Acts 28:23-31, The Fragrant Gospel

# The Fragrant Gospel
## Acts 28:23-31

>>>
+ Do you have **loved ones** 
  + for whom you **care** deeply, but
  + have not yet **turned** to obedience to Christ?
+ invited to church, shared gospel, but
  + resistant, stubborn, take **offense**

---

# How do I **react** to those who <br> take **offense** at the gospel?

>>>
+ How do I **respond**?
  + Combat?  Frustration?  Resignation?
+ Apostle **Paul** encountered opposition
  + What did he **do**?

---

## The Fragrant Gospel [(Ac28)](# "ref")
1. Paul's heart: **Persuasion** [(v23)](# "ref")
2. Hearers' response: **Partition** [(v24-25)](# "ref")
3. Spirit's prophecy: **Promise** [(v26-27)](# "ref")
4. Paul's lifestyle: **Proclamation** [(v28-31)](# "ref")

>>>
+ 1. **Lays out** gospel to beloved countrymen
+ 2. Hearers are **divided** in response
  + some believe, others take offense
+ 3. Paul **remembers** OT prophecy, but
+ 4. **continues** proclaiming gospel to all who would listen

---
<div class="imgbox"><div style="flex:3">

## Paul and <br/> the Jews
+ **Persecution**: <br/> [Acts 13-14, 17-18, 21](# "ref")
+ **Heart** for Jews: <br/> [Romans 9-11](# "ref")

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![Rembrandt, Apostle Paul](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/Rembrandt-Apostle_Paul-WGA19120.jpg)

</div></div>

[Rembrandt, "Apostle Paul", ~1633](http://bilddatenbank.khm.at/viewArtefact?id=1514 "caption")

>>>
+ The people who **opposed** Paul were **Jews**
  + Paul **himself** was a Jew
+ Book of **Acts** has the history of persecution
  + but it's the book of **Romans** 
  + that explains Paul's **heart** 
  + for the people who persecuted him
+ What was Paul's **attitude** toward them?
  + Hate? **Give up**? Avoid?

---

I have great **sorrow** <br/>
and unceasing **anguish** in my heart.

For I could wish that I myself <br/>
were **cursed** and **cut off** from Christ

for the sake of **my people**, <br/>
those of **my own race**, the people of **Israel**.

[Romans 9:2-3 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Paul **loved** Israel deeply!
  + not **enemies** but fellow **countrymen**
  + (we should not **hate** the Jews, either)
+ they are **pious**, moral, desired to do good
  + not **deliberately** wicked
+ So **how** did Paul share gospel with them?

---

He **witnessed** to them <br/>
from morning till evening,

**explaining** about the kingdom of God,<br>
and from the Law of Moses <br/>
and from the Prophets

he tried to **persuade** them about Jesus.

[Acts 28:23 (NIV/CUV)](# "ref")

[Nikolas Bodarevsky, "Trial of the Apostle Paul", 1875](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ANikolai_Bodarevsky_001.jpg "caption")

>>>
+ 3 main **verbs**
+ 1: **lay out**, put forth, clear exposition:
  + God's **holiness**
  + mankind's **sin** + rebellion
  + Christ's **grace** on the cross
  + our need to **repent**
+ 2: **witness**, testify, recount: *martyr*
  + what we've **seen** + lived
  + focus not on **messenger**
  + but on **message** of gospel
+ 3: **persuade**: faith, trust, convince
  + like a **sales pitch**?
  + no, in fact Paul says:

---
<div class="imgbox"><div style="flex:2">

My **message** and preaching <br/>
were not in <br/>
**persuasive** words of wisdom,

but in demonstration <br/>
of the **Spirit** and of **power**,

so that your **faith** would <br/>
not rest on the **wisdom of men**, <br/>
but on the **power of God**.

</div><div>

![Dujardin, St Paul Healing the Cripple at Lystra](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/Dujardin-St_Paul_Healing_the_Cripple_at_Lystra.jpg)
[1 Cor 2:4-5 (NASB)](# "ref")

</div></div>

[Karel Dujardin, "St Paul at Lystra", 1633](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/SK-A-4922 "caption")

>>>
+ "persuasive": same root as **faith**:
  + what I find **persusasive** tells me
  + what my **faith** rests on
+ **What** is persuasive?
  + **Eloquence**, cleverness, cultural relevance?
  + or Holy **Spirit** + **power** of God?
+ Do I want to make 
  + **disciples** of my personality,
  + or disciples of **Christ**?

---

[Raphael, "St. Paul Preaching in Athens", 1515](http://www.the-athenaeum.org/art/detail.php?ID=34558 "caption")

>>>
+ Most in our culture are like **Greeks**
  + Paul speaking to Athenians in Acts 17
+ Also starting from their **piety**
  + desire to do the **right** thing:

---

<div class="imgbox"><div style="flex:3">

“Men of **Athens**, I observe that <br/>
you are **very religious** ...

I found an altar, <br/>
‘TO AN **UNKNOWN GOD**.’

Therefore what you **worship** in ignorance, <br/>
this I **proclaim** to you."

</div><div>

[![89% adults believe in God](https://sermons.seanho.com/img/fig/Pew-RLS14-BeliefInGod.png)](http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/04/americans-faith-in-god-may-be-eroding/)
[Acts 17:22-23 (NASB)](# "ref")

</div></div>

>>>
+ Thirst for **spiritual** fulfillment
+ 89% of US adults believe in "God or a universal spirit"
  + but God is **unknown**, vague, abstract
  + so they fill **void** w/other pursuits
+ Present God as **Creator**
  + **revealed** in Christ

---

# Do I love my **pious countrymen**? <br> Love them enough to <br/> **lay out** the gospel <br/> clearly to them?

>>>
+ **countrymen**: CN, TW, HK, US
  + common **background**: neighbours, classmates
+ **pious**: want to be good/moral/ethical
+ Lay out → testify → persuade
  + in Holy Spirit + power

---

## The Fragrant Gospel [(Ac28)](# "ref")
1. Paul's heart: Persuasion [(v23)](# "ref")
2. **Hearers' response: Partition** [(v24-25)](# "ref")
3. Spirit's prophecy: Promise [(v26-27)](# "ref")
4. Paul's lifestyle: Proclamation [(v28-31)](# "ref")

>>>
+ When the gospel is **laid out** clearly,
+ What should we expect the **response** to be?

---

Some were **convinced** by what he said, <br/>
but others **would not believe**.

They **disagreed** among themselves <br/>
and began to **leave** ...

[Acts 28:24-25 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Cause **divisions**, **reveal** hearts
+ Wait, didn't Jesus come to bring **peace**?
  + shortly after Jesus' birth:

---

### The Sign of Contradiction

[Rembrandt, "Simeon's Song of Praise", 1631](https://www.mauritshuis.nl/en/explore/the-collection/artworks/simeons-song-of-praise-145/detailgegevens/ "caption")

>>>
+ Baby Jesus presented at **temple**
+ Righteous **Simeon** prophesied:

---

Behold, this child is appointed for <br/>
the **fall** and **rising** of many in Israel, <br/>
and for a **sign** that is **opposed** --<br/>

and a **sword** will pierce through <br/>
your own **soul** also --<br/>
so that **thoughts** from many hearts <br/>
may be **revealed**.

[Luke 2:34-35 (ESV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ God's unwavering truth cuts like a **sword**
+ not a **weapon** to be used against others:
  + pierces our **own** soul, too
+ Reveals sin in **facade** of good
  + we Chinese are very good at **pretending** to be polite
  + but **hide** all sorts of bitterness + envy inside
+ Did Jesus come to bring **peace**?

---

Do not suppose that I have come <br/>
to bring **peace** to the earth.<br>
I did not come to bring peace, but a **sword**.

[Matthew 10:34 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ We have **vague** definitions of what it means to be good/moral
+ Jesus makes it very **simple**:
  + v38 take up **cross** + follow
  + v39 **lose life** for My sake
+ Demands 100% response
  + Either **all-in** or **all-out**
+ Hard when it gets **personal**:

---

Anyone who loves their **father or mother** <br/>
more than me is not worthy of me; <br/>
anyone who loves their **son or daughter** <br/>
more than me is not worthy of me.

[Matthew 10:37 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

[Bryan Dilts](https://pixabay.com/en/grandfather-grandpa-baby-love-1434575/ "caption")

>>>
+ do I love **Christ** more than I love my **family**?
+ Many of us in **sandwich** generation:
  + caring of young **kids**, and
  + also caring for elderly **parents**
+ Family is **visible** + demanding
  + Christ is **invisible** + gracious
+ **True love** for family means:
  + Stand **firm** on God's truth
  + Don't make **excuses** for their sin

---

# Has the **sword** of Christ's kingship <br/> pierced **my own** soul? <br> Am I willing to let it <br/> **divide** my loved ones?

>>>
+ To be a **disciple** of Christ
  + demands **complete** devotion
+ When I **proclaim** the gospel boldly,
  + expect it to cause **divisions**:
+ **most** will take offense at it, but
  + a **remnant** will repent

---

## The Fragrant Gospel [(Ac28)](# "ref")
1. Paul's heart: Persuasion [(v23)](# "ref")
2. Hearers' response: Partition [(v24-25)](# "ref")
3. **Spirit's prophecy: Promise** [(v26-27)](# "ref")
4. Paul's lifestyle: Proclamation [(v28-31)](# "ref")

>>>
+ But if most will **reject** gospel,
+ **Why**?  Whose **fault** is it?
+ What do we **do** about it?
+ Paul quotes a **prophecy** from Isaiah:

---

Go, and say to this people: <br/>
“Keep on **hearing**, but do not understand; <br/>
keep on **seeing**, but do not perceive."<br>

Make the heart of this people **dull**, <br/>
and their ears **heavy**, and **blind** their eyes

[Isaiah 6:9-10 (NIV)](# "ref")

[TobiasD](https://pixabay.com/en/eye-human-face-vision-look-person-321961/ "caption")

>>>
+ Hebrew: "Hear, you will **certainly** hear"
  + but will not **understand**
  + *(impf/proph-fut + inf abs)*
+ God tells Isaiah to **cause** their 
  + hearts to be **fat** (slow, lazy)
  + ears to be **heavy** (unable to hear)
  + eyes to be **clouded** (blinded)
  + *(hiphil impr)*
+ **How** does preaching the gospel make a heart **dull**?
  + Romans gives an **example**:

---

I would not have **known** what sin was <br/>
had it not been for the **law**.

For I would not have known <br/>
what **coveting** really was <br/>
if the law had not said, “**You shall not covet**.”

[Romans 7:7 (NIV) (p.1/3)](# "ref")

---

But **sin**, seizing the **opportunity** <br/>
afforded by the commandment, <br/>
produced in me every kind of coveting.

[Romans 7:8 (NIV) (p.2/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ If I tell you, "No **ice cream**, it's bad for you"
  + you'll think about + **want** it
+ Law is good, to bring **life**, but
  + **sin** sprang to life
  + and **killed** me

---

In order that sin might be **recognized as sin**, <br/>
it used what is **good** to bring about **my death**, <br/>
so that through the commandment

**sin** might become **utterly sinful**.

[Romans 7:13 (NIV) (p.3/3)](# "ref")

>>>
+ The **sword** of God's Word does 2 things:
  + Reveals God's **holiness**, and
  + Makes sin utterly **sinful**
+ Preached to **hardened** hearts:
  + Hardens them even **more**
+ Does that mean the gospel **fails**?
+ God is not **powerful** enough?

---
## Partial Hardening [(Rom 9-11)](# "ref")
+ Did God's Word **fail**? → [9:6](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro9.6&version=NIV "ref")
+ Is God **unfair**? → [9:14](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro9.14&version=NIV "ref")
+ Isn't it all God's **fault** anyway? → [9:19](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro9.19&version=NIV "ref")
+ Can't I just be **moral** / ethical? → [9:32](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro9.32&version=NIV "ref")
+ How then is **anyone** saved? → [10:8-10](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro10:8-10&version=NIV "ref")
+ Are they lost **forever**? → [11:1-2](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro11:1-2&version=NIV "ref")
+ Are we **better** than they are? → [11:18-21](https://mobile.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ro11:18-21&version=NIV "ref")

>>>
+ **Romans 9-11** addresses this
  + and many other **questions**
+ when it seems like evangelism **fails**
+ Needs a **change of heart**
  + work of **Holy Spirit**

---

lest they **understand** with their hearts, <br/>
and **turn** and be **healed**.

[Isaiah 6:10 (NIV)](# "ref")
[© 2012 Bethany Petrik, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0](https://www.flickr.com/photos/bethanypetrik/7978577868/ "caption")

>>>
+ e.g., dressing son for **bed**:
  + I'm trying to **help**; he refuses it
  + me: **fine**, dress yourself
  + him: then I take off **everything**
+ I can force his external **behaviour**,
  + but can't force a **change of heart**
+ but never give up on **own child**
  + **continue** to proclaim
  + if there is **life**, there is **hope**
+ **Isaiah** himself asks God:

---

Then I said, “For **how long**, Lord?”<br>
And he answered: “Until the cities lie **ruined** <br/>
and without inhabitant

But as the terebinth and **oak** <br/>
leave **stumps** when they are cut down, <br/>
so the **holy seed** will be the stump in the land.”

[Isaiah 6:11,13 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ oak/stump represent **strength**
  + *(oak: 1st, preeminent, landmark)*
  + *(stump: stone, obelisk, fort)*
+ holy **Seed** (singular):
  + A **remnant** redeem by Jesus
+ even though **many** will reject gospel:

---

So too, at the present time <br/>
there is a **remnant** chosen by grace.

[Romans 11:5 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ Always **hope** for a remnant
+ After **hardened** hearts
  + **opposition**, rebellion
  + God's **discipline**
+ there is also God's **grace**

---

# How do I **react** to those who <br> take **offense** at the gospel?

>>>
+ Combat?  **Frustration**?  Resignation?
  + "Well, **forget** you!"
  + "Meh, I did my **job**"
+ Instead, have heartfelt **hope**
  + and continue to **proclaim**:

---

## The Fragrant Gospel [(Ac28)](# "ref")
1. Paul's heart: Persuasion [(v23)](# "ref")
2. Hearers' response: Partition [(v24-25)](# "ref")
3. Spirit's prophecy: Promise [(v26-27)](# "ref")
4. **Paul's lifestyle: Proclamation** [(v28-31)](# "ref")

>>>
How did Paul **continue** after
the **disappointment** of rejection?

---

God’s **salvation** has been sent <br/>
to the **Gentiles**, and they will **listen**!”<br>

For **two whole years** Paul stayed there <br/>
in his own rented house <br/>
and **welcomed** all who came to see him.

[Acts 28:28,30-31 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ still **preaching** gospel, but
  + moved on to the **Gentiles**
+ stayed in **rented** house: making tents
  + *(1Co9, 2Co11)*
+ **welcomed** all who wanted to know **more**
  + both **Jews** and Gentiles

---

He **proclaimed** the *kingdom of God* <br/>
and **taught** about the *Lord Jesus Christ* -- <br/>
with all **boldness** and without **hindrance**.

[Acts 28:28,30-31 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ proclaimed (**preach**):
  + that God is **king**
+ **taught**: about God revealed in Jesus
+ with boldness (**free speech**)
  + and unhindered (without **stopping**)
+ so in 2Cor Paul **describes** himself in this way:

---

Thanks be to God, who in Christ <br/>
always leads us in **triumphal procession**,

and through us spreads the **fragrance** <br/>
of the **knowledge of Him** everywhere.

[2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (ESV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

---

For we are the **aroma of Christ** to God <br/>
among those who are being **saved** <br/>
and among those who are **perishing**,<br>

to one a fragrance **from death to death**, <br/>
to the other a fragrance **from life to life**.

[2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (ESV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

>>>
+ **boldly** proclaim Christ:
  + be a **smelly** Christian!
+ like **durian**: either **love** it or **hate** it
+ we are a fragrance from **life** to life:
  + hearing God's **truth**,
  + they respond with godly **sorrow**
  + leading to **repentance**
  + receiving God's **grace**
+ we are a stench from **death** to death:
  + hearing God's **truth**
  + they **turn away**, because
  + their hearts are **veiled**
+ but when one **turns** to the Lord 
  + that veil is **lifted**

---

# Do I exude the <br/> **fragrance** of **Christ** <br/> in my daily life?

>>>
+ not about being a **nice guy** / moral / charitable!
+ acknowledge own **unworthiness**
  + our **rebellion** against God
  + our need for **redemption**
+ point to **Christ**'s death + resurrection
  + giving us new **life**
+ **proclaim** gospel boldly
  + from **death** to death,
  + from **life** to life
+ **Read** 2Cor together again, last slide:

to one a fragrance **from death to death**, <br/>
to the other a fragrance **from life to life**.

[2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (ESV)](# "ref")

---