“The Jews”

1. I ran a concordance search on the expression “the Jews.”

2. In the ASV, these two words are joined together 144 times.

3. For a long time the Jews had been God’s special people.

4. For the most part, the Jews were a very religious people.

5. The Jews of the New Testament era are gone, but God has preserved a record of their lives.

6. This record can teach us some things.

TODAY WE WANT TO LOOK AT ABOUT HALF THE PLACES WHERE THE EXPRESSION “THE JEWS” LEAVES US WITH SOME INFORMATION WE CAN APPLY TO OUR LIVES.

a) Our first text is Acts 9:22; by this time in Luke’s recording of New Testament history, we encounter Paul.

b) By this time Paul had been converted and he was beginning to preach the gospel.

c) Later in his life Paul did a lot of work among the Gentiles; he also worked with the Jewish people.

d) Here is what Luke says about his work among some Jews - READ Acts 9:22.

e) Most know the Jews of the first century were very religious.

f) Here we find these religious people in a state of confusion (“confounded”).

g) These Jews were so unable to meet the arguments Paul made they plotted to kill him – verse 23 – READ.

h) Today we may not have too many conversations with those who are Jews.

i) If we have the truth, we can and probably will “confound” other people who are religious.

j) In fact, we may make this point from Acts 9:

k) If Paul was a Christian who left an example for us to follow, and this is what the Bible says of him, we see a duty.

l) We may seek to “confound” those who are involved in a religious faith that does not please God.

m) This does not mean that we are unkind or hateful. It means we present the truth in a way where people wrestle with it.

n) People are to see the truth of Scripture and realize their convictions do not line up with those given by God.

o) Confounding people of another faith is not wrong because it helps point them to the truth.

p) Much of Jesus’ life involved confounding people when it came to religion.

q) We do not do anyone any favors by leaving them in a state of religious error.

r) Confounding people is one means of teaching people.

2) From Acts 9 we move into the next chapter—Acts 10:22.

3) Paul is removed from our view for a while and we are introduced to some of the work done by Peter.

4) Peter was supposed to go to the house of Cornelius and do some teaching.

5) The man Peter taught had a reputation – Acts 10:22 – READ.

a) Cornelius was “well reported of” by the Jews.

b) Religious people can say good things about those they know.

c) Cornelius was not a Christian, but his example is certainly one for us to follow.

d) As we deal with people we should hope and strive for a “good report.”

e) This past week I had two reminders about the importance of a reputation.

f) In the first case I was asked to seek out a man who I didn’t know.

g) When we finally came into contact with one another he said, “I know who you are.”

h) Hearing that kind of thing can make you wonder—maybe a reputation has also preceded you.

i) A day later it was my responsibility to give a report at a meeting involving a problem.

j) It didn’t take too long to realize that some extra people had come to see how I would do.

k) My assessment was they wanted to see how a preacher would give a report.

l) My presentation was brief and pointed.

m) Little by little we build a reputation.

n) If at all possible, we should seek to live so others will give a “good report” about us.

o) Religious and non-religious people should be able to look at us and say, “That is a good person.”

6) Our next reference is Lk. 7:3. At first this may seem to be a strange passage.

7) If we reflect upon the passage, we find some useful lessons.

8) Luke begins the chapter by saying Jesus had entered into Capernaum.

9) A centurion had a servant who was so sick, he was about to die.

10) Jesus’ help was enlisted to cure the man.

11) Here is what the third verse says – READ.

a) Jews were governed by people known as “elders.” The Jewish religion had structure.

b) Like virtually every group in life, the Jews’ faith had some organization to it.

c) In our culture, a school system has a certain type of organization or chain of command.

d) If people tried to change or alter the system, there would be problems.

e) Businesses and all aspects of government are also structured in specific ways.

f) Everything flows in a logical way until people come to the field of religion.

g) When the spiritual realm is considered, many cannot grasp the concept of being organized one way.

h) In religion, people act if they have never heard of rules or any kind of plan.

i) God does have a single plan for church organization.

j) Christ is the head of the church, Eph. 1:22-23.

k) Elders (1 Tim. 3:1-7) are the local leaders in a congregation.

l) God will is for elders to be in every local congregation (Acts 14:23).

m) With elders are deacons who serve in various ways (1 Tim. 3:8-13).

n) Preachers also have a function in local congregations. Each New Testament congregation is autonomous.

o) God has given a plan—a simple plan that works—but many reject it.

p) If the Jews under Moses had organization, what about the church Christ built?

q) It must be organized, and it must be organized exactly how God has described.

12) Another thought provoking passage is found a little later in Lk. (23:51).

a) Luke speaks about a “city of the Jews looking for the kingdom of God.”

b) Take a moment to think about the imagery – “a city of the Jews.”

c) Not long ago I read about a desire to create a special place.

d) There is a desire to create a city or a community just for the deaf community in South Dakota.

e) Anyone who would live in this community would use sign language.

f) In the 19^th century, deaf people talked about creating their own state.

g) Imagine a city where everyone is united by one great and common bond.

h) In life this is very, very hard to achieve.

i) In the next life, this will be exactly what the saved will experience.

j) We know that not everyone in heaven will have been a Christian.

k) Some who are saved will not have reached the age of accountability or were never accountable.

l) Others died before Christianity was instituted.

m) We might say heaven will be a “city of the saved.”

n) Whether before, during the time of, or after the cross, all the residents of heaven will have a point of commonality.

o) We can have this as one of our hopes and goals.

p) We can look forward to a city that has no one in it but the saved.

q) That should be an attractive offer to those who really love God.

13) Next on our list of passages is Jn. 5:16.

a) We see a point in Jn. 5 that is made prior to this time in the other three gospels.

b) In other words, we could turn to several other places to make this same point.

c) Jn. 5 does a good of explaining what I hope to convey.

d) Verse 16 – READ.

e) Although the Jews were “religious,” they persecuted both the Lord and His people.

f) When we think about persecution, we often associate it with non-Christians.

g) Pagans and those hostile to religion are often seen as chief persecutors.

h) Certainly unbelievers have and continue to harass those who are trying to serve God.

i) God also reminds us that persecution can come from those who are religious.

j) In the book of Acts we see just how intense the persecution was.

k) Jews traveled from their home area to persecute Christians in other cities.

l) At least once there were Jews who made an oath to destroy Christian evangelism.

m) If and when we find persecution from someone who is religious, it should not surprise us.

n) Verse 18 of this chapter says the Jews sought “the more” to kill the Lord.

o) Some of the greatest persecutors in the last 2,000 have been religious people or religious groups.

p) We need to remember this and not be surprised as we live our lives.

14) Another of the difficulties we can face with religious people is found in the next chapter.

15) Jesus (Jn. 6) compared Himself to “bread.”

16) He did not have in mind the Lord’s Supper; He meant He is the source of spiritual help for mankind.

17) Jesus said He was “living bread from heaven” (verse 51) and people didn’t like these words.

18) Verse 52 – READ.

a) Here were religious people who did not understand what the Lord was saying.

b) Religious people were confused about a point of doctrine, though it was spoken by the Son of God.

c) Can we learn anything from this passage? Yes!

d) We may speak with those who are religious and they are confused or cannot grasp the point.

e) We may speak from the Bible and about the Bible, but Bible believing people are perplexed.

f) Should this surprise us? No. Jesus faced this same problem.

g) He could quote scripture but some didn’t understand the text.

h) What should we do if we try to communicate with people and they cannot seem to understand?

i) We follow the Lord’s example – continue to teach. Jesus went right on offering instruction.

j) As long as people are willing to listen and study, we continue with them.

k) Knowing how the Jews were dealt with is helpful to us as we live the Christian life.

l) He faced many of the same things that we still encounter day to day and week to week.

19) A third point related to dealing with those who are religious is found in Jn. 8:52.

a) One of the surprises that many young Christians get is a reaction from those who claim to be religious.

b) A member of the church may be discussing a doctrinal point with someone who disagrees.

c) The individual with the different belief may become irritated and unleash a torrent of anger.

d) That has happened to members of the church, and a lot of young Christians have been shocked by it.

e) Notice verse 52 of Jn. 8 – READ.

f) The Jews (religious people) were so disturbed at what Jesus said they claimed He was possessed.

g) They said Satan was in control of His life.

h) If Jesus faced this kind of charge from religious people, what about us?

i) There are certain kinds of discussions that can make temperatures and blood pressure rise.

j) Religious discussions have often turned into religious debates with yelling and fist pounding.

k) If someone loses emotional control because of a religious discussion, it should not be us.

l) Calmness and coolness are the goals of all who are New Testament Christians.

m) Jn. 8 tells us that even if we are calm, others may not be.

n) Our goal as New Testament Christians is to be the one who is under control.

o) This is a “fruit of the spirit” (Gal. 5).

20) As we think about drawing lessons from the Jews in the New Testament, Jn. 11 is next.

a) Lazarus had been a good friend of Jesus’.

b) Verse 3 says this man’s sisters realized Jesus “loved” their brother.

c) Jesus did not come while Lazarus was ill; He came after Lazarus died.

d) Before Jesus came, Jews began to do something – verse 19 – READ.

21) Jews were able to offer “comfort” to those suffering the loss of a loved one.

22) Here is a principle that is still true in our day and time:

23) Some of the best comforters when it comes to grief are those how are Christians or believe in Christianity.

24) Atheists are not known for their ability to comfort the bereaved.

25) After all, their belief system denies the existence of any after life. Their philosophy says a person is forever gone.

26) We do not embrace a belief system just because it appeals to us.

27) Christianity can be proven true, and people turn to Bible believing people in times of death.

28) Religion is often a great comfort to people.

a) If we understand the Bible, we know an important fact.

b) We want the comfort from religious, but comfort is not enough.

c) A false religion can be just as comforting as the truth of the gospel.

d) People can believe a lie and feel good.

e) We want comfort from a faith that is true and reliable.

f) That is the kind of faith we must use to help others.

29) One of the greatest lesson from the Jews is found in Jn. 11:45.

30) Many of them “believed” on the Lord (embraced Jesus as the Savior).

31) Here were religious people who were confronted with the truth and they accepted it.

32) There is no great achievement in life than finding, obeying, and faithfully abiding by the truth.

33) A lot of Jews refused to do that, and the refusals were for many reasons.

34) Others did choose to obey.

35) Today as we think about the people who lived so long ago, we find they teach us many things.

36) Have we learned from their successes and failures?

a) Have we turned to Christ as the only hope of salvation?

b) Are we seeking that city which will only contain the saved of all generations?

c) Do we insist upon following the plan in God’s word—nothing more and nothing less?

d) We do this by being a New Testament Christian.

e) The process starts by faith, repentance, confession and baptism into Christ.