Acts 13:4-12 - The Magician

Intro

Last week we talked about communion

That we must do it right or not at all.

The week before that we discussed the death of Herod - which ended on the note of Paul and Barnabas being set apart for the calling to ministry

The Text

Part 1: The Travel and Setting (v.4-6a)

Acts 13:4–6 ESV

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

Sent Together

We see God send others in pairs when he sends out workers for the kingdom

Christ sent out the 72 in pairs so that they would have support in what they are doing.

In the same way Paul had Barnabas and it is included that John Mark was with them.

Similar to this we should not “go it alone” either.

This is one of the reasons we have our discipleship groups on Wednesdays

We are meant to have people who care about us that go through life with us.

The Trip

Seleucia (port town) —> Cyprus (Small island in the Mediterranean)

Salamis (arrival spot on Cyprus - East side) —> Paphos (West side of Island)

Cyprus - Salamis

Salamis was the chief city of Cyprus with more than a hundred thousand residents

They began preaching in the Jewish synagogues - Paul the former Pharisee would have known his way around a synagogue and the culture.

They would have been invited to come and teach at the local synagogue

Barnabas was a native of Cyprus; see Acts 4:36 (easy location to pick because he is from there)

Many times in ministry its easier to start (to cut our teeth per say) at a location we know and that we are familiar with.

If you like football or another sport start trying to reach the people their. If you like to read - reach the people in a book club that you go to. If you like to cut hair - minister to the people while you cut hair or coworkers. If you are a teacher - minister and love on your students and other faculty. If you work in management or retail - love those who are under you.

Through the whole island - Paphos

They ministered through the entire island as they made their way across

The island was filled with many Jewish synagogues (it had a large jewish population)

Bar-Jesus the Jewish Magician

This sounds like an oxi-moron!

Magic was forbidden in the law!

However, apparently this practice was quite common

Roman leaders often had philosophers and magicians in their courts to give council.

Its recorded by Josephus that there were many jewish magicians that were held in high esteem by the Roman courts.

It was appealing to have somebody that could seemingly predict the future and also was thought to maybe have the “people of God” on their side as well.

Part 2: God Crushes those who oppose the gospel (v.7-12)

Verse 7: The Proconsul

Acts 13:7 ESV

7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.

This important man was interested in hearing the word of the Lord

He was hungry to hear the gospel that Paul and Barnabas had been preaching throughout the entire country

At this point Paul and Barnabas have made Christ famous throughout Cyprus!

As they have travelled they have proclaimed His name.

We too should be making Christ known wherever we go and wherever we reside.

We must make Christ famous in Tarpon Springs.

Now how do we do this? How do we make Christ famous and also get people connected to gospel preaching churches?

We do things to serve the community

Explain the “why?” behind trunk or treat

Verse 8: Elymas (Bar-Jesus) tries to block the gospel

Acts 13:8 ESV

8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

This “magician” sought to turn the proconsul away from the gospel

Who or what is trying to turn you away from the gospel/church?

The unbeliever:

Is it your own heart? Cry out to God that he would give you a new one!

Is it your fear of what others would say? Narrow is the way!

Is it your sin? Cast it away because it is only going to hurt you!

The Believer:

Is their a hidden sin that is turning you away from the love that sought you and bought you?

Sin always tries to creep into our lives therefore we must constantly remain vigilant - ready to slay it.

Are you letting something hold you from the Lord’s people on the Lord’s day?

Maybe manage your time a bit better. We must make church a priority - give the day to the Lord.

Plan on getting here early and staying late!

I would even challenge you to get up early and come to Sunday School - Adult Bible Fellowship. And Wednesday nights.

Get rid of the things that try to “turn you away from the faith”

If something or someone is trying to turn you away from the faith:

First try to correct or redeem that thing for the Lord - unless it is sin

If you can’t mold it or shape it - get rid of it!

Verse 9-10: Straight Paths Crooked

Acts 13:9–10 ESV

9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?

Defend Christ and the Gospel

Paul had zeal for the Lord, ready to defend His king!

We too must be always ready to defend the gospel and defend Christ

It is not easy to make a stand for the Christ and gospel - but would you not defend the one who saved you?

The Holy Spirit helps us defend Christ and the gospel and allows us to fight heresy.

God has given the Holy Spirit to equip us.

He will give us the words or at least the “radar” to see when something is wrong.

Call a spade a spade

Paul did not “mince words” when addressing this man who was corrupting the gospel

The New Testament has the harshest words for those who try to block or corrupt the gospel

Jude 12–13 ESV

12 These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; 13 wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.

2 Peter 2:17 ESV

17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved.

We must drive those who would corrupt the gospel from the church and from our lives.

Straight paths crooked - The charge against those who corrupt the gospel

The gospel is clear and concise and so simple that a child can understand it

Look to Christ and be saved

However, there are those who seek to complicate it and preach a different gospel - perhaps a gospel of works.

Galatians 1:6–9 ESV

6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— 7 not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

Paul says that anyone who would preach another gospel is to be cursed!

Are you making things crooked that are straight?

Sometimes we, in our flesh, try to find something wrong with something that is completely innocent.

We must always check ourselves to make sure that we are benefiting this church in how we talk about and how we treat those who are in leadership.

Are we encouraging or discouraging?

Verses 11-12: The Power of God

Acts 13:11–12 ESV

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

God punished this man who tried to corrupt the gospel.

The result of God’s mighty work in his discipline was that another person came to faith.

God showed himself in a mighty way - that He is a Holy God who is not to be trifled with.

Conclusion

Don’t “go it alone”

Be a good witness for Christ wherever you go

Don’t make straight paths crooked