Paul & the Gospel of Jesus College Park - 5/30/12

Introduction
painters & poets, athletes & enthusiasts, musicians (theory & improv)

Churches & Spirituality

ABOUT JESUS: Some of us grew up in churches that taught us about Jesus. (gospel & the cross, sermons, bible classes, Lords Supper, baptism, etc.) We grew up with an educational spirituality. (bible study, discussion, thinkers, etc.) This is how we do church. Its very controlled and we walk out with fresh knowledge of Christ. We love to learn about Jesus, were really comfortable in our bible studies and church services. But heres the deal, in Luke chapter 4 Jesus is preaching and teaching (which we love), but then a demon possessed man shows up, Jesus performs an exorcism, and later that day Jesus heals a bunch of sick people. So, thats what happens when Jesus is running the church service. For those of us who are used to learning about Jesus that sort of thing freaks us out. But others of us might get kind of excited about that sort of thing. LIKE JESUS: Others of us might have grown up in churches that look a lot like this. Churches that talk about the Kingdom and have great big worship nights and prayer gatherings. We grew up with an experiential spirituality. (worship, prophecy, presence, etc.) This is how we do church. Its really free and we walk out with a lot of passion and excitement. Both of these are great, but the problem is that theres a pretty stark division in the Church because of these different approaches to spirituality and the gospel. Some of you have experienced both of these and probably either loved the different approach or were frustrated and/or freaked out by it. (Give examples.)

What Is the Gospel?

I think this division exists because we are confused about what the gospel is. And rightly so -- it can be confusing in the scriptures. Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:14-15) For Jesus, the gospel is about the kingdom of God. Now I would remind you of the gospel...that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) For Paul, the gospel is about Christ & the cross. Scholars have debated this for ages, pitting Jesus and Paul against each other. Churches have

debated this, pitting the kingdom and the cross against each other. And I think we just need to take a closer look at Paul to settle this whole thing. And I think that we will find the answer to question of which of these is the right way is YES!

A Closer Look at Paul

Paul is more than this. Paul does not so easily fall on one side of this or the other. Is Paul only about Jesus or does he do things like Jesus? There is a reason that 13 of the 27 books in the New Testament are attributed to Paul He was, perhaps, the first great theologian and thinker of the Christian faith! There is a reason Acts records Paul going on three missionary journeys to fifteen different cities, working miracles (casting out demons & healing) as well as preaching to many He was continuing the mission that Jesus began! Somehow, the same man wrote I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:2) And then later to the same church, We are being transformed into the image of Christ! (2 Corinthians 3:18) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29)

Education & Zeal

So, how did Paul hold these things together? Like I said earlier, we are all bent one way or another. I think that Paul so easily held these two things together because both of them were a part of his core. In Acts 22, Paul stands up in front of a group of Jewish men to share his testimony. He begins by introducing himself and this is what he says: I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day. (Acts 22:3) Did you catch that? When Paul describes himself, he says that he was a man full of zeal for God, but also a man who was educated...according to the law. Paul was educated! We can tell this from his writings. You cant read Pauls stuff without realizing that he knows stuff that you dont know. Have you ever tried reading Romans? Paul starts quoting the Old Testament left and right and piecing things together that I would never think of! Heck -- a couple years ago we spent a whole year and only made it halfway through Romans. Thats how smart Paul was. He was clearly an educated man. But, Paul was a man of zeal! See how passionate and firey he gets in some of his letters. Or just read Acts sometime. Paul is always looking intently at people and then they either end up blind (because he cursed them) or healed (because he saw their faith). Thats passion! Thats zeal! Paul shared the gospel with just about the entire ancient world -- thats passion! Thats zeal!

Education and zeal. We usually pit these things against each other. Youre either some great scholar sitting at your desk studying the scripture and translating the texts or youre Shane Claibourne whos on the streets ministering to the broken and living with the poor. Youre either writing and reading or doing and being, but we absolutely cant be both! (?) But maybe...maybe we could just do both. I think that is what the life of Paul challenges us to do. To be an educated and zealous people.

A Warning and A Challenge

So, where do we go from here? Why cant we just keep doing what we do and let the thinkers think and the doers do. Some of us can talk about Jesus and others can do stuff like Jesus and altogether the church will be well-rounded, right? No. Jesus has a harsh warning for each person. On that day many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name? And then will I declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. (Matthew 7:2223) Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me. Then they also will answer, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you? Then he will answer them, saying, Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me. And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (Matthew 25:41-46) Some of these were doing the kingdom and Jesus says Depart from me, I never knew you! They were living life like Jesus but they didnt know him! The others spent their time talking about Jesus. They, undoubtedly had all of their theology figured out and knew that Jesus is all powerful, all knowing, all wonderful God. And so theyre startled when he says that they never fed him. But, you dont need food! they said, We just discussed that in our theology class! -- They were talking about Jesus, but hadnt lived like him and lowered themselves amongst the least of these. So, which one are you? Are you someone who naturally thinks and studies or are you someone prone to action? Are you a painter or a poet? An athlete or enthusiast? I want to challenge you, this summer to stretch yourself. If youve always been learning ABOUT JESUS, set down your study bible and put on the shoes of readiness! Go share the gospel at Wal-Mart Pray for people at the Mall Get plugged into a lifegroup and do the kingdom in community Go volunteer at Love & Care or BOBS

 Adopt a kid from World Vision or Compassion Kids I could keep listing stuff. Just go DO SOMETHING like Jesus! If youre someone who is bent towards doing things LIKE JESUS, keep on doing it, but take some time to think about why youre doing what you do. Sit down, grab your bible and read it. Not just to feel something but really study it. Ask questions. Think about it. Read books N.T. Wright A.W. Tozer C.S. Lewis Listen to podcasts Matt Chandler, The Village Church Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church John Piper, Desiring God Start discussions with people! Learn ABOUT JESUS! End with prayer.