Well, here we are, another lousy sermon. Today, preaching in Antioch, Paul is going to give the Synagogue more than they bargained for. This is Paul’s first recorded message. It is every bit as long as the message preached by Peter in Acts 2. Why in the world do those preachers preach those long, confounded sermons for anyway? We preach those lousy sermons because….
Asking Paul to preach was like throwing steak to a rabid dog!
Preaching is a calling! Isaiah 61:1; 1 Corinthians 1:24 Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 1 Corinthians 9:16
News about the risen Messiah had not yet penetrated into Asia
It is the religious who are the most difficult to reach
1 Cor 15:1-5 explains THE message of the Gospel
#1 Preparation for the coming of Messiah 16-25
First Paul gave them a history lesson
Next he showed them that Jesus was the promised Messiah
During the course of his life Jesus fulfilled 333 prophecies
Jesus would be a descendent of David – 1000 years old
He was to be born in Bethlehem of Judea – 750 years old
He was to be born of a virgin – a 700 year old prophecy
#2 Significance of the coming of Messiah 26-37
The word of this salvation has been preached to us
The Gospel: Jesus died and rose from the dead. Believe it
The official line was that the disciples stole Jesus body
There are hundreds of eyewitnesses who have seen the risen Lord
These statements sent a shock wave through the Synagogue
#3 Response to the coming of Messiah 38-39 Forgiveness of sins is through Jesus, not through the Law of Moses
Only faith in Jesus can bring peace with God
Paul’s Warning: If you fail to respond, judgement awaits Preaching Sometimes Creates “Bad Blood” 40-41
The Gentiles thought this is the greatest sermon ever
They know they can’t keep the Law
Word spreads and droves of people came to listen
The Jews were filled with jealousy They rejected the MESSAGE Many people are going to believe what want regardless of the facts. You can choose to believe and receive, or you can choose to reject and disbelieve. And that is the bottom line of this lousy sermon. Maybe the preacher ain’t so good, but the message is true all the same. Every man must choose. Now it’s your turn. And by the way, if you choose to embrace the message, it’s funny how a lousy message suddenly sounds so good.