Paul & Barnabus Show Courage

Acts 14:1-7

To Iconium

Basically, the same thing happened in Iconium as in Antioch. There were a great number of Jews and Greeks that believed. The Jews that did not believe inflamed the people. Paul and Barnabas had to leave.

Acts 14:8-18

Mistaken for gods

Paul and Barnabas were involved in an interesting incident in Lystra. This was around mostly non-Jewish people because the crowd got the idea that Paul and Baranabus were Zeus and Hermes come to earth in disguise to interact with them.

This is interesting because it shows Paul interacting people non-Jewish people and how that he gets the point across. Paul started with nature to lead them to introducing them to the God behind it all. He started with the here and now to get to then and there-the story of Jesus and his sacrifice for all people.

Where do we start with the here and now? Then, how do we get back to then, the crucifixion, and there, the middle east?

Trouble in Antioch

Acts 13:42-52

Trouble in Antioch

Paul and Barnabas started by speaking in the synagogue in Antioch and all seemed to be going well. They were invited to stay in Antioch and speak again. Word spread during the next week and nearly the whole town showed up to hear what they had to say. Some of the audience that day were filled with envy and started arguing with Paul and Barnabas. Paul points out to the Jewish brethren that the word was preached first to them, but since they reject the gospel it was taken to the Gentiles.

One thing that infuriated the Jews more than anything else was they were keeping God's privileges to themselves. Christians were preaching and sharing the gospel with everyone – the uncircumcised Gentiles. With that openness, the Jews took action.

Antioch was a city of a host of nationalities all in one city because it on a road, it was a Roman city with Romans, Jews, Greeks, and a few native Phrygians, who are volatile and unpredictable people. This is quite a mix of people who can be easily sparked into emotion driven actions with devastating effects. These people were also very lax in their sexual behaviors causing a breakdown in the family and society. No one paid a dearer price than the women of these breaking families.

The Jews were preaching Godly family values appealing to these broken-hearted women, many of whom were married to men of power. The Jews prevailed on the women of affluence to turn their husbands against the Christian preachers. They used their influence on their husbands to in effect persecute the Christian preachers including Paul and Barnabas.

Paul and Barnabas had to leave at this point because it was not safe for them to stay. They shook off the dust from their feet and went to Iconium where they were well received with joy. The brethren were filled with the Holy Spirit there. A good place to recover from what they had endured.

Do we as Christians sometimes keep God's privileges to ourselves? How can we guard against this religious discrimination?

Next week, we will be going to Iconium. Things seem to be better there!

Have a Great Week!

Brad

The Preaching of Paul

Acts 13:16-42

The Preaching of Paul

When we look at the preaching of the early church, they are almost identical in form and message. Comparing the message from Peter in Acts 2 and this sermon shows the main elements of the sermons are the same.

1. Paul insists that the coming of Jesus was actually the fulfillment of scripture and the end of history. He recounts the history of the Jewish nation coming to an end with Christ. It is easy for humanity to see this as a recounting of sins, mistakes, and shortfalls. The Christian view is that of hope pointing toward Jesus, our savior. History always shows us going forward according to the purpose of God.

2. Paul states the fact that when God's fulfillment came in Jesus Christ, it was not recognized. When man rejects the message, he enslaves himself to the world and cuts off from the spiritual wellness provided by acceptance of Christ.

3. Even though the people rejected Christ in the crucifixion, God could not be defeated (and will never be defeated). We have choice. The misuse of our choice will separate us from Christ and deny entry into the kingdom.

4. Paul goes on to use a purely Jewish argument. The promises given to David were leading people to look ahead and be completed by God's purpose. The resurrection was the proof of realization of God's purpose.

5. The coming of Christ is Good News to one group of people. All those who accept and obey the message a Christ have the hope of heaven.

6. What is intended as good news is in fact bad news to another group of people. Those who reject Christ and his message are given the bad news of eternal separation from Christ.

The message in this sermon is clear. The choice is ours every minute of every day.

Have a Great Week!

Brad

Paul working through physical infirmery

Acts 13:14-15

An Adventurous Journey for a Sick Man

Paul mentions several times in his ministry that he prayed to have something he was afflicted with taken away. He reports that this request was denied. In a sentence, a heroic journey of Paul and Barnabas was passed over. Pisada Antioch was at 3600 feet above sea level, so there was quite a bit of climbing on the road. The road was notorious for being one of the most dangerous because of the number of highway robbers working on that road. Then, later Paul mentions his physical infirmary that was plaguing him on this trip.

This was so hard of a journey that it begs the question, why did they not go to Pamphylia? The gospel had not been proclaimed there and it was along the coast and easier road to travel. Not long later Paul wrote to the Galatians and talked about the time when he came and proclaimed the gospel.

Galatians 4:13 Paul reported that he first came to them because of his physical infirmary and proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh. Paul obviously had some physical challenges in his ministry that he pushed through and still continued to proclaim the gospel. He continued his mission. He was patient and tenacious about persevering in the work of the Lord.

Read Acts 13:16-41

Paul addresses them as God-fearers. How does he address those from Jewish background? As we study Acts, compare this to how he addresses those who do not have a quality identification and relationship with God.

Note that what is intended as good news to one group is in fact bad news to another group of people.

Check out Mark's lesson at www.putnamchurchofchrist.com.

Have a Great Week!

Brad

Paul, the sorcerer, and the Roman Official

Acts 13:4-12

Success in Cyprus

The trip started with a “bang.” Saul and Barnabas preached all over the island and confronted the “man of magic” who was opposing Saul and Barnabas to the proconsul. Saul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him and called him out striking down the falsehood that was being spread in the government. Saul never takes the easy way when there are major faith issues to confront in an area. He heads for Paphos, a center for Pagan worship in the area.

Cyprus was a Roman province famous for it's copper mines and ship-building industry. Paul preached in Paphos, the capital of the province, which was known for its worship of Venus, the goddess of love. Saul was up for the challenge.

It is here and this point forward that Saul is called Paul. Paul never backed down from a challenge and never took the easy way. He went right for the biggest problem and attacked it first.

How do we look at the challenges of teaching the gospel in our area?

How can we overcome those challenges giving God the glory?

Acts 13:13

The Deserter

...and John left them and went back to Jerusalem. During this expedition, the leadership of the expedition shifts from Barnabas to Paul. In the beginning it was Barnabas and Saul, then at this verse the reference is Paul and his friends establishing Paul as the leader of the group.

We will never know how the shift in leadership happened, but we do know that Barnabas continued with this new mission without complaint. John Mark left the group at this point and we will never know why. We do know that he was very young and we know that he will redeem himself in later missions. He went with Barnabas on his next journey, but Paul did not take him.

Whatever happened, Paul found it had to forgive John Mark for a time. He refused to take him on the second mission trip (Acts 15:38). Paul and Barnabas parted company forever over this incident. Barnabas took John Mark with him. Later after almost 20 years when Paul is giving instructions to Timothy, he tells him to take John Mark with him (2 Timothy 4:11). Paul said that John Mark would be useful to the work that he had to do.

How can we make sure that such disagreements do not distract from the message of the gospel?

Next week, we will travel a dangerous highway into danger. Read on ahead through Acts chapter 14.

Have a Great Week!

Brad