"No Compromise" TRANSCRIPT
T h e S e rm o n s o f D a n D u n c a n A c ts 2 1 :1 7 -4 0
A c ts
" N o C o m p ro m is e "
T R A N S C R IP T
[M e s s a g e ] W e a re g o in g th ro u g h th e b o o k o f A c ts . A n d y o u 'll re m e m b e r fro m o u r re c e n t s tu d ie s , P a u l h a s fin is h e d h is th ird m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y . H is m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y s a s a f re e m a n a re a t a n e n d , a n d h e h a s m a d e h is w a y b a c k f ro m G re e c e , a n d th e n A s ia M i n o r to J e ru s a le m , a n d h e h a s c o m e u p to th e c ity . A n d w e re a d in A c ts 2 1 :1 7 : " A fte r w e a rriv e d in J e ru s a le m , the b re th re n re c e iv e d u s g la d ly . A n d th e fo llo w in g d a y P a u l w e n t in w ith u s to J a m e s , a n d a ll th e e ld e rs w e re p re s e n t. A fte r h e h a d g re e te d th e m , h e b e g a n to re la te o n e b y o n e th e th in g s w h ic h G o d h a d d o n e a m o n g th e G e n tile s th ro u g h h is m in is try . A n d w h e n th e y h e a rd it th e y b e g a n g lo rif y in g G o d ; a n d th e y s a id to h im , 'Y o u s e e , b ro th e r, h o w m a n y th o u s a n d s th e re a re a m o n g th e J e w s o f th o s e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d , a n d th e y a re a ll z e a lo u s f o r th e L a w ; a n d th e y h a v e b e e n to ld a b o u t y o u , th a t y o u a re te a c h in g a ll th e J e w s w h o a re a m o n g th e G e n tile s to fo rs a k e M o s e s , te llin g th e m n o t to c irc u m c is e th e ir c h ild re n n o r to w a lk a c c o rd in g to th e c u s to m s . W h a t, th e n , is to b e d o n e ? T h e y w ill c e rta in ly h e a r th a t y o u h a v e c o m e . T h e re f o re d o th is th a t w e t e ll y o u . W e h a v e f o u r m e n w h o a re u n d e r a v o w ; ta k e th e m a n d p u rify y o u rs e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , a n d p a y th e ir e x p e n s e s s o th a t th e y m a y s h a v e th e ir h e a d s ; a n d a ll w ill k n o w th a t th e re is n o th in g to th e th in g s w h ic h th e y h a v e b e e n to ld a b o u t y o u , b u t y o u y o u rs e lf a ls o w a lk o rd e rly , k e e p in g th e L a w . B u t c o n c e rn in g th e G e n tile s w h o h a v e b e lie v e d , w e w ro te , h a v in g d e c id e d th a t th e y
-2"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s h o u ld a b s ta in fro m m e a t s a c rif ic e d to id o ls a n d f ro m b lo o d a n d f ro m w h a t is s tra n g le d a n d fro m fo rn ic a tio n .' T h e n P a u l to o k th e m e n , a n d th e n e x t d a y , p u rif y in g h im s e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , w e n t in to th e te m p le g iv in g n o tic e o f th e c o m p le tio n o f th e d a y s o f p u rif ic a tio n , u n til th e s a c rific e w a s o ffe re d fo r e a c h o n e o f th e m . W h e n th e s e v e n d a y s w e re a lm o s t o v e r, th e J e w s f ro m A s ia , u p o n s e e in g h im in th e te m p le , b e g a n to s tir u p a ll th e c ro w d a n d la id h a n d s o n h im , c ry in g o u t, 'M e n o f Is ra e l, c o m e to o u r a id ! T h is is th e m a n w h o p re a c h e s to a ll m e n e v e ry w h e re a g a in s t o u r p e o p le a n d th e L a w a n d th is p la c e ; a n d b e s id e s h e h a s e v e n b ro u g h t G re e k s in to th e te m p le a n d h a s d e file d th is h o ly p la c e .' F o r th e y h a d p re v io u s ly s e e n T ro p h im u s th e E p h e s ia n in th e c ity w ith h im , a n d th e y s u p p o s e d th a t P a u l h a d b ro u g h t h im in to th e te m p le . T h e n a ll th e c ity w a s p ro v o k e d , a n d th e p e o p le ru s h e d to g e th e r, a n d ta k in g h o ld o f P a u l th e y d ra g g e d h im o u t o f th e te m p le , a n d im m e d ia te ly th e d o o rs w e re s h u t. W h ile th e y w e re s e e k in g to k ill h im , a re p o rt c a m e u p to th e c o m m a n d e r o f th e R o m a n c o h o rt th a t a ll J e ru s a le m w a s in c o n fu s io n . A t o n c e h e to o k a lo n g s o m e s o ld ie rs a n d c e n tu rio n s a n d ra n d o w n t o th e m ; a n d w h e n th e y s a w th e c o m m a n d e r a n d th e s o ld ie rs , th e y s to p p e d b e a tin g P a u l. T h e n th e c o m m a n d e r c a m e u p a n d to o k h o ld o f h im , a n d o rd e re d h im to b e b o u n d w ith tw o c h a in s ; a n d h e b e g a n a s k in g w h o h e w a s a n d w h a t h e h a d d o n e . B u t a m o n g th e c ro w d s o m e w e re s h o u tin g o n e th in g a n d s o m e a n o th e r, a n d w h e n h e c o u ld n o t f in d o u t th e f a c ts b e c a u s e o f th e u p r o a r , h e o r d e r e d h im to b e b ro u g h t in to th e b a rra c k s . W h e n h e g o t to th e s ta irs , h e w a s c a rrie d b y th e s o ld ie rs b e c a u s e o f th e v io le n c e o f th e m o b ; f o r th e m u ltitu d e o f th e p e o p le k e p t f o llo w in g th e m , s h o u tin g , 'A w a y w ith h im !' A s P a u l w a s a b o u t to b e b ro u g h t in to th e b a rra c k s , h e s a id to th e c o m m a n d e r, 'M a y I s a y s o m e th in g to y o u ? ' A n d h e s a id , 'D o y o u k n o w G re e k ? T h e n y o u a re n o t th e E g y p tia n w h o s o m e tim e a g o s tirre d u p a re v o lt a n d le d th e fo u r th o u s a n d m e n o f th e A s s a s s in s o u t in to th e w ild e rn e s s ? ' B u t P a u l s a id , 'I a m a J e w o f T a rs u s in C ilic ia , a c itiz e n o f n o in s ig n if ic a n t c ity ; a n d I b e g y o u , a llo w m e to s p e a k to th e p e o p le .' W h e n h e h a d g iv e n h im p e rm is s io n , P a u l, s ta n d in g o n th e
-3"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s ta irs , m o tio n e d to th e p e o p le w ith h is h a n d ; a n d w h e n th e re w a s a g re a t h u s h , h e s p o k e to th e m in th e H e b re w d ia le c t." M a y th e L o rd b le s s th is re a d in g o f H is W o rd a n d o u r tim e to s tu d y to g e th e r. L e t's b o w in a w o rd o f p ra y e r. [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e th a n k y o u f o r th is tim e to g e th e r. W e th a n k y o u fo r th e b le s s in g th a t it is to s im p ly p o s s e s s th e B ib le w h ic h is y o u r in e rra n t W o rd a n d to re a d it p u b lic ly a s w e h a v e d o n e , b u t th e n , th e a d d e d b e n e f it o f s p e n d in g s o m e tim e c o n s id e rin g its m e a n in g to g e th e r. A n d w e c o n s id e r th a t a g re a t p riv ile g e . T h is is h o w w e 're b u ilt u p in th e fa ith . T h is is h o w w e re a c h m a tu rity in th e fa ith a n d a re m a d e u s e f u l. T h is is h o w w e le a rn a b o u t y o u a n d h o w y o u w o u ld h a v e u s to liv e . A n d s o w e p ra y , F a th e r, f o r a s p e c ia l b le s s in g a n d in s tr u c tio n f r o m th e H o ly S p ir it. A n d w h a t a p r iv ile g e th a t is , b e y o n d e s tim a tio n , th a t w e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d in J e s u s C h ris t n o t o n ly h a v e lif e e te rn a l, b u t w e h a v e w ith in u s th e th ird P e rs o n o f th e T rin ity . G o d d w e lls , lite ra lly , w ith in H is c h ild re n . H e p ro te c ts u s a n d H e g u id e s u s a n d H e te a c h e s u s . W e p ra y f o r th a t th is m o rn in g . A s w e h a v e s tu d ie d th ro u g h th e b o o k o f A c ts , w e h a v e n o tic e d h o w H e o p e n s h e a rts to re c e iv e th e th in g s th a t a re s a id , re c e iv e th e tru th . A n d w e p ra y th a t th a t m in is try w o u ld g o o n th is m o rn in g , th a t h e a rts w o u ld b e o p e n e d b y H im , th a t, s u p e rn a tu ra lly , w e 'd c o m e in to a n u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e th in g s th a t y o u w o u ld h a v e u s to k n o w a n d to b e lie v e th a t w e m ig h t w a lk in a m a n n e r w o rth y o f o u r c a llin g . S o b le s s u s to th a t e n d . G iv e u s a h u n g e r f o r y o u r tru th a n d a d e s ire to s e rv e y o u fa ith fu lly a n d w e ll. A n d w e p ra y fo r th o s e m a te ria l a n d p h y s ic a l n e e d s th a t w e h a v e a s w e ll. W e th a n k y o u f o r th e ra in w e h a v e n e e d e d s o g re a tly , a n d w e th a n k y o u f o r it a n d f o r s a f e ty . A n d w e fo r s a fety ; w e p ra y f o r th o s e w h o 'll b e tra v e lin g in it th a t y o u g iv e th e m s a fe tra v e l. Bu t it is a b le s s in g , F a th e r, to h a v e th e ra in a n d w e th a n k y o u fo r th a t. A n d w e p ra y fo r th e o th e r n e e d s th a t w e h a v e .
-4"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
W e th in k o f th o s e w h o h a v e g iv e n u s th e ir n a m e s to p ra y fo r, w h o s e n a m e s a re lis te d in th e C a le n d a r o f C o n c e rn o n th e p ra ye r lis t. W e p ra y f o r th e m ; p ra y y o u r b le s s in g u p o n th e m . G iv e h e a lin g w h e re it b e y o u r w ill. Y o u a re a G o d o f m ira c le s a n d y o u c a n c e rta in ly d o th a t. B u t y o u d o a ll th in g s a c c o rd in g to y o u r w ill. Y o u d o a ll th in g s w e ll, a n d w e k n o w th a t y o u r w ill is w o rke d o u t p e rf e c tly in o u r liv e s , a n d w e th a n k y o u f o r th a t. G iv e e n c o u ra g e m e n t w h e re it is n e e d e d , s tre n g th w h e re it is n e e d e d . B le s s o u r n a tio n . W e fa c e a d a y o f g re a t d e c is io n . T h e e le c tio n is a p p ro a c h in g a n d g o v e rn m e n t o f f ic ia ls w ill b e c h o s e n th is p e o p le . A n d w e p ra y th a t y o u g iv e u s w is d o m a s w e c a s t o u r v o te s , a n d th a t b y y o u r g ra c e w e w o u ld h a v e a w is e g o v e rn m e n t. T h a t is a g if t f ro m y o u , F a th e r. W e k n o w th a t y o u ra is e u p g o v e rn m e n ts a n d y o u re m o v e g o v e rn m e n ts . Y o u g iv e w is d o m to th e p e o p le a n d w e p ra y fo r th a t. B le s s u s th is e v e n in g a s w e re tu rn to th is p la c e a n d a s w e c e le b ra te th e L o rd 's S u p p e r. It is , a s H o w a rd h a s re m in d e d u s , a c o m m a n d th a t is g iv e n to u s to d o this in re m e m b ra n c e of your Son. A n d s o a s w e d o th a t th is e v e n in g , m a y w e b e b le s s e d , s a n c tifie d , e n c o u ra g e d th ro u g h th e m in is try th a t w e w ill re c e iv e th e n a n d w h a t w e w ill re c e iv e n o w . B le s s u s a s w e s in g o u r f in a l h y m n . M a y it p re p a re o u r h e a rts f o r o u r tim e o f s tu d y to g e th e r. W e p ra y in C h ris t's n a m e . A m e n . [M e s s a g e ] T h e o th e r d a y I re a d th e d e s c rip tio n o f a n o w -d e a d th e o lo g ia n , th a t h e d id n 't h a v e a p o litic a l b o n e in h is b o d y . W e k n o w w h a t th a t m e a n s . H e d id n o t liv e to p le a s e m e n ; h e d id n 't c o m p ro m is e . T h a t's p o litic s . S a m R a y b u rn , w h o w a s f o r m a n y y e a rs th e s p e a k e r o f th e H o u s e o f R e p re s e n ta tiv e s , w a s fa m o u s fo r g iv in g th e a d v ic e to y o u n g c o n g re s s m e n , " T o g e t a lo n g , g o a lo n g ." T h a t's th e w a y p o litic s w o rk s , b y f in d in g th e m id d le c o u rs e , th e h a p p y m e d iu m – b y c o m p ro m is e . A n d in o u r s y s te m o f g o v e rn m e n t , it c o u ld b e a rg u e d , I s u p p o s e , a n d , in f a c t, is a rg u e d th a t th a t is a n e c e s s a ry e v il. C h ris tia n ity , th o u g h , is d iffe re n t. It is n o t p o litic s .
-5"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
In th e C h ris tia n life , in o u r w a lk w ith G o d , c o m p ro m is e is n o t n e c e s s a ry , b u t it is e v il. W h ic h b rin g s u s to o u r te x t in A c ts 2 1 w h e re P a u l v is ite d th e te m p le in J e ru s a le m a n d o b s e rv e d th e J e w is h rite o f p u rific a tio n . S o m e c a ll it P a u l's c o m p ro m is e . G . C a m p b e ll M o rg a n , w h o p re a c h e d f o r m a n y y e a r s a t W e s tm in s te r C h a p e l in L o n d o n , c a lle d it " th e g re a te s t m is ta k e o f h is life ." W e ll, w a s it? It's a g o o d q u e s tio n to p ro b e b e c a u s e it d e a ls n o t o n ly w ith P a u l's life a n d w h e th e r o r n o t h e g iv e s u s a n e x a m p le fo r e ith e r g o o d o r b a d , b u t it d e a ls w ith th e is s u e o f c o m p ro m is e , th e is s u e o f c o u ra g e , th e is s u e o f c o n v ic tio n . B u t it a ls o d e a ls w ith th e C h ris tia n 's re la tio n s h ip to th e la w o f M o s e s , h o w w e a re to liv e . P a u l h a d m u c h to s a y a b o u t th e la w . A n d u n d e rs ta n d in g h is p o s itio n w ill a n s w e r th is c h a rg e o f c o m p ro m is e in A c ts 2 1 . W e 're c le a rly ta u g h t th a t w e a re n o t u n d e r th e la w o f M o s e s . H e m a k e s th a t v e ry c le a r in th e b o o k s o f R o m a n s a n d G a la tia n s , th e b o o k s o f 1 a n d 2 C o rin th ia n s a n d o th e rs a s w e ll. " Y o u a re n o t u n d e r la w b u t u n d e r g ra c e ," h e w ro t e in R o m a n s 6 :1 4 . In 2 C o rin th ia n s 3 , h e d e s c rib e d th e T e n C o m m a n d m e n ts a s " th e m in is try o f d e a th in le tte rs e n g ra v e d o n s to n e s . In G a la tia n s 3 , h e s ta te s th a t th e la w o f M o s e s, in e ffe c t, h e s a y s , w a s te m p o ra ry . It w a s in e f f e c t f ro m S in a i to C a lv a ry , a n d h e d e s c rib e s it a s b e in g lik e a " tu to r" o r a g u a rd ia n w h o h a d a u th o rity o v e r a p e rs o n w h e n h e w a s a c h ild . B u t w h e n th a t c h ild b e c a m e a m a n , th e n th e a u th o rity o f th a t g u a rd ia n c e a s e d to e x is t. G e n e ra lly , th e a n a lo g y th a t h e is g iv in g u s th e re is fro m th e p ra c tic e o f a s la v e in a p a tric ia n 's h o m e in R o m e , a n d h o w h e w o u ld b e in c h a rg e o f th a t c h ild u n til h e g re w to m a tu rity . A n d th e n , a t th a t p o in t, th e s la v e w a s ju s t a s la v e . H e n e v e r h a d a u th o rity o v e r th a t c h ild w h o h a d g ro w n u p . A n d P a u l is s a y in g th e la w w a s lik e th a t. It w a s g iv e n to Is ra e l fo r a p e rio d o f tim e a n d fo r a p a rtic u la r p u rp o s e . It w a s g iv e n to p re p a re th e n a tio n fo r th e c o m in g o f C h ris t a n d to le a d th e p e o p le to h im . W h e n C h ris t c a m e in th e f u lln e s s o f tim e , a s P a u l p u ts it i n G a la tia n s 4 :4 , w h e n H e fu lfille d th e la w a n d fu lfille d
-6"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
H is p u rp o s e , G o d 's p e o p le c e a s e d to b e u n d e r its c u s to d y . N o w , th e la w s till h a s v a lu e f o r u s . It is th e W o rd o f G o d ; it is in e rra n t. W e p ro fit fro m th e s tu d y o f it. A s w e s tu d y th e la w a n d th e p ro p h e ts , a s w e s tu d y th e w h o le o f th e O ld T e s ta m e n t, w e s e e C h ris t in it. It h a s d o c trin e a s w e ll a s le s s o n s f o r o u r c o n d u c t. W e s tu d y th e lif e o f M o s e s ; w e s tu d y th e lif e o f D a v id ; w e s tu d y th e life o f a ll o f th e g re a t c h a ra c te rs o f th e O ld T e s ta m e n t a n d w e le a rn le s s o n s a b o u t h o w w e a re to c o n d u c t o u r liv e s . B u t th e la w its e lf, its ru le s d o n o t g o v e rn o u r liv e s b y d ire c tin g a n d re s tric tin g o u r b e h a v io r T h e N e w T e s ta m e n t d o e s th a t w ith its in s tru c tio n , w ith its e x a m p le s . A n d th e H o ly S p irit g iv e s u s u n d e rs ta n d in g a n d w is d o m to a p p ly th o s e p rin c ip le s to th e v a rio u s c irc u m s ta n c e s o f lif e a s w e w a lk b y th e S p irit. T h a t's h o w th e C h ris tia n liv e s h is o r h e r life , w a lk in g b y th e S p irit. P a u l is c le a r. C h ris tia n s a re n o t u n d e r th e la w a s a c o d e , a s a ru le o f c o n d u c t, a s a ru le o f life . W e h a v e b e e n re le a s e d fro m th e la w h e s a id . R o m a n s 7 :7 . B u t th a t fre e d o m th a t w e h a v e is re a l fre e d o m , w h ic h m e a n s th a t a p e rs o n is a ls o f re e to o b s e rv e th e la w if h e c h o o s e s to d o s o , If b y o b s e rv in g th e la w h e w ill p ro m o te th e g o s p e l a n d re m o v e a s tu m b lin g b lo c k fro m a b ro th e r. T h a t's w h a t P a u l ta u g h t; h e ta u g h t th a t in R o m a n s 1 4 . A n d th a t is w h a t P a u l d id . A n d w h a t h e d id in J e ru s a le m w a s c o n s is te n t w ith th a t te a c h in g a n d p ra c tic e . H e w a s n o t o b lig e d to o b s e rv e th e J e w is h h o ly d a y s . H e is fre e fro m th e la w , h e c o u ld s a y . B u t h e w a s fre e to d o th a t, fre e to o b s e rv e th o s e h o ly d a y s , a n d h e c h o s e to d o it in o rd e r to s e rv e th e c a u s e o f th e g o s p e l. T h a t is th e re a s o n th a t P a l w e n t u p to J e ru s a le m . H e w e n t u p o n a m is s io n o f m e rc y . H e w e n t u p to h e lp th e p o o r s a in ts in J e ru s a le m . H e w e n t u p to J e ru s a le m to b e a w itn e s s to th e g ra c e o f G o d in J e s u s C h ris t. S o w ith th a t in m in d , w e tu rn to o u r p a s s a g e . P a u l a rriv e d in J e ru s a le m a t th e tim e o f th e F e a s t o f P e n te c o s t, o r th e F e a s t o f W e e k s , w h ic h to o k p la c e 5 0 d a y s a fte r P a s s o v e r. A n d s o th e s e P a s s o v e r p ilg rim s , th o s e w h o 'd c o m e u p to c e le b ra te th e fe a s t w e re s till th e re ,
-7"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
a n d th a t m e a n s th e c ity o f J e ru s a le m w a s f ille d w ith p ilg rim s a n d w o rs h ip p e rs . W e ll, P a u l a n d his f rie n d s a rriv e d in th e c ity a t th is tim e a n d th e y w e re w a rm ly re c e iv e d b y th e b re th re n th e re . A n d th e n e x t d a y P a u l w e n t to s e e J a m e s a n d a ll th e e ld e rs o f th e c h u rc h . N o w , th is w a s n o t P a u l's firs t m e e tin g w ith J a m e s a n d th e o th e rs . P a u l m e t J a m e s y e a rs e a rlie r w h e n h e m a d e h is firs t v is it to J e ru s a le m fo llo w in g h is c o n v e rs io n o n th e D a m a s c u s R o a d . H e w a s c o n v e rte d th e re a s h e a p p ro a c h e d th e c ity o f D a m a s c u s . H e s p e n t s o m e d a y s th e re , th e n h e w e n t o u t in to th e A ra b ia n d e s e rt. H e c a m e b a c k to D a m a s c u s . H e w a s d riv e n o u t o f th e c ity o r n a rro w ly e s c a p e d w ith h is life . H e c a m e u p to J e ru s a le m a n d h e m e t J a m e s a n d P e te r, a n d J o h n a s w e ll, th e p illa rs o f th e c h u rc h . S o a s h e c o m e s b a c k o n th is v is it, h e a lre a d y k n e w th e s e m e n ; h e a lre a d y k n e w J a m e s . A n d th e y h a d a c o m m o n u n d e rs ta n d in g a b o u t th e g o s p e l a n d th e w o rk o f th e m in is try . T h a t h a d b e e n w o rk e d o u t w h e n P a u l , a t a d if f e re n t d a te , a la te r tim e , h a d c o m e u p to J e ru s a le m f ro m A n tio c h a lo n g w ith B a rn a b a s a n d T itu s , a n d th e re d e b a te d th e is s u e o f th e g o s p e l, th e re la tio n s h ip o f g ra c e a n d la w to th e g o s p e l, a rg u in g v e ry fe rv e n tly th a t c irc u m c is io n is n o t n e c e s s a ry f o r s a lv a tio n . T h a t k e e p in g th e la w is n o t n e c e s s a ry a lo n g w ith fa ith in J e s u s C h ris t, th a t it is fa ith in C h ris t a lo n e th a t o n e m u s t h a v e . A n d J a m e s , P e te r, J o h n – th e p illa rs o f th e c h u rc h – th e y a ll a g re e d w ith P a u l . A n d th e y e x te n d e d to P a u l " th e rig h t h a n d o f fe llo w s h ip ," h e te lls u s , in G a la tia n s c h a p te r 2 , m e a n in g th a t th e y re c o g n iz e d th a t h e w o u ld g o to th e g e n tile s . T h a t's th e m in is try in th e a re a to w h ic h h a d c a lle d h im , w h ile th e y w o u ld g o to th e c irc u m c is io n . T h e y w o u ld m in is te r to th e J e w s . S o P a u l b e c a m e k n o w n a s th e a p o s tle to th e g e n tile s . N o w , h e c o m e s b a c k to J e ru s a le m a n d h e te lls th e s e m e n a ll th a t G o d h a d b e e n d o in g a m o n g th e g e n tile s d u rin g h is m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y s . A s e v id e n c e o f G o d 's s a v in g w o rk , th e g re a t w o rk th a t H e h a d d o n e , h e h a d b ro u g h t w ith h im re p re s e n ta tiv e s fro m th e g e n tile c h u rc h e s , th e c h u rc h e s o f
-8"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
G re e c e a n d A s ia . M e n lik e T ro p h im u s f r o m E p h e s u s a n d S e c u n d u s f r o m th e c ity o f T h e s s a lo n ic a , a n d o th e rs a s w e ll. T h e y w e re tro p h ie s o f g ra c e , a n d P a u l b ro u g h t th e m a lo n g b e c a u s e th e y c o u ld b e a r w itn e s s o f a ll th e th in g s th a t h e h a d s a id . In a d d itio n , h e p re s e n te d a g if t to J a m e s a n d th e e ld e rs th a t h e h a d c o lle c te d fro m th e s e g e n tile c h u rc h e s fo r th e n e e d y s a in ts th e re in J e ru s a le m . A fa m in e h a d o c c u rre d in th a t a re a o f th e w o rld a n d it h a d s e rio u s ly a n d s e v e re ly a ffe c te d th e m e m b e rs o f th e c h u rc h . A n d s o th e y b ro u g h t th is g e n e ro u s g if t to th e p e o p le th e re in th e c ity . L u k e d o e s n 't m e n tio n it h e re . H e d o e s m e n tio n it la te r in c h a p te r 2 4 . B u t th is w a s th e m a in re a s o n th a t P a u l h a d c o m e u p to J e ru s a le m . H e h a d c o lle c te d a g ift fro m th e g e n tile c h u rc h e s. A n d m a n y o f th e m w e re q u ite p o o r. T h e M a c e d o n ia n c h u rc h e s w e re p o o r s a in ts; th e y h a d v e ry little to g iv e . In fa c t, P a u l h a d d is c o u ra g e d th e m f r o m g iv in g , b u t th e y h a d in s is te d a n d p r e v a ile d u p o n h im . A n d o u t o f th e ir p o v e rty th e y g a v e to h e lp th e s e s a in ts in J e ru s a le m . A n d s o h e b rin g s th is g if t w h ic h is p ro o f th a t th e f a ith o f th e g e n tile s w a s n o t in w o rd o n ly b u t in d e e d a s w e ll. T h e y h a d a n a c tiv e f a ith ; th e y h a d a liv in g f a ith . A n d it w a s a n e v id e n c e th a t th e y s a w th e m s e lv e s a s b e in g in u n ity w ith th e J e w is h b e lie v e rs in J e ru s a le m , th a t th e y w e re n o t tw o g ro u p s , J e w is h b e lie v e rs a n d g e n tile b e lie v e rs b u t o n e b o d y , o n e p e o p le . A n d th is w a s ta n g ib le e v id e n c e o f th e ir b e lie f in th a t a n d th e ir g re a t c o n c e rn fo r th e C h ris tia n s o f J e ru s a le m . W e ll, th e le a d e rs o f th e c h u rc h w e re v e ry im p re s s e d b y w h a t th e y h e a rd , w h a t th e y s a w a n d w h a t th e y h a d re c e iv e d . T h e y p ra is e d G o d fo r H is g ra c e , a n d th e y p o in te d o u t to P a u l th e g re a t w o rk th a t G o d h a d b e e n d o in g a m o n g th e m th e re in th e c ity o f J e ru s a le m . T h e y p o in te d o u t th e m a n y , m a n y J e w is h c o n v e rts to th e f a ith . " Y o u s e e , b ro th e r, h o w m a n y th o u s a n d s th e re a re a m o n g th e J e w s o f th o s e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d ." B u t th e re w a s s o m e th in g th a t c o n c e rn e d th e m , a ru m o r th a t h a d b e e n tro u b lin g th e c h u rc h . A n d th e y s p e a k to P a u l o f th is in v e rs e s 2 0 a n d 2 1 . T h e J e w is h c o n v e rts a re d e s c rib e d a s " a ll z e a lo u s f o r th e
-9"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
L a w ." T h e y h a v e b e lie v e d th e g o s p e l, b u t th e y c o n tin u e d to liv e a s o b s e rv a n t J e w s , p ra c tic in g th e J e w is h tra d itio n s , o b s e rv in g th e la w . N o w , w e 're n o t to ld w h y th e y d id th a t, w h a t th e ir m o tiv e w a s . S o m e c e rta in ly d id it b e c a u s e it w a s th e ir c u s to m . T h e y 'd g ro w n u p d o in g th a t, a n d th e y d id n 't w a n t to o f f e n d th e J e w is h p o p u la tio n o f J e ru s a le m . A n d s o th e y c o n tin u e d to liv e in a w a y th a t w o u ld n o t b e o ffe n s iv e to th e ir fe llo w c itiz e n s . B u t o th e rs p r o b a b ly w e re im m a tu re in th e f a ith . A n d th e y d id n o t y e t u n d e rs ta n d fu lly th e fre e d o m th a t th e y h a d in C h ris t, th e ir f re e d o m f ro m th e la w . In fa c t, e a rly in P a u l's m in is try , a fte r h is firs t m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y , m e n fro m J e ru s a le m c a m e in to G a la tia a n d th os e s o u th e rn c h u rc h e s w ith a d if f e re n t g o s p e l. H e re a lly w rite s th e b o o k o f G a la tia n s to a d d re s s th is fa ls e g o s p e l in w h ic h th e s e m e n s a id it's n e c e s s a ry to b e lie v e in C h ris t, b u t th a t's n o t e n o u g h . O n e m u s t a lw a y s o b e y th e la w . O n e m u s t u n d e rg o th e rite o f c irc u m c is io n .
And no
d o u b t th e s e m e n , o r s o m e o f th o s e m e n , s till e x e rc is e d s o m e in flu e n c e in th e c h u rc h . A n d s o th e re w e re p e o p le , m a n y o f th e m , w h o w e re z e a lo u s fo r th e la w . B u t a ru m o r h a d c irc u la te d in th e c ity th a t h a d a n e ffe c t u p o n th e s e b e lie v e rs , a n d it c a u s e d d iv is io n th e re in th e c h u rc h . It w a s a re p o rt th a t P a u l w a s a g a in s t th e la w a n d th e J e w is h tra d itio n s . N o t o n ly d id h e te ll g e n tile b e lie v e rs th a t th e y w e re n o t o b lig a te d to k e e p th e la w , b u t h e a ls o w a s p e rs u a d in g J e w is h b e lie v e rs n o t to o b s e rv e th e J e w is h c u s to m s a n d n o t to c irc u m c is e th e ir s o n s . N o w th e re p o rt w a s fa ls e . P a u l's p o s itio n o n th is is s u e is p la in fro m h is le tte rs . H e re je c te d th e te a c h in g th a t g e n tile s n e e d e d to b e c irc u m c is e d fo r s a lv a tio n . T h a t w a s a fa ls e g o sp e l. S a lv a tio n is b y g ra c e th ro u g h f a ith , p lu s n o th in g . N o t fa ith p lu s c irc u m c is io n , n o t fa ith p lu s b a p tis m o r a n y o th e r k in d o f c e re m o n y . T h is w a s , in P a u l's w o rd s , " a d iffe re n t g o s p e l w h ic h is a n a th e m a ." C u rs e d , h e s a id . C h ris tia n s a re n o t c o m m a n d e d to b e c irc u m c is e d . B u t in its e lf c irc u m c is io n is n o th in g . It m a k e s n o d if f e re n c e f o r o n e 's s ta n d in g
- 10 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
w ith G o d . It d o e s n 't h e lp , b u t it d o e s n 't h u rt e ith e r. If a J e w is h fa th e r w a n te d to c irc u m c is e h is s o n a n d c o n fo rm to th e a n c e s tra l tra d itio n s , P a u l d id n 't o b je c t to th a t. In fa c t, b e fo re ta k in g T im o th y o n th e s e c o n d m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y – y o u 'll re m e m b e r fro m o u r s tu d ie s in th is b o o k – P a u l h a d h im c irc u m c is e d . T im o th y w a s f ro m a m ix e d f a m ily . H is m o th e r w a s a J e w e s s a n d a b e lie v e r in J e s u s C h ris t. S h e w a s a C h ris tia n w o m a n , a s w a s h is g ra n d m o th e r. B u t h is fa th e r w a s a p a g a n . H e h a d n o t c o n v e rte d , a n d s o T im o th y h a d n o t b e e n c irc u m c is e d . A n d s o P a u l h a d h im c irc u m c is e d b e fo re th is s e c o n d m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y s o th a t T im o th y w o u ld n o t b e a n o b s ta c le to p re a c h in g th e g o s p e l. T h e y w o u ld b e tra v e lin g to d iffe re n t c itie s , a n d a s w a s P a u l's c u s to m th e y w o u ld g o in to th e s y n a g o g u e , a n d it w o u ld b e k n o w n th a t T im o th y w a s a n u n c irc u m c is e d m a n . S o to k e e p th a t f ro m b e in g a n o b s ta c le to th e p re a c h in g o f th e g o s p e l, h e c irc u m c is e d h im . It's n o c o m p ro m is e o f th e g o s p e l. It w a s to p ro m o te th e g o s p e l. A n d P a u l w a s e q u a lly fle x ib le in o th e r a re a s a s w e ll re g a rd in g d ie t, re g a rd in g fo o d , a n d th e o b s e rv a n c e o f d a y s s u c h a s th e S a b b a th . A s lo n g a s th is w a s n o t a m atte r o f s a lv a tio n ; a s lo n g a s it w a s n o t a n is s u e th a t w o u ld c o m p ro m is e th e p u rity o f th e g o s p e l, P a u l s a id , " L e t e v e ry m a n b e f u lly p e rs u a d e d in h is o w n m in d ." R o m a n s 1 4 :5 . In o th e r w o rd s , th e s e a re m a tte rs o f c o n s c ie n c e b e tw e e n th e b e lie v e r a n d th e L o r d G o d , a n d h e m u s t w o rk th in g s o u t b e tw e e n h im s e lf o r h e rs e lf a n d th e L o rd . P a u l n e v e r d e n ie d th a t J e w s c o u ld c o n tin u e to liv e c u ltu ra lly a s J e w s liv e . P a u l g e n e ra lly liv e d th a t w a y h im s e lf. H e liv e d a s a J e w is h m a n . H e w a s f r e e to d o th a t, b u t h e w a s a ls o f re e to c o n f o rm to g e n tile c u s to m s w h e n h e w a s a m o n g th e g e n tile s . A n d h e d id th a t w h e n it s e rv e d th e g o s p e l, a s h e e x p la in e d in 1 C o rin th ia n s 9 :2 0-2 2 , w h e re w e se e h is a ttitu d e o r h is p o s itio n , h is p h ilo s o p h y to w a rd th e la w a n d g ra c e c ry s ta lliz e d s o s u c c in c tly . H e s a id th a t h e b e c a m e a J e w to th e J e w s ; h e b e c a m e a g e n tile to th e g e n tile s . H e b e c a m e w e a k to th e w e a k , m e a n in g h e re s tric te d h is
- 11 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
lib e rty f o r th e ir s a k e a n d th e s a k e o f th e g o s p e l. " I h a v e b e c o m e a ll th in g s to a ll m e n , s o th a t I m a y b y a ll m e a n s s a v e s o m e . " T h a t w a s th e p rin c ip le b y w h ic h P a u l o p e ra te d . B u t th a t p rin c ip le h a d b e e n d is to rte d b y h is e n e m ie s . T h e y h a d a c c u s e d h im o f c o m m ittin g a p o s ta s y a g a in s t M o s e s a n d a tta c k in g th e la w . J a m e s a n d th e e ld e rs d id n 't b e lie v e th e ru m o r, b u t it w a s v e ry m u c h a liv e in th e c ity . It w a s d iv id in g th e c h u rc h , a n d it h a d b e c o m e a n o b s ta c le to th e ir m in is try . A n d s o th e y a s k e d , " W h a t, th e n , is to b e d o n e ? " Y o u 're in th e c ity . E v e ry o n e w ill k n o w th a t y o u 're in th e c ity a n d th e y 'll k n o w th a t y o u v is ite d u s . T h e y 'll k n o w th a t y o u 'v e g iv e n u s th is v e ry g e n e ro u s g if t. A n d y e t, th is ru m o r w ill b e a n o b s ta c le to th a t. It w ill f ru s tra te a ll o f th a t. S o " w h a t, th e n , is to b e d o n e ? " T h e y h a d a p ro p o s a l. A n d th e y g iv e it in v e rs e s 2 3 a n d 2 4 . " T h e re fo re d o th is th a t w e te ll y o u . W e h a v e f o u r m e n w h o a re u n d e r a v o w ; ta k e th e m a n d p u rify y o u rs e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , a n d p a y th e ir e x p e n s e s s o th a t th e y m a y s h a v e th e ir h e a d s ; a n d a ll w ill k n o w th a t th e re is n o th in g to th e th in g s w h ic h th e y h a v e b e e n to ld a b o u t y o u , b u t th a t y o u y o u rs e lf a ls o w a lk o rd e rly , k e e p in g th e L a w . " It w a s a v e ry c o m m o n p ra c tic e f o r J e w is h m e n to ta k e a v o w , th e N a z a rite v o w . A n d in d o in g th a t, th e y w o u ld a b s ta in fro m m e a t a n d w in e , a n d th e y w o u ld n o t c u t th e ir h a ir f o r a s h o rt tim e . B u t th a t v o w b e c a m e v e ry e x p e n s iv e . A t th e e n d o f it, th e h e a d w a s s h a v e d a n d th e n th e h a ir w a s b u rn e d a t th e d o o r o f th e te m p le . A n d th e n th e p e rs o n h a d to m a k e a n o ffe rin g o f tw o la m b s . N o w , fo r a p o o r p e rs o n , th e la w m a d e p ro v is io n fo r h is o r h e r p o v e rty , a n d w h e n a n o ffe rin g w a s to b e m a d e a p e rs o n c o u ld o f f e r a d o v e , w h ic h w a s v e ry in e x p e n s iv e, b e c a u s e th e c o s t o f a la m b w a s e x o rb ita n t. B u t in th is v o w , tw o la m b s w e re to b e o ffe re d . A n d th e n , in a d d itio n to th a t, a ra m , th e n lo a v e s a n d c a k e s w ith m e a l a n d d rin k o ffe rin g s . A n d s o fo r a p o o r p e rs o n , th a t w a s e x o rb ita n t, v e ry c o s tly to d o . A n d b e c a u s e o f th a t, it b e c a m e c u s to m a ry fo r w e a lth y J e w s to ta k e
- 12 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
u p o n th e m s e lv e s th e e x p e n s e o f th e s e p o o r p e o p le . T h e y w o u ld p a y f o r it, a n d th a t w a s c o n s id e re d a g re a t a c t o f p ie ty . It b e c a m e v e ry c u s to m a ry . A n d th is is w h a t th e e ld e rs a s k e d P a u l to d o . T o p a y th e e x p e n s e s o f th e s e f o u r m e n w h o , p ro b a b ly lik e m a n y o f th e C h ris tia n s in th e c h u rc h a t J e ru s a le m , w e re v e ry p o o r. A n d s o o u t o f P a u l's o w n p o c k e t, h e w o u ld p ic k u p th e e x p e n s e , n o t ju s t fo r o n e b u t fo r a ll fo u r. A n d th e y w a n te d h im a ls o to p u rify h im s e lf. N o w , w h a t th a t m e a n s is P a u l w a s c o n s id e re d c e re m o n ia lly u n c le a n b e c a u s e h e 'd b e e n o u t in th e D ia s p o ra . H e 'd b e e n in th e g e n tile la n d s . T h a t's w h e re h is m in is try h a d ta k e n p la c e . F o r m a n y y e a rs h e 'd b e e n w ith th e p a g a n s . A n d th e J e w s c o n s id e re d a m a n w h o h a d b e e n o u t in th e p a g a n w o rld to b e d e f ile d b y th a t. A n d s o w h e n h e o r s h e c a m e b a c k in to th e la n d , th e y w o u ld g o th ro u g h a rite o f p u rif ic a tio n s o th a t th e y w o u ld b e c e re m o n ia lly c le a n . A n d s o to d o th a t, P a u l w a s a s k e d to g o th ro u g h th is ritu a l o f p u rific a tio n th a t la s te d s e v e n d a y s , a n d th e re b y th e J e w s w o u ld s e e th a t h e 's n o t o p p o s e d to th e la w . In f a c t, h e 's c o n f o rm in g w it h th e tra d itio n . A n d th a t w o u ld b e c o m e o b v io u s to th e m b e c a u s e a ll th is is to b e d o n e in th e te m p le , in a v e ry p u b lic p la c e . A n d it w o u ld b e p u b lic ly d e m o n s tra te d th a t h is th in k in g , h is c o n d u c t w a s n o t a s th e ru m o r h a d in s is te d . H e w a s n o t h o s tile to w ard th e m a n d th e ir tra d itio n s . N o w , th is w a s th e ir id e a . T h is w a s n o t P a u l's id e a , b u t P a u l lis te n e d . H e w a s in th e ir c ity . T h e y k n e w th e s itu a tio n b e tte r th a n h e d id , a n d h e w a s w illin g to d o w h a te v e r h e c o u ld d o to re lie v e th e m o f e m b a rra s s m e n t a n d r e m o v e th is im p e d im e n t to th e m in is try . A n d s o c o m p le te ly c o n s is te n t w ith h is p o lic y o f b e c o m in g a ll th in g s to a ll m e n , P a u l w illin g ly b e c a m e a s o n e u n d e r th e la w f o r th o s e w h o w e re u n d e r th e la w , w h o liv e d u n d e r th e la w . H e b e c a m e a s a J e w to th e J e w s , o b e d ie n t to th e la w . W e re a d in v e rs e 2 6 , " T h e n P a u l to o k th e m e n , a n d th e n e x t d a y , p u rif y in g h im s e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , w e n t in to th e te m p le g iv in g n o tic e o f th e c o m p le tio n o f th e d a y s o f p u rif ic a tio n ,
- 13 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
u n til th e s a c rific e w a s o ffe re d fo r e a c h o n e o f th e m . " W h a t h a p p e n e d n e x t w a s c o m p le te ly u n a n tic ip a te d . T h e e ld e rs o f J e ru s a le m w e re th in k in g in te rm s o f th e J e w s o f J e ru s a le m , th e J e w s o f th e la n d . B u t J e w s fro m A s ia w e re th e re a s w e ll. T h is is th e tim e o f th e P a s s o v e r a n d P e n te c o s t, th a t 5 0-d a y p e rio d o f c e le b ra tio n . A n d m a n y fro m a ll o v e r th e w o rld h a d c o m e u p to J e ru s a le m . A n d th e re w e re m e n f ro m A s ia , m e n f ro m E p h e s u s w h o w e re th e re , w h o h a te d th e a p o s tle P a u l w h o h a d a s ig n ific a n t m in is try in th a t c ity , a n d th e y re c o g n iz e d h im . S o w h e n th e s e v e n -d a y p e rio d o f p u rific a tio n w a s a t a n e n d a n d P a u l w a s in th e te m p le , th e s e m e n g ra b b e d h im a n d b e g a n y e llin g fo r h e lp . " M e n o f Is ra e l, " th e y s a id , " c o m e to o u r a id ! T h is is th e m a n w h o p re a c h e s to a ll m e n e v e ry w h e re a g a in s t o u r p e o p le a n d th e L a w a n d th is p la c e ; a n d b e s id e s h e h a s e v e n b ro u g h t G re e k s in to th e te m p le a n d h a s d e f ile d th is h o ly p la c e .” W e ll, P a u l h a d n o t b ro u g h t g e n tile s in to th e te m p le . B u t th e y a s s u m e d th a t h e h a d d o n e th a t b e c a u s e e a rlie r in th e w e e k th e y h a d s e e n T ro p h im u s in th e c ity , w h o th e y k n e w fro m E p h e s u s . T h e y k n e w th a t h e w a s a C h ris tia n , e v id e n tly a n o u ts p o k e n , v o c a l C h ris tia n . S e e in g h im , th e y a s s u m e d th a t h e h a d b e e n b ro u g h t in to th e te m p le b y th e a p o s tle P a u l. It w a s n ’t tru e , a s I s a y , b u t th a t s ta te m e n t in fla m e d th e c ro w d a n d a rio t o c c u rre d in th e te m p le . N o w , y o u re m e m b e r h o w th e te m p le w a s s tru c tu re d , th a t it w a s d iv id e d in to c o u rts . T h e re w a s f irs t th e o u te r c o u rt o f th e g e n tile s w h ic h w a s n o t th e te m p le p ro p e r b u t w a s c o n n e c te d to th e te m p le c o m p le x . B e y o n d th a t w a s th e c o u rt o f th e w o m e n w h e re J e w is h m e n a n d w o m e n c o u ld e n te r. N e x t w a s th e c o u rt o f Is ra e l w h e re ju s t J e w is h m e n c o u ld e n te r. A n d th e n , f o llo w in g th a t, th e c o u rt o f th e p rie s ts w h e re o n ly p rie s ts c o u ld e n te r. A n d th a t w a s w h e re th e s a n c tu a ry its e lf w a s lo c a te d , w ith th e h o ly p la c e , a n d th e n th e h o ly o f h o lie s in to w h ic h o n ly o n e p rie s t o n c e a y e a r c o u ld e n te r in . S o it b e c a m e p ro g re s s iv e ly re s tric tiv e a s o n e e n te re d th e te m p le .
- 14 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
G e n tile s c o u ld e n te r o n e c o u rt b u t n o t a n o th e r; w o m e n a n d m e n in to th e n e x t c o u rt ; th e n ju s t m e n ; th e n ju s t p rie s ts ; th e n ju s t o n e p rie s t. S o th e g e n tile s c o u ld c o m e to th e te m p le . T h e y c o u ld s ta n d th e re in th e o u te r c o u rt, a n d it w a s a w a y o f le ttin g th e m s e e th e w o rs h ip o f G o d a n d , p e rh a p s , b e in flu e n c e d to w a rd it. Bu t th e y c o u ld n o t g o b e y o n d th a t o u te r c o u rt. In fa c t, th e re w a s a w a ll th a t s e p a ra te d th e c o u rt o f th e g e n tile s f r o m th e c o u r t o f w o m e n . A n d o n it w a s in s c r ib e d , b o th in G r e e k a n d L a tin , th e w a rn in g th a t a n y f o r e ig n e r, a n y a lie n f o u n d b e y o n d th a t b a rrie r in th a t c o u rt w o u ld b e p u t to d e a th . S o P a u l w o u ld h a v e n e v e r b ro u g h t h is frie n d , T ro p h im u s , in to th e te m p le . H e w o u ld n 't h a v e p u t h is life a t s ta k e a n d h e w o u ld n 't h a v e p u t h is m is s io n a t s ta k e a s w e ll. B u t th a t w a s th e a c c u s a tio n . It w a s a s fa ls e a s a ll o f th e o th e r c h a rg e s a g a in s t h im . H e n e v e r ta u g h t a g a in s t th e la w . H e k n e w th a t th e la w w a s th e W o rd o f G o d . A n d , in f a c t, h e w ro te in R o m a n s 7 :1 2 th a t " th e la w is h o ly . " It c a n 't g iv e life . T h a t w a s n ’t its p u rp o s e ; it w a s n ’t g iv e n to g iv e lif e . It w a s g iv e n to e x p o s e s in a n d s h o w p e o p le th e ir n e e d o f a S a v io r. T h a t's w h y it's a " m in is try o f d e a th in s c rib e d in ta b le ts o n s to n e ," b e c a u s e th is la w w h ic h is p e rfe c t s e ts th e s ta n d a rd , a n d w e c a n n o t m e e t it. A n d a s w e lo o k a t o u r liv e s in lig h t o f th a t s ta n d a r d o f p e rfe c tio n , a n d e x a m in e o u rs e lv e s in s id e a n d o u t, a n d o u r th o u g h t life a s w e ll a s o u r d e e d s , w e re a liz e h o w fa r s h o rt w e a ll fa ll a n d h o w m u c h w e n e e d s o m e o n e to s a v e u s . T h a t's th e p u rp o s e o f th e la w . A n d th a t is w h a t it d id fo r P a u l. H e re a liz e d th a t h e w a s a lo s t m a n th ro u g h it a n d , a s a re s u lt, h e lo v e d th e la w f o r w h a t it d id f o r h im , ju s t a s h e lo v e d th e J e w is h p e o p le . H e d id n 't p re a c h a g a in s t th e m . H e lo v e d th e m . H e te lls u s in th e f irs t v e rs e s o f R o m a n s 9 th a t h e w o u ld p e ris h in h e ll, if it w e re p o s s ib le , in p la c e o f h is p e o p le . A n d h e d id n 't p re a c h a g a in s t th e te m p le e ith e r. B u t th e s e w e re th e c h a rg e s th a t w e re m a d e a g a in s t h im . A n d th e y s tirre d u p th e p e o p le to s u c h a fre n z y th a t th e y f e ll o n P a u l a n d th e y d ra g g e d h im o u t o f th e in n e r c o u rts , o u t o f th e c o u rt o f
- 15 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e Is ra e lite s , o u t o f th e c o u rt o f th e w o m e n a n d in to th e o u te r c o u rt, th e c o u rt o f th e g e n tile s . A n d th e re th e y in te n d e d to k ill h im . It's iro n ic is n 't it? T h e y a c c u s e h im o f b rin g in g g e n tile s in to th e te m p le a n d d e f ilin g th e te m p le in th a t w a y . A n d y e t, th e y 're p re p a re d to k ill h im , w h ic h is a d e filin g a c t. B u t th e y 're n o t g o in g to d o it in th e te m p le . T h e y d o n 't w a n t to d e file th e te m p le , s o th e y ta k e h im o u t th ro u g h th e c o u rts . A n d L u k e w rite s , " Im m e d ia te ly th e d o o rs w e re s h u t." J o h n S to tt w rite s , " T h e s la m m e d g a te s s e e m to s y m b o liz e th e fin a l J e w is h re je c tio n o f th e g o s p e l." M a y b e . O u ts id e , th e y b e g a n b e a tin g th e a p o s tle , try in g to k ill h im . A n d th e y w o u ld h a v e , b u t it w a s n ’t P a u l's tim e . A s W hite f ie ld s a id , " W e a re im m o rta l till o u r w o rk is d o n e . A n d G o d h a d m u c h w o rk fo r P a u l to d o . S o , p ro v id e n tia lly , th e c o m m a n d e r o f th e R o m a n g a rris o n h e a rd th e tro u b le a n d s e n t s o ld ie rs . T h e g a rris o n w a s s ta tio n e d n e x t to th e te m p le . S o th e y w e re a b le to a rriv e o n th e s c e n e ju s t in tim e a n d re s c u e P a u l. T h e c o m m a n d e r a rre s te d h im . H e p u t P a u l in c h a in s , a n d th e n h e trie d to fin d o u t fro m th e c ro w d w h o th is m a n w a s a n d w h a t h e 'd d o n e . B u t it w a s to o c h a o tic . P e o p le w e re s h o u tin g d iffe re n t a n s w e rs . O n e p e rs o n w a s s h o u tin g o n e th in g , a n o th e r a n o th e r th in g , a n d th e c ro w d w a s v e ry in te n s e ; it w a s v io le n t. H e k n e w th a t P a u l's life m ig h t b e a t s ta k e a n d v io le n c e m ig h t h a p p e n to o th e rs th e re w ith th e R o m a n g u a rd s . A n d s o P a u l w a s ta k e n in to th e b a rra c k s w h ile th e m o b fo llo w e d s h o u tin g , " A w a y w ith h im !" m e a n in g re m o v e h im f ro m th e e a rth w h ic h m e a n s " K ill h im ." T h irty y e a rs e a rlie r, th e m o b h a d s h o u te d th o s e s a m e w o rd s a g a in s t C h ris t. S o in re je c tin g C h ris t's a p o s tle , th e p e o p le w e re a g a in re je c tin g C h rist. B u t in th is c a s e , it w a s R o m e w h o c a m e to th e re s c u e . T h e c o m m a n d e r th o u g h t h e k n e w w h o P a u l w a s . H e th o u g h t th a t P a u l w a s a n E g y p tia n re v o lu tio n a ry w h o h a d c la im e d to b e a p ro p h e t a n d c a u s e d a d is tu rb a n c e th re e y e a rs e a rlie r. J o s e p h u s w rite s a b o u t th is in d iv id u a l. H e le d a la rg e b a n d o f f o llo w e rs to th e to p o f th e
- 16 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
M o u n t o f O liv e s , a n d h e to ld th e m to w a it f o r h is c o m m a n d , a n d w h e n h e g a v e it th e w a lls o f J e ru s a le m w o u ld c o lla p s e a n d th e y c o u ld e n te r a n d d e f e a t th e R o m a n g a rris o n in s id e . In s te a d , th e R o m a n tro o p s d e s c e n d e d th e M o u n t o f O liv e s ; th e y p u t d o w n th e u p ris in g ; th e y c a p tu re d a n d k ille d m a n y . O th e rs e s c a p e d in to th e w ild e rn e s s , a n d o n e o f th e m w a s th is E g y p tia n re b e l, th is f a ls e p ro p h e t. H e e s c a p e d th e R o m a n s . A n d s o th e c o m m a n d e r a s s u m e d th a t P a u l w a s h e ; th a t h e h a d re tu rn e d a n d th e p e o p le w e re v e n tin g th e ir a n g e r a g a in s t h im fo r b e in g a n im p o s te r. B u t w h e n th e y e n te re d th e b a rra c k s o r c a m e to th e to p o f th e s ta irw a y e n te rin g in to th e b a rra c k s , P a u l s p o k e to th e c o m m a n d e r, a n d h e s p o k e to h im in e d u c a te d G re e k . A n d th e c o m m a n d e r re a liz e d th a t P a u l w a s s o m e o n e e ls e , s o m e o n e o th e r th a n th is E g y p tia n . H e w a s s u rp ris e d b e c a u s e h e s p o k e G re e k . A n d th e n P a u l g a v e h is id e n tity . " I a m a J e w o f T a rs u s in C ilic ia , a c itiz e n o f n o in s ig n if ic a n t c ity ; a n d I b e g y o u , a llo w m e to s p e a k to th e p e o p le . " T h e c o m m a n d e r m u s t h a v e b e e n im p re s s e d w ith P a u l b e c a u s e h e a llo w e d h im to s p e a k . A n d th e re w a s s o m e th in g v e ry im p re s s iv e a b o u t P a u l. H e h a d a b o ld n e s s a b o u t h im . H e h a d c o u ra g e . H e h a d a lm os t b e e n m u rd e re d b y th is ra v e n o u s m o b ; h is fa c e w a s b ru is e d a n d b lo o d ie d ; h is c lo th e s w e re rip p e d . H e w a s in c h a in s , a n d y e t h e w a n te d to fa c e th e c ro w d . A n d h e w a n te d to fa c e th e c ro w d th a t h e m ig h t s p e a k to th e m o f th e g ra c e o f G o d a n d p ro c la im to th e m th e g o s p e l. A n d th e c ro w d m u s t h a v e s e n s e d s o m e th in g c o m m a n d in g a b o u t P a u l b e c a u s e w h e n h e " m o tio n e d to th e m w ith h is h a n d – " th is w ild , a n g ry , n o is y c ro w d re s p o n d e d , " a n d w h e n th e re w a s a g re a t h u s h – " N o w , th a t's w h e re th e c h a p te r e n d s , w ith P a u l be g in n in g to s p e a k to th e J e w s in th e ir " H e b re w d ia le c t," a p ris o n e r o f R o m e . A n d h e w o u ld b e a p ris o n e r o f R o m e to th e e n d o f th e b o o k . S o w a s h is d e c is io n to g o to J e ru s a le m d is o b e d ie n c e to G o d ? W a s h is c o n s e n t to e n te r th e te m p le a c o m p ro m is e ?
- 17 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
T h e r e s u lt m ig h t s u g g e s t th a t. B u t I d o n 't th in k s o . H e f o llo w e d th e S p irit's le a d in g to J e ru s a le m . H e f o llo w e d h is p rin c ip le s in g o in g in to th e te m p le . A n d w h e n w e d o th a t, w h e n w e a re c o n s is te n t w ith w h a t w e k n o w th e W o rd o f G o d c a n te a c h , w h e n w e 're c o n s is te n t w ith it a n d w h e n w e d o w h a t w e a re to d o, a n d w e a re f o llo w in g th e le a d in g o f th e S p irit, w a lk in g b y th e S p irit, w e c a n b e a s s u re d th a t tro u b le w ill s o m e tim e s o c c u r. W h a t P a u l d id in J e ru s a le m w a s c o m p le te ly c o n s is te n t w ith w h a t h e ta u g h t in h is le tte rs . W e s e e th a t in R o m a n s 1 4 w h e re P a u l d e a ls w ith is s u e s o f d ie t a n d d a y s , is s u e s o f th e la w , k e e p in g K o s h e r a n d o b s e rv in g th e S a b b a th , a n d w h a t w e a re to d o w h e n th e re a re d iffe re n c e s o f o p in io n a m o n g u s o n th e s e is s u e s . A n d in th e e a rly c h u rc h , th e re w e re d if f e re n c e o f o p in io n o n th o s e is s u e s . T h e y w e re h o t is s u e s th ro u g h th e e a rly c h u rc h , b o th to J e w s a n d g e n tile s a lik e , p e o p le w h o h a d b e e n s a v e d f ro m th e la w , w h o h a d g ro w n u p u n d e r th e s tric t ru le s o f th e la w o f M o s e s , o r th o s e w h o h a d c o m e o u t o f p a g a n is m w ith o u t a n y ru le s . A n d s o P a u l d e a ls w ith th e s e th in g s in R o m a n s 1 4 , a n d th e re h e g iv e s a g u id in g p rin c ip le , h o w w e a re to d e a l w ith th e s e v a rio u s is s u e s . W h a t is th e ru le th a t w e a re to f o llo w ? A n d th e re h e s ta te s th a t th e C h ris tia n is a lw a y s to w a lk " a c c o rd in g to lo v e ," w h ic h m e a n s a lw a y s p u t th e o th e r p e rs o n b e f o re y o u . S te p d o w n fo r th e ir s a k e . W e a re f re e f ro m th e la w w ith its ritu a ls a n d c e re m o n ie s , its o b s e rv a n c e o f d ie ts a n d d a y s . W e 're f re e f ro m th a t. B u t s o m e p e o p le s till h a d s c ru p le s a b o u t th e s e th in g s . S o m e p e o p le w e re s till u n e a s y a b o u t th e ir f re e d o m . P a u l c a lls th e m w e a k e r b re th re n , a n d h e c o u n s e le d d e a lin g w ith th e m b y s h o w in g s u c h p e o p le g re a t c o n c e rn , g re a t d e fe re n c e to th e p o in t o f n o t e x e rc is in g o u r fre e d o m fo r th e ir s a k e . H e a ls o s p e a k s a b o u t th is in 1 C o rin th ia n s 8 :7 -1 1 . A n d w h a t h e s a y s, in e f f e c t, is th is . D o n 't le t y o u r f re e d o m b e c o m e a n o b s ta c le to th o s e p e o p le w h o a re w e a k in th e fa ith , w h o s till h a v e a n a tta c h m e n t to th e la w . F o r e x a m p le , u n d e r c e rta in
- 18 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
c irc u m s ta n c e s , fo llo w th e ir d ie t o r fo llo w th e ir c a le n d a r s o th a t th e y w ill n o t b e m a d e to s tu m b le . A n d b e c a u s e P a u l w a s fre e fro m th e la w – J e w is h c u s to m s b e lo n g e d to w h a t a re to d a y , a m o n g th e o lo g ia n s , c a lle d m a tte rs in d if f e re n t – h e w a s fre e n o t to o b s e rv e th e la w o f M o s e s , b u t h e w a s a ls o f re e to o b s e rv e it. A s F .F . B ru c e p u t it, " A tru ly e m a n c ip a te d s p irit, s u c h a s P a u l's , is n o t in b o n d a g e to its o w n e m a n c ip a tio n . " A n d th e fa c t th a t h e w a s n o t u n d e r th e la w d id n 't m e a n th a t h e c o u ld n o t o b s e rv e th e l a w , if b y o b s e rv in g th e la w h e w o u ld p ro m o te th e g o s p e l a n d re m o v e a n o b s ta c le to o n e 's w itn e s s . P a u l's ru le , a s h e p u t it in R o m a n s 1 4 :1 9 , w a s " p u rs u e th e th in g s w h ic h m a k e fo r p e a c e ." T h a t m e a n s re m o v e o b s ta c le s to th e fa ith . T h a t's w h a t P a u l d id in J e ru s a le m . T o th e w e a k h e b e c a m e w e a k ; to th o s e w h o w e re u n d e r th e la w h e b e c a m e a s o n e u n d e r th e la w . H e d id n 't c o m p ro m is e th e g o s p e l. H e o b s e rv e d th e la w in o rd e r to re m o v e o b s ta c le s to th e g o s p e l a n d m a k e p e a c e . N o w , th a t's h o w w e a re to liv e . W e g e t a n e x a m p le o f h o w w e a re to liv e fro m P a u l's e x a m p le h e re . S o m e tim e s , fo r th e s a k e o f o th e rs , fo r th e g o s p e l, w e a re to n o t e x e rc is e o u r f re e d o m s . In P a u l's c a s e , th e o u tc o m e w a s n o t p e a c e . B u t th e o u tc o m e is n o p ro o f th a t th e p la n w a s b a d o r th e c o n d u c t w a s w ro n g . It is p ro o f th a t th e p e o p le in th e te m p le w e re w ro n g . T h e y rio te d a g a in s t P a u l o u t o f ig n o ra n c e a n d p re ju d ic e . T h e y h a te d w h a t h e ta u g h t , a n d th e y d id n 't u n d e rs ta n d th e m e a n in g o r th e p u rp o s e o f th e la w o f M o s e s . T h e y in te rp re te d it, a s w e 'v e a lre a d y s a id , a s a w a y o f s a lv a tio n , th a t a p e rs o n g a in e d a c c e p ta n c e w ith G o d b y o b s e rv in g its n u m e ro u s ru le s , its 6 1 3 la w s . A n d th e y o p p o s e d P a u l b e c a u s e h e ta u g h t a g a in s t th a t a s a fa ls e id e a . P a u l p re a c h e d s a lv a tio n b y g ra c e a lo n e th ro u g h fa ith a lo n e in C h ris t a lo n e , a n d th e J e w s d id n 't lik e th a t. T h e y w e re e n e m ie s o f g ra c e , a n d s o e n e m ie s o f th e a p o s tle o f g ra c e . It s h o u ld n 't h a v e s u rp ris e d P a u l. It s h o u ld n 't h a v e s u rp ris e d th e b e lie v e rs . J e s u s , th e n ig h t h e w a s a rre s te d , w a rn e d h is d is c ip le s o f th is v e ry th in g . In L u k e 2 1 :1 7 , h e s a id , " Y o u w ill b e h a te d b y a ll
- 19 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b e c a u s e o f M y n a m e ." T h a t is w h y th e c o u rs e o f e v e n ts w e n t a s th e y d id in th e te m p le th a t d a y . B u t P a u l w e n t to J e ru s a le m , a s h e s a id e a rlie r, w illin g to d ie fo r th e n a m e o f th e L o rd J e s u s . A n d h e a lm o s t d id . H e w a s th e v ic tim o f re lig io u s in to le ra n c e n o t s p iritu a l c o m p ro m is e . H e a c te d o u t o f lo v e f o r th e p e o p le . H e a c te d o u t o f lo v e f o r th e g o s p e l. H e a c te d o u t o f lo v e f o r J e s u s C h ris t, a n d h e g iv e s u s a n e x a m p le in th a t a s to h o w w e a re to liv e . B u t h is e x a m p le n o t o n ly s h o w s u s a m o d e l o f h o w w e 're to liv e , h o w w e 're to p u t o th e rs a h e a d o f o u rs e lv e s , h o w w e 're to b e c o m e a ll th in g s to a ll p e o p le , b u t it a ls o s h o w s u s th e o u tc o m e o f liv in g lik e th a t, o f liv in g f o r C h ris t, liv in g s e lf le s s ly , liv in g a c c o rd in g to th e p rin c ip le o f lo v e , liv in g c o n s is te n tly . A n d it is n 't a lw a y s p le a s a n t. N o o n e w a s m o re c o n s is te n t th a n J e s u s C h ris t. N o o n e ta u g h t m o re c le a rly . N o o n e a c te d w ith m o re lo v e a n d c o n c e rn a n d k in d n e s s fo r o th e rs th a n J e s u s d id , a n d n o o n e w a s m o re th o ro u g h ly re je c te d th a n he was. P a u l o n ly e x p e rie n c e d w h a t C h ris t e x p e rie n c e d . A n d w e c a n e x p e c t to e x p e rie n c e th e s a m e w h e n w e ta lk a b o u t g ra c e a n d liv e a c c o rd in g to it. B u t G o d is s o v e re ig n a n d th a t's th e g o o d n e w s . H e p ro te c te d P a u l a n d u s e d a ll o f th is in H is p la n f o r P a u l's lif e a n d m in is try . T h e L o rd w a s n o t s ittin g in h e a v e n w a tc h in g a ll o f th is u n fo ld , w rin g in g H is h a n d s , w o n d e rin g w h a t w o u ld h a p p e n . A ll o f th is fit H is p la n p e rfe c tly . T h e v is it to th e te m p le , th e ra g e o f th e J e w s , th e p ro te c tio n o f th e R o m a n s w e re a ll u s e d o f G o d to g e t P a u l to R o m e . A n d th a t is th e g o a l o f th is b o o k . T h a t is w h e re th e b o o k o f A c ts e n d s , w ith P a u l in R o m e p re a c h in g th e K in g d o m o f G o d . A n d h e g o t th e re b y th is w a y , b y th is m e a n s . It is a n o th e r e x a m p le o f h o w G o d m a k e s th e w ra th o f m a n to p ra is e H im . G o d b le s s e s fa ith fu ln e s s; G o d b le s s e s c o n s is te n c y. S o w e a re to d o w h a t is rig h t, te a c h w h a t is tru e a n d tru s t G o d f o r th e o u tc o m e . H e is in c o n tro l. P a u l d id th a t.
- 20 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
B u t I s u p p o s e th e q u e s tio n th a t w e c o u ld a s k o u rs e lv e s a t th is p o in t is d o w e a lw a y s d o th a t. W e a re c o n tin u a lly f a c e d w ith th e te m p ta tio n to c o m p ro m is e o u r C h ris tia n p rin c ip le s a n d b e lie f s in o rd e r to p le a s e m e n , in o rd e r to g a in f a v o r. A n d in d o in g th a t, w e f e e l lik e w e g a in s o m e a d v a n ta g e fo r o u rs e lv e s . T h a t a t le a s t is th e th o u g h t th a t g o e s th ro u g h o u r m in d s a s a m o tiv e , w h e th e r w e a rtic u la te it o r n o t. B u t w h a te v e r a d v a n ta g e th a t w e m ig h t g a in is o n ly s h o rt te rm . It n e v e r la s ts . It n e v e r p le a s e s G o d a n d it n e v e r h e lp s H is p e o p le in H is w o rk . T h e re 's a f a m o u s s to ry a b o u t H e n ry IV w h o b e c a m e k in g o f F ra n c e . H e w a s th e firs t o f th e B o u rb o n k in g s , g ra n d fa th e r o f L o u is X IV . H e w a s a P ro te s ta n t a n d a le g itim a te h e ir to th e th ro n e , b u t F ra n c e w a s s tro n g ly C a th o lic a n d o p p o s e d h is s u c c e s s io n . C iv il w a r re s u lte d . H e n ry w a s a v e ry a b le g e n e ra l a n d m a rc h e d o n P a ris , la id s e iz e to th e c ity b u t c o u ld n 't c o n q u e r it. H e re a liz e d th a t h e c o u ld n e v e r ru le F ra n c e a s a P ro te s ta n t k in g . A n d s o , a fte r c o n s id e rin g h is o p tio n s , H e n ry c o n c lu d e d in a fa m o u s s ta te m e n t, " P a ris is w e ll w o rth a m a s s ." A n d h e c o n v e rte d to C a th o lic is m . It w a s a h u g e d is a p p o in tm e n t fo r th e P ro te s ta n ts o f E u ro p e a n d e a rn e d h im a b s o lu te ly n o re s p e c t f o r th e C a th o lic s . It e n d e d tra g ic a lly fo r H e n ry . T e n y e a rs la te r h e w a s a s s a s s in a te d b y a J e s u it p rie s t. A n d it a ll p ro v e d th a t H e n ry h a d n o re a l s p iritu a l c o n v ic tio n s . W e ll, d o w e ? E v e ry d a y w e fa c e te m p ta tio n to c o m p ro m is e . It m a y n o t b e a s b la ta n t o r o b v io u s a s th e e x a m p le I'v e g iv en to y o u , b u t w e fa c e th a t te m p ta tio n to c o m p ro m is e o u r p rin c ip le s . W e s h o u ld k n o w th is , th a t n o th in g is w o rth it, n o th in g is w o rth c o m p ro m is e . W e w a lk a n a rro w w a y ; w e w a lk a s e lf le s s w a y . P a u l f o llo w e d it. T h e r e w a s n o t a p o litic a l b o n e in h is b o d y . C o n s is te n t w ith h is fre e d o m , h e a d a p te d to th e c irc u m s ta n c e s in o rd e r to fu rth e r th e g o s p e l. H e re s tric te d h is lib e rty to h e lp th e c h u rc h , a n d h e tru s te d G o d f o r th e o u tc o m e . A n d w e c a n b e a s s u re d o f th is . T h a t w h e n e v e r w e tru s t G o d a n d w e w a lk fa ith f u lly to H is W o rd ,
- 21 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
w h e th e r m e n u n d e rs ta n d w h a t w e 're d o in g o r n o t, G o d w ill b le s s u s . S o m a y G o d g iv e u s a n e n la rg e d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f H is tru th a n d H is w a y , a n d m a y w e liv e a c c o rd in g to it. M a y H e s tre n g th e n o u r c o n v ic tio n to d o th a t s o th a t w e w o u ld h o n o r H im a n d b e a b le s s in g to th e c h u rc h . B u t o f c o u rs e , to h o n o r th e L o rd G o d a n d o b e y H is in s tru c tio n , w e m u s t f irs t b e lie v e in H im , a n d th a t m e a n s b e lie v in g in H is S o n . S o if y o u a re h e re th is m o rn in g w ith o u t C h ris t, y o u m u s t firs t c o m e to a c o n v ic tio n o f y o u r s in a n d y o u r n e e d o f a S a v io r. A ll h a v e s in n e d a n d fa ll s h o rt o f th e g lo ry o f G o d . A ll a re in n e e d o f th e S a v io r a n d C h ris t J e s u s is th a t S a v io r. H e is G o d 's e te rn a l S o n, w h o b e c a m e a m a n in o rd e r to d ie o n th e c ro s s a n d s u f f e r th e p u n is h m e n t o f s in in o u r p la c e . A n d a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im , re g a rd le s s o f w h o th e y a re , re g a rd le s s o f th e w e ig h t o f th e ir g u ilt a n d th e a m o u n t o f th e ir s in , a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im a re f o r g iv e n a t th a t in s ta n t, e te r n a lly f o r g iv e n , g iv e n lif e e v e r la s tin g , a n in h e rita n c e a m o n g th e s a in ts th a t c a n n e v e r p e ris h , n e v e r p a s s a w a y . M a y G o d h e lp y o u to d o th a t, to s e e y o u r n e e d o f a S a v io r, to lo o k to C h ris t, to b e lie v e in H im . A n d m a y G o d h e lp a ll o f u s w h o 'v e d o n e th a t to liv e liv e s th a t a re c o n s is te n t w ith H is W o rd , to li v e liv e s a c c o rd in g to p ro p e r c o n v ic tio n s a n d n o t c o m p ro m is e . M a y G o d h e lp u s to d o th a t. L e t's p ra y . [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e d o th a n k y o u fo r y o u r g o o d n e s s a n d y o u r g ra c e . W e c o m e to a te x t s u c h a s th is a n d w e s e e P a u l liv in g c o n s is te n tly w ith th e p rin c ip le s th a t h e h a d s e t fo rth ; a s a ll th in g s to a ll m e n , a n d s u f f e rin g c o n s e q u e n c e s f o r it. M a y w e b e m e n a n d w o m e n w h o a re c o n s is te n t in o u r liv e s a n d fa ith fu l to y o u a n d w illin g to s u f f e r, k n o w in g th a t y o u a re in c o n tro l, F a th e r, a n d y o u w ill w o rk a ll th in g s to g e th e r f o r o u r g o o d . W e th a n k y o u f o r th a t g re a t tru th , th a t re a lity . W e th a n k y o u f o r th e lif e th a t w e h a v e in y o u r S o n . M a y w e liv e liv e s th a t p le a s e y o u a n d h o n o r H is n a m e . W e p ra y th e s e th in g s in C h ris t's n a m e . A m e n .
A c ts
" N o C o m p ro m is e "
T R A N S C R IP T
[M e s s a g e ] W e a re g o in g th ro u g h th e b o o k o f A c ts . A n d y o u 'll re m e m b e r fro m o u r re c e n t s tu d ie s , P a u l h a s fin is h e d h is th ird m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y . H is m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y s a s a f re e m a n a re a t a n e n d , a n d h e h a s m a d e h is w a y b a c k f ro m G re e c e , a n d th e n A s ia M i n o r to J e ru s a le m , a n d h e h a s c o m e u p to th e c ity . A n d w e re a d in A c ts 2 1 :1 7 : " A fte r w e a rriv e d in J e ru s a le m , the b re th re n re c e iv e d u s g la d ly . A n d th e fo llo w in g d a y P a u l w e n t in w ith u s to J a m e s , a n d a ll th e e ld e rs w e re p re s e n t. A fte r h e h a d g re e te d th e m , h e b e g a n to re la te o n e b y o n e th e th in g s w h ic h G o d h a d d o n e a m o n g th e G e n tile s th ro u g h h is m in is try . A n d w h e n th e y h e a rd it th e y b e g a n g lo rif y in g G o d ; a n d th e y s a id to h im , 'Y o u s e e , b ro th e r, h o w m a n y th o u s a n d s th e re a re a m o n g th e J e w s o f th o s e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d , a n d th e y a re a ll z e a lo u s f o r th e L a w ; a n d th e y h a v e b e e n to ld a b o u t y o u , th a t y o u a re te a c h in g a ll th e J e w s w h o a re a m o n g th e G e n tile s to fo rs a k e M o s e s , te llin g th e m n o t to c irc u m c is e th e ir c h ild re n n o r to w a lk a c c o rd in g to th e c u s to m s . W h a t, th e n , is to b e d o n e ? T h e y w ill c e rta in ly h e a r th a t y o u h a v e c o m e . T h e re f o re d o th is th a t w e t e ll y o u . W e h a v e f o u r m e n w h o a re u n d e r a v o w ; ta k e th e m a n d p u rify y o u rs e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , a n d p a y th e ir e x p e n s e s s o th a t th e y m a y s h a v e th e ir h e a d s ; a n d a ll w ill k n o w th a t th e re is n o th in g to th e th in g s w h ic h th e y h a v e b e e n to ld a b o u t y o u , b u t y o u y o u rs e lf a ls o w a lk o rd e rly , k e e p in g th e L a w . B u t c o n c e rn in g th e G e n tile s w h o h a v e b e lie v e d , w e w ro te , h a v in g d e c id e d th a t th e y
-2"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s h o u ld a b s ta in fro m m e a t s a c rif ic e d to id o ls a n d f ro m b lo o d a n d f ro m w h a t is s tra n g le d a n d fro m fo rn ic a tio n .' T h e n P a u l to o k th e m e n , a n d th e n e x t d a y , p u rif y in g h im s e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , w e n t in to th e te m p le g iv in g n o tic e o f th e c o m p le tio n o f th e d a y s o f p u rif ic a tio n , u n til th e s a c rific e w a s o ffe re d fo r e a c h o n e o f th e m . W h e n th e s e v e n d a y s w e re a lm o s t o v e r, th e J e w s f ro m A s ia , u p o n s e e in g h im in th e te m p le , b e g a n to s tir u p a ll th e c ro w d a n d la id h a n d s o n h im , c ry in g o u t, 'M e n o f Is ra e l, c o m e to o u r a id ! T h is is th e m a n w h o p re a c h e s to a ll m e n e v e ry w h e re a g a in s t o u r p e o p le a n d th e L a w a n d th is p la c e ; a n d b e s id e s h e h a s e v e n b ro u g h t G re e k s in to th e te m p le a n d h a s d e file d th is h o ly p la c e .' F o r th e y h a d p re v io u s ly s e e n T ro p h im u s th e E p h e s ia n in th e c ity w ith h im , a n d th e y s u p p o s e d th a t P a u l h a d b ro u g h t h im in to th e te m p le . T h e n a ll th e c ity w a s p ro v o k e d , a n d th e p e o p le ru s h e d to g e th e r, a n d ta k in g h o ld o f P a u l th e y d ra g g e d h im o u t o f th e te m p le , a n d im m e d ia te ly th e d o o rs w e re s h u t. W h ile th e y w e re s e e k in g to k ill h im , a re p o rt c a m e u p to th e c o m m a n d e r o f th e R o m a n c o h o rt th a t a ll J e ru s a le m w a s in c o n fu s io n . A t o n c e h e to o k a lo n g s o m e s o ld ie rs a n d c e n tu rio n s a n d ra n d o w n t o th e m ; a n d w h e n th e y s a w th e c o m m a n d e r a n d th e s o ld ie rs , th e y s to p p e d b e a tin g P a u l. T h e n th e c o m m a n d e r c a m e u p a n d to o k h o ld o f h im , a n d o rd e re d h im to b e b o u n d w ith tw o c h a in s ; a n d h e b e g a n a s k in g w h o h e w a s a n d w h a t h e h a d d o n e . B u t a m o n g th e c ro w d s o m e w e re s h o u tin g o n e th in g a n d s o m e a n o th e r, a n d w h e n h e c o u ld n o t f in d o u t th e f a c ts b e c a u s e o f th e u p r o a r , h e o r d e r e d h im to b e b ro u g h t in to th e b a rra c k s . W h e n h e g o t to th e s ta irs , h e w a s c a rrie d b y th e s o ld ie rs b e c a u s e o f th e v io le n c e o f th e m o b ; f o r th e m u ltitu d e o f th e p e o p le k e p t f o llo w in g th e m , s h o u tin g , 'A w a y w ith h im !' A s P a u l w a s a b o u t to b e b ro u g h t in to th e b a rra c k s , h e s a id to th e c o m m a n d e r, 'M a y I s a y s o m e th in g to y o u ? ' A n d h e s a id , 'D o y o u k n o w G re e k ? T h e n y o u a re n o t th e E g y p tia n w h o s o m e tim e a g o s tirre d u p a re v o lt a n d le d th e fo u r th o u s a n d m e n o f th e A s s a s s in s o u t in to th e w ild e rn e s s ? ' B u t P a u l s a id , 'I a m a J e w o f T a rs u s in C ilic ia , a c itiz e n o f n o in s ig n if ic a n t c ity ; a n d I b e g y o u , a llo w m e to s p e a k to th e p e o p le .' W h e n h e h a d g iv e n h im p e rm is s io n , P a u l, s ta n d in g o n th e
-3"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
s ta irs , m o tio n e d to th e p e o p le w ith h is h a n d ; a n d w h e n th e re w a s a g re a t h u s h , h e s p o k e to th e m in th e H e b re w d ia le c t." M a y th e L o rd b le s s th is re a d in g o f H is W o rd a n d o u r tim e to s tu d y to g e th e r. L e t's b o w in a w o rd o f p ra y e r. [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e th a n k y o u f o r th is tim e to g e th e r. W e th a n k y o u fo r th e b le s s in g th a t it is to s im p ly p o s s e s s th e B ib le w h ic h is y o u r in e rra n t W o rd a n d to re a d it p u b lic ly a s w e h a v e d o n e , b u t th e n , th e a d d e d b e n e f it o f s p e n d in g s o m e tim e c o n s id e rin g its m e a n in g to g e th e r. A n d w e c o n s id e r th a t a g re a t p riv ile g e . T h is is h o w w e 're b u ilt u p in th e fa ith . T h is is h o w w e re a c h m a tu rity in th e fa ith a n d a re m a d e u s e f u l. T h is is h o w w e le a rn a b o u t y o u a n d h o w y o u w o u ld h a v e u s to liv e . A n d s o w e p ra y , F a th e r, f o r a s p e c ia l b le s s in g a n d in s tr u c tio n f r o m th e H o ly S p ir it. A n d w h a t a p r iv ile g e th a t is , b e y o n d e s tim a tio n , th a t w e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d in J e s u s C h ris t n o t o n ly h a v e lif e e te rn a l, b u t w e h a v e w ith in u s th e th ird P e rs o n o f th e T rin ity . G o d d w e lls , lite ra lly , w ith in H is c h ild re n . H e p ro te c ts u s a n d H e g u id e s u s a n d H e te a c h e s u s . W e p ra y f o r th a t th is m o rn in g . A s w e h a v e s tu d ie d th ro u g h th e b o o k o f A c ts , w e h a v e n o tic e d h o w H e o p e n s h e a rts to re c e iv e th e th in g s th a t a re s a id , re c e iv e th e tru th . A n d w e p ra y th a t th a t m in is try w o u ld g o o n th is m o rn in g , th a t h e a rts w o u ld b e o p e n e d b y H im , th a t, s u p e rn a tu ra lly , w e 'd c o m e in to a n u n d e rs ta n d in g o f th e th in g s th a t y o u w o u ld h a v e u s to k n o w a n d to b e lie v e th a t w e m ig h t w a lk in a m a n n e r w o rth y o f o u r c a llin g . S o b le s s u s to th a t e n d . G iv e u s a h u n g e r f o r y o u r tru th a n d a d e s ire to s e rv e y o u fa ith fu lly a n d w e ll. A n d w e p ra y fo r th o s e m a te ria l a n d p h y s ic a l n e e d s th a t w e h a v e a s w e ll. W e th a n k y o u f o r th e ra in w e h a v e n e e d e d s o g re a tly , a n d w e th a n k y o u f o r it a n d f o r s a f e ty . A n d w e fo r s a fety ; w e p ra y f o r th o s e w h o 'll b e tra v e lin g in it th a t y o u g iv e th e m s a fe tra v e l. Bu t it is a b le s s in g , F a th e r, to h a v e th e ra in a n d w e th a n k y o u fo r th a t. A n d w e p ra y fo r th e o th e r n e e d s th a t w e h a v e .
-4"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
W e th in k o f th o s e w h o h a v e g iv e n u s th e ir n a m e s to p ra y fo r, w h o s e n a m e s a re lis te d in th e C a le n d a r o f C o n c e rn o n th e p ra ye r lis t. W e p ra y f o r th e m ; p ra y y o u r b le s s in g u p o n th e m . G iv e h e a lin g w h e re it b e y o u r w ill. Y o u a re a G o d o f m ira c le s a n d y o u c a n c e rta in ly d o th a t. B u t y o u d o a ll th in g s a c c o rd in g to y o u r w ill. Y o u d o a ll th in g s w e ll, a n d w e k n o w th a t y o u r w ill is w o rke d o u t p e rf e c tly in o u r liv e s , a n d w e th a n k y o u f o r th a t. G iv e e n c o u ra g e m e n t w h e re it is n e e d e d , s tre n g th w h e re it is n e e d e d . B le s s o u r n a tio n . W e fa c e a d a y o f g re a t d e c is io n . T h e e le c tio n is a p p ro a c h in g a n d g o v e rn m e n t o f f ic ia ls w ill b e c h o s e n th is p e o p le . A n d w e p ra y th a t y o u g iv e u s w is d o m a s w e c a s t o u r v o te s , a n d th a t b y y o u r g ra c e w e w o u ld h a v e a w is e g o v e rn m e n t. T h a t is a g if t f ro m y o u , F a th e r. W e k n o w th a t y o u ra is e u p g o v e rn m e n ts a n d y o u re m o v e g o v e rn m e n ts . Y o u g iv e w is d o m to th e p e o p le a n d w e p ra y fo r th a t. B le s s u s th is e v e n in g a s w e re tu rn to th is p la c e a n d a s w e c e le b ra te th e L o rd 's S u p p e r. It is , a s H o w a rd h a s re m in d e d u s , a c o m m a n d th a t is g iv e n to u s to d o this in re m e m b ra n c e of your Son. A n d s o a s w e d o th a t th is e v e n in g , m a y w e b e b le s s e d , s a n c tifie d , e n c o u ra g e d th ro u g h th e m in is try th a t w e w ill re c e iv e th e n a n d w h a t w e w ill re c e iv e n o w . B le s s u s a s w e s in g o u r f in a l h y m n . M a y it p re p a re o u r h e a rts f o r o u r tim e o f s tu d y to g e th e r. W e p ra y in C h ris t's n a m e . A m e n . [M e s s a g e ] T h e o th e r d a y I re a d th e d e s c rip tio n o f a n o w -d e a d th e o lo g ia n , th a t h e d id n 't h a v e a p o litic a l b o n e in h is b o d y . W e k n o w w h a t th a t m e a n s . H e d id n o t liv e to p le a s e m e n ; h e d id n 't c o m p ro m is e . T h a t's p o litic s . S a m R a y b u rn , w h o w a s f o r m a n y y e a rs th e s p e a k e r o f th e H o u s e o f R e p re s e n ta tiv e s , w a s fa m o u s fo r g iv in g th e a d v ic e to y o u n g c o n g re s s m e n , " T o g e t a lo n g , g o a lo n g ." T h a t's th e w a y p o litic s w o rk s , b y f in d in g th e m id d le c o u rs e , th e h a p p y m e d iu m – b y c o m p ro m is e . A n d in o u r s y s te m o f g o v e rn m e n t , it c o u ld b e a rg u e d , I s u p p o s e , a n d , in f a c t, is a rg u e d th a t th a t is a n e c e s s a ry e v il. C h ris tia n ity , th o u g h , is d iffe re n t. It is n o t p o litic s .
-5"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
In th e C h ris tia n life , in o u r w a lk w ith G o d , c o m p ro m is e is n o t n e c e s s a ry , b u t it is e v il. W h ic h b rin g s u s to o u r te x t in A c ts 2 1 w h e re P a u l v is ite d th e te m p le in J e ru s a le m a n d o b s e rv e d th e J e w is h rite o f p u rific a tio n . S o m e c a ll it P a u l's c o m p ro m is e . G . C a m p b e ll M o rg a n , w h o p re a c h e d f o r m a n y y e a r s a t W e s tm in s te r C h a p e l in L o n d o n , c a lle d it " th e g re a te s t m is ta k e o f h is life ." W e ll, w a s it? It's a g o o d q u e s tio n to p ro b e b e c a u s e it d e a ls n o t o n ly w ith P a u l's life a n d w h e th e r o r n o t h e g iv e s u s a n e x a m p le fo r e ith e r g o o d o r b a d , b u t it d e a ls w ith th e is s u e o f c o m p ro m is e , th e is s u e o f c o u ra g e , th e is s u e o f c o n v ic tio n . B u t it a ls o d e a ls w ith th e C h ris tia n 's re la tio n s h ip to th e la w o f M o s e s , h o w w e a re to liv e . P a u l h a d m u c h to s a y a b o u t th e la w . A n d u n d e rs ta n d in g h is p o s itio n w ill a n s w e r th is c h a rg e o f c o m p ro m is e in A c ts 2 1 . W e 're c le a rly ta u g h t th a t w e a re n o t u n d e r th e la w o f M o s e s . H e m a k e s th a t v e ry c le a r in th e b o o k s o f R o m a n s a n d G a la tia n s , th e b o o k s o f 1 a n d 2 C o rin th ia n s a n d o th e rs a s w e ll. " Y o u a re n o t u n d e r la w b u t u n d e r g ra c e ," h e w ro t e in R o m a n s 6 :1 4 . In 2 C o rin th ia n s 3 , h e d e s c rib e d th e T e n C o m m a n d m e n ts a s " th e m in is try o f d e a th in le tte rs e n g ra v e d o n s to n e s . In G a la tia n s 3 , h e s ta te s th a t th e la w o f M o s e s, in e ffe c t, h e s a y s , w a s te m p o ra ry . It w a s in e f f e c t f ro m S in a i to C a lv a ry , a n d h e d e s c rib e s it a s b e in g lik e a " tu to r" o r a g u a rd ia n w h o h a d a u th o rity o v e r a p e rs o n w h e n h e w a s a c h ild . B u t w h e n th a t c h ild b e c a m e a m a n , th e n th e a u th o rity o f th a t g u a rd ia n c e a s e d to e x is t. G e n e ra lly , th e a n a lo g y th a t h e is g iv in g u s th e re is fro m th e p ra c tic e o f a s la v e in a p a tric ia n 's h o m e in R o m e , a n d h o w h e w o u ld b e in c h a rg e o f th a t c h ild u n til h e g re w to m a tu rity . A n d th e n , a t th a t p o in t, th e s la v e w a s ju s t a s la v e . H e n e v e r h a d a u th o rity o v e r th a t c h ild w h o h a d g ro w n u p . A n d P a u l is s a y in g th e la w w a s lik e th a t. It w a s g iv e n to Is ra e l fo r a p e rio d o f tim e a n d fo r a p a rtic u la r p u rp o s e . It w a s g iv e n to p re p a re th e n a tio n fo r th e c o m in g o f C h ris t a n d to le a d th e p e o p le to h im . W h e n C h ris t c a m e in th e f u lln e s s o f tim e , a s P a u l p u ts it i n G a la tia n s 4 :4 , w h e n H e fu lfille d th e la w a n d fu lfille d
-6"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
H is p u rp o s e , G o d 's p e o p le c e a s e d to b e u n d e r its c u s to d y . N o w , th e la w s till h a s v a lu e f o r u s . It is th e W o rd o f G o d ; it is in e rra n t. W e p ro fit fro m th e s tu d y o f it. A s w e s tu d y th e la w a n d th e p ro p h e ts , a s w e s tu d y th e w h o le o f th e O ld T e s ta m e n t, w e s e e C h ris t in it. It h a s d o c trin e a s w e ll a s le s s o n s f o r o u r c o n d u c t. W e s tu d y th e lif e o f M o s e s ; w e s tu d y th e lif e o f D a v id ; w e s tu d y th e life o f a ll o f th e g re a t c h a ra c te rs o f th e O ld T e s ta m e n t a n d w e le a rn le s s o n s a b o u t h o w w e a re to c o n d u c t o u r liv e s . B u t th e la w its e lf, its ru le s d o n o t g o v e rn o u r liv e s b y d ire c tin g a n d re s tric tin g o u r b e h a v io r T h e N e w T e s ta m e n t d o e s th a t w ith its in s tru c tio n , w ith its e x a m p le s . A n d th e H o ly S p irit g iv e s u s u n d e rs ta n d in g a n d w is d o m to a p p ly th o s e p rin c ip le s to th e v a rio u s c irc u m s ta n c e s o f lif e a s w e w a lk b y th e S p irit. T h a t's h o w th e C h ris tia n liv e s h is o r h e r life , w a lk in g b y th e S p irit. P a u l is c le a r. C h ris tia n s a re n o t u n d e r th e la w a s a c o d e , a s a ru le o f c o n d u c t, a s a ru le o f life . W e h a v e b e e n re le a s e d fro m th e la w h e s a id . R o m a n s 7 :7 . B u t th a t fre e d o m th a t w e h a v e is re a l fre e d o m , w h ic h m e a n s th a t a p e rs o n is a ls o f re e to o b s e rv e th e la w if h e c h o o s e s to d o s o , If b y o b s e rv in g th e la w h e w ill p ro m o te th e g o s p e l a n d re m o v e a s tu m b lin g b lo c k fro m a b ro th e r. T h a t's w h a t P a u l ta u g h t; h e ta u g h t th a t in R o m a n s 1 4 . A n d th a t is w h a t P a u l d id . A n d w h a t h e d id in J e ru s a le m w a s c o n s is te n t w ith th a t te a c h in g a n d p ra c tic e . H e w a s n o t o b lig e d to o b s e rv e th e J e w is h h o ly d a y s . H e is fre e fro m th e la w , h e c o u ld s a y . B u t h e w a s fre e to d o th a t, fre e to o b s e rv e th o s e h o ly d a y s , a n d h e c h o s e to d o it in o rd e r to s e rv e th e c a u s e o f th e g o s p e l. T h a t is th e re a s o n th a t P a l w e n t u p to J e ru s a le m . H e w e n t u p o n a m is s io n o f m e rc y . H e w e n t u p to h e lp th e p o o r s a in ts in J e ru s a le m . H e w e n t u p to J e ru s a le m to b e a w itn e s s to th e g ra c e o f G o d in J e s u s C h ris t. S o w ith th a t in m in d , w e tu rn to o u r p a s s a g e . P a u l a rriv e d in J e ru s a le m a t th e tim e o f th e F e a s t o f P e n te c o s t, o r th e F e a s t o f W e e k s , w h ic h to o k p la c e 5 0 d a y s a fte r P a s s o v e r. A n d s o th e s e P a s s o v e r p ilg rim s , th o s e w h o 'd c o m e u p to c e le b ra te th e fe a s t w e re s till th e re ,
-7"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
a n d th a t m e a n s th e c ity o f J e ru s a le m w a s f ille d w ith p ilg rim s a n d w o rs h ip p e rs . W e ll, P a u l a n d his f rie n d s a rriv e d in th e c ity a t th is tim e a n d th e y w e re w a rm ly re c e iv e d b y th e b re th re n th e re . A n d th e n e x t d a y P a u l w e n t to s e e J a m e s a n d a ll th e e ld e rs o f th e c h u rc h . N o w , th is w a s n o t P a u l's firs t m e e tin g w ith J a m e s a n d th e o th e rs . P a u l m e t J a m e s y e a rs e a rlie r w h e n h e m a d e h is firs t v is it to J e ru s a le m fo llo w in g h is c o n v e rs io n o n th e D a m a s c u s R o a d . H e w a s c o n v e rte d th e re a s h e a p p ro a c h e d th e c ity o f D a m a s c u s . H e s p e n t s o m e d a y s th e re , th e n h e w e n t o u t in to th e A ra b ia n d e s e rt. H e c a m e b a c k to D a m a s c u s . H e w a s d riv e n o u t o f th e c ity o r n a rro w ly e s c a p e d w ith h is life . H e c a m e u p to J e ru s a le m a n d h e m e t J a m e s a n d P e te r, a n d J o h n a s w e ll, th e p illa rs o f th e c h u rc h . S o a s h e c o m e s b a c k o n th is v is it, h e a lre a d y k n e w th e s e m e n ; h e a lre a d y k n e w J a m e s . A n d th e y h a d a c o m m o n u n d e rs ta n d in g a b o u t th e g o s p e l a n d th e w o rk o f th e m in is try . T h a t h a d b e e n w o rk e d o u t w h e n P a u l , a t a d if f e re n t d a te , a la te r tim e , h a d c o m e u p to J e ru s a le m f ro m A n tio c h a lo n g w ith B a rn a b a s a n d T itu s , a n d th e re d e b a te d th e is s u e o f th e g o s p e l, th e re la tio n s h ip o f g ra c e a n d la w to th e g o s p e l, a rg u in g v e ry fe rv e n tly th a t c irc u m c is io n is n o t n e c e s s a ry f o r s a lv a tio n . T h a t k e e p in g th e la w is n o t n e c e s s a ry a lo n g w ith fa ith in J e s u s C h ris t, th a t it is fa ith in C h ris t a lo n e th a t o n e m u s t h a v e . A n d J a m e s , P e te r, J o h n – th e p illa rs o f th e c h u rc h – th e y a ll a g re e d w ith P a u l . A n d th e y e x te n d e d to P a u l " th e rig h t h a n d o f fe llo w s h ip ," h e te lls u s , in G a la tia n s c h a p te r 2 , m e a n in g th a t th e y re c o g n iz e d th a t h e w o u ld g o to th e g e n tile s . T h a t's th e m in is try in th e a re a to w h ic h h a d c a lle d h im , w h ile th e y w o u ld g o to th e c irc u m c is io n . T h e y w o u ld m in is te r to th e J e w s . S o P a u l b e c a m e k n o w n a s th e a p o s tle to th e g e n tile s . N o w , h e c o m e s b a c k to J e ru s a le m a n d h e te lls th e s e m e n a ll th a t G o d h a d b e e n d o in g a m o n g th e g e n tile s d u rin g h is m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y s . A s e v id e n c e o f G o d 's s a v in g w o rk , th e g re a t w o rk th a t H e h a d d o n e , h e h a d b ro u g h t w ith h im re p re s e n ta tiv e s fro m th e g e n tile c h u rc h e s , th e c h u rc h e s o f
-8"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
G re e c e a n d A s ia . M e n lik e T ro p h im u s f r o m E p h e s u s a n d S e c u n d u s f r o m th e c ity o f T h e s s a lo n ic a , a n d o th e rs a s w e ll. T h e y w e re tro p h ie s o f g ra c e , a n d P a u l b ro u g h t th e m a lo n g b e c a u s e th e y c o u ld b e a r w itn e s s o f a ll th e th in g s th a t h e h a d s a id . In a d d itio n , h e p re s e n te d a g if t to J a m e s a n d th e e ld e rs th a t h e h a d c o lle c te d fro m th e s e g e n tile c h u rc h e s fo r th e n e e d y s a in ts th e re in J e ru s a le m . A fa m in e h a d o c c u rre d in th a t a re a o f th e w o rld a n d it h a d s e rio u s ly a n d s e v e re ly a ffe c te d th e m e m b e rs o f th e c h u rc h . A n d s o th e y b ro u g h t th is g e n e ro u s g if t to th e p e o p le th e re in th e c ity . L u k e d o e s n 't m e n tio n it h e re . H e d o e s m e n tio n it la te r in c h a p te r 2 4 . B u t th is w a s th e m a in re a s o n th a t P a u l h a d c o m e u p to J e ru s a le m . H e h a d c o lle c te d a g ift fro m th e g e n tile c h u rc h e s. A n d m a n y o f th e m w e re q u ite p o o r. T h e M a c e d o n ia n c h u rc h e s w e re p o o r s a in ts; th e y h a d v e ry little to g iv e . In fa c t, P a u l h a d d is c o u ra g e d th e m f r o m g iv in g , b u t th e y h a d in s is te d a n d p r e v a ile d u p o n h im . A n d o u t o f th e ir p o v e rty th e y g a v e to h e lp th e s e s a in ts in J e ru s a le m . A n d s o h e b rin g s th is g if t w h ic h is p ro o f th a t th e f a ith o f th e g e n tile s w a s n o t in w o rd o n ly b u t in d e e d a s w e ll. T h e y h a d a n a c tiv e f a ith ; th e y h a d a liv in g f a ith . A n d it w a s a n e v id e n c e th a t th e y s a w th e m s e lv e s a s b e in g in u n ity w ith th e J e w is h b e lie v e rs in J e ru s a le m , th a t th e y w e re n o t tw o g ro u p s , J e w is h b e lie v e rs a n d g e n tile b e lie v e rs b u t o n e b o d y , o n e p e o p le . A n d th is w a s ta n g ib le e v id e n c e o f th e ir b e lie f in th a t a n d th e ir g re a t c o n c e rn fo r th e C h ris tia n s o f J e ru s a le m . W e ll, th e le a d e rs o f th e c h u rc h w e re v e ry im p re s s e d b y w h a t th e y h e a rd , w h a t th e y s a w a n d w h a t th e y h a d re c e iv e d . T h e y p ra is e d G o d fo r H is g ra c e , a n d th e y p o in te d o u t to P a u l th e g re a t w o rk th a t G o d h a d b e e n d o in g a m o n g th e m th e re in th e c ity o f J e ru s a le m . T h e y p o in te d o u t th e m a n y , m a n y J e w is h c o n v e rts to th e f a ith . " Y o u s e e , b ro th e r, h o w m a n y th o u s a n d s th e re a re a m o n g th e J e w s o f th o s e w h o h a v e b e lie v e d ." B u t th e re w a s s o m e th in g th a t c o n c e rn e d th e m , a ru m o r th a t h a d b e e n tro u b lin g th e c h u rc h . A n d th e y s p e a k to P a u l o f th is in v e rs e s 2 0 a n d 2 1 . T h e J e w is h c o n v e rts a re d e s c rib e d a s " a ll z e a lo u s f o r th e
-9"No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
L a w ." T h e y h a v e b e lie v e d th e g o s p e l, b u t th e y c o n tin u e d to liv e a s o b s e rv a n t J e w s , p ra c tic in g th e J e w is h tra d itio n s , o b s e rv in g th e la w . N o w , w e 're n o t to ld w h y th e y d id th a t, w h a t th e ir m o tiv e w a s . S o m e c e rta in ly d id it b e c a u s e it w a s th e ir c u s to m . T h e y 'd g ro w n u p d o in g th a t, a n d th e y d id n 't w a n t to o f f e n d th e J e w is h p o p u la tio n o f J e ru s a le m . A n d s o th e y c o n tin u e d to liv e in a w a y th a t w o u ld n o t b e o ffe n s iv e to th e ir fe llo w c itiz e n s . B u t o th e rs p r o b a b ly w e re im m a tu re in th e f a ith . A n d th e y d id n o t y e t u n d e rs ta n d fu lly th e fre e d o m th a t th e y h a d in C h ris t, th e ir f re e d o m f ro m th e la w . In fa c t, e a rly in P a u l's m in is try , a fte r h is firs t m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y , m e n fro m J e ru s a le m c a m e in to G a la tia a n d th os e s o u th e rn c h u rc h e s w ith a d if f e re n t g o s p e l. H e re a lly w rite s th e b o o k o f G a la tia n s to a d d re s s th is fa ls e g o s p e l in w h ic h th e s e m e n s a id it's n e c e s s a ry to b e lie v e in C h ris t, b u t th a t's n o t e n o u g h . O n e m u s t a lw a y s o b e y th e la w . O n e m u s t u n d e rg o th e rite o f c irc u m c is io n .
And no
d o u b t th e s e m e n , o r s o m e o f th o s e m e n , s till e x e rc is e d s o m e in flu e n c e in th e c h u rc h . A n d s o th e re w e re p e o p le , m a n y o f th e m , w h o w e re z e a lo u s fo r th e la w . B u t a ru m o r h a d c irc u la te d in th e c ity th a t h a d a n e ffe c t u p o n th e s e b e lie v e rs , a n d it c a u s e d d iv is io n th e re in th e c h u rc h . It w a s a re p o rt th a t P a u l w a s a g a in s t th e la w a n d th e J e w is h tra d itio n s . N o t o n ly d id h e te ll g e n tile b e lie v e rs th a t th e y w e re n o t o b lig a te d to k e e p th e la w , b u t h e a ls o w a s p e rs u a d in g J e w is h b e lie v e rs n o t to o b s e rv e th e J e w is h c u s to m s a n d n o t to c irc u m c is e th e ir s o n s . N o w th e re p o rt w a s fa ls e . P a u l's p o s itio n o n th is is s u e is p la in fro m h is le tte rs . H e re je c te d th e te a c h in g th a t g e n tile s n e e d e d to b e c irc u m c is e d fo r s a lv a tio n . T h a t w a s a fa ls e g o sp e l. S a lv a tio n is b y g ra c e th ro u g h f a ith , p lu s n o th in g . N o t fa ith p lu s c irc u m c is io n , n o t fa ith p lu s b a p tis m o r a n y o th e r k in d o f c e re m o n y . T h is w a s , in P a u l's w o rd s , " a d iffe re n t g o s p e l w h ic h is a n a th e m a ." C u rs e d , h e s a id . C h ris tia n s a re n o t c o m m a n d e d to b e c irc u m c is e d . B u t in its e lf c irc u m c is io n is n o th in g . It m a k e s n o d if f e re n c e f o r o n e 's s ta n d in g
- 10 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
w ith G o d . It d o e s n 't h e lp , b u t it d o e s n 't h u rt e ith e r. If a J e w is h fa th e r w a n te d to c irc u m c is e h is s o n a n d c o n fo rm to th e a n c e s tra l tra d itio n s , P a u l d id n 't o b je c t to th a t. In fa c t, b e fo re ta k in g T im o th y o n th e s e c o n d m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y – y o u 'll re m e m b e r fro m o u r s tu d ie s in th is b o o k – P a u l h a d h im c irc u m c is e d . T im o th y w a s f ro m a m ix e d f a m ily . H is m o th e r w a s a J e w e s s a n d a b e lie v e r in J e s u s C h ris t. S h e w a s a C h ris tia n w o m a n , a s w a s h is g ra n d m o th e r. B u t h is fa th e r w a s a p a g a n . H e h a d n o t c o n v e rte d , a n d s o T im o th y h a d n o t b e e n c irc u m c is e d . A n d s o P a u l h a d h im c irc u m c is e d b e fo re th is s e c o n d m is s io n a ry jo u rn e y s o th a t T im o th y w o u ld n o t b e a n o b s ta c le to p re a c h in g th e g o s p e l. T h e y w o u ld b e tra v e lin g to d iffe re n t c itie s , a n d a s w a s P a u l's c u s to m th e y w o u ld g o in to th e s y n a g o g u e , a n d it w o u ld b e k n o w n th a t T im o th y w a s a n u n c irc u m c is e d m a n . S o to k e e p th a t f ro m b e in g a n o b s ta c le to th e p re a c h in g o f th e g o s p e l, h e c irc u m c is e d h im . It's n o c o m p ro m is e o f th e g o s p e l. It w a s to p ro m o te th e g o s p e l. A n d P a u l w a s e q u a lly fle x ib le in o th e r a re a s a s w e ll re g a rd in g d ie t, re g a rd in g fo o d , a n d th e o b s e rv a n c e o f d a y s s u c h a s th e S a b b a th . A s lo n g a s th is w a s n o t a m atte r o f s a lv a tio n ; a s lo n g a s it w a s n o t a n is s u e th a t w o u ld c o m p ro m is e th e p u rity o f th e g o s p e l, P a u l s a id , " L e t e v e ry m a n b e f u lly p e rs u a d e d in h is o w n m in d ." R o m a n s 1 4 :5 . In o th e r w o rd s , th e s e a re m a tte rs o f c o n s c ie n c e b e tw e e n th e b e lie v e r a n d th e L o r d G o d , a n d h e m u s t w o rk th in g s o u t b e tw e e n h im s e lf o r h e rs e lf a n d th e L o rd . P a u l n e v e r d e n ie d th a t J e w s c o u ld c o n tin u e to liv e c u ltu ra lly a s J e w s liv e . P a u l g e n e ra lly liv e d th a t w a y h im s e lf. H e liv e d a s a J e w is h m a n . H e w a s f r e e to d o th a t, b u t h e w a s a ls o f re e to c o n f o rm to g e n tile c u s to m s w h e n h e w a s a m o n g th e g e n tile s . A n d h e d id th a t w h e n it s e rv e d th e g o s p e l, a s h e e x p la in e d in 1 C o rin th ia n s 9 :2 0-2 2 , w h e re w e se e h is a ttitu d e o r h is p o s itio n , h is p h ilo s o p h y to w a rd th e la w a n d g ra c e c ry s ta lliz e d s o s u c c in c tly . H e s a id th a t h e b e c a m e a J e w to th e J e w s ; h e b e c a m e a g e n tile to th e g e n tile s . H e b e c a m e w e a k to th e w e a k , m e a n in g h e re s tric te d h is
- 11 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
lib e rty f o r th e ir s a k e a n d th e s a k e o f th e g o s p e l. " I h a v e b e c o m e a ll th in g s to a ll m e n , s o th a t I m a y b y a ll m e a n s s a v e s o m e . " T h a t w a s th e p rin c ip le b y w h ic h P a u l o p e ra te d . B u t th a t p rin c ip le h a d b e e n d is to rte d b y h is e n e m ie s . T h e y h a d a c c u s e d h im o f c o m m ittin g a p o s ta s y a g a in s t M o s e s a n d a tta c k in g th e la w . J a m e s a n d th e e ld e rs d id n 't b e lie v e th e ru m o r, b u t it w a s v e ry m u c h a liv e in th e c ity . It w a s d iv id in g th e c h u rc h , a n d it h a d b e c o m e a n o b s ta c le to th e ir m in is try . A n d s o th e y a s k e d , " W h a t, th e n , is to b e d o n e ? " Y o u 're in th e c ity . E v e ry o n e w ill k n o w th a t y o u 're in th e c ity a n d th e y 'll k n o w th a t y o u v is ite d u s . T h e y 'll k n o w th a t y o u 'v e g iv e n u s th is v e ry g e n e ro u s g if t. A n d y e t, th is ru m o r w ill b e a n o b s ta c le to th a t. It w ill f ru s tra te a ll o f th a t. S o " w h a t, th e n , is to b e d o n e ? " T h e y h a d a p ro p o s a l. A n d th e y g iv e it in v e rs e s 2 3 a n d 2 4 . " T h e re fo re d o th is th a t w e te ll y o u . W e h a v e f o u r m e n w h o a re u n d e r a v o w ; ta k e th e m a n d p u rify y o u rs e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , a n d p a y th e ir e x p e n s e s s o th a t th e y m a y s h a v e th e ir h e a d s ; a n d a ll w ill k n o w th a t th e re is n o th in g to th e th in g s w h ic h th e y h a v e b e e n to ld a b o u t y o u , b u t th a t y o u y o u rs e lf a ls o w a lk o rd e rly , k e e p in g th e L a w . " It w a s a v e ry c o m m o n p ra c tic e f o r J e w is h m e n to ta k e a v o w , th e N a z a rite v o w . A n d in d o in g th a t, th e y w o u ld a b s ta in fro m m e a t a n d w in e , a n d th e y w o u ld n o t c u t th e ir h a ir f o r a s h o rt tim e . B u t th a t v o w b e c a m e v e ry e x p e n s iv e . A t th e e n d o f it, th e h e a d w a s s h a v e d a n d th e n th e h a ir w a s b u rn e d a t th e d o o r o f th e te m p le . A n d th e n th e p e rs o n h a d to m a k e a n o ffe rin g o f tw o la m b s . N o w , fo r a p o o r p e rs o n , th e la w m a d e p ro v is io n fo r h is o r h e r p o v e rty , a n d w h e n a n o ffe rin g w a s to b e m a d e a p e rs o n c o u ld o f f e r a d o v e , w h ic h w a s v e ry in e x p e n s iv e, b e c a u s e th e c o s t o f a la m b w a s e x o rb ita n t. B u t in th is v o w , tw o la m b s w e re to b e o ffe re d . A n d th e n , in a d d itio n to th a t, a ra m , th e n lo a v e s a n d c a k e s w ith m e a l a n d d rin k o ffe rin g s . A n d s o fo r a p o o r p e rs o n , th a t w a s e x o rb ita n t, v e ry c o s tly to d o . A n d b e c a u s e o f th a t, it b e c a m e c u s to m a ry fo r w e a lth y J e w s to ta k e
- 12 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
u p o n th e m s e lv e s th e e x p e n s e o f th e s e p o o r p e o p le . T h e y w o u ld p a y f o r it, a n d th a t w a s c o n s id e re d a g re a t a c t o f p ie ty . It b e c a m e v e ry c u s to m a ry . A n d th is is w h a t th e e ld e rs a s k e d P a u l to d o . T o p a y th e e x p e n s e s o f th e s e f o u r m e n w h o , p ro b a b ly lik e m a n y o f th e C h ris tia n s in th e c h u rc h a t J e ru s a le m , w e re v e ry p o o r. A n d s o o u t o f P a u l's o w n p o c k e t, h e w o u ld p ic k u p th e e x p e n s e , n o t ju s t fo r o n e b u t fo r a ll fo u r. A n d th e y w a n te d h im a ls o to p u rify h im s e lf. N o w , w h a t th a t m e a n s is P a u l w a s c o n s id e re d c e re m o n ia lly u n c le a n b e c a u s e h e 'd b e e n o u t in th e D ia s p o ra . H e 'd b e e n in th e g e n tile la n d s . T h a t's w h e re h is m in is try h a d ta k e n p la c e . F o r m a n y y e a rs h e 'd b e e n w ith th e p a g a n s . A n d th e J e w s c o n s id e re d a m a n w h o h a d b e e n o u t in th e p a g a n w o rld to b e d e f ile d b y th a t. A n d s o w h e n h e o r s h e c a m e b a c k in to th e la n d , th e y w o u ld g o th ro u g h a rite o f p u rif ic a tio n s o th a t th e y w o u ld b e c e re m o n ia lly c le a n . A n d s o to d o th a t, P a u l w a s a s k e d to g o th ro u g h th is ritu a l o f p u rific a tio n th a t la s te d s e v e n d a y s , a n d th e re b y th e J e w s w o u ld s e e th a t h e 's n o t o p p o s e d to th e la w . In f a c t, h e 's c o n f o rm in g w it h th e tra d itio n . A n d th a t w o u ld b e c o m e o b v io u s to th e m b e c a u s e a ll th is is to b e d o n e in th e te m p le , in a v e ry p u b lic p la c e . A n d it w o u ld b e p u b lic ly d e m o n s tra te d th a t h is th in k in g , h is c o n d u c t w a s n o t a s th e ru m o r h a d in s is te d . H e w a s n o t h o s tile to w ard th e m a n d th e ir tra d itio n s . N o w , th is w a s th e ir id e a . T h is w a s n o t P a u l's id e a , b u t P a u l lis te n e d . H e w a s in th e ir c ity . T h e y k n e w th e s itu a tio n b e tte r th a n h e d id , a n d h e w a s w illin g to d o w h a te v e r h e c o u ld d o to re lie v e th e m o f e m b a rra s s m e n t a n d r e m o v e th is im p e d im e n t to th e m in is try . A n d s o c o m p le te ly c o n s is te n t w ith h is p o lic y o f b e c o m in g a ll th in g s to a ll m e n , P a u l w illin g ly b e c a m e a s o n e u n d e r th e la w f o r th o s e w h o w e re u n d e r th e la w , w h o liv e d u n d e r th e la w . H e b e c a m e a s a J e w to th e J e w s , o b e d ie n t to th e la w . W e re a d in v e rs e 2 6 , " T h e n P a u l to o k th e m e n , a n d th e n e x t d a y , p u rif y in g h im s e lf a lo n g w ith th e m , w e n t in to th e te m p le g iv in g n o tic e o f th e c o m p le tio n o f th e d a y s o f p u rif ic a tio n ,
- 13 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
u n til th e s a c rific e w a s o ffe re d fo r e a c h o n e o f th e m . " W h a t h a p p e n e d n e x t w a s c o m p le te ly u n a n tic ip a te d . T h e e ld e rs o f J e ru s a le m w e re th in k in g in te rm s o f th e J e w s o f J e ru s a le m , th e J e w s o f th e la n d . B u t J e w s fro m A s ia w e re th e re a s w e ll. T h is is th e tim e o f th e P a s s o v e r a n d P e n te c o s t, th a t 5 0-d a y p e rio d o f c e le b ra tio n . A n d m a n y fro m a ll o v e r th e w o rld h a d c o m e u p to J e ru s a le m . A n d th e re w e re m e n f ro m A s ia , m e n f ro m E p h e s u s w h o w e re th e re , w h o h a te d th e a p o s tle P a u l w h o h a d a s ig n ific a n t m in is try in th a t c ity , a n d th e y re c o g n iz e d h im . S o w h e n th e s e v e n -d a y p e rio d o f p u rific a tio n w a s a t a n e n d a n d P a u l w a s in th e te m p le , th e s e m e n g ra b b e d h im a n d b e g a n y e llin g fo r h e lp . " M e n o f Is ra e l, " th e y s a id , " c o m e to o u r a id ! T h is is th e m a n w h o p re a c h e s to a ll m e n e v e ry w h e re a g a in s t o u r p e o p le a n d th e L a w a n d th is p la c e ; a n d b e s id e s h e h a s e v e n b ro u g h t G re e k s in to th e te m p le a n d h a s d e f ile d th is h o ly p la c e .” W e ll, P a u l h a d n o t b ro u g h t g e n tile s in to th e te m p le . B u t th e y a s s u m e d th a t h e h a d d o n e th a t b e c a u s e e a rlie r in th e w e e k th e y h a d s e e n T ro p h im u s in th e c ity , w h o th e y k n e w fro m E p h e s u s . T h e y k n e w th a t h e w a s a C h ris tia n , e v id e n tly a n o u ts p o k e n , v o c a l C h ris tia n . S e e in g h im , th e y a s s u m e d th a t h e h a d b e e n b ro u g h t in to th e te m p le b y th e a p o s tle P a u l. It w a s n ’t tru e , a s I s a y , b u t th a t s ta te m e n t in fla m e d th e c ro w d a n d a rio t o c c u rre d in th e te m p le . N o w , y o u re m e m b e r h o w th e te m p le w a s s tru c tu re d , th a t it w a s d iv id e d in to c o u rts . T h e re w a s f irs t th e o u te r c o u rt o f th e g e n tile s w h ic h w a s n o t th e te m p le p ro p e r b u t w a s c o n n e c te d to th e te m p le c o m p le x . B e y o n d th a t w a s th e c o u rt o f th e w o m e n w h e re J e w is h m e n a n d w o m e n c o u ld e n te r. N e x t w a s th e c o u rt o f Is ra e l w h e re ju s t J e w is h m e n c o u ld e n te r. A n d th e n , f o llo w in g th a t, th e c o u rt o f th e p rie s ts w h e re o n ly p rie s ts c o u ld e n te r. A n d th a t w a s w h e re th e s a n c tu a ry its e lf w a s lo c a te d , w ith th e h o ly p la c e , a n d th e n th e h o ly o f h o lie s in to w h ic h o n ly o n e p rie s t o n c e a y e a r c o u ld e n te r in . S o it b e c a m e p ro g re s s iv e ly re s tric tiv e a s o n e e n te re d th e te m p le .
- 14 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
G e n tile s c o u ld e n te r o n e c o u rt b u t n o t a n o th e r; w o m e n a n d m e n in to th e n e x t c o u rt ; th e n ju s t m e n ; th e n ju s t p rie s ts ; th e n ju s t o n e p rie s t. S o th e g e n tile s c o u ld c o m e to th e te m p le . T h e y c o u ld s ta n d th e re in th e o u te r c o u rt, a n d it w a s a w a y o f le ttin g th e m s e e th e w o rs h ip o f G o d a n d , p e rh a p s , b e in flu e n c e d to w a rd it. Bu t th e y c o u ld n o t g o b e y o n d th a t o u te r c o u rt. In fa c t, th e re w a s a w a ll th a t s e p a ra te d th e c o u rt o f th e g e n tile s f r o m th e c o u r t o f w o m e n . A n d o n it w a s in s c r ib e d , b o th in G r e e k a n d L a tin , th e w a rn in g th a t a n y f o r e ig n e r, a n y a lie n f o u n d b e y o n d th a t b a rrie r in th a t c o u rt w o u ld b e p u t to d e a th . S o P a u l w o u ld h a v e n e v e r b ro u g h t h is frie n d , T ro p h im u s , in to th e te m p le . H e w o u ld n 't h a v e p u t h is life a t s ta k e a n d h e w o u ld n 't h a v e p u t h is m is s io n a t s ta k e a s w e ll. B u t th a t w a s th e a c c u s a tio n . It w a s a s fa ls e a s a ll o f th e o th e r c h a rg e s a g a in s t h im . H e n e v e r ta u g h t a g a in s t th e la w . H e k n e w th a t th e la w w a s th e W o rd o f G o d . A n d , in f a c t, h e w ro te in R o m a n s 7 :1 2 th a t " th e la w is h o ly . " It c a n 't g iv e life . T h a t w a s n ’t its p u rp o s e ; it w a s n ’t g iv e n to g iv e lif e . It w a s g iv e n to e x p o s e s in a n d s h o w p e o p le th e ir n e e d o f a S a v io r. T h a t's w h y it's a " m in is try o f d e a th in s c rib e d in ta b le ts o n s to n e ," b e c a u s e th is la w w h ic h is p e rfe c t s e ts th e s ta n d a rd , a n d w e c a n n o t m e e t it. A n d a s w e lo o k a t o u r liv e s in lig h t o f th a t s ta n d a r d o f p e rfe c tio n , a n d e x a m in e o u rs e lv e s in s id e a n d o u t, a n d o u r th o u g h t life a s w e ll a s o u r d e e d s , w e re a liz e h o w fa r s h o rt w e a ll fa ll a n d h o w m u c h w e n e e d s o m e o n e to s a v e u s . T h a t's th e p u rp o s e o f th e la w . A n d th a t is w h a t it d id fo r P a u l. H e re a liz e d th a t h e w a s a lo s t m a n th ro u g h it a n d , a s a re s u lt, h e lo v e d th e la w f o r w h a t it d id f o r h im , ju s t a s h e lo v e d th e J e w is h p e o p le . H e d id n 't p re a c h a g a in s t th e m . H e lo v e d th e m . H e te lls u s in th e f irs t v e rs e s o f R o m a n s 9 th a t h e w o u ld p e ris h in h e ll, if it w e re p o s s ib le , in p la c e o f h is p e o p le . A n d h e d id n 't p re a c h a g a in s t th e te m p le e ith e r. B u t th e s e w e re th e c h a rg e s th a t w e re m a d e a g a in s t h im . A n d th e y s tirre d u p th e p e o p le to s u c h a fre n z y th a t th e y f e ll o n P a u l a n d th e y d ra g g e d h im o u t o f th e in n e r c o u rts , o u t o f th e c o u rt o f
- 15 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
th e Is ra e lite s , o u t o f th e c o u rt o f th e w o m e n a n d in to th e o u te r c o u rt, th e c o u rt o f th e g e n tile s . A n d th e re th e y in te n d e d to k ill h im . It's iro n ic is n 't it? T h e y a c c u s e h im o f b rin g in g g e n tile s in to th e te m p le a n d d e f ilin g th e te m p le in th a t w a y . A n d y e t, th e y 're p re p a re d to k ill h im , w h ic h is a d e filin g a c t. B u t th e y 're n o t g o in g to d o it in th e te m p le . T h e y d o n 't w a n t to d e file th e te m p le , s o th e y ta k e h im o u t th ro u g h th e c o u rts . A n d L u k e w rite s , " Im m e d ia te ly th e d o o rs w e re s h u t." J o h n S to tt w rite s , " T h e s la m m e d g a te s s e e m to s y m b o liz e th e fin a l J e w is h re je c tio n o f th e g o s p e l." M a y b e . O u ts id e , th e y b e g a n b e a tin g th e a p o s tle , try in g to k ill h im . A n d th e y w o u ld h a v e , b u t it w a s n ’t P a u l's tim e . A s W hite f ie ld s a id , " W e a re im m o rta l till o u r w o rk is d o n e . A n d G o d h a d m u c h w o rk fo r P a u l to d o . S o , p ro v id e n tia lly , th e c o m m a n d e r o f th e R o m a n g a rris o n h e a rd th e tro u b le a n d s e n t s o ld ie rs . T h e g a rris o n w a s s ta tio n e d n e x t to th e te m p le . S o th e y w e re a b le to a rriv e o n th e s c e n e ju s t in tim e a n d re s c u e P a u l. T h e c o m m a n d e r a rre s te d h im . H e p u t P a u l in c h a in s , a n d th e n h e trie d to fin d o u t fro m th e c ro w d w h o th is m a n w a s a n d w h a t h e 'd d o n e . B u t it w a s to o c h a o tic . P e o p le w e re s h o u tin g d iffe re n t a n s w e rs . O n e p e rs o n w a s s h o u tin g o n e th in g , a n o th e r a n o th e r th in g , a n d th e c ro w d w a s v e ry in te n s e ; it w a s v io le n t. H e k n e w th a t P a u l's life m ig h t b e a t s ta k e a n d v io le n c e m ig h t h a p p e n to o th e rs th e re w ith th e R o m a n g u a rd s . A n d s o P a u l w a s ta k e n in to th e b a rra c k s w h ile th e m o b fo llo w e d s h o u tin g , " A w a y w ith h im !" m e a n in g re m o v e h im f ro m th e e a rth w h ic h m e a n s " K ill h im ." T h irty y e a rs e a rlie r, th e m o b h a d s h o u te d th o s e s a m e w o rd s a g a in s t C h ris t. S o in re je c tin g C h ris t's a p o s tle , th e p e o p le w e re a g a in re je c tin g C h rist. B u t in th is c a s e , it w a s R o m e w h o c a m e to th e re s c u e . T h e c o m m a n d e r th o u g h t h e k n e w w h o P a u l w a s . H e th o u g h t th a t P a u l w a s a n E g y p tia n re v o lu tio n a ry w h o h a d c la im e d to b e a p ro p h e t a n d c a u s e d a d is tu rb a n c e th re e y e a rs e a rlie r. J o s e p h u s w rite s a b o u t th is in d iv id u a l. H e le d a la rg e b a n d o f f o llo w e rs to th e to p o f th e
- 16 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
M o u n t o f O liv e s , a n d h e to ld th e m to w a it f o r h is c o m m a n d , a n d w h e n h e g a v e it th e w a lls o f J e ru s a le m w o u ld c o lla p s e a n d th e y c o u ld e n te r a n d d e f e a t th e R o m a n g a rris o n in s id e . In s te a d , th e R o m a n tro o p s d e s c e n d e d th e M o u n t o f O liv e s ; th e y p u t d o w n th e u p ris in g ; th e y c a p tu re d a n d k ille d m a n y . O th e rs e s c a p e d in to th e w ild e rn e s s , a n d o n e o f th e m w a s th is E g y p tia n re b e l, th is f a ls e p ro p h e t. H e e s c a p e d th e R o m a n s . A n d s o th e c o m m a n d e r a s s u m e d th a t P a u l w a s h e ; th a t h e h a d re tu rn e d a n d th e p e o p le w e re v e n tin g th e ir a n g e r a g a in s t h im fo r b e in g a n im p o s te r. B u t w h e n th e y e n te re d th e b a rra c k s o r c a m e to th e to p o f th e s ta irw a y e n te rin g in to th e b a rra c k s , P a u l s p o k e to th e c o m m a n d e r, a n d h e s p o k e to h im in e d u c a te d G re e k . A n d th e c o m m a n d e r re a liz e d th a t P a u l w a s s o m e o n e e ls e , s o m e o n e o th e r th a n th is E g y p tia n . H e w a s s u rp ris e d b e c a u s e h e s p o k e G re e k . A n d th e n P a u l g a v e h is id e n tity . " I a m a J e w o f T a rs u s in C ilic ia , a c itiz e n o f n o in s ig n if ic a n t c ity ; a n d I b e g y o u , a llo w m e to s p e a k to th e p e o p le . " T h e c o m m a n d e r m u s t h a v e b e e n im p re s s e d w ith P a u l b e c a u s e h e a llo w e d h im to s p e a k . A n d th e re w a s s o m e th in g v e ry im p re s s iv e a b o u t P a u l. H e h a d a b o ld n e s s a b o u t h im . H e h a d c o u ra g e . H e h a d a lm os t b e e n m u rd e re d b y th is ra v e n o u s m o b ; h is fa c e w a s b ru is e d a n d b lo o d ie d ; h is c lo th e s w e re rip p e d . H e w a s in c h a in s , a n d y e t h e w a n te d to fa c e th e c ro w d . A n d h e w a n te d to fa c e th e c ro w d th a t h e m ig h t s p e a k to th e m o f th e g ra c e o f G o d a n d p ro c la im to th e m th e g o s p e l. A n d th e c ro w d m u s t h a v e s e n s e d s o m e th in g c o m m a n d in g a b o u t P a u l b e c a u s e w h e n h e " m o tio n e d to th e m w ith h is h a n d – " th is w ild , a n g ry , n o is y c ro w d re s p o n d e d , " a n d w h e n th e re w a s a g re a t h u s h – " N o w , th a t's w h e re th e c h a p te r e n d s , w ith P a u l be g in n in g to s p e a k to th e J e w s in th e ir " H e b re w d ia le c t," a p ris o n e r o f R o m e . A n d h e w o u ld b e a p ris o n e r o f R o m e to th e e n d o f th e b o o k . S o w a s h is d e c is io n to g o to J e ru s a le m d is o b e d ie n c e to G o d ? W a s h is c o n s e n t to e n te r th e te m p le a c o m p ro m is e ?
- 17 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
T h e r e s u lt m ig h t s u g g e s t th a t. B u t I d o n 't th in k s o . H e f o llo w e d th e S p irit's le a d in g to J e ru s a le m . H e f o llo w e d h is p rin c ip le s in g o in g in to th e te m p le . A n d w h e n w e d o th a t, w h e n w e a re c o n s is te n t w ith w h a t w e k n o w th e W o rd o f G o d c a n te a c h , w h e n w e 're c o n s is te n t w ith it a n d w h e n w e d o w h a t w e a re to d o, a n d w e a re f o llo w in g th e le a d in g o f th e S p irit, w a lk in g b y th e S p irit, w e c a n b e a s s u re d th a t tro u b le w ill s o m e tim e s o c c u r. W h a t P a u l d id in J e ru s a le m w a s c o m p le te ly c o n s is te n t w ith w h a t h e ta u g h t in h is le tte rs . W e s e e th a t in R o m a n s 1 4 w h e re P a u l d e a ls w ith is s u e s o f d ie t a n d d a y s , is s u e s o f th e la w , k e e p in g K o s h e r a n d o b s e rv in g th e S a b b a th , a n d w h a t w e a re to d o w h e n th e re a re d iffe re n c e s o f o p in io n a m o n g u s o n th e s e is s u e s . A n d in th e e a rly c h u rc h , th e re w e re d if f e re n c e o f o p in io n o n th o s e is s u e s . T h e y w e re h o t is s u e s th ro u g h th e e a rly c h u rc h , b o th to J e w s a n d g e n tile s a lik e , p e o p le w h o h a d b e e n s a v e d f ro m th e la w , w h o h a d g ro w n u p u n d e r th e s tric t ru le s o f th e la w o f M o s e s , o r th o s e w h o h a d c o m e o u t o f p a g a n is m w ith o u t a n y ru le s . A n d s o P a u l d e a ls w ith th e s e th in g s in R o m a n s 1 4 , a n d th e re h e g iv e s a g u id in g p rin c ip le , h o w w e a re to d e a l w ith th e s e v a rio u s is s u e s . W h a t is th e ru le th a t w e a re to f o llo w ? A n d th e re h e s ta te s th a t th e C h ris tia n is a lw a y s to w a lk " a c c o rd in g to lo v e ," w h ic h m e a n s a lw a y s p u t th e o th e r p e rs o n b e f o re y o u . S te p d o w n fo r th e ir s a k e . W e a re f re e f ro m th e la w w ith its ritu a ls a n d c e re m o n ie s , its o b s e rv a n c e o f d ie ts a n d d a y s . W e 're f re e f ro m th a t. B u t s o m e p e o p le s till h a d s c ru p le s a b o u t th e s e th in g s . S o m e p e o p le w e re s till u n e a s y a b o u t th e ir f re e d o m . P a u l c a lls th e m w e a k e r b re th re n , a n d h e c o u n s e le d d e a lin g w ith th e m b y s h o w in g s u c h p e o p le g re a t c o n c e rn , g re a t d e fe re n c e to th e p o in t o f n o t e x e rc is in g o u r fre e d o m fo r th e ir s a k e . H e a ls o s p e a k s a b o u t th is in 1 C o rin th ia n s 8 :7 -1 1 . A n d w h a t h e s a y s, in e f f e c t, is th is . D o n 't le t y o u r f re e d o m b e c o m e a n o b s ta c le to th o s e p e o p le w h o a re w e a k in th e fa ith , w h o s till h a v e a n a tta c h m e n t to th e la w . F o r e x a m p le , u n d e r c e rta in
- 18 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
c irc u m s ta n c e s , fo llo w th e ir d ie t o r fo llo w th e ir c a le n d a r s o th a t th e y w ill n o t b e m a d e to s tu m b le . A n d b e c a u s e P a u l w a s fre e fro m th e la w – J e w is h c u s to m s b e lo n g e d to w h a t a re to d a y , a m o n g th e o lo g ia n s , c a lle d m a tte rs in d if f e re n t – h e w a s fre e n o t to o b s e rv e th e la w o f M o s e s , b u t h e w a s a ls o f re e to o b s e rv e it. A s F .F . B ru c e p u t it, " A tru ly e m a n c ip a te d s p irit, s u c h a s P a u l's , is n o t in b o n d a g e to its o w n e m a n c ip a tio n . " A n d th e fa c t th a t h e w a s n o t u n d e r th e la w d id n 't m e a n th a t h e c o u ld n o t o b s e rv e th e l a w , if b y o b s e rv in g th e la w h e w o u ld p ro m o te th e g o s p e l a n d re m o v e a n o b s ta c le to o n e 's w itn e s s . P a u l's ru le , a s h e p u t it in R o m a n s 1 4 :1 9 , w a s " p u rs u e th e th in g s w h ic h m a k e fo r p e a c e ." T h a t m e a n s re m o v e o b s ta c le s to th e fa ith . T h a t's w h a t P a u l d id in J e ru s a le m . T o th e w e a k h e b e c a m e w e a k ; to th o s e w h o w e re u n d e r th e la w h e b e c a m e a s o n e u n d e r th e la w . H e d id n 't c o m p ro m is e th e g o s p e l. H e o b s e rv e d th e la w in o rd e r to re m o v e o b s ta c le s to th e g o s p e l a n d m a k e p e a c e . N o w , th a t's h o w w e a re to liv e . W e g e t a n e x a m p le o f h o w w e a re to liv e fro m P a u l's e x a m p le h e re . S o m e tim e s , fo r th e s a k e o f o th e rs , fo r th e g o s p e l, w e a re to n o t e x e rc is e o u r f re e d o m s . In P a u l's c a s e , th e o u tc o m e w a s n o t p e a c e . B u t th e o u tc o m e is n o p ro o f th a t th e p la n w a s b a d o r th e c o n d u c t w a s w ro n g . It is p ro o f th a t th e p e o p le in th e te m p le w e re w ro n g . T h e y rio te d a g a in s t P a u l o u t o f ig n o ra n c e a n d p re ju d ic e . T h e y h a te d w h a t h e ta u g h t , a n d th e y d id n 't u n d e rs ta n d th e m e a n in g o r th e p u rp o s e o f th e la w o f M o s e s . T h e y in te rp re te d it, a s w e 'v e a lre a d y s a id , a s a w a y o f s a lv a tio n , th a t a p e rs o n g a in e d a c c e p ta n c e w ith G o d b y o b s e rv in g its n u m e ro u s ru le s , its 6 1 3 la w s . A n d th e y o p p o s e d P a u l b e c a u s e h e ta u g h t a g a in s t th a t a s a fa ls e id e a . P a u l p re a c h e d s a lv a tio n b y g ra c e a lo n e th ro u g h fa ith a lo n e in C h ris t a lo n e , a n d th e J e w s d id n 't lik e th a t. T h e y w e re e n e m ie s o f g ra c e , a n d s o e n e m ie s o f th e a p o s tle o f g ra c e . It s h o u ld n 't h a v e s u rp ris e d P a u l. It s h o u ld n 't h a v e s u rp ris e d th e b e lie v e rs . J e s u s , th e n ig h t h e w a s a rre s te d , w a rn e d h is d is c ip le s o f th is v e ry th in g . In L u k e 2 1 :1 7 , h e s a id , " Y o u w ill b e h a te d b y a ll
- 19 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
b e c a u s e o f M y n a m e ." T h a t is w h y th e c o u rs e o f e v e n ts w e n t a s th e y d id in th e te m p le th a t d a y . B u t P a u l w e n t to J e ru s a le m , a s h e s a id e a rlie r, w illin g to d ie fo r th e n a m e o f th e L o rd J e s u s . A n d h e a lm o s t d id . H e w a s th e v ic tim o f re lig io u s in to le ra n c e n o t s p iritu a l c o m p ro m is e . H e a c te d o u t o f lo v e f o r th e p e o p le . H e a c te d o u t o f lo v e f o r th e g o s p e l. H e a c te d o u t o f lo v e f o r J e s u s C h ris t, a n d h e g iv e s u s a n e x a m p le in th a t a s to h o w w e a re to liv e . B u t h is e x a m p le n o t o n ly s h o w s u s a m o d e l o f h o w w e 're to liv e , h o w w e 're to p u t o th e rs a h e a d o f o u rs e lv e s , h o w w e 're to b e c o m e a ll th in g s to a ll p e o p le , b u t it a ls o s h o w s u s th e o u tc o m e o f liv in g lik e th a t, o f liv in g f o r C h ris t, liv in g s e lf le s s ly , liv in g a c c o rd in g to th e p rin c ip le o f lo v e , liv in g c o n s is te n tly . A n d it is n 't a lw a y s p le a s a n t. N o o n e w a s m o re c o n s is te n t th a n J e s u s C h ris t. N o o n e ta u g h t m o re c le a rly . N o o n e a c te d w ith m o re lo v e a n d c o n c e rn a n d k in d n e s s fo r o th e rs th a n J e s u s d id , a n d n o o n e w a s m o re th o ro u g h ly re je c te d th a n he was. P a u l o n ly e x p e rie n c e d w h a t C h ris t e x p e rie n c e d . A n d w e c a n e x p e c t to e x p e rie n c e th e s a m e w h e n w e ta lk a b o u t g ra c e a n d liv e a c c o rd in g to it. B u t G o d is s o v e re ig n a n d th a t's th e g o o d n e w s . H e p ro te c te d P a u l a n d u s e d a ll o f th is in H is p la n f o r P a u l's lif e a n d m in is try . T h e L o rd w a s n o t s ittin g in h e a v e n w a tc h in g a ll o f th is u n fo ld , w rin g in g H is h a n d s , w o n d e rin g w h a t w o u ld h a p p e n . A ll o f th is fit H is p la n p e rfe c tly . T h e v is it to th e te m p le , th e ra g e o f th e J e w s , th e p ro te c tio n o f th e R o m a n s w e re a ll u s e d o f G o d to g e t P a u l to R o m e . A n d th a t is th e g o a l o f th is b o o k . T h a t is w h e re th e b o o k o f A c ts e n d s , w ith P a u l in R o m e p re a c h in g th e K in g d o m o f G o d . A n d h e g o t th e re b y th is w a y , b y th is m e a n s . It is a n o th e r e x a m p le o f h o w G o d m a k e s th e w ra th o f m a n to p ra is e H im . G o d b le s s e s fa ith fu ln e s s; G o d b le s s e s c o n s is te n c y. S o w e a re to d o w h a t is rig h t, te a c h w h a t is tru e a n d tru s t G o d f o r th e o u tc o m e . H e is in c o n tro l. P a u l d id th a t.
- 20 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
B u t I s u p p o s e th e q u e s tio n th a t w e c o u ld a s k o u rs e lv e s a t th is p o in t is d o w e a lw a y s d o th a t. W e a re c o n tin u a lly f a c e d w ith th e te m p ta tio n to c o m p ro m is e o u r C h ris tia n p rin c ip le s a n d b e lie f s in o rd e r to p le a s e m e n , in o rd e r to g a in f a v o r. A n d in d o in g th a t, w e f e e l lik e w e g a in s o m e a d v a n ta g e fo r o u rs e lv e s . T h a t a t le a s t is th e th o u g h t th a t g o e s th ro u g h o u r m in d s a s a m o tiv e , w h e th e r w e a rtic u la te it o r n o t. B u t w h a te v e r a d v a n ta g e th a t w e m ig h t g a in is o n ly s h o rt te rm . It n e v e r la s ts . It n e v e r p le a s e s G o d a n d it n e v e r h e lp s H is p e o p le in H is w o rk . T h e re 's a f a m o u s s to ry a b o u t H e n ry IV w h o b e c a m e k in g o f F ra n c e . H e w a s th e firs t o f th e B o u rb o n k in g s , g ra n d fa th e r o f L o u is X IV . H e w a s a P ro te s ta n t a n d a le g itim a te h e ir to th e th ro n e , b u t F ra n c e w a s s tro n g ly C a th o lic a n d o p p o s e d h is s u c c e s s io n . C iv il w a r re s u lte d . H e n ry w a s a v e ry a b le g e n e ra l a n d m a rc h e d o n P a ris , la id s e iz e to th e c ity b u t c o u ld n 't c o n q u e r it. H e re a liz e d th a t h e c o u ld n e v e r ru le F ra n c e a s a P ro te s ta n t k in g . A n d s o , a fte r c o n s id e rin g h is o p tio n s , H e n ry c o n c lu d e d in a fa m o u s s ta te m e n t, " P a ris is w e ll w o rth a m a s s ." A n d h e c o n v e rte d to C a th o lic is m . It w a s a h u g e d is a p p o in tm e n t fo r th e P ro te s ta n ts o f E u ro p e a n d e a rn e d h im a b s o lu te ly n o re s p e c t f o r th e C a th o lic s . It e n d e d tra g ic a lly fo r H e n ry . T e n y e a rs la te r h e w a s a s s a s s in a te d b y a J e s u it p rie s t. A n d it a ll p ro v e d th a t H e n ry h a d n o re a l s p iritu a l c o n v ic tio n s . W e ll, d o w e ? E v e ry d a y w e fa c e te m p ta tio n to c o m p ro m is e . It m a y n o t b e a s b la ta n t o r o b v io u s a s th e e x a m p le I'v e g iv en to y o u , b u t w e fa c e th a t te m p ta tio n to c o m p ro m is e o u r p rin c ip le s . W e s h o u ld k n o w th is , th a t n o th in g is w o rth it, n o th in g is w o rth c o m p ro m is e . W e w a lk a n a rro w w a y ; w e w a lk a s e lf le s s w a y . P a u l f o llo w e d it. T h e r e w a s n o t a p o litic a l b o n e in h is b o d y . C o n s is te n t w ith h is fre e d o m , h e a d a p te d to th e c irc u m s ta n c e s in o rd e r to fu rth e r th e g o s p e l. H e re s tric te d h is lib e rty to h e lp th e c h u rc h , a n d h e tru s te d G o d f o r th e o u tc o m e . A n d w e c a n b e a s s u re d o f th is . T h a t w h e n e v e r w e tru s t G o d a n d w e w a lk fa ith f u lly to H is W o rd ,
- 21 "No Compromise" by Dan Duncan Copyright © 2014 Believers Chapel, Dallas, Texas. All Rights Reserved.
w h e th e r m e n u n d e rs ta n d w h a t w e 're d o in g o r n o t, G o d w ill b le s s u s . S o m a y G o d g iv e u s a n e n la rg e d u n d e rs ta n d in g o f H is tru th a n d H is w a y , a n d m a y w e liv e a c c o rd in g to it. M a y H e s tre n g th e n o u r c o n v ic tio n to d o th a t s o th a t w e w o u ld h o n o r H im a n d b e a b le s s in g to th e c h u rc h . B u t o f c o u rs e , to h o n o r th e L o rd G o d a n d o b e y H is in s tru c tio n , w e m u s t f irs t b e lie v e in H im , a n d th a t m e a n s b e lie v in g in H is S o n . S o if y o u a re h e re th is m o rn in g w ith o u t C h ris t, y o u m u s t firs t c o m e to a c o n v ic tio n o f y o u r s in a n d y o u r n e e d o f a S a v io r. A ll h a v e s in n e d a n d fa ll s h o rt o f th e g lo ry o f G o d . A ll a re in n e e d o f th e S a v io r a n d C h ris t J e s u s is th a t S a v io r. H e is G o d 's e te rn a l S o n, w h o b e c a m e a m a n in o rd e r to d ie o n th e c ro s s a n d s u f f e r th e p u n is h m e n t o f s in in o u r p la c e . A n d a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im , re g a rd le s s o f w h o th e y a re , re g a rd le s s o f th e w e ig h t o f th e ir g u ilt a n d th e a m o u n t o f th e ir s in , a ll w h o b e lie v e in H im a re f o r g iv e n a t th a t in s ta n t, e te r n a lly f o r g iv e n , g iv e n lif e e v e r la s tin g , a n in h e rita n c e a m o n g th e s a in ts th a t c a n n e v e r p e ris h , n e v e r p a s s a w a y . M a y G o d h e lp y o u to d o th a t, to s e e y o u r n e e d o f a S a v io r, to lo o k to C h ris t, to b e lie v e in H im . A n d m a y G o d h e lp a ll o f u s w h o 'v e d o n e th a t to liv e liv e s th a t a re c o n s is te n t w ith H is W o rd , to li v e liv e s a c c o rd in g to p ro p e r c o n v ic tio n s a n d n o t c o m p ro m is e . M a y G o d h e lp u s to d o th a t. L e t's p ra y . [P ra y e r] F a th e r, w e d o th a n k y o u fo r y o u r g o o d n e s s a n d y o u r g ra c e . W e c o m e to a te x t s u c h a s th is a n d w e s e e P a u l liv in g c o n s is te n tly w ith th e p rin c ip le s th a t h e h a d s e t fo rth ; a s a ll th in g s to a ll m e n , a n d s u f f e rin g c o n s e q u e n c e s f o r it. M a y w e b e m e n a n d w o m e n w h o a re c o n s is te n t in o u r liv e s a n d fa ith fu l to y o u a n d w illin g to s u f f e r, k n o w in g th a t y o u a re in c o n tro l, F a th e r, a n d y o u w ill w o rk a ll th in g s to g e th e r f o r o u r g o o d . W e th a n k y o u f o r th a t g re a t tru th , th a t re a lity . W e th a n k y o u f o r th e lif e th a t w e h a v e in y o u r S o n . M a y w e liv e liv e s th a t p le a s e y o u a n d h o n o r H is n a m e . W e p ra y th e s e th in g s in C h ris t's n a m e . A m e n .
