Acts 10:34-38

Introduction

• This is the fourth message in a series on "Shock and Awe."
• We have been looking at some of the weapons that have been given to us as we engage in this battle-weapons that are "divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses." (2 Cor. 10:4)
• Thus far we have looked at the weapons of "Extravagant Worship" and "Intelligent (smart bomb) Intercession."
• Today we want to examine one additional weapon that involves the "hand to hand" combat necessary to win a "War of Liberation"-Overcoming evil with good.

I. EVIL IS AN EVIDENT REALITY IN OUR WORLD

John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

A. It isn't within the scope of this message to trace origin of evil, but we do know that evil came into the world when Adam was tempted by the devil and chose to rebel against God's word.
B. Neither can we answer all the questions about "why does God permit evil?"
C. For this message we want to simply admit that evil does exist in our world-something that is very obvious.
D. The issue before us is to continue to look at the weapons that we have been given to wage effective warfare against evil.

II. THE DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL ARE BECOMING CLEARER EACH DAY

2 Timothy 3:1-4
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come.
2 For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy,
3 unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good,
4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

A. It is evident in the entertainment world-movies, TV, music.
B. It is evident in the media-a strong anti-God bias.
C. In the last days the evil will become and more evident.
D. We are daily bombarded with the evidence of evil.

1. Iraq-mass murder, torture chambers
2. In our schools-some right here in Pennsylvania
3. On the streets of our cities-murder and violence
4. Parents killing their children and children killing their parents
5. Poverty
6. Abuse in the home
7. Abortion still continues to be one of the greatest evils of our nation

III. THE CHURCH HAS OFTEN BEEN SILENT ABOUT EVIL THAT EXISTS IN OUR CULTURE AND THE WORLD

A. Social issues
B. Political issues

IV. THIS IS A TIME FOR THE CHURCH TO BE ENGAGED IN THE BATTLE

Acts 10:38
"You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

A. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil-His church has been commissioned to do the same.
B. We do this through Extravagant Worship, Intelligent Intercession, and hand-to-hand combat.
C. Jesus was a hands-on warrior-He didn't live in seclusion or some ivory palace-He went to where the battle was raging.
D. The Bible says, "He went about doing good."
E. "Went about" implies action on His part.
F. Things that Jesus did:

1. He preached the good news of the Kingdom of God to the poor.
2. He healed the sick.
3. He fed the hungry.
4. He set captives free from demons.
5. He raised the dead.
6. He ministered to children.
7. He performed various acts of kindness-turning water into wine-to meet needs that people had.

G. It is time to begin to move out of the fort and into the world.

1. We begin locally, but our vision must encompass the ends of the earth.
2. We are the light of the world and it is time for us to take our light into the world.
3. It is time for us to believe the Lord for the "greater works" that He said we would do in His name.
4. We are not to neglect doing good.

Hebrews 13:16
And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

H. In the days ahead we will be suggesting some practical things that we can do together as a church-but you don't have to wait to begin.
I. We are encouraged in Scripture not to grow weary in doing good-for therein lies our treasure that we are laying up in heaven.

2 Thessalonians 3:13
But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

Conclusion

• Doing good involves action on our part.
• There are opportunities available to us-don't have to reinvent the wheel.
• We are the light of the world and we can dispel darkness by taking the light to others.
  

GO TO TOP