God's Gospel to the Gentiles

[Sermon Text]

Acts 13:44–14:7

[Announce Text]

[Prayer for Illumination]

[Reannounce and read text]

[Scripture Introduction]

Martin Luther during the Diet of Worms, when he was under heavy persecution for challenging Roman Catholic theology and getting the Bible in the hands of the people, famously said this when told to recant: My conscience is held captive by the Word of God, I can do no other. The Gospel was entirely pervasive for Martin Luther as the kindling from William Tyndale and Jon Huss came aflame.

Puritan John Flavel writes of God’s Word thusly, “The Scriptures teach us the best way of living, the noblest way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying.” The Word of God is so prominent in this passage. Some form of either the Word of the Lord or the Gospel being preached occurs in abundance. How pervasive is the word of God? The author of Hebrews says, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (4:12). The Word of God encourages, edifies, and is the means by which God saves.

WSC asks, Q. 89. How is the word made effectual to salvation?

A. The Spirit of God maketh the reading, but especially the preaching, of the word, an effectual means of convincing and converting sinners, and of building them up in holiness and comfort, through faith, unto salvation.

It would be no surprise then that the means by which God calls the wayward sinner home is under attack by Satan and his host of demons. The Word of God in a pagan society and in an increasingly secular society is challenged, confronted, and persecuted. Yet, Paul makes it clear that despite opposition, the Word of God being proclaimed to the Jew first and also the Gentile contains within it the power of God for salvation (cf. Rom 1:16).

We expect opposition in all things. THe greater the reaction the greater the counter reaction. The stronger the fire, the more water is needed to quench it. The stronger a rugby player digs his Cleats into the ground the stronger the opposing force does the same. The stronger one team tugs at the rope in a game of tug-of-war, the stronger the opposing team pulls it as well. The stronger the Gospel penetrates all spheres of culture, science, academy, home, family, etc., the stronger the opposition.

Take heart, because the Gospel is more powerful than its opposition.

Acts 13:44-14:7 marks a major transitionary time between the Jew and the Gentile. As Peter demonstrated through the conversion of Corneulis and his household, he opened his mouth saying, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34-35).

Here in Acts 13:44-14:7 we see the pervasiveness of the Gospel being implemented like a hot knife through butter. It cuts down to the root despite opposition. Jesus reminds us that heaven and earth may pass away but the word of our Lord stands forever.

[Proposition]

Despite Opposition the Gospel of Christ is Groundbreaking

[Sermon Points]

(i) The Word of God Promised (13:44-47)

(ii) The Word of God Persecuted (vv. 48-52)

(iii) The Word of God Preached (14:1-7)

[Main Point 1] The Word of God Promised (13:44-47)

Acts 13:44-47 “The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ””

[Explanation]

Paul captivates the crowd’s attention to hear the word of the Lord. Perhaps you would anticipate the readiness of the Jews to accept the Gospel message that the Messiah had indeed come. The same message that Paul labors throughout Acts. The same message of the Gospel that Paul would write to the Corinthian church, 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,”

Paul’s message was to preach Christ and Him crucified. Yet, the Gospel is clearly seen here as a stumbling block to the Jews and folly to the Gentiles (1 Cor 1:22-23). The response of the Jews is jealousy and they begin contradicting what Paul is teaching. Perhaps this contradicting of the free offer of the Gospel was related to Paul dealing with the Judaizers in the church of Galatia, who wanted to reinstitute the ceremonial and civil laws as a means for salvation. It is not stated here, but is certainly a marked hostility to the Gospel.

Paul and Barnabas do not cease to proclaim the Gospel despite the Jews initial opposition. In fact, Paul and Barnabas speak with boldness and demonstrate that the Gospel promised beforehand is for the Gentiles as well. The idea of speaking boldly, or being a “bold witness” generally appears in contexts that emphasize the inspiration of the Spirit behind the testimony, and that is most likely implied here” ^4.

Let us not forget that the boldness that comes by way of proclaiming the Gospel is some virtue in and of ourselves; rather, it is the power of the Spirit who gives us such boldness. Christ promises the Spirit to those who love Him. We see the continued propagation of Christ’s church continue here in Acts, as promised in Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.””

Paul, following the model of Jesus, in presenting the Gospel to the Jews first, recognizes that they are in fact hardening their hearts like the great enemy Pharaoh whom they fled from in Egypt. Yet Paul speaks of the necessity to present the Gospel message to them despite their hardness of heart.

The Gospel is not about ethnicity. The Gospel is not a treasure for the elite. The Gospel is not a gift only for the intellegent. The Gospel promised before hand is for all. This is clearly expounded by Paul in his message to the unbelieving and heart-hardened Jews. Paul turns to the promise of the Old Testament in quoting Isaiah 49:6 “he says: “I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” This is not the first time we hear of the glorious truth that the Gentiles will be included into the community of God.

In Genesis 9:27, Noah proclaims a blessing over his sons Shem and Japeth, saying, “May God enlarge Japheth, and let him dwell in the tents of Shem, and let Canaan be his servant.” Even in the book of Ruth we see a Gentile woman, a Moabitess, being part of the royal dynasty of David. And even in Luke 2:32 the great proclamation that this Messiah will be “a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.””

Here’s the irony of the passage: “Had the Jews of Pisidian Antioch accepted the message, theirs would have been the privilege of evangelizing their Gentile neighbors, in accordance with the terms of Israel’s world mission laid down in the Isaianic servant songs and their contexts.”^3

The early Christians saw the fulfilment of the prophecy in Jesus (cf. the citation of

- Isaiah 42:1–4 “Behold my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law.”

- in Matthew 12:17–21 “This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope.””

- and of Isa. 53:7f. in Acts 8:32–35), but the present passage asserts that the mission of the Servant is also the task of the followers of Jesus. Thus the task of Israel, which she failed to carry out, has passed to Jesus and then to his people as the new Israel; it is the task of bringing the light of revelation and salvation to all the peoples of the world (cf. the clear allusion to Isa. 49:6 in Luke 2:29–32).

[[I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 5, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980), 245.]]^1

[Illustration]

In Genesis 12:3, the Lord promises to Abraham that “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Abraham the spiritual father of us all (cf. Gal 6ff), is promised a great multitude too numerous to count. The Church expands over the epoch’s of history through the forefathers, Moses, David, and now Christ by uniting all who believe in Him to Himself.

[Application]

What is your receptivity to the Word of God? Do you push against the inerrant, infallible Word of the one and only living true God? Or as a Christian do you find discouragement in the lack of progress the Gospel message is making in the lives of those whom you evangelize?

Charles Simeon reminds us, “WHEREVER the word of God has been faithfully dispensed, it has created a diversity of sentiment amongst the hearers; some receiving it with gratitude, and others rejecting it with disdain.”^2 When we draw near to God he draws near to us. We draw near to the promises he has set forth in the Gospel and in His Word.

Despite Opposition the Gospel of Christ is Groundbreaking

[Main Point 2] The Word of God Persecuted (vv. 48-52)

Acts 13:48-52 “And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

[Explanation]

How stark is the contrast between those who receive the Word with joy and those who incite maliciousness against it? Here, we have the Gentiles being full of joy and glorifying the word of the Lord proclaimed to them. They have now drunk from the living waters of Christ’s word, they have eaten and been nourished by the true bread of life, they have embraced the Saviour as the way, the truth, and the life. What then is their reaction? Rejoicing and glorification!

In case you were wondering if God’s plan of salvation was indeed for the Gentiles, Luke makes it clear that “as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.” God distinctly set apart the Gentiles for salvation. We see the beautiful doctrine of election at work. God chose out of his love and grace a particular people whom he would set apart albeit sinners and rebels, wherein Christ had promised before the foundations of the world to redeem them from the curse of sin. We also see the fruits of election portrayed in this passage as well. Election is not merely a right or something earned but a gift coinciding with God’s grace. It elicits good works. As Paul reminds us in Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

The effect of God’s plan is the spreading of the Gospel throughout this entire region. Yet, the spreading of God’s Word like a wildfire across dry grass is met with the waters of opposition in an attempt to extinguish the flame of the Lord. The Jews were incapable of doing this themselves, so they sought after devout women of high standing and other leading men of the city to persecute Paul and Barnabas.

Those who persecute the Gospel message receive the wrath of God. The disciples do the customary resemblance of repudiation and dissociation when the message of the Gospel is dismissed. It is the same admonition that Jesus gives His disciples in Matthew 10:14 “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.”

Paul and Barnabas “as a symbol of cleansing themselves from the impurity of sinners who did not worship God (Marshall, 245) .This is a clear sign of judgment against those who are opposed to the Gospel message. No longer do they hear and receive the benefits of Christ as offered freely in the Gospel; rather, they are left to their depravity and sin.

By worldly standards, it would seem that Paul and Barnabas had failed. How could Paul and Barnabas seem to be a success in their mission if they are being so overtly opposed? Yet, despite the opposition, the groundbreaking nature of the Gospel leads to the disciples being filled with both joy and with the Holy Spirit.

[Illustration]

In the final month of 1944 into 1945, when the Allies were entrenched in Bastogne, surrounded by enemy forces, it seemed as if the minimal progress they would make in attempting to penetrate enemy lines. In the eyes of those in the trenches, it would seem that their holding the line, being barraged by artillery, enduring frostbite, and so on, was in vain. Yet, unbeknownst to them, their perseverance amidst heavy persecution led to the utter demise of the Axis forces, thereby demonstrating Germany’s incapacity to succeed in the war.

[Application]

We are entrenched in spiritual warfare. We have the strongest weapon available, the Word of God and the sword of the Spirit to combat the enemy; yet, at times, it seems as if we are entrenched making no progress at all. Even so we await the day when the veil lifts and the clouds roll back like a scroll, the Lord returns and makes all things new. Despite opposition, the Gospel of Christ is groundbreaking.

How are you encouraged by the message of the cross? We are certainly in an age where the Gospel is being contradicted. It is contradicted by atheists and naturalists who worship science above the Scripture. It is contradicted in our education systems through the influence of Post-Enlightenment thought. It is contradicted by false teachers in the church.

The Gospel is constantly being under attack. Yet, God promises that the gates of Hades shall not overcome the church (Mat 16). The Gospel message has power. Even though we are at odds with a secular society, even though it seems as if we are not making any ground, the Gospel message and Jesus Christ will always prevail over all.

Summary of the present section: “Paul was conscious of the God-given order ‘to the Jew first’ (Rom. 1:16f.; 2:9f.) and an intense burden lay upon his heart for his own people (Rom. 9:1–3; 10:1). It would seem that verses 46f. apply primarily to the situation in Antioch and do not rule out subsequent missions to Jews elsewhere, but at the same time Luke uses the incident to portray the general principle that was increasingly characteristic of the church’s work.” (Marshall 246)

[Main Point 3] The Word of God Preached (14:1-7)

Acts 14:1-7 “Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.”

[Explanation]

According to the disciple’s custom, they enter into another synagogue to preach the Gospel. Look at the resiliency of Paul and Barnabas and their commitment to the Gospel. They were just ousted by Jewish leaders and rulers of the city. Now, they enter into the synagogue and speak in such a manner that a great number of Jews and Greeks believe in the message.

Once again there is a mixed response in the presentation of the Gospel, some believe, some oppose. So also is the Gospel message mixed today in the spreading of Christ’s church, some believe, some oppose.

Paul was no hypocrite of his convictions or message. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” And also in Romans 9:1–3 “I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.”

What resemblance of pastoral love shown to people who despised him. How much more does Paul display the same Shepherd-like qualities of Jesus. Unbelievers will always subvert the Gospel. They know deep down in their heart that God exists, yet they suppress the truth in unrighteousness. Unbelievers and false teachers are like a miniscule drop of cyanide in a clean glass of water but contains the deadliest results.

Even though the prevalence of false teachers and unbelievers exists in Iconium, Paul and Barnabas still, through the power of the Holy Spirit in declaration of boldness, preach the word of God. Like any messenger of God, Paul and Barnabas verify their apostolic ministry through signs and wonders. God always verified his messengers coming from him through miraculous signs and wonders. Nonetheless, these miraculous gifts that endowed the apostles was never without the preaching of God’s Word.

Sometimes we think we needs miraculous signs to accompany the hearing of the Word today. The insufficiency of the Word as transformative, powerful, and God-breathed is neglected. What do the Scriputres say? Romans 10:14 “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” How can you know of Christ without hearing the Word of God preached? The Gospel itself is so ground breaking that upon hearing the word of God the sinner is seared in his conscience whilst the Holy Spirit quickens and enlivens His heart for transformation.

Despite the groundbreaking Gospel message being preached. Despite the miracles being performed. Paul and Barnabas are forced to depart again. This time, a mixture of Jew and Gentiles, either as a crowd, or a mixed group of their rulers, come to not only mistreat them but to stone them. In this moment, Paul - just as in Pisidian Antioch - encounters hostility which could permanently endanger his missional work. This time, opposition to the point of stoning.

The outcome for Paul is to flee from the area and head to Lystra and Derbe. These would be the final two new cities until Paul would begin backtracking to make his way to Jerusalem again. You would think that after all of this opposition, Paul would pack up and go home. Many times, in the face of simple opposition we often quit while we are ahead. This is not what Paul does. Instead, he continues on his missionary work and preaches the Gospel.

Where do you fall when hearing the Word of God preached? Do you reject the teaching of Christ as clearly taught in the Scriptures? Do you continue to harden your heart? Despite your personal opposition, the Gospel is groundbreaking. Today Jesus Christ calls you to repentance.

On the other hand, do you embrace the Gospel? Are you growing in charity and love for the Lord? Are your producing the fruits of the Spirit in your daily life? Despite the opposition you may face from the world, co-workers, acquaintances, or family, know that the Gospel is groundbreaking.

Conclusion:

One of my professors gave an illustration of the power of the Gospel despite opposition, how truly groundbreaking it is. He had this enormous tree stump in his yard. Yet, he didn’t want to remove it out of the ground as it would tear up the yard (garden). So he did everything he could to kill it. He chopped it down to its roots, set it on fire, put a bunch of salt in it to dry up the roots, and covered it in two layers of thick black bags to prevent it from seeing sunlight.

After about a year, during Spring, he went out and to his surprise he saw a small sapling punching through the thick garbage bag. All that he had done to kill this stump was for nothing. I think the Gospel is the same way. It comes under attack through fire and persecution. Opposition attempts to chop it away. They do everything they can to kill the roots. Secularism and unbelievers attempt to darken the Gospel as much as possible to choke it out.

Yet the power of God is so much stronger. Like the little sapling, the Word of God penetrates the hardest covering. We do not know what goes on below the surface; but God is at work, ensuring the growth and nurturing of the seed despite what is thrown at it. Despite opposition, the Gospel is truly groundbreaking.

Bibliography

I. Howard Marshall, Acts: An Introduction and Commentary, vol. 5, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1980), 245.

2. Charles Simeon, Horae Homileticae: John XIII to Acts, vol. 14 (London: Holdsworth and Ball, 1833), 428.

3. F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts, The New International Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1988), 265–266.

4. John B. Polhill, Acts, vol. 26, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 308.