Cheerful Living
Acts 17:7-9
Whom Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, one Jesus.
You mean to tell me that the devout Jewish leaders and the base men gathered to cause trouble, right. So, what is all this here. These called on the name of one, King Jesus. They came to have a riot and a fight. They meant to assassinate the believers. But see how God does. At the mention of his name all the trouble ceases. The city is calm, though somewhat deluded. These few came to cause trouble. They left saved men. If I read my text rightly in Romans 10:13, salvation includes all who call on his name. They called it in hatred, but God meant it in truth. I love this scene here. It tells how this all came from one broken man, some crazy faith, and one God almighty. I can hear Paul now in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 muttering about sowing sparingly and reaping bountifully. See, it matters not when you throw out a little birdseed unto the birds. But when you throw out your life, the echoes reach eternity. Look with me now at the certainty of the harvest. God can always be taken at his Word. He is nothing more, nothing less than absolute certainty. Notice here how God will turn things around with just one man that is faithful to him. Jason received Christ and so he did just as he said. Paul tells the Corinthians they also should give according to their hearts' desires and intents. Nor should they do so with a mean heart or because they must. Right now, the cheerful giver makes no sense. For those who do such things plainly forget their place in this world. So, the Jews reasoned with each other not understanding thus. You know, I bet this was one of those times that Jason would have been better left at home. Indeed, if he only had not purposed to serve God so. But how many of you have met the cheerful liver. If you yet have not, consider this. Remember, the grace for such a life comes from God. Thus, he can make you always have everything you need. Indeed, you will lack nothing for your life's work is God's.
And they troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things.
In fact, if I went to a theologian or a psychologist, they would call me quite mad. See, the people were troubled also in that day. The text says there was a burden that fell upon the hearers of it. Now I want you to see this little word "troubled." The Lord can keep you from all trouble according to Psalm 91. Very rarely does he add onto it. This means some situations can be of your own making as well as the devil's. Note here how these alarmingly accurate theological statements have troubled everyone. I know a few devout Christian leaders of differing denominations who would be troubled also. How many know that while the devil is a liar, seldom does he misquote Jesus. He might help you misunderstand him. He might even aid you in it. But if Eve had been honest in the Garden as in Genesis 3:1, all her troubles would have ceased. In the wilderness Satan also tempted Jesus with the Word of Matthew 4:1. Now these miscreants have found themselves calling on the name of the Lord. Here Paul's sermon is already over, and the altar call given. But it is never too late for God. He is always on time whenever you need him most. He feeds the sower and reaper alike. Soon also the whole city will gain blessings of food, peace, and righteousness. How many of you know the time of the harvest. You might have little now. But when he is through there will be a time of thanksgiving. Then your plenty shall run over into the streets. As we see, this is exactly who God is. I really ought to know this personally. I have made a habit out of fixing houses that haunt people. Soon the harvest moon came, and God found fit to elevate the gifts and time poured into my work. Like Lydia found, mine changed from being a house of the devil to one run by God. Here Paul even invites praise for what God has done. First, he "has dispersed abroad." He "has given to the poor." Now to us "his righteousness remains" a portion forever. Somebody say 'amen, hallelujah.' Now pass the bread and butter, little church of Matthew 6:11-13.
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let them go.
I just love how these made sure of Jason and the believers as though they are some precious thing. To many it might feel like wrongful persecution. But to God it was a ministration of service and love. Some of you might be saying, 'how can you say that.' Well, Paul had much to say about such things. For instance, this service was done to meet the need of the saints. How many of you know that God allows some trials to feed others and to bring many sons to glory. Someone shout 'he is developing me.' Now I know some of us tend to get the wrong focus. We like to see the outcome of the trial rather than it's intended purpose. But what if I told you God meant to let them go all along. He just needed someone to be faithful and give him thanks. Now many new family have been found. I imagine the houses of these were much quieter that night for suffering no nonsense. Thus were "many thanksgivings" made to God. See how good he is to not only meet the needs of the saints in the house but also that of the strangers on the road. For so had many saints been praying. Sometimes you cannot see the full impact of a thing until you are fully out. Look how God has worked. Some of you really ought to thank God for his grace and gifts unto you.