple their children, using their home as a platform to witness about Jesus.

• Your job serves as a means to provide for your family while also being an opportunity to preach about Christ in your circles of influence.

Challenges in Witnessing

• Paul's experience illustrates that witnessing can lead to hostility; the mention of "Gentiles" provoked anger among the Jews, leading them to demand his death.

• Sharing the gospel may not always result in positive outcomes; faithfulness in sharing is essential regardless of immediate results.

The Nature of the Gospel

Offense Before Salvation

• The gospel begins with acknowledging human sinfulness, confronting self-righteousness, and emphasizing that hope lies outside oneself.

• Paul emphasizes that while the gospel offends by revealing our sin, it ultimately offers salvation through Christ's love.

Transformation Through Christ

• Despite our inability to save ourselves, God sent Jesus on a mission to redeem us from our sinful state and make us new creations.

Living in a Negative World

Historical Context of Christianity

• Sociologist Aaron Ren describes three societal contexts: Positive World (benefits from claiming Christianity), Neutral World (indifference towards Christians), and Negative World (adverse consequences for identifying as Christian).

• In today's negative world, openly identifying as Christian can lead to social backlash or personal loss, highlighting the cost of discipleship.

Courage Amidst Costly Discipleship

Personal Testimony

• An example is shared about Landon, who was fired for preaching the gospel at work—demonstrating courage at a young age.

Facing Consequences

• Many face difficult decisions regarding their faith in professional settings where standing up for beliefs may jeopardize employment or relationships.

Paul's Trial and Courage

Paul's Defense Strategy

• During his trial before the council, Paul cleverly identifies divisions between Pharisees and Sadducees to create chaos among his accusers.

Divine Assurance

• After facing potential violence from his accusers, Paul receives encouragement from Jesus: "Take courage," assuring him he will testify in Rome too.

God's Presence Brings Courage

Source of Strength

• Our courage does not stem from personal strength but from knowing God is with us during trials; His presence fulfills His promises throughout scripture.

Assurance Through Trials

• Even amidst suffering and persecution like Paul faced, believers are reminded they are never alone; God's promise remains steadfast through all challenges.

The Cost of Following Jesus

Understanding Suffering

• Following Jesus often involves suffering; true glory comes after enduring hardship—acknowledging that obedience can be costly yet worthwhile.

Ultimate Value

• Emphasizing that gaining worldly success pales compared to losing one's soul highlights why following Jesus is invaluable despite its costs.

True Satisfaction Found in Christ

Pursuit Beyond Earthly Gains

• All earthly pursuits ultimately leave one empty; only Jesus satisfies deep longings within our souls—He provides peace amid turmoil.

Invitation to Repentance

• Non-Christians are called to recognize that repentance involves turning away from unfulfilling sin toward trusting in Jesus' fulfilling grace.

This structured summary captures key insights while providing clear timestamps for reference.