On the road where I grew up was a young man who always seemed to be in trouble. The question that comes to my mind, looking back on this young man, is did he cause trouble or did trouble somehow seem to find him? I’m not sure he was always the one causing trouble, but trouble certainly had a way of finding him. He was, in fact, in trouble so regularly that I can remember people saying, when they saw him coming, here comes trouble!
That is a very unfortunate way to be known, as trouble. This morning, as we continue our series of messages from the book of Acts, we find that Paul is, once again, in trouble. I suppose it is a bit of a chicken or egg question, but we can ask, as I did about the young man in my neighborhood, did Paul cause trouble or did trouble seem to find him? Did people say, when they saw Paul coming, here comes trouble! It seems that Paul was very often in the center of conflict. In last week’s message, I spoke about the conflict between Paul and Barnabas, where the two friends had a falling out and went their separate ways. This morning, we find Paul was again in conflict. Today, however, we see Paul in a conflict on a larger scale. Last week it was a small-scale conflict, between two people; this week it is a conflict that erupts and spreads into the larger community and involves the religious and civic authorities.
Follow along with me as I read this morning’s Scripture text, Acts 17:1-9 –
1When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue.
2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said.
4 Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.
5 But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: “These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here,
7 and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.”
8 When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil.
9 Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go.
This is not one of the more well-known passages from the book of Acts, but there is a lot going on in these verses that is very important, especially when we dig below the surface. Luke tells us that Paul had been preaching in the synagogue in Thessalonica, where many people were open to his message and became followers of Jesus. It is important to remember that at this moment in history, the Christian faith was still tied very closely to Judaism, and Paul and other leaders were active in the temple in Jerusalem and in the synagogues around the Empire. The leaders of the synagogue in Thessalonica, unsurprisingly, were very unhappy to see so many of their members not only listening to Paul, but also becoming followers of Jesus. In response, they sought to incite the people of Thessalonica to riot, which they hoped would then gain the attention of the local authorities who would, in turn, either imprison Paul and Silas or send them packing from the city. A riot did ensue, Paul and Silas were arrested, but then released, after which they slipped away from Thessalonica under cover of nightfall and traveled to Berea, where, as Luke says in a dig at the Thessalonians, the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true(17:11).
Last week, in referencing the conflict between Paul and Barnabas, I said that conflict was both inevitable and natural. Conflict is, quite simply, a part of life. This morning, as we look at conflict on a larger scale, I will add that conflict is part of life because, when we move into the larger world, there is always a clash between different points of view, different ways of viewing morality, different value systems, and different opinions. There is also, when it comes to the gospel message, the reality that the message itself provokes conflict and trouble. We certainly see this in the book of Acts, and we see it in the gospels themselves, so let’s talk about what we can learn from the trouble that comes from the gospel.
1. The gospel troubles those in leadership.
Leadership is a tremendous responsibility. In the book of James we read not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly(3:1). There is much responsibility that comes when a person has authority, power, or influence over others. We have seen, so tragically, the way that the responsibilities of leadership have been ignored or abused in recent years. As we watched the sexual abuse scandal unfold in relation to the women’s Olympic gymnastic team we saw a terrible failure of leadership. Those who were charged with the protection of those women failed. Those who were charged with the care of those women failed. And not only did they fail, but some of the leaders who possessed the power to protect them – and to end the abuse – failed to do so, and, in fact, covered up the abuse that was taking place. We see almost every week more terrible revelations about the sexual abuse that has taken place in the Catholic Church, and last week a report was made public about the abuse that has taken place within the Southern Baptist Convention. In institutions all throughout our society – in colleges and universities, sports teams, churches, community groups, and others – we have seen the terrible abdication of leadership that has led to the abuse of innocent victims. Leaders have a great deal of influence over others, and because they do, they not only are held to a higher standard, but they are necessarily held to that higher standard.
The gospel troubles leaders, and it troubles, even, religious leaders. Paul, in this passage, came into conflict with some of the local religious leaders. Luke tells us that other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd(verse 5). (I must note, at this point, that the group Luke refers to as some of the Jewsin verse 5 are those who serve as religious leaders. In the New Testament, the religious leaders were often referred to simply as the Jews. This phrase does not mean the Jewish people in general, but specifically the religious leaders. This is especially important to note in the last days of the life of Jesus, as it was not the crowds of people who followed Jesus who turned against him, as has so often been portrayed. It was, instead, the religious leadership and some of their associates who were shouting for the crucifixion of Jesus, not the crowds of people who so often turned out to listen to him. Jesus maintained his popularity with the crowds of people but found himself in almost constant and universal opposition from the majority of the religious leadership.)
Religious leaders need, at times, to be troubled, and we see throughout the Scriptures that they were. John the Baptist, in Matthew 3:7-12, challenged the Pharisees and the Sadducees, 7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you withthe Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Jesus, on many occasions, also challenged the religious leaders. In Matthew chapter 23 Jesus issues a scathing judgment about the religious leaders, saying things such they tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them(verse 4); you have neglected the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness(verse 24); you are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean(verse 27); and many more harshly critical remarks about those leaders. Jesus witnessed the way in which the hypocrisy of those leaders threatened to turn many away from faith, just as is true today; he witnessed their lack of compassion, which is also true today; and he witnessed their desire to be served rather than to serve, which is also true today. There are too many instances in which religious leaders act in a manner that is contrary to the gospel, and those actions are damaging to others and to the kingdom of God. When religious leaders are seen as lacking in compassion, as judgmental, as hypocritical, when they fly around in private jets and live in mansions, flaunting a luxurious lifestyle, paid for by the tithes and offerings of their supporters, the gospel will trouble them, if they will take the time to hear what it has to say.
2. The gospel troubles the powers of this world.
Verses 6 and 7 portray what is, on the surface, a rather absurd scene. Luke writes that those who were upset by Paul and his companions said, these men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus. Imagine, big bad Rome being frightened by a few humble followers of Jesus! Though the gospel was spreading beyond its beginnings in Jerusalem and into the wider Roman world, at this point it was a bit much to say that Paul and his companions had caused trouble all over the world. While that reaction was absurd on the surface, it does, however, reveal something about earthly power and earthly kingdoms, and that is the truth that they are not always as powerful as they seem or want people to believe. Part of the way kingdoms keep power, after all, is through the perception that they are all-powerful and nothing can be done to defeat that power.
I recently watched the movie Ben-Hur; not the Charlton Heston version, but the updated version that was released a few years ago. There is a great scene where, as Pilate is riding through the city of Jerusalem, he sees Jesus speaking to a crowd of people. Jesus is exhorting the people to love their enemies and to not be prisoners of hatred, or to thirst for revenge. Pilate turns to one of his companions and says of the message of Jesus, that is the real enemy. It is not the Zealots or others, but that message. That is a paraphrase of a fictionalized story, but it is, nevertheless, a powerful scene, and one that contains a great deal of truth. The gospel contains a very subversive element, and as it does, it is a message that does indeed strike fear into the hearts of earthly powers, because the message of the gospel proves to us that there is a power much greater than the most powerful kingdom or military power, and that is the power of conviction and allegiance to a divine power. So, on the surface it was absurd for anyone to think that Paul – or the church – were any threat to the power of Rome. But time has proven the gospel is a far greater power, because where is the power of Rome now? What exists of the mighty Roman Empire? All that remains are some writings and some crumbled monuments and buildings, and that is all. Like other great and mighty powers before it that seemed impossible to vanquish, Rome as an earthly power no longer exists.
While Rome is gone, there are other earthly powers that now contend against the gospel. Those powers are often hostile to the gospel because, for one, earthly powers do not like competition, and two, because the kingdom of God inspires a greater loyalty than any earthly kingdom. Today, we can find examples of earthly kingdoms that the gospel troubles, such as China. The nation of China will be, in not too many years, the country with more Christians than any other country in the world. As Christianity has exploded in China, the authorities have grown increasingly troubled by – and increasingly hostile to – the church. The Chinese government is now undertaking a project to create their own translation of the Bible which will be more in line with the goals and policies of the Chinese Communist Party (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-04/bibles-allegedly-pulled-from-chinas-online-book-stores/9616560). You will remember, I’m sure, the famous picture from Tiananmen Square, taken in 1989 during the student protests, of a young man standing in front of a column of tanks (you can see the picture, as well as an article about the young man, here – https://www.history.com/news/who-was-the-tank-man-of-tiananmen-square). It is a very powerful image, because it shows that earthly kingdoms, for all their power, find their match in the greater power of conviction. Those earthly powers are very fearful of this conviction because they realize that once conviction takes root in the hearts of people, the power of earthly kingdoms – even power supported by tanks and other military weaponry – can fall apart like a house of cards. If you are my age or older, you will remember the safety drills we had in school, where we were taught to hide under our desks in the event of a nuclear attack. Now, setting aside the absurd idea that a school desk would in any way help to protect us from a nuclear attack, we also realize that when we talk of such practices younger generations have no idea what we are talking about, as they do not remember the Soviet Union. My generation grew up with an insecurity about our nation and the Soviet Union managing to maintain a sense of détente between them, which would prevent the horror of nuclear war. For younger people, the idea of the Cold War and all of its implications are completely unknown. Who could have known, back in the days of the Cold War, that the Soviet Union would one day so quickly unravel, or that the Berlin Wall would collapse without a shot being fired?
While I am speaking of earthly powers, I must mention an important point. We are all familiar with Romans 13:1-7, where Paul writes 1let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. This passage has often been interpreted as saying that citizens of a society should always hold themselves subservient to and be obedient to the ruling powers. To use this interpretation, however, is a misuse of Paul’s words, especially in light of the fact that Paul actually ignored his own advice, or command, the he offers in this passage. Paul was arrested on numerous occasions because of his refusal to obey the governing authorities. We also must note that Paul was executed by the Roman government, presumably because he did not obey the governing authorities. The Scriptures tell us, on more than one occasion, that earthly powers are to be challenged and held to account when they act unjustly. The Old Testament prophets were certainly an example of this, and Jesus often made digs at the Romans in some of his teachings, and though they are not always obvious to us, they certainly were to his listeners, and would have not escaped the notice of the Romans. It is important, I believe, that the church not hold hands with government powers when they act in ways that treat people unjustly, unequal, or try in any way to limit their freedom that is a gift of God.
3. The gospel troubles each of us.
I often think about the Sunday morning last August when the Khat Khai family joined us for worship. The Khai family, you will remember, is the family we helped to settle here in America, as we joined with Kentucky Refugee Ministries and two other congregations in order to sponsor their move to and settlement in Louisville. Their story is such an inspiration, and I have often thought about their visit with us last August, especially the words their pastor shared with us. When I invited their pastor to speak, he was so kind and gracious, but did not want to, as he said, take any of my time. I wanted him to share with us whatever was on his heart and asked him to please speak to us, and I am very grateful that he did so. If you were here that day, and in the 11:00 service, I know you were moved by his words, as he spoke of his call to ministry and of the difficulties he endured because the local authorities did not want him preaching. He was arrested and imprisoned on three occasions, and each time was told that he must stop preaching. Each time he gave the same response, telling the authorities that he would continue preaching. Eventually, he was able to come to our country with his family, where he continues to preach. I very much admire his conviction, and his willingness to go to jail for his beliefs. As I said then, we have no idea what some people must endure because of their faith. I complain so easily, and about so many minor inconveniences. I complain about the weather and I complain about such small matters, and I am embarrassed when I think of how easy my life is in comparison to so many millions around the world.
Verse 9 of this morning’s Scripture text tells us they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go. Thankfully, they were released, but their arrest was a warning to them, a warning that the authorities would continue to arrest and harass them in an effort to stop them from their ministry. Those efforts, fortunately, did not succeed. The failure of those efforts, however, does not minimize what those early followers of Jesus experienced, as they often faced intimidation and persecution.
Being a follower of Jesus ought to interfere with our lives. If it never interferes with our lives, we ought to think long and hard about the role of our faith. We know that when one is dedicated to a cause, it costs something. I was never a great athlete, but I was on several teams in school. My junior and senior years in high school I was on the rowing team. I really enjoyed the sport of rowing, but it was a lot of work. A lot of work. We spent six weeks in physical conditioning before we even saw a boat or touched an oar. We spent hours working to be in the best physical condition possible and many more hours on the river, honing our skills and preparing for competition. I played soccer for two years in college, and again, it was many, many hours of physical conditioning and practice. I was willing to devote that much time to those two sports because I loved playing and competing but being on those teams cost me something. We are fortunate, in our country, to be blessed with freedom, especially religious freedom. In our nation, we are able to worship in freedom and without fear of threat or intimidation. In many parts of the world our brothers and sisters in faith face great persecution. For them, the words of Jesus if anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me(Matthew 16:24) are very real. Our faith, which is of infinite value, ought, at some point, to cost us something. It might cost us our time or our resources; it might even, at some point, cost us our reputations or something of greater value.
Here comes trouble. The gospel indeed, does cause trouble. It troubles leaders, even religious leaders, both then and now. It certainly troubles the civic authorities, both then and now. And it troubles us, as it asks us to give more than we could ever imagine we would be able to give, to sacrifice more than we could ever imagine sacrificing, forgiving more than we could ever imagine forgiving, and loving more than we could ever imagine loving. But, it is so very worth it. So very worth it!
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