Build Something (In a World that Breaks Everything)
Acts 15:13–32
One of the marks of our cultural moment is that people have become really good at tearing things down, but not nearly as good at building something better.
People deconstruct:
Their faith
Their family systems
Their politics
Their upbringing
Their assumptions
Their institutions
Their identity
And sometimes things need to be examined. Sometimes things need to be challenged. Sometimes false ideas, unhealthy systems, and man-made traditions need to be torn down.
But here’s the problem:
Deconstruction without reconstruction does not produce freedom, it produces rubble.
Jesus did not come only to tear down barriers.
JESUS BROKE BARRIERS TO BUILD HIS KINGDOM.
1. The Moderator: James Settles the Debate
Acts 15:13–15
“Brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. And with this the words of the prophets agree…”
Last week we saw that the Gospel fulfilled the law.
You do not need to become Jewish, clean yourself up, or obey the law to follow Jesus.
But the point was not to destroy Jewish faith.
The point was to rebuild the new Kingdom of God with both:
Insiders (Jews)
Outsiders (Gentiles)
through Jesus.
The question was:
How do Gentiles enter the people of God?
James settles the debate.
Who Was James?
A. James was Jesus’ brother
James was a close family member of Jesus who became one of the key leaders of the early church.
B. James was a skeptic
James did not initially believe in Jesus.
But Jesus transformed him into a leader for His Kingdom.
C. James switched jerseys
James was once associated with the religious circumcision party.
But he came to believe what Paul, Barnabas, and Peter believed:
Justification is by grace alone.
D. James got it right in the end
The point:
It’s not about how you start — it’s about how you finish.
All of us are skeptics that Jesus is shaping into people of Kingdom influence.
We can get things wrong.
But God is not done with us.
Be:
Humble
Hungry for understanding
Searching Scripture
That is exactly what James does.
He turns to Scripture.
2. The Message: Jesus Rebuilds the Kingdom
Acts 15:16–18
“After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen…”
James quotes:
Amos 9:11–12
A. James Settles the Question Through Scripture
James does not base his decision on:
Popular opinion
Tradition
Personal preference
He bases it on Scripture (Amos 9:11-12).
Councilsdo not have divine authority. Councils have no authority in the church, they are only tools with the goal of discerning what Scripture teaches.
B. Jesus Is the Greater King David Rebuilding the Kingdom
James’ citation of Amos means:
Jesus is the greater King David who will rebuild the Kingdom.
He has done this through:
His resurrection
The beginning of the Church
The inclusion of Gentiles
God is rebuilding His Kingdom through Jesus.
3. The Judgment: Remove Barriers to the Gospel
Acts 15:19–21
“Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God…”
James’ ruling gives Gentiles two instructions.
1. Turn From Actual Idolatry
Gentile pagan worship included:
Sexual immorality
Idol worship
Drinking blood
2. Limit Your Liberty for Unity
Paul says:
“If food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
— 1 Corinthians 8:13
Don’t use your freedom in a way that fractures fellowship.
Today:
Not all drinking is sinful.
But Christian maturity asks:
Could this cause another believer to stumble?
Could this confuse someone about following Jesus?
Am I willing to limit my freedom for love?
Make it easy to go to Heaven and hard to go to Hell.
“We should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God.”
— Acts 15:19
It Is Hard to Live Saved, But Easy to Be Saved
The Gospel is:
Jesus did all the work.
We simply:
Repent
Believe
Call on Jesus
and we will be saved.
Get baptized.
4. The Messengers: God Builds Through Ordinary People
Acts 15:22, 26, 32
“They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers…”
“Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Judas and Silas… encouraged and strengthened the brothers…”
God is always filling new leaders to step up among the brothers to lead.
What We Know About These Men
They Were:
1. Leading Men Among the Brothers
(Acts 15:22)
2. Risk-Takers for Jesus
(Acts 15:26)
3. Prophets
(Acts 15:32)
Silas:
Was Strategic
He had Roman citizenship.
(Acts 16:37)
Was Selected
Paul chose Silas over John Mark.
(Acts 15:40)
Sang with Paul in Prison
(Acts 16:22–34)
He was the kind of friend who would sit with you in jail because you were faithfully preaching Jesus.
And then he would help lead the guard to Christ.
Silas’ Legacy
Silas’ Gospel reputation was remembered throughout Scripture.
Paul mentions him:
2 Corinthians 1:19
1 Thessalonians 1:1
2 Thessalonians 1:1
Peter mentions him:
1 Peter 5:12
Notice:
These men were chosen for ministry.
But they were not:
Apostles
Elders
They had a different calling.
They were different types of leaders.
We often think God only uses one form of ministry and one type of personality.
But God builds His Kingdom through many different people.
After Darkness, Light
John Calvin was not a world-changer at first.
He was a young scholar.
But God used William Farel to call him into ministry in Geneva.
After years of struggle:
Calvin was expelled
Geneva fell into disorder
He was called back
His return was marked by the phrase:
Post Tenebras Lux
“After darkness, light.”
God used a quiet scholar to help transform a city.
Our prayer:
After darkness, light.
That the West Valley would experience Gospel renewal.
There Are a Thousand Forms of Ministry
Training other dads/moms
Opening your home for Discipleship/Evangelism
Discipling Children in the kids ministry
Praying for people in prayer ministry
Serving through build in build out
Hosting UFC or game nights to connect with unchurched guys naturally
Inviting another family over after church instead of going out alone
Starting a driveway hangout with neighbors once a month
Gather neighborhood numbers to serve people when needs pop up
Taking a meal to a people who had surgery or a baby
Inviting a single mom and her kids over for dinner
Coming alongside younger moms who are struggling
Washing dishes for your friends who just gave birth
Sitting with a new mom at church who looks overwhelmed
Starting a group for dads with teenage sons