Acts Message 30

It’s all about the gospel

Acts 13:13–41 NKJV

13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down. 15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen: 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it. 18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness. 19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment. 20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’ 23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus— 24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’ 26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. 27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. 28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. 29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. 30 But God raised Him from the dead. 31 He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. 32 And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. 33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’ 34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’ 35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’ 36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption; 37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption. 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you: 41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

Intro: We have all kinds of things going on in the church today. VBS, Youth, children’s, women’s, men’s, music, softball, food banks, clothes closets, etc....

All of the ministries are great, but if the gospel is not being shared, are they really doing any good? Maybe temporally, but when it comes to eternity what will really matters is the gospel. Without preaching of the gospel (the good news of Jesus) REPENTANCE.

It is because of the gospel of Jesus, we can have a blessed life. An abundant life.

As these men sit out to the world, the most important thing is the gospel.

1. Paul, Barnabas, leave Cyprus and head to Perga.

a. John Mark goes back to Jerusalem. He quit. Maybe he didn’t like Paul’s leadership. Maybe he feared the journey that lie ahead.

The going would be tough. Sometimes people volunteer in a burst of zeal change their minds as soon as the pressure gets to them.

b. There was an impact in the life of John Mark because he quit.

Acts 15:36–40 (NKJV)

36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”

37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.

38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.

39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;

40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.

2 Timothy 4:11 NKJV

11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.

What encouragement.

I. As seen in History. VS. 13-25

Acts 13:13–14 NKJV

13 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem. 14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.

1. Antioch at Pisidia. They would have likely travailed ancient trade roads. Elab

a. When they get there they go to the synagogue. Why the synagogues first?

Romans 10:1 NKJV

1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.

Acts 13:15–16 NKJV

15 And after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent to them, saying, “Men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” 16 Then Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said, “Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen:

1. The reading of the law and the prophets. Done the Sabbath day.

After prayer, the law would be read. The Pentateuch, the first 5 books of the bible. It was broken into 154 sections. So in the course of 3 years it was read through in order.

After the reading of the law, a section of the prophets would be read.

The sermon: Anyone in the congregation might be asked by the ruler to preach or someone may ask permission to preach.

1. On this day, Paul stands up and begins to preach the word of God.

(Always be ready for the opportunity to speak)

a. When Paul preached he preached the truth, he didn’t hold back. II Tim 4:2

b. Paul beckoning with his hands. Elab

1. He will keep their attention by going over the history of God’s past dealings with Israel.

Acts 13:17 (NKJV)

17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.

1. He starts with Israel in Egypt, where God’s chosen people, centuries of exile from the promised land, years of persecution and slavery at the hands of Pharaoh could not alter God’s plan.

God’s power VS. 17b “with an uplifted arm He brought them out of it.”

2. He speaks to them of God mighty power.

God’s patience VS. 18

Acts 13:18 NKJV

18 Now for a time of about forty years He put up with their ways in the wilderness.

“ He put up with their ways.”

b. He cared for them in spite of their rebellion, enduring their sins because they played a key role in his plan for history.

John Phillips: “God had chosen them to have a holy mission to mankind. He was prepared to wait for infant Israel to grow up.”

I am thankful for Gods patience.

God’s Provision VS 19

Acts 13:19 NKJV

19 And when He had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, He distributed their land to them by allotment.

1. Israel did not win the Promised Land by it’s own military power. The land was God’s gift to the people. They were reminded of this constantly when their pride and self-will reached the danger mark.

Acts 13:20 NKJV

20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

1. Paul mentions the days of the judges.

a. He speaks of their unfaithfulness, but’s God’s faithfulness.

b. The judges served their deliverers in the context of continual rebellion, idol worship etc...

Acts 13:20–21 (NKJV)

20 “After that He gave them judges for about four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet.

21 And afterward they asked for a king; so God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

1. Samuel was God’s answer to failure. He was the last judge, he was also a prophet.

a. Samuel’s work was to bring Israel to an awareness of spiritual things in view of the coming of the Lord’s Anointed.

1 Samuel 8:5–9 NKJV

5 and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 6 But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the Lord. 7 And the Lord said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. 8 According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. 9 Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”

1 Samuel 8:19 NKJV

19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us,

1. They got their King. Saul, but Saul disobeyed God.

Acts 13:22 NKJV

22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.’

1. Saul was removed because he rebelled against God. Elab Amalek’s

2. Then God raised up David. “Man after God’s own heart’

a. David would fulfill the will of God, he was not like that of Saul

Always remember the ways God provides for you.

Acts 13:23 NKJV

23 From this man’s seed, according to the promise, God raised up for Israel a Savior—Jesus—

1. Through the lineage of David would come Jesus, the Savior.

a. Jesus is the Good News. The gospel.

Acts 13:24-25

24 after John had first preached, before His coming, the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘Who do you think I am? I am not He. But behold, there comes One after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.’”

1. Elab John the Baptist, preaching of the coming of the messiah.

a. What did John preach. VS 24 “repentance”

Paul goes through their history, from Egypt, to the promised land, the judges, Samuel, King Saul, King david, to Jesus, to the preaching of John the Baptist. All the history of Israel was all about the gospel.

Now he turn his focus to the prophecy. It is still about the gospel

II. As seen in Prophecy. VS. 26-37

1. Now it get a little more personal. In VS 17 “They” VS 26 “You” Read VS 26

Acts 13:26 NKJV

26 “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent.

2. Paul’s audience

a. “Children of the stock of Abraham” Jews

b. “Whosoever among you feareth god” Gentiles

c. Salvation is for all through the very savior spoken by John the Baptist.

Romans 1:16 NKJV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.

d. Salvation was made available to everyone that believes.

Question: If Jesus is the messiah, why did the Jewish leaders fail to recognize him as the Messiah?

Acts 13:27 (NKJV)

27 For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him.

VS 27b “they did not know him”They did not recognize him.

VS 27b “not even the voices of the prophets” They were ignorant of the written word of the prophets.

They were ignorant of the living word, Jesus.

Acts 3:13–14 NKJV

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

3. The Messiah, Jesus was rejected. But that did not change God’s plan.

Acts 13:28 NKJV

28 And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death.

Death: VS. 28

Acts 13:29 NKJV

29 Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb.

Burial: VS. 29

Acts 13:30 NKJV

30 But God raised Him from the dead.

Resurrection: VS. 30

1. This was the greatest truth of all the proofs that Jesus is the Messiah.

a. The resurrection should have been greater than all the doubts that Jesus is the Messiah.

Romans 1:4 NKJV

4 and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

2. His prophecy VS. 33-37

Read all verses

Acts 13:33–37 (NKJV)

33 God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm: ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.’

34 And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: ‘I will give you the sure mercies of David.’

35 Therefore He also says in another Psalm: ‘You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.’

36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

37 but He whom God raised up saw no corruption.

Remember he is speaking in the synagogue, so he supports what he is saying by quoting Ps. 2:7

Psalm 2:7 NKJV

7 “I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, Today I have begotten You.

Here he is referring to the covenant that God made with David. God promised David that from him the messiah would come. It would be an everlasting covenant.

2 Samuel 7:12–16 NKJV

12 “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”

Paul showing them that it was prophesied of the Messiah.

Now they have heard the truth of the gospel through history, prophecy. Now they would have the choose to accept it..

As seen in the invitation. VS. 39-41

1. Grace. VS. 38

a. God’s grace. They one they crucified is the very one that God would offer the forgiveness of sins. That was Israel’s historic moment. God was giving the nation a second chance. They could still accept Christ.

2. Justified VS 39

Justified: The act were God declares the believing sinner righteous in Jesus Christ. God justifies the ungodly who will put their faith in Jesus, not by the law like the Jews believed.

Romans 3:28 NKJV

28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.

3. The gospel VS 40-41

Acts 13:40 NKJV

40 Beware therefore, lest what has been spoken in the prophets come upon you:

1. Beware VS 40

a. He warns those that are unbelievers, those that reject the Messiah.

b. To reject God’s offer of salvation is to commit the ultimate sin.

Acts 13:41 NKJV

41 ‘Behold, you despisers, Marvel and perish! For I work a work in your days, A work which you will by no means believe, Though one were to declare it to you.’ ”

4. Behold VS 41

1. This was the invitation for Paul’s audience. They had a choice.

a. Accept the salvation offered by Jesus that brings the forgiveness of sin.

b. Or reject the salvation offered that will bring judgement and eternal damnation