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INTRODUCTION
We are looking at 1st century churches in Acts to show us how to live in the 21st century. To help
us fulfill our church purpose statement. Message #7
SLIDES: Purpose of First Baptist Church.
INTRO TEXT: Matt. 5:14-16.
“enlighten” = to give knowledge or truth to, to endow with spiritual understanding.
Living as lights in a dark world, living the truth of the gospel.
Today’s prototype example is the Lighthouse Church at Ephesus. Acts 19.
The City of Ephesus: Had been the Crown Jewel of Asia Minor. Population of 250,000,
was one of the richest cities in the world. A trend setting city, like New York or Los Angeles, but
a city in decline. Heyday was already over. Her great harbor was being silted in because the
mountain sides eroded due to removing all the trees for building, overgrazing, and mining.
By the time the Apostle Paul arrives, the cities biggest industry was “tourism” - worship
of the goddess Artemis, Dianna. The temple was huge - 450 ft by 220 ft, 127 pillars. One of 7 wonders
of the ancient world. Decadent culture, fertility goddess, rampant temple prostitution. The temple
was the center of the city’s life it even housed the city’s bank.
The Church at Ephesus: Had to counter the entwined religious and cultural mixture
of this pagan city. Christianity was opposite everything Ephesus stood for. Idolatry opened the
Pandora’s Box of demonism, sorcery, witchcraft, immorality. The church was probably started by
Paul and Aquila and Priscilla as Paul briefly visited there on his 2nd missionary trip
(18:18-28). On his 3rd trip he stayed for three years (19:1-41). He
continued his trip into Macedonia (Greece), and on the way back to Jerusalem stops nearly by in
Miletus and calls for the elders of Ephesus to visit with him (20:17-38).
Piecing all that together, I want to show you some features of a church that shines in its’
community.
1. The Church is Bible Based and Jesus Focused 18:24-19:10
- Should be obvious. Apollos had a good Bible background, but incomplete. Aquilla and
Priscilla pulled him aside and helped him. 18:28
- 19:10 Thus by the time Paul arrived on his second missionary trip, Paul could
publicly “reasoning/persuading” intense dialog, and “daily,&lrquo; He
was not ashamed of the Gospel, he knew it’s divine power. Do we daily?
- Enlightened church affirms correct doctrine: in this case water baptism and spirit
baptism. Both once for all acts, one outward and one inward.
- To be a light we must have the light, the light of the Scriptures: “Your word
is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” Psalm 119:105
- Also have the light of Jesus “I am the light of the world.” John 8:12
2. The Church Battles Evil and Stands for Righteousness 19:11-20
- The rest of the chapter deals with spiritual warfare. If a church is going to be light
in darkness it will be a battle.
ILLUS: What’s the most hostile environment you have been in? School, work,
neighborhood, even family? A Christian in media, or a Christian in government. How
can you be a witness?
- During the persecution, the gospel spread quickly and powerfully, crossing cultural,
geographical, and religious barriers.
- Preached gospel in the midst of opposition literally is empowered by opposition. When
God is at work, Satan reacts fiercely,
- In Ephesus Paul encountered more persecution than any other place, yet the gospel grew
mightly giving us this prototype church.
- Read book of Ephesians. Conclusion of book deals specifically with spiritual warfare.
This is the church Paul wrote: “Our struggle is not against flesh and
blood, but against rulers...powers... world forces of this darkness...” 6:12.
This church stood for righteousness, proclaimed the gospel AND sought to be separate
from sin in a culture gone mad.
- The view of spiritual warfare has two extremes - see demons behind every tree, or
completely ignored. The balance takes it seriously.
ILLUS: The occult is alive. Satanic strongholds. The Steps to Freedom in
Christ by Neil Anderson. Voodoo in Haiti
- v.17 Yet when God works, we fear God not the devil. People are in awe of power
of God, no longer do take Lord lightly. 1 John 4:4
- The people who hear, respond correctly. Their profession of faith changes their life,
they turn from sin, and get rid of evil in life.
- Ephesians Christians got rid of magic arts, public burning, sacrificed wealth. Saints
don’t want to be corrupted, and demonstrate to the world what sin is and their
response to sin.
- Thus v. 20 a cleansed and revived church was growing.
ILLUS: Is our lifestyle different from world? Books, movies, toys, entertainment.
What have had to battle? Put away?
3. The Church Builds up the Saints and Protects them 20:28-32
- Later Paul meet elders of church. A church that is a light knows that light protects.
Evil can’t hide in the light, light exposes evil. John 3:20
- Keep on the look out for Satan and protect the sheep from his evil.
- Counterfeit teachers, outright heretics, subtle tempers to evil, outright protesters
against the church. Enemies within and without.
ILLUS: Today’s enemies: idolatry, materialism, sensuality, hedonism,
relativism, humanism, New Age, ignorance and apathy. Outright immorality: Iowa
battleground for marriage - recent clergy document.
- The church’s life is public, open - world knows what it stands for and against.
Enlightened church understands it’s role as light in darkness.
- This church had an interesting future. About 3 years after visiting, Paul wrote his
great Epistle to the church. Timothy eventually came to be the Pastor there for a while.
And Apostle John later made the city his home, as he was the “Bishop” over
the churches in Asia Minor. Great Church.
MORE PRACTICAL CONCLUSIONS
A. Living God’s Truth
- The world doesn’t know truth. It gropes for it, thinks they find it. But The Truth
Project showed us our world is filled with lies. Satan is a liar and a murderer. We are
either living God’s truth or Satan’s lies = sin.
- What is truth? is the most important question for our world - Jesus is answer, found in
the Scriptures. John 8:31-32
- As lights in darkness, we have to live God’s truth. Not just talk about it.
- Are you living God’s truth? Is our church living God’s truth?
B. Living God’s Holiness
- Had two versions of this line. Revise it back to original “holiness”
- A holy life starts by being pro-God rather than anti-sin. That’s the order.
“Be holy for I am holy” 1 Peter 1:16. When we see God for Who He
is, we will learn what honors Him and what offends Him - Godliness compels us to abstain
from sin and live separated lives.
QUOTE: Thomas Caryle “The Christian must be consumed with the infinite beauty
of holiness and the infinite damnability of sin.” (Graham, Pack Rat)
- We need to be a holiness church, known for our purity, Godliness.
C. What does “Enlightenment - Living God’s Truth and Holiness” look like
if we actually did it?
- We are the brightest light, individually and corporately, overcoming the darkness in
Colfax and our surrounding communities.
- We know what we believe, how we are distinct, and vigorously protect our faith and
values.
- We as a church are a “church on fire for Jesus.”
- We who are students, parents, employees, and board members of our school districts
positively contribute to the culture of our schools.
- We who are home-school families network with other Christian families contributing to
wellbeing of each family, the body of Christ and community
- We who are engaged in the businesses of our communities are clearly seen as Christians
by our words and example.
- We as a church are seen by the community as an “active church,” a
“loving church,” and a “growing church.”
- We are living Christ’s command - “Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you.” (Golden Rule)
- We have compassion ministries caring to the needs of people in Jesus’ name.
(Ordinary Men, prayer, etc)
- We are conscious objectors to sin in our world, resisting temptation, avoiding the
appearance of evil, separating from sin, putting away evil when aware.
- We hold a Biblical Worldview and take stands on moral issues - pro-life, pro-family,
pro-traditional marriage, pro-purity before marriage, pro-soberity.
- We affirm God’s authority over creation, all human institutions, and the
fulfillment of His plans for the future, willingly living under His authority.
- We serve our communities in practical ways as Christian citizens in - volunteer
organizations, supporting local businesses, participating in the political processes,
speaking wholesome words of edification in public arena.
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