The Greatest Show On Earth

August 21, 2016 (05210)              NOTES NOT EDITED

The Greatest Show on Earth

Acts 16:16-34

SIS - Supercharged friendships develop and great things happen when believers share their lives in and through the church.

When I was a teen-ager, the big thing to do was to buy an old car and "supe it up."  The more power the better.  The first ingredient to a suped up car was the "supercharger."

The term supercharger usually refers to any pump that forces air into an engine.  As you can see from the picture, this required a modification of the cars hood.  A hole was cut into the hood to accomodate the supercharger.  For most teens, such a "suped up" ride was only a dream -- but a great dream to have.

The supercharger was all about "more power."  This same principle applies to church.  Church is where "supercharged friendships develop and great things happen."

In his new book, "Amazing Grace: How Religion is Reshaping Our Civic and Political Lives," Harvard Professor Robert Putnam and Notre Dame scholar David Campbell provide research showing that "religious people are three to four times more likely to be involved [positively] in their community than non-religious people."  According to their study religious people are up to four times more likely to let someone have a place in front of them in line, donate money to charitable causes, help out a neighbor or stranger, and give money to panhandlers.  The authors conclude, "religious people are, in general, just nicer." One author refers to this phenomenon of niceness as, "supercharged friendships."

This is not the message you get when the modern media covers Christianity.  The liberal media would have us believe that any ill in America can be attributed to the "vast right wing conspiracy driven by fundamentalist Christians."  That's the propaganda.  The facts of 2000 plus years of history greatly support the view that Christianity is the most powerful force for good in history and the church is the most positive institution for good in our world today; though in fairness we should recognize that more and more churches are becoming less and less a force for good and the gospel as they compromise with the world rather than compete.  Let’s read how we can turn that around and, to paraphrase The Donald, “make church the greatest show on earth . . . again!”  READ ACTS 16:16-24.

When believers get together and share their redeemed lives together in and through the church, great things happen.  Supercharged friendships in and through the church cause great things to happen in at least three ways:

1.  When we share GREAT BATTLES
            great things start to happen (16-24)

Steel cannot be forged without fire.  The church was born into a battle and the battle has existed continually through the ages.  The battle has been more fierce at times and less fierce at others, but the battle between the forces of good and the forces of evil have always been around.  It started in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:14-15):

⁴ So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all the livestock and all the wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. ¹⁵And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

And so, the fight was on.  In fact, you can even go back further than the Garden of Eden.  The battle between good and evil began in heaven in the pre-creation period: (Isa 14:12)

How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations!

Not much is said directly about Lucifer, the Devil, or Satan.  What is clear from Genesis is that there is an on-going battle with demonic forces that require the supercharged friendships of the church to defeat.  This battle can manifest in many ways:  personal--as with demon possession, drug addiction, or other various conditions--or, the battle can be cultural, as with the continuing influence of a culture of death through abortion, or the rising influence of homosexuality and the attack on the Biblical and traditional view of the family, or the constant attacks by talking heads on TV and other media.  The battle can also be political as we see with the ACLU and other church-hating organizations which are trying to erase the very idea of God from the political mind of America.  But, by and large the greatest foe of Christianity in America is the "government school system" and the anti-God theology of evolution that permeates every subject and every lesson in every classroom.

We are indeed in a battle that is demonic in origin.  Our text today makes this perfectly clear when it describes the encounter Paul and Silas have with the demonic spirit called, "Python."

As we read earlier, Paul and Silas encountered a slave girl that was possessed by a demon called "Python."  Our NIV text described this girl as a "slave girl that had a spirit by which she predicted the future." That is a lose translation of two words, "pneuma Pūthōnos." Literally, it means a "Python spirit."  This refers to the snake that guarded the "Oracle of Delphi"

Dating back to 1400 BC, the Oracle of Delphi was the most important shrine in all Greece, and in theory all Greeks respected its independence. Built around a sacred spring, Delphi was considered to be the omphalos - the center (literally navel) of the world.

People came from all over Greece and beyond to have their questions about the future answered by the Pythia, the priestess of Apollo. And her answers, usually cryptic, could determine the course of everything from when a farmer planted his seedlings, to when an empire declared war.

The word, "oracle," referred both to the message and the messenger.  The messenger simply being a vehicle of a spiritual entity.  The word, python, actually came to be translated by another Greek word meaning "ventriloquist," which is someone speaking through something or someone else.

The emphasis here in our text is simply this:

Ephesians 6:10-11

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Do not miss this teaching: the battles we face in our personal lives, families, culture, and political climate are ALL spiritual in nature.  ALL conflict is demon-driven.

When we the church ignore or reject this basic teaching here in our text, the Python spirit of demonic deception will squeeze the very life out of our families, churches, and communities.

The moment Paul and Silas as supercharged friends and fellow believers confronted the Python demon that was squeezing the life out of this young girl, the girl was immediately and gloriously delivered from the bondage of evil.

Herein is the application for you today:  if you or a loved one are being squeezed by the Python grip of sin -- regardless of whether it is drugs, alcohol, pornography, lying, or you name it -- the only way to see great things happen is to realize the battle is at the very root spiritual. 

When, supercharged believers share these great battles together, just like with Paul and Silas, great things happen -- particularly, souls are delivered from sin.

2.  When supercharged friends share GREAT WORSHIP, great things happen (25-30)_____________________________________

You will note from our text that not everyone is thrilled to see God work in mighty ways in the deliverance of sinners.  Pimps hate to see women empowered by faith leave the streets.  Drug lords hate to lose the revenue when junkies are set free and no longer need what the dealer is selling.  Beer peddlers and whiskey hustlers hate it when people discover they can "party hardy"  without inviting Jack Daniels or his friend Bud Light.

Don't be naive--not everyone wants to see God move in a mighty way in and through the church.  Paul and Silas got a serious "beat down" when those who lost revenue from their slave girl incited a town riot.  The Word says,

"The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them stripped and beaten." (v. 22)

It's been said, "No good deed goes unpunished."  That certainly is the case here.  Paul and Silas won the battle that brought release to the slave girl, but they didn't escape unscathed.  Here they are:  naked and bleeding, feet in stocks, in the dark damp dungeon of the city.  So they did what any of us would do:

THEY STARTED PRAYING
AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD! (V. 25)

Now they did not sing with the rigid restraint and lack of enthusiasm that so often characterizes most church services.  No, they sang so loud and with such enthusiasm that they caused an earthquake!

Why friends, so often our worship can't even rattle the chandelier, let alone shake the earth.  But, when

supercharged believers share GREAT WORSHIP great things happen!

First their great worship knocked the bars of the cell doors right off the hinges.  Then, this great worship shattered the shackles on the prisoners and they were set free.  And then, the praise was so loud it rousted the jailer who was in another room!

So much of what we call "worship" today is simply entertainment using Christian language.  And, that's at the good end of the modern worship scale.  At the other end for many worship has become nothing more than punching religious time card.

Great worship brought the house down -- literally.  Praise singing -- hymns, songs, and spiritual songs -- should grab the whole person and shake them -- body mind and spirit.

Now this will probably shock some of your Baptist sensibilities but the Bible teaches that "spirit-filled (empowered) worship" is a lot like "being drunk."  Consider the evaluation of the worship service at the birth of the church: (Acts 2:1-4 and verse 13)

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. ² Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. ⁴ All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

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¹³ Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Now, lest you think I'm putting something into the text that is not there consider what Paul said in Eph 5:

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul compares spirit-filled singing and music-making in worship to be similar to "drunkeness."  The application seems to be that first century worship was very expressive and animated.  Some would call this: "charismatic."

Charisma comes from the Greek word that means, "grace."  It is also the same word that can be translated, "joy." The "chara" root is one of the most significant word groups used in the N.T. and at is most basic meaning it is related to "great joy."  The only kind of worship worthy to be called "Christian worship" is "charismatic at the core."

Now, I'm not suggesting we roll in the aisles, jump the pews, or shout in some unknown language.  I am suggesting that we put a little "get up and go" into our hymn singing and prayers during worship.

Two homemakers baked a cake.  The first homemaker placed her cake in the oven and went about her duties. With watchful care in time she presented her family a beautiful and delicious cake.

The second homemaker prepared her cake and placed it in the oven and in time was greatly disappointed for the cake was flat and a failure. She had left out one ingredient, the baking powder.

There are many ingredients that go into presenting our worship to God, but if one of them is not passionate enthusiasm, the worship with turn out flat and a failure.

Paul and Silas literally brought the house down with great worship.  This is the original version of "Jailhouse Rock" long before Elvis hit the scene.  [VIDEO CLIP: ELVIS (Stop at 39 secs]

How can anyone read this passage and not be impressed with the power of people who love God worshipping in the Spirit?  This great worship service was so powerful it shook the earth.  But, even more so, it shook a lost many down to his knees seeking repentance.  Look at verse 29:

²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

Great Christian worship brings both the saved and
the lost into a life-changing encounter with Almighty God.  It is the kind of worship that looks like bread to the hungry and living water to the thirsty.  That's the kind of worship I pray for every week.

That's why I call church, "The Greatest Show On Earth."

Supercharged friendships develop and great things happen when believers share their lives in and through the church.

When God's people share great battles and great worship, great things start to happen.  But there's something else:

3.  When supercharged friends share the GREAT MESSAGE, great things happen (31-34)                                                            )        

Notice that the jailer did not get saved by the Great Worship, it only got his attention.  All the great hymn-singing and all the great praise singing and all the great praying and all the great other stuff we do in church will not bring a person to salvation until . . .

someone shares the GREAT MESSAGE.

In many of the traditional churches in Old Europe,
the pulpit was not in the center of the church.  In Lutheran churches and other what we call "high churches" the pulpit is still off to the side.  The communion table, as with the Catholic Church is in the center of the worship stage.

May it never be so in a Baptist Church.  The sermon is
the crown jewel of any worship gathering that seeks to
share the great message of God's redeeming love.  The Bible clearly says:

¹⁴ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:14-15, and v. 17)

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Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

There are churches that provide a musical experience that would put Hollywood to shame.  There are churches that have orchestras that would rival the Philharmonic.  But what brings people to repentance and new life in Christ is:  preaching of the Word.  Look at verse 29-32:

²⁹ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” ³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” ³² Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house

Dear church family, let us never forget this lesson:  great things happen with God's people proclaim the GREAT MESSAGE. 

No doubt, this jailer had been a mean, unrelenting source of pain and anguish to men all his life.  His temperament was well-suited for his sordid work.  He literally would have watched men rot away while in his care.  He would inflict great pain on men as a course of his daily duties.  Yet, look at what happens when the meanest, vilest sinner encounters the Great Message of the gospel:  (v 33-34)

³³ At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. ³⁴ The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.

Can I make a confession to you today:  if I felt that the success of this church (or any church I've ever pastored) relied on great music, or great drama, or a great facility or any other material element, -- or, my ability as a great orator or speaker -- I would have quit the ministry years ago.  I sincerely mean that with all my heart.

No, folks, great things don't happen because of even the greatest music or greatest anything else:  truly great things happen when God's people share the Greatest Message on Earth.

I pray to God in heaven that if there ever comes a time when I trust in anything else but the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ to change the hearts and minds of lost men, women, and children -- I will quit the ministry.

Sure, we ought to come to God with the very best singing, drama, praying and preaching we can deliver.  We ought to raise the roof when we sing in God's presence.  But, the real power is always in the WORD.

One of the greatest showman of all times -- even to this day -- was a man by the name of P.T. Barnum.  It is from a film made in 1952 depicting life in the Barnum and Bailey Circus that gave us the phrase, "The Greatest Show on Earth."

The Greatest Show on Earth is a 1952 drama film set in the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The film was produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture. Its storyline is supported by lavish production values, actual circus acts, and documentary, behind-the-rings looks at the massive logistics effort which made big top circuses possible.
The film stars Betty Hutton and Cornel Wilde as trapeze artists competing for the center ring, and Charlton Heston as the circus manager running the show. James Stewart also stars as a mysterious clown who never removes his make-up, even between shows.
In addition to the film actors, the real Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey's Circus' performers appeared in the film, with its complement of 1400 people, hundreds of animals, and 60 carloads of equipment and tents.
But, as wonderful as Ringling BRos. and Barnum and Bailey Circus was (and is), it is not the greatest show on earth.
When God's redeemed people develop supercharged friendships by sharing their lives in and through the church -- that church becomes "The Greatest Show On Earth." 
Brothers and sisters of First Baptist Church, would you pray with me that our church becomes a place where supercharged friendships develop and great things happen?