Panic Button Words
Acts 22:1-4, 17-23 - Victory Fellowship
October 27, 2024 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
I. Introduction
a. Words that evoke reaction: Charged or Panic button words or Loaded language can create an emotional image that is different in each person, based on their experiences and beliefs. Some examples include:
Christmas-Abortion-Evolution-Peace-Justice-Death-Divorce Disease-Homosexuality-Climate Change-Gun Control-Donald Trump-Kamala Harris
a. Resurrection can also be loaded language for some.
What to do with the risen Christ?
Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. Panic words.
b. Like Paul’s audience, the answer may challenge us
II. Relate the text read
a. Verses 1-4:
“Brothers and esteemed fathers,” Paul said, “listen to me as I offer my defense.” When they heard him speaking in their own language, the silence was even greater. Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today. And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison…
b. At this point they were all ears.
c. But when Paul got to “gentiles” those were panic button words and they intentionally closed their minds to the potential of his suggestion.
d. Political culture in our Country
e. Sometimes we need to tell people what they don’t want to hear. (Illustration: tenure in marriage)
III. Application:
a. In seminary my music professor, Dr. Ron Sprunger, used to say that a Master’s Degree student was like a kindergarten student – they were full of wonder and the joy of learning something new.
b. Remember in 1st grade the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.
c. But somewhere along the way we grew panic buttons that people could push to get a reaction out of us. Rather than let the Holy Spirit guide us, we buy into the mindset that we are shocked and offended by their words!
i. Like the Jews listening to Paul mention Gentiles, we are at the ready to go off at the wrong thing being uttered. Panic button words manipulate us.
d. What/who are our gentiles?
i. What do we intentionally close our minds to the potential of the very suggestion?
ii. Politics, Forgiveness, accountability, confession, devotion, missions, witnessing, bible study?
e. JOHN 21:15 Do you love me more than these?
f. Why is it so hard to believe that the Holy Spirit can and should change us?
i. (baby steps – we not get mad at each other for suggesting or reminding of the obvious)
IV. Conclusion:
a. What do we do with the risen Lord?
LIVE IN THE POWER OF THE RESURRECTION!
PRAYER
SONG: Ghost
Acts 22:17-23 (NLT)
…17 “After I returned to Jerusalem, I was praying in the Temple and fell into a trance. 18 I saw a vision of Jesus saying to me, ‘Hurry! Leave Jerusalem, for the people here won’t accept your testimony about me.’19 “‘But Lord,’ I argued, ‘they certainly know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you. 20 And I was in complete agreement when your witness Stephen was killed. I stood by and kept the coats they took off when they stoned him.’21 “But the Lord said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles!’” 22 The crowd listened until Paul said that word. Then they all began to shout, “Away with such a fellow! He isn’t fit to live!” 23 They yelled, threw off their coats, and tossed handfuls of dust into the air.