A Concerned Heart (Part Three)

This week, as we consider our study in Acts 20, we are seeing Acts 20:20-21 in order to see a concerned heart. So far, we have seen that we are to be concerned about our message and concerned about our methods—but to what end? Paul’s give us that today as we see why we should be:

Concerned for Reconciliation

“of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v.21b)

This is why he did it, why he was concerned- why Paul cared! Reconciliation with God is the key need of every human life, and, as a result, Paul, wants people to know that there is a bridge to God! Notice (2 Cor 5:18-20)…

“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ & gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, & He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

What if there is not reconciliation with God? Romans 2:1-9 says that there are only two options—reconciliation with God or the wrath of God. What drove Paul? A deep concern that people be right with God! What are the elements of that? Twofold—

A. Repentance Toward God- repentance is a sick man acknowledging that he has an illness. In the New Testament it was en essential part of preaching the Gospel…

• “And that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)
• “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,” (Acts 17:30)
• “I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
• “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9)

Some say that repentance was only for the Jews, others have tried to make it a pre-salvation work, but that is not consistent with the scriptures. Repentance is an essential element of saving faith, for apart from repentance there is no salvation. It is always directed toward God, in fact, you cannot have faith in Christ without repentance toward God—why?

• Your sin was committed against God- it is proper to show genuine sorrow toward the One offended. (2 Cor 7:9-10- “I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.” )
• Because God is the only one Who can pardon sin- Remember, though a good man, Job had to repent. Not just because he was a sinner, but because God is Holy! (“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6.)

Repentance recognizes the worth of God and the sinfulness of sin- and turns from it to Christ!

B. Faith In Christ- this means recognizing the work and merit of Christ to resolve the sin that has offended God. Why? “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12). We turn to Him because there is no one else who can reconcile us to God!

Repentance and faith are the message that bring together reconciliation! That is the point. That men might be right with God. Can there be any greater concern for those outside the sphere of salvation? It is what Paul told Agrippa (Acts 26:20-23)—and when it happens in the life of a repentant sinner it is evidenced by a turning from the siren song of sin to wonderful new life in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17).

This is Paul’s concern—not to build a higher attendance, or win the contest for most decisions, or be the super apostle. He is concerned about reconciliation with God—a reconciliation that changes lives and eternities. Because of that, Paul was, and we must be, concerned for people and their true spiritual needs—responding with the right message, the right methods, and the right motives. Why? So that men and women can be reconciled with God!

Do we share that concern? Then stop aiming and start shooting! Paul, in 2 Cor. 5 gives us three powerful reasons—

• The terror of the Lord (v.11)
• The love of Christ (v.14)
• The responsibility of an ambassador (v.20)

Does me heart break to the point where like Paul you are driven to build saints that can proclaim Christ? Does yours? That is the task of the church—and a concerned heart will never take it lightly. Next week we will continue to examine Acts 20 and a heart for ministry.