{"id":4587,"date":"2019-03-21T15:53:29","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T20:53:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=4587"},"modified":"2019-03-21T15:53:29","modified_gmt":"2019-03-21T20:53:29","slug":"an-unpopular-gospel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2019\/03\/21\/an-unpopular-gospel\/","title":{"rendered":"An Unpopular Gospel"},"content":{"rendered":"

An Unpopular Gospel<\/strong>
\nBy Stephen Jones, Student Ministries Advisory Team Leader<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles\u2019 teaching\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

WHAT teaching, exactly?<\/p>\n

If you read the last post in this series, you might recall reading about the common threads found in all of Peter\u2019s messages delivered after the Day of Pentecost\u2013 how Peter emphasized the sins of the people, the sacrifice and resurrection of the Savior, and the single path to salvation, and how all<\/em> the apostles spoke with a specific message.<\/p>\n

You might also remember the responses of the people who heard the apostolic messages. The crowds who gathered outside the Pentecostal worship service were \u201ccut to the heart,\u201d repented of their sins, and launched the very First Church of Jerusalem with more than three thousand people. Oppositely, while the religious leaders in the temple who interrogated Peter and John were equally convicted by Peter\u2019s words, their response to the message was to double-down in their own doubt.<\/p>\n

Isn\u2019t it amazing to see such a different response to the same teaching? How the Good News was life-transforming for some and completely offensive to others? How entire households were won for the Kingdom in a single decision (Acts 16:31-34), while other communities roundly rejected their teaching? (cp. Acts 13:44-52) How even though the \u201cwhole world had gone after Jesus\u201d (John 12:18-20), for others the Good News was quite an unpopular Gospel?<\/p>\n

Interestingly enough, it was indeed a both-and kind of message. The Gospel was both life transforming and <\/em>unpopular and for all the same reasons. Consider the primary talking points of the apostles\u2019 teaching.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. You have sinned.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201cIn each circumstance, on every occasion, Peter took the opportunity to boldly remind the people of how Jesus had been innocent, attested to them by God with miracles and wonders and they still chose to execute Him. On every occasion, once-timid Peter detailed how they had chosen a murderer in place of Jesus, how they had turned one of their own over to the Roman authorities to be nailed to a cross, how they had rejected the true Servant of the Living God. He was frighteningly sharp with his indictments of both laypeople and the religious leaders. There could be no doubt\u2014every single person stood under judgment on the basis of how they responded to Christ.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

    There is tremendous freedom that comes from acknowledging our failures. Being confronted with the truth often opens the door for reconciliation, for peace, and for course-correction. The crowds gathered in the temple and on the street, heard the truth, felt the weight of their poor choices, and repented of their errors.<\/p>\n

    Yet, when was the last time you wanted <\/em>to be shown your mistakes<\/em>?<\/p>\n

    How often do you enjoy being corrected<\/em> or found to be completely wrong<\/em>?<\/p>\n

    When Peter indicted the religious leaders for their complicity in Jesus\u2019 arrest, trial, and execution, they became defensive. \u201cYou<\/em> nailed Him to a cross,\u201d Peter said, perhaps even with a finger pointed in their faces. Imagine their response. No one likes having their mistakes pointed out. No one wants to be corrected or disciplined.<\/p>\n

    \u201cYou <\/em>asked for a murderer<\/em>,\u201d Peter reminded them. Imagine their response. No one likes to be told they\u2019ve chosen poorly. No one wants to admit they\u2019ve put their hope in a failure. No one likes to be wrong.<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u201cThe core of the Gospel message was that even though Jesus had been crucified, He was no longer dead or laying in a tomb. The central focus of EVERY SINGLE SERMON was that Jesus was alive and well, that God had raised Him from the dead, and that the apostles were all witnesses of His resurrection. Whether the audience was a group of on-lookers in the temple courts or the temple leaders themselves, there was no ambiguity or hesitation. Jesus was alive! Moreover, by virtue of His perfect life, sacrificial death, and documented resurrection, God has made Him Lord and Savior over all humanity and the created order. The man who had once been attested by God (by His miracles) to be an authoritative teacher had now been validated and verified to be the Son of God by His resurrection!<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

      Death is the great equalizer, the final enemy to be overcome. The news that a Savior has come, who has defeated death and risen again to life, is unbelievable news\u2014a sure sign that nothing is impossible for those who follow that Savior!<\/p>\n

      Oppositely, life has trained many of us to be skeptical, to be cynical, and to place more faith in our own experiences than the reports of eyewitnesses who have seen otherwise. It\u2019s far too easy to dismiss the incredible in favor of the predictable. No one wants to be taken for a fool. Dead people don\u2019t just rise from the dead.<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Salvation is found only in His name.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        \u201cDespite the bold, finger-pointed truth of Peter\u2019s indictment, he still offered to every single crowd a tremendous hope of forgiveness and restoration. In a historic, unprecedented, and wonderful irony, the man whom they had turned over to Pilate for execution was the very same man in whom they would find forgiveness\u2014not only for their rejection of Him, but also for every single mistake they had ever made against anyone else, and every way they had ever rejected God and His commands, both past, present and forevermore. No other name, no other god could offer clean-slate forgiveness like the One they had rejected. \u2026and there was no wait-list, no probationary period, no reason to delay accepting that free gift He offered.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n

        With the tremendous diversity of religious ideas floating in the ether, there is a comforting sense of security in an absolute truth. For those who desire clarity and want a logically-coherent time-tested faith, Peter\u2019s assertion that Jesus is the only way to the Father leaves no room for confusion or uncertainty. Even if you don\u2019t believe him, you don\u2019t have to wonder where he stands on the issue.<\/p>\n

        However, the rebellious, self-starter in me refuses to settle for only one option, one path, and one answer. The willful, stubborn side of me will look for every other imaginable solution when someone says, \u201cThere\u2019s only one way.\u201d Too often the creative, manipulative, self-assured qualities in many of us look for other answers to our own brokenness. We\u2019d rather spend our energy proving ourselves right, than humbly admitting we\u2019re wrong. That\u2019s the opposite of the apostles\u2019 teaching.<\/p>\n

        While we\u2019re looking at a different perspective, the unpopular Gospel, do we really believe that faith in the name of Jesus brings healing? As it relates to our own health, are we more often found searching for cures than pursuing the promises of scripture?<\/p>\n

        Are we convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus will one day return? Are we living in such a way that we expect His imminent return, or are we operating as though tomorrow has been guaranteed for us? Is there any fear in us that we will be punished for our wickedness on the day of judgment? Can it be said that our lifestyles align with our profession of faith, or have we grown comfortable conforming to this current culture?<\/p>\n

        All those ideas were key themes in the messages delivered by Peter and the other apostles\u2013 salvation, resurrection, healing, the Second Coming of Christ, judgment. All of those messages came with diametrically opposite responses from their audiences\u2014enthusiastic repentance and vehement resistance. Such contrasting responses demonstrate how the Gospel is both a stumbling block and <\/em>the chief cornerstone. Considering the apostles\u2019 teaching from both perspectives opens the door for us to inspect our own responses.<\/p>\n

        Haven\u2019t we all made the same choices? Haven\u2019t we rejected Jesus, and chosen broken cisterns that can hold no water? Haven\u2019t we chosen the foolish, corrupt elements of this world to find salvation, hope, pleasure, and peace instead of choosing Christ? Is that a form of rejecting Him?<\/p>\n

        Haven\u2019t we doubted the resurrection and the power that raised Christ from the dead? Have we ever lacked the faith to pray for healing, for deliverance, for restoration? Is that a form of doubting the resurrection?<\/p>\n

        Haven\u2019t we searched for salvation in a hundred other places? Have we devoted ourselves to the apostles\u2019 teaching? Are there areas in our lives where we\u2019ve chosen to reject or ignore the Good News for something easier, something more palatable, something less demanding?<\/p>\n

        NOTES:<\/p>\n

        WHAT teaching, exactly?<\/p>\n

        Peter\u2019s first sermon<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \u201cJesus of Nazareth\u2026attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs\u2026\u201d (Acts 2:22)<\/li>\n
        2. Jesus of Nazareth\u2026 \u201cyou nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death\u2026\u201d (vs 23)<\/li>\n
        3. Jesus of Nazareth\u2026 \u201cGod raised Him up, putting an end to the agony of death\u2026\u201d (vs 24)<\/li>\n
        4. Jesus of Nazareth\u2026\u201dGod raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.\u201d (vs 32)<\/li>\n
        5. Jesus of Nazareth\u2026\u201dGod has made Him both Lord and Christ\u2014this Jesus whom you crucified.\u201d (vs 36)<\/li>\n
        6. \u201cRepent and \u2026be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.\u201d (vs 38)<\/li>\n
        7. \u201cBe saved from this perverse generation!\u201d (vs 40)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Peter\u2019s second sermon<\/p>\n

            \n
          1. \u201cThe God of Abraham\u2026has glorified His servant Jesus\u2026whom you delivered up\u2026in the presence of Pilate.\u201d (3:13)<\/li>\n
          2. \u201cYou disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked for a murderer\u2026 [and] God raised [Him] from the dead, a fact to which we are witnesses.\u201d (3:15)<\/li>\n
          3. \u201cOn the basis of faith in His name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man \u2026 and given him perfect health.\u201d (3:16)<\/li>\n
          4. \u201cRepent, \u2026 and return that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord\u2026 and that He may send Jesus.\u201d<\/li>\n
          5. \u201cEvery soul that does not heed that prophet shall be utterly destroyed.\u201d (3:23)<\/li>\n
          6. \u201cGod raised up His Servant, and sent him to bless you by turning everyone of you from your wicked ways.\u201d (3:26)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Peter\u2019s Defense<\/p>\n

              \n
            1. \u201c\u2026by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead\u2014by this name this man stands before you in good health.\u201d (4:10)<\/li>\n
            2. \u201cHe is the stone rejected by you, the builders, but which became the very cornerstone.\u201d (4:11)<\/li>\n
            3. \u201cAnd there is salvation in no one else\u2026there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.\u201d (4:12)<\/li>\n
            4. \u201cAnd with great power the apostles were giving witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.\u201d (4:33)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Peter\u2019s Temple Teaching<\/p>\n

                \n
              1. \u201cThe God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had put to death on a cross\u2026\u201d (5:30)<\/li>\n
              2. \u201cHe is the one whom God has exalted to His right hand\u2026\u201d (5:31)<\/li>\n
              3. \u201cWe are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey Him.\u201d (5:32)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

                \u201cThey kept right on teaching and preaching that Jesus as the Christ.\u201d (5:42)<\/p>\n

                The apostles appointed seven deacons to serve the widows, so that they might pursue their duty as the stewards of the faith\u2014\u201cIt is not desirable for us to neglect the Word of God in order to serve tables.\u201d (Acts 6:2-4)<\/p>\n

                THE UNPOPULAR GOSPEL PRECIPITATED THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST MEGACHURCH.<\/p>\n

                It wasn\u2019t a three-step strategy with branding, marketing, social media campaigns or events<\/p>\n

                 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":4588,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,305],"tags":[1033,1031,1034,290,941,288,292],"class_list":{"0":"post-4587","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general","8":"category-student-ministires","9":"tag-an-unpopular-gospel","10":"tag-discipleship-ministries","11":"tag-iphc-discipleship","12":"tag-smat","13":"tag-sound-doctrine","14":"tag-stephen-jones","15":"tag-student-ministries","16":"entry"},"title_es":"Un evangelio impopular","content_es":"","author_name":"","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/03\/An-Unpopular-Gospel.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4T9u2-1bZ","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4587","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4587"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4587\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4588"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4587"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4587"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4587"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}