Reflections

Today's sermon was on Acts 24-25, which focuses on Paul's trial before the Roman court. Today was a great sermon on a point I've made before and will continue to make as it sets in personally: How much are you willing to be hated for your beliefs? The Bible tells us over and over (as it does here) that it's not a matter of if, only when. Are you prepared for that?

Here's the main points from the Sermon:

1. You can't be good enough to be accepted by the world.

1 Peter 2:11–12 (NET 2nd ed.)

11 Dear friends, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to keep away from fleshly desires that do battle against the soul, 12 and maintain good conduct among the non-Christians, so that though they now malign you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God when he appears.

Matthew 5:16 (NET 2nd ed.)

16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.

While we should be 'good', the standard of what is 'good' is set forth by God in His word, not by man. We should do our best to live up to the standard that God sets for us. We should also understand that no matter how well we live up to God's standard, we will never meet the world's standard. Nevertheless, we should strive to be good and to maintain a good reputation for the sake of God's name.

2. You can't be convincing enough to be accepted by the world.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (NET 2nd ed.)

14 The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

1 Corinthians 1:18 (NET 2nd ed.)

18 For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

No matter how convincing you are, you will never be convincing enough for unregenerate pagans. That's where the Holy Spirit comes in. While we should still strive to be convincing, it's ultimately up to God whether they become convinced or not.

3. You can't be compromising enough to be accepted by the world.

Luke 9:26 (NET 2nd ed.)

26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

Galatians 1:10 (NET 2nd ed.)

10 Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!

While we strive to be good and convincing, we should never compromise on the truth. This is the point that should keep the other two rooted and reined in. The truth is the point above all, and compromising on it means that ultimately you are not being 'good' by the standard God sets, and you are not going to be convincing when it comes to the truth since you are not presenting the truth. We are told repeatedly throughout scripture to not add or take away from the words God has spoken. That is still true today and is not relegated to just the canon of scripture, but what we teach on scriptures as well. You can't compromise on feminism just because it'll be more palatable to the world. You can't compromise on abortion just because it'll be more palatable to the world. You can't compromise on homosexuality just because it will be more palatable to the world. If you are ashamed of the gospel, of the word of God and what He commands of us, then you are not preaching the gospel.

Lastly, Pastor Nick ended it with this quote:

"Compromising doesn't make you kind, it makes you useless."

Amen, brother.