Acts 13-14

Acts 13 – The Journey Begins

Acts 13:1-3 - Called

God’s heart is all through this chapter and He wants the gospel shared where ever we go.  How open are you to introduce Jesus to others?  Jesus was introduced to ordinary men as well as influential leaders.   God did this through believers as in Paul and Barnabas.  There was a change in church leadership at Antioch.  The leaders were Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen and Paul.  All were diverse leaders, but God created a oneness, the secret of Christ.  There were two spiritual gifts - teaching and prophesying.  As they prayed and fasted, they received instructions from the Holy Spirit.  (Fasting means going without something for a time to focus on the Lord.)

They were available, surrendered to the Holy Spirit, and their hearts desired to be in the center of God’s will.  Does that describe you?  He set apart Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 13:2)  What does He want you to set apart for His use?

Are you serving without being called by the Holy Spirit?  A ministry outside God’s will is likely not to be fruitful.  He has a work for everyone who receives salvation. 

Principle:  The Holy Spirit guides us where God wants us to go.

Acts 13:4-12 - Opposed

Barnabas and Paul were sent on their way for the first missionary journey.  When they left Antioch, they went to Seleucia and then sailed to Cyprus.  They were sent for by the proconsul or governor, Sergius Paulus who wanted to hear the word of God.  There was a sorcerer and false prophet named Elymas who worked for the proconsul.  The sorcerer was full of the devil, deceit, and trickery.  He opposed them and tried to turn the governor from the faith.  Paul, by the power of God blinded him.  When the governor saw what happened, he believed as was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

Principle:  The enemy of God does not want Jesus personally known.

The enemy wants to keep people, especially leaders and anyone with influence from God.  He doesn’t want people to depend on God.  He wants to keep you from the presence and power of God.  He works against you, not for you.  So put on the full armor of God and stand your guard.  That’s what Paul and Barnabas did.

Acts 13:13 - Disappointed

They traveled the whole island of Paphos, and then to Perga were John Mark left them and went back to Jerusalem.  It is not known why he left.  Perhaps there was a disagreement.  Maybe he was homesick, ill, or couldn’t stand the hardships.  Because of his departure, Paul lost confidence in him.  This reminds us that even godly men as these still had their problems.

Principle:  The spread of the gospel requires faithful commitment in the face of personal difficulty.

Even today we choose not to show up when we don’t feel like it or it doesn’t fit our schedule.  Paul modeled commitment, doing whatever God asked.  If you know you’ve been called by God, don’t quit!

John Mark did get back on track.  He earned Paul’s trust again and wrote the book of Mark.  How do you allow mistakes to get you back to God?  How do you respond to others who make mistakes and return to God?   Giving up creates a hardship for others.  Our choice impacts others. 

Acts 13:14-52 – Keep Going

From Perga they went to Pisidian Antioch.  Paul was asked to speak at the synagogue.  In his messages he gave historical references leading to the Messiah, which could not be denied.  He told of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, the message of salvation.  All of which was supported by the Old Testament scriptures quoting passages from Psalms and Isaiah.

The response was mixed.  Some came back to hear more.  Some Jews rejected the message.  Paul and Barnabas said,“We had to speak the word of God to you first.  Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.” - Acts 13:46. “When the Gentiles heard this, they were honored and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.” - Acts 13:48

(Acts 13:38-41) Paul message went on to say we are made righteous by Jesus and through Him everyone who believes is justified.  He warns them to not just wonder about Jesus and do nothing or they will perish.  We can’t remain on the fence or we will suffer eternity in Hell.  There are 2 places to go from here – Heaven or Hell forever and ever.  Where are you going?

The word spread, but some Jews stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their region.  So Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and left.  (Note: When Jews would leave a Gentile land, they would shake the dust off their feet to not take any dirt from the land.)  This is what Paul and Barnabas did to the Jews as a protest saying the Jews were no different than pagans.  This did not discourage the disciples.  They were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52)

Principle:  Spirit filled believers can experience joy in the mist of suffering.

Where would you be in this story? 

Would you be asking for more truth? 

Where would you go after this life, if this were it - Heaven or Hell?  The power of the living God is available to you. 

Are you living with jealousy?

Concerned how life will change if you let Jesus in your heart?

Are you being expelled?  Look how they handled it.  You may have to forgive someone.  You can keep on going with joy and not anger.

Note:  (The name change of Saul to Paul is not clear and we do not know why it changed, but Acts 13:9 says, “Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit…”.   Maybe he changed it so the Gentiles would accept him better or maybe it reflected his new life since he was now a new man.)

Acts 14 – The Journey Continues

 Acts 14:1-7 – Poison Control

Even though Paul and Barnabas were removed from their ministry, God created new opportunities to minister.  At Iconium Paul and Barnabas preached effectively and boldly because of the power of God and many Jews and Gentiles believed.  The bolder they became the more uncomfortable the Jews became.  Some refused to believe and stirred up trouble and turned the Gentiles against them.   

Like the Jews we get uncomfortable when we see God differently.  We are threatened and become controlling - just like them.   They thought they were following the Old Testament laws and it was probably hard for them to change their thinking.  They had centuries of tradition and now Jesus was changing everything.  But that didn’t stop Paul and Barnabas from speaking and performing miraculous signs and wonders.  In Matthew 10:34 Jesus said, “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”  Being a good person will not bring you into a relationship with God is insulting for some.

Paul and Barnabas left Iconium and fled to Lystra and Derbe.  Sometimes God says move and sometimes He says stay put.  God will give you information so you will go where He wants you to go. 

Principle:  A committed Christian encouragingly lives by God’s truth even when others refuse it.

The enemy is at work to poison our minds.  How are you being poisoned?  God is the ultimate “poison control center”.  God’s motives are love, goodness and grace and is willing to do anything to work on your behalf.  Contact the “poison control center” – He will give you courage.  Get into His Word and pray.  If in doubt, He will give you hope for tomorrow.  His “poison control center” will remove the poison from your thoughts. 

What is your immediate response when someone opposes you? 

Are you worn out defending Jesus to your family or to your friends? 

Don’t waste energy – just speak the message of truth like Paul and Barnabas.  God will tell you when to do it differently.  The gospel cannot be stopped!  Nothing can change God’s plan to spread it to the world.

Acts 14:8-20 – Unwanted Worship

In Lystra as Paul preached, he saw a man crippled from birth.  Paul saw that he had faith and Paul healed him.  This doesn’t mean if you have faith you will be healed.  God does His will and He may choose not to heal.  Healing can occur when someone has no faith.  Faith comes from hearing (Romans 10:17).   How is your faith evident to others? 

When the people saw this, they thought Paul and Barnabas were gods and wanted to offer sacrifices and worship them.  Paul knew if this spread, it would be very hard to convince people otherwise.  He told the people they were human just like them, bringing the good news and telling them to turn from these worthless things to the living God who made everything.  They were ignorant and needed to become knowledgeable of scripture and of God.

How do we know God is the Creator?  First because He says so.  Then just look around and see the sky, the stars, the moon, the sun, the oceans, etc.  (Romans 1:18-20) – “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”  Paul mentioned the created world so they would realize how powerful God is and no one could do

what He had done.

Some of the Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over.  They stoned Paul and left him for dead.  But the disciples gathered around him and I am sure they prayed earnestly.  Another answer to prayer - Paul got up and went back to the city.  This showed Paul’s determination and commitment in serving the Lord.  He went right back to preaching and didn’t give up.  This is one of many examples Paul gives us to live by.  He knew how they felt.  After all he use to persecute and kill Christians himself and God forgave him.  He had forgiveness, patience and love even for his enemies.

Principle:  A committed Christian’s response to adversity should point others to God.

Are you like one of those people Paul and Barnabas spoke to?  Is the Bible unfamiliar to you?  Will you yield to the Holy Spirit and accept Jesus as your Savior?

Acts 14:21-28 – Personal Care

Paul shows his love and care for those he led to Christ:

Acts 14:21-23 – Paul encouraged disciples reminding them that they must endure hardships to enter kingdom of God.

2 Corinthians 7:3 – Paul said he would live and die for you.

Galatians 4:19 – Paul saw believers as dear children

1 Thessalonians 2:7-11 – Paul cares for believers as a mother and deals with them as a father.

1 Thessalonians 1:19-20 – The people are Paul’s hope, joy and glory.

1 Thessalonians 3:8 – Paul really lives when believers stand firm in the Lord.

Principle:  A committed Christian has a testimony about God that will strengthen and encourage the body of Christ.

Paul set a great example of never giving up.  He showed us an example of determination, commitment, and faith through hardships.  Paul and Barnabas strengthened and united the disciples by their examples.  They prayed and fasted, encouraged them to remain true to the faith.  We need to encourage others by telling them God loves them in all their circumstances.  Tell them you are praying for them.  It means a lot to me when someone says they are praying for me. And – don’t forget to pray.  Every Christian should be involved with the body of Christ.  Churches are not perfect.  We need to pray and help strengthen our leaders. 

How do you encourage others? 

What leader could you encourage in your church? 

Do you shepherd them with your time or your energy?

Join me here next week.  We will jump to the book of  Hebrews for a few weeks.  --  I encourage you to trust in Jesus.

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