Giant Ball of ContradictionsGiant Ball of Contradictions

• We’re We’re convincedconvinced, but clearly , but clearly not not convictedconvicted We should exercise regularly!We should exercise regularly! We should eat We should eat less less fried and fried and

processed foods and eat processed foods and eat more more fresh fruits and vegetables!fresh fruits and vegetables!

Global warming is putting our Global warming is putting our entire planet in jeopardy!entire planet in jeopardy!

Jesus’ death and resurrection Jesus’ death and resurrection aimed to create a NEW and aimed to create a NEW and DIVERSE HUMANITY!DIVERSE HUMANITY!

Jewish Believers & Gentiles

• Acts 2 Pentecost > HSpirit fell on diverse Jews and converts to Judaism >> Jesus is our Messiah!

• Acts 9:15 Saul/Paul > “This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.”

• Acts 10:44-11:3; 11:15-18 Peter > God is doing something that we didn’t think was possible! Gentiles don’t have to become Jews to be saved!

Initial Convictions of First Followers

Emerging Conviction for Some

Convinced But Not Convinced But Not ConvictedConvicted• Recaptured by Christ– Paul wasn’t free to ignore Jesus’ call to the Gentiles

– Peter couldn’t ignore God’s declaring Gentiles were ‘clean’

– Early Church wasn’t free to acknowledge this new reality and then keep operating with their old conviction that Gentiles had to convert to Judaism in order to be saved

• But old habits (and convictions) die hard.– Acts 11:19 Shared only with other Jews

– Acts 11:20-21 A few were convicted that God didn’t require Gentiles to become Jews to come to Jesus • Many Greeks were born again as Christ-followers!

Church Planting in Antioch

• Acts 11:22-24 Convinced but not convicted, Mother Church in Jerusalem sent Barnabas to investigate.– Antioch, a major city that was culturally pluralistic– Barnabas, trusted God’s work in people

• Affirmed Saul’s conversion, Acts 9:26-30

• Acts 11:25-30 Barnabas knew he needed the help of someone else who was not just convinced but convicted > Fetched Saul from Tarsus– Converts tagged as “Christians” here– Greek Christians sent gifts to Jerusalem Church!

When we act on what we believe, we embark on The Heroes’ Journey.

The Heroes’ JourneyThe Heroes’ Journey

New Ways of Thinking & Living

• Paul needed to be convinced and convicted…– That Jesus-loving, tongue-speaking Jews weren’t

members of a new and dangerous cult– That Gentiles could become 100% Christ-followers

without becoming Jews

• Based on things we really BELIEVE as Christ’s followers, what are ways we should BEHAVE differently?– As individuals? Families? NSGs? EBCLA?