Making Disciples
Turning Suffering Into Blessingss

Sunday October 28th, 2018 - Pastor Wungreiso Valui

Acts 17

THE CONTEXT

Following Paul On His Second Missionary Journey In The Book of Acts Chapter 17

THE MAIN POINT

Make Known The Unknown God In A Hurting World

INTRODUCTION

This week, I was talking to a person who has had suicidal thoughts. There was this voice telling the person just to end it all. I was reminded of a woman who was deeply hurt, angry and who blamed God for her mother's death. I thought of a husband who is taking care of a wife paralyzed by depression. The dark pit of suffering is real. Adversity is hard. Pain is paralyzing. The good news is that God met you as a suffering God. He was made known to you through His suffering. God can turn your suffering into blessings. "By His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5).

MAKING CHRIST-CENTERED DISCIPLES

"But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, 'These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.'" (Acts 17:5-6)

When you make disciples prepare them for suffering now
The cross is the beginning of our communion with Christ "Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there." (v14)

When you make disciples, prepare them to persevere
Without perseverance nothing important can be accomplished

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols....'for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.'" (v16 & 23)

When you make disciples, prepare them to proclaim Jesus
To be a disciple of Jesus is to make known the unknown God

TAKING JESUS WHERE THEY ARE

"...He gives to all life, breath, and all things." (vs 24-25)

Jesus Gives Life
Speak Christ To The Culture

"And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth...for in Him we live and move and have our being...For we are also His offspring.' (vs 26-29)

Jesus Chose Community
Speak Christ's Inclusive Message

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 'because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.'" (vs 30-31)

Jesus Gives Us Hope Today And Eternal Life
Speak Christ's Call For Repentance

CONCLUSION

Jesus is the remedy to your suffering and pain. You don't have to be a phenomenal leader or a superhero, because you have one already - Jesus. Follow Him. What the world needs is disciples of Jesus who care, share the burdens of others, are willing to come alongside and walk with others, and love them.