Sep 21, 2014

Acts 9:31-35

I know this might come as a surprise and may even a shock to some, but even Christians fall into sin. I know it’s crazy, right? Christians are supposed to be perfect, aren’t they?

Amazingly, it is all to possible for those who’ve at one point humbly come to the foot of the cross, experience the amazing grace and forgiveness of God, enjoy the blessings of this new life, and set out upon the exciting journey of faith to at some point find themselves once again sidetrack by the allure of the world and shackled by the clutches of sin.

And if this weren’t sad enough, as most can attest, when this unfortunate tale befalls the likes of you and I the weight of condemnation and guilt is often so overwhelming - so paralyzing that we are simply rendered more helpless than ever before.

I mean it’s one thing for an unbeliever to sin against God in ignorance, but shouldn’t those who’ve tasted the sweat fruit of salvation, experienced glorious regeneration by the Spirit of God, enjoyed the liberated life provide by Jesus, and been endowed as sons and daughters of the Most High know better? 

Sin, in the case of the believer, mires a person with an even deeper sense of unworthiness than it does unbelievers. Compounded by our personal knowledge of Christ’s goodness and the incredible demonstration of His love, the sin of a believer holds that person captive in shame, shackled by the reality of inadequacy. Its vice-grip is disgrace. It’s true, for many, the hardest journey to the cross ends up not being the first, but instead the second.

Since this is the case, the longer a person sits in this muck the harder and more difficult it becomes to ever escape. Tragically, one of the great tragedies of Christianity is that we have more people sitting on the sidelines defeated than we do victoriously running the race. 

This morning we’re not only going to encounter a believer suffering from the paralysis of his own sinful choices, but we’re also going to see that this unfortunate plight is based in our misconception of salvation. Before we do let’s work our way through the text.

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We noted last Sunday that Saul was a preaching force to be reckoned with! As a Pharisee he was not only equipped with a more expansive understanding of God’s Word than anyone else, but because he had encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus he was able to preach from the depths of a personal experience. A very powerful combination.

Realize… Knowledge coupled with experience is kind of like when Jack Bower finally discovers the identity of the mole within CTU! Nine seasons of the carnage that follows tells us there’s simply no escaping that scenario (unless of course it’s a commercial break when no one dies because that’s when Jack eats, drinks, and uses the restroom). 

Luke is clear that Saul “spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus” and was able to “prove” from Scripture that Jesus was both “the Christ” and “the Son of God.” And yet, sadly, we have no record of his preaching producing any converts at this point in his life. 

As a matter of fact, it would appear the only thing Saul’s preaching yielded was a desire within his audience to kill him (first in Damascus and now again in Jerusalem)! Is it any wonder the Apostles decided to send Saul far away to Tarsus?

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Acts 9:31, “Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”

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Though Luke’s record is only a partial history of all that God was doing, I love the fact that he utilizes moments like these to remind his readers that Jesus was doing much more than the things he recorded. With this in mind, we should make two quick observations…

First… At this point “the church” has been presented by Luke in a singular tense (Acts 2, 5, 7, and 8), and yet, now, for the first time in the Book of Acts, Luke mentions “the churches,”  specifically locating those “throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.” One universal church existing as many local church communities!

Second… During the years marked by Saul’s egress into Tarsus, Luke tells us these churches “had peace and were edified.” It would appear, beginning with Saul’s departure, the church universally enjoyed a decade free of persecution. Because of this peace they were allowed the opportunity to grow in numbers and strength. The Greek word “edified” is “oikodomeô” which means “to build up or establish.”

While the text seems to attribute this period of peace solely to Saul’s sabbatical, history indicates this may have been the result of two additional developments that would have left the Jewish leaders occupied with more pressing matters. 

Domestic Crisis… In 36 AD, a religious shockwave was felt in Jerusalem when the long tenured High Priest Caiaphas suddenly died. What followed was a power grab between the sons of Ananias (the deposed High Priest and father-in-law of Caiaphas). 

While Jonathan initially became High Priest in 36 AD he was quickly deposed a year later by his brother Theophilus who would hold this powerful position until he was ousted in 41 AD. Over the next 4 years three unrelated men would rise and fall from power before Jonathan ultimately regained the position in 44 AD.

Geopolitical Crisis… On March 16, 37 AD Tiberius Caesar (who had an equally long reign) died at the age of 77. According to his will he requested his power be divided between his grandson Gemellus and adopted son Caligula; however, Caligula quickly had the will voided and Gemellus executed assuming power all to himself. 

Why does this matter? History presents Caligula as an insane tyrant known for his cruelty, sadistic tendencies, extravagant tastes, and sexually perverse nature. Beyond spending Rome into financial ruin, he garnered no friends when in 40 AD he demanded everyone worship him as a physical, living god (a stark break in protocol). 

After an attempt to have his statues placed in Jewish synagogues and the riot that ensued, Caligula demonstrably ordered the erection of a statue of himself be placed in the Temple located in Jerusalem. Fearing an all out civil war if the demand was carried out, the local Roman Governor Publius wisely delayed implementation for a year. 

Thankfully, Caligula proved to be so volatile that in 41 AD he became the first Roman Emperor assassinated. With the approval of the Senate his uncle Claudius (who was also involved in the plot) assumed the throne and a period of peace and stability would ensue. Tragically, his reign would be short-lived for in 54 AD he was assassinated by his wife allowing another madman (his adopted son Nero) to assume power.

It would seem that, in addition to Saul’s banishment, as the Jewish leaders jockeyed for power and fought against Roman intrusion the church grew and was strengthen. 

While the narrative of Acts will pivot away from the Apostles and the church in Jerusalem to focus on Saul and the spread of the Gospel across the Roman world beginning with chapter 11, before making this transition, Luke highlights three important events that occurred in and through the life of the Apostle Peter during this decade long period of prosperity (remaining verses of Acts 9, all of Acts 10, and the first part of 11).

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Acts 9:32, “Now it came to pass, as Peter went through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda.” 

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It would seem, as he had done in Samaria, Peter felt a responsibility to visit all of these new churches popping up throughout the region of Judea. I’m sure his presence not only insured a continuity of message, but served to validate each new ministry.

According to this verse Peter’s travels would lead him into the town of Lydda which was approximately 25 miles NW of Jerusalem and 9 miles E of Joppa. Lydda was a city situated along the main road that connected Jerusalem with this prominent sea port.

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Acts 9:33-35, “There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.”

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Though we know very little about Aeneas, Dr. Luke tells us he “was paralyzed.” The word “paralyzed” or “paralyô” in the Greek can be literally translated “to be sick of the palsy.” 

1. Consider the cause of his paralysis.

The Greek word choice is clear that this was not a condition Aeneas had been born with…Nor does the vernacular indicate it was caused by some kind of tragic accident… Instead, most scholars believe his paralysis was the direct result of a venereal disease. 

Why is this detail important? Aeneas knew he was suffering the results of his own sinful choices. He had no one to blame but himself. As a Jewish man he had an acute awareness of right and wrong… What actions were permissible and which ones were abominable… And yet, he still made the decision to disobey the will and purposes of God by deliberately engaging in behavior he knew was sinful and destructive. 

Now before we all cast our stones at Aeneas, I think we can agree that just because you know something is wrong doesn’t make it any easier to resist. In a weird twist it’s actually the forbidden nature of sin that makes it all the more appealing. 

In “Pudd’nhead Wilson” Mark Twain wrote, “Adam was but human - this explains it all. He did not want the apple for the apple's sake, he wanted it only because it was forbidden. The mistake was in not forbidding the serpent; then he would have eaten the serpent. There is a charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable…” 

While we don’t know whether or not his sin was one bad decision or a series of little ones, it seems evident Aeneas was experiencing nothing more than a self-inflicted wound. Paralysis was the natural consequence of his sinful decisions. 

2. Consider the result of his paralysis.

Luke says his “paralysis” had left him “bedridden eight years.” Aeneas was immovable, incapacitated, powerless to do anything to right his wrongs or atone for his sins. A series of bad choices had left him in this sad, hopeless state seemingly unable to escape.

Aeneas could sympathize with the final stanza of the Eagles famous song “Hotel California.” “Last thing I remember, I was running for the door, I had to find the passage back to the place I was before, ’Relax,' said the night man, 'we are programmed to receive. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave...” 

Not only was Aeneas stuck, but his life sucked! You know one of the craftiest lies ever whispered into human ears by our mortal enemy is that obedience to God somehow restricts your ability to fully experience all that life has to offer! 

Even in the Garden of Eden Satan convinced Eve that God was actually holding out on them by commanding that they refrain from eating the forbidden fruit. Genesis 3:2-5, “And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.'" Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Do you think Aeneas’ ability to enjoy life was enhanced by his rebellion against God or severely limited? Sadly, Aeneas’ rebellion proved to do nothing more than rob him of the life he would have been able to enjoy if he had simply obeyed God. Thomas Watson once said, “When the pleasure of sin is soon gone the sting remains.”

In the moment of temptation never forget the motivation of the person doing the whispering (whether it be Satan or the Holy Spirit). In John 10:10 Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.” But He continued by saying, “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

One of the things I find most interesting about this passage is that there is no mention of Aeneas crying out for Peter’s help or even petitioning God for mercy like so many others. In many ways Luke presents Aeneas as a man who’s come to terms with his tragic plight. Almost as if he’s accepted and embraced his condition as appropriate punishment.  

Though this is quite confusing when placed in the context of other miracles, I have a theory that might explain why this was the understandable perspective of Aeneas. Don’t forget... Luke sets the scene by simply recording that Peter “came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda” and “there he found a certain man named Aeneas.” 

According to the way these two sentences are constructed and interconnected, Luke is telling us that Peter found Aeneas among the saints of Lydda! It would seem Aeneas was not an unbeliever, but was instead a follower of Jesus. So why was he paralyzed?

Now I can admit it may be that Aeneas was a believer experiencing the natural effects of the lifestyle he had once lived before he came to Christ. However, I gravitate more to the opinion that Aeneas was a Christian before he made this horrible mistake. 

It’s interesting that Luke goes out of his way to inform us that Aeneas has been “bedridden eight years.” Obviously, as a doctor he does this to let us know this was a contracted paralysis, but could it be that Luke includes this detail for a large purpose.

At this point in our travels through Acts it’s been 9 to 10 years since Pentecost, and (though conjecture) it seems possible that Aeneas was either one of the 3000 who converted on Pentecost or one of the 5000 who later believe following Peter’s sermon. 

If this is the case it may be that Aeneas doesn’t petition for Peter’s help because he doesn’t feel as though he’s worthy. I believe of all the stories Luke could have included in this section of Acts he chooses this one for Aeneas presents the prototypical believer paralyzed by his sin! “Jesus saved me and then I went and let Him down by doing such a foolish thing. As a result I’ve been set on the shelf - put on the sidelines - bedridden.” 

3. With this in mind… Consider the miracle. 

Please realize… Our text is clear that Peter did not heal Aeneas of his paralysis! The statement, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you” would be better translated, “Aeneas, the Lord Jesus is healing you.” You see Peter was doing nothing more than reminding Aeneas of the work Jesus was already doing in his life. 

“Aeneas, there’s no reason to be paralyzed by your sin. Jesus has already forgiven you and is in the process of healing. Get up and get going. You have no need for this bed.” 

I believe one of the main reasons Aeneas (and many Christians) end up paralyzed by sin is that we have a fundamental misunderstanding of salvation. Often many see salvation as a “life-changing, singular event” as opposed to a “life-altering continual experience.” 

In 2 Corinthians 1:9-10 we have an example of “Progressive Salvation.” “Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, who delivered us (past experience) from so great a death, and does deliver us (present experience); in whom we trust that He will still deliver us (future experience)…”

Salvation is a Past Experience when my soul “is saved” from the penalty of sin because I’ve placed my faith in Jesus’ atoning sacrifice. In the very moment of conversion I am “made alive in Christ Jesus” being filled with His Holy Spirit.

Salvation is a Present Experience in my life where I am “being saved” from the power of sin through the sanctifying work of the indwelling Spirit of God.

Salvation is a yet Future Experience when my body “will be saved” from the presence of sin when I finally arrive in heaven and experience eternal life.

Sadly, because most Christians see salvation as a “life-changing, singular event” whereby they are “saved” it becomes easy to succumb to the paralysis of sin like Aeneas. “Jesus saved me and now I’ve failed Him. He died for me and I let Him down. He freed me, but I placed myself back in chains.” Is there any wonder Christians would rather remain stuck in the muck than return to the cross?

And yet, this is all based on a faulty understanding of salvation. The Bible is clear that as a “life-altering continual experience” Jesus has “saved me from the penalty of sin,” is presently “saving me from the power of sin,” and will one day “save me from the presence of sin.” A work of the soul, that continues as a work in my life, that will one day effect my future.

It’s radical to consider, but since salvation was designed to be a progressive work of God then it’s a work God knew I would always need. Jesus is willing to “save us from the power of sin” because He knew we’d still struggle with its allure. He knew we’d sin. He anticipates our mistakes. Which is why salvation is still actively working in our lives. How silly it then becomes that we might be held captive by something Jesus is presently saving us from? 

Think of it like this… If you owed a debt you could not pay and I made a one time deposit to your account that rendered you debt free, but then you ended up falling back into the hole. It would then make sense why you’d be hesitant to ask for more assistance. However, if my solution to your debt problem was to link our accounts together so that when your account dips, mine automatically satisfies the balance, you wouldn't beat yourself up over mismanagement, but would instead figure out a way to avoid making the same mistake.

A.W. Tozer once wrote, “A man by his sin may waste himself, which is to waste that which on earth is most like God. This is man's greatest tragedy and God's heaviest grief.” 

Friend, may you no longer be held captive by that which Jesus is presently working to save you from! The grace of God blazed a trail to the cross you’ve already walked once before. This time you have the luxury of already knowing the way! “When the devil sings his age old song… And he beats his condemnation drum… Plead the blood… Make your voice heard… For your God still has the final word… Now all your chains of sin are gone… By the power of His awesome love… You are free… For Christ has and is delivering you!”

I love the result of this story and I pray you experience the same this morning… But after reminding Aeneas that Jesus was still actively at work in his life, what did he do? “He arose immediately!” Why should you remain paralyzed by your sin, “bedridden,” stuck in the muck when the same salvation that saved you once is actively able to save you again today?