A message unlike any other.

Introduction

Scripture

Father God, we thank You for Who You are. A great Big God who sees each and every one of us here and cares deeply about us. We ask this day, as we are continuing in this time of worship to You, reading Your Word and hearing Your Word, that You refine us with it. Mold us, make us, shape us, rearrange us so that we can more like You, and more made into the image of Christ. Help us be a people who love You and love others so much, that we are moved into action by whatever it is You are going to show us about Yourself today and what that means in our lives. Help us do this, because all to often our selfish and sinless flesh war against our will to follow Yours. As we are doing this, and as we are coming into Your Word today, we ask that You take away any distraction that we may have, and make it go as far away as it possible can, because we want to see and we want to know You better. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

42 As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.

44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him.

46 Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

I have made you

a light for the Gentiles

to bring salvation

to the ends of the earth.”,

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. [1]

Context

In today’s text, we turn our attention to what happened in Pisidian Antioch after Paul delivered his famous sermon in the synagogue there. Remember how in this sermon, Paul addressed both Jews by heritage and Jews by conversion, either way people of faith and a people who (should) fear God. Paul himself, was raised a Jew, and had great learning, so he was very well versed and understood these people and how they thought. In his sermon, he retold to them much of their people’s history, recounting and retelling how time and time again the Hebrew people had rejected God, yet God still pursued them and fulfilled His promises to the people to send a messiah, a savior, to them so that they could be redeemed. This messiah and savior had come, Jesus Christ the righteous; who the people in Jerusalem had rejected and had killed. This Jesus was and is the Son-Of-God and was resurrected from the grave and lives even now and forevermore. Many people saw Him and many people saw Him ascended back to heaven to be with The Father. Do not reject your God, do not reject Jesus or their will be consequences for you.

In today’s text, we see the fall out, what happens afterwards. What did Paul do? He shared the Gospel, a message unlike any other with the people. A message that, as God often does, turns what we would expect the normal and natural order of things upside down. That is, our God specializes in making the impossible very much possible. As we will see, some would come to accept this message. Many would not. In today’s sermon and text, we have a timeless message that: Believers must know that many of the people that we think should accept the Gospel will not and many that we think should not will. This is a hard truth. Some will come when called, others will walk the other way. Either way, as believers we are responsible to share the message so that a person can respond, yes or no to Jesus. We share the good news, the gospel, the rest is between God and that person. So, let’s jump in and From the text, I want you to know these truths as you share A message unlike any other.

Message

The first truth to know is about: Jesus, the name that saves. (42-43)

42 As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath. 43 After the synagogue had been dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who were speaking with them and urging them to continue in the grace of God.

Here, we turn our attention to what happened just after Paul’s sermon in the synagogue. Clearly, he had said some very interesting things that people wanted to hear more about. In fact, they REALLY wanted to hear more, look what the text says in verse 42, they urged him speak more about it the next week. Then look at the next verse, it says that many of the Jews and Jewish converts followed Paul and Barnabas, meaning that they from this evangelistic sermon heard what they needed to hear and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and savior that day. Paul and Barnabas then, urged them to continue growing in their faith, to continue growing in the grace of God. So, what do we have here? We have the truth of Jesus, that He is the redeemer who sacrificed Himself so that all who would turn to Him would be saved; being shared with people. From this assembly or congregation some accepted Jesus, some wanted to hear more, and we know that some would reject Him.

We are all, weather or not we realize it, always looking for a savior, something or someone to rescue us. For example, I bet the kids will get this one, let’s say you’re playing your trading card game. Whether you are winning or losing; what card are you hoping you will draw next? Your best card or the card you need to complete your combo right? You are always looking for and hoping for the card that will either seal your win or keep you from losing. For adults, we may look to even more intricate saviors. Unfortunately, a great many people turn to the wrong person or things, thinking it will ease their situation. It can be things: drugs or alchahol, lewd images or actions, trust/faith in your money and financial security, even your family or legacy and so much more. Notice, not all of these things are bad, some are good; but they are bad if they take the place of Jesus in your life as savior.

Listen to the words of Peter earlier in this book in His sermon in chapter 4, He says about this name of Jesus that; 12 There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved.” Also, hear the word of Paul that he would later write to the church in Rome that, 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him (Jesus)will not be put to shame,[g] 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Jesus is the only one that can save. No other name, no other thing, no other person, no other idea will ever save a person from sin and separation from God. Believer, this is something that we have to remember time and time and time again in our lives. Even after we turn to Jesus and are saved, we are prone to forget that The Gospel, the good news of Jesus is for EVERY situation in your life. When things are hard, what do you do? You turn to Jesus. When you don’t understand, ask Him to help you understand and change your mind to His. What are you doing here, you are applying A message that is unlike any other. That Jesus saves and nothing else matters. What should this motivate us to do? To go and share this unique message with others, understanding that some will not accept this message (even though we would expect them to) and others will (even some we didn’t think would). What do you share, what do you apply? Jesus, the name that saves.

The next truth to know about is: Jesus, light of the world. (44-47)

44 The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him.

46 Paul and Barnabas boldly replied, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you reject it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles

to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.”,

The next week comes, and as usual, the people assembled to synagogue. Only this time, something big happened. Instead of just a small gathering of Jews and converts coming, who came. ALMOST THE WHOLE TOWN! Clearly, news of this Jesus and His ability to save anyone had gotten out and spread like wildfire in the town. Everyone wanted to hear more. But, not everyone was excited about this. The Jews, were angered by this (get that, they were angry about others wanting to come hear about their God more). They wanted the same old same old regular not unusual Sabbath day service. They didn’t get that, and they were not happy. In fact, they were so off put that that they insulted Him. Your English bible translation may or may not catch and communicate the level of this verbal assault. The Greek word used for insult is the same Blaspheming, meaning that not only did they swear and curse at Paul, but they also did the same against Jesus, God Himself. With this happening, Paul and Barnabas proclaimed before them, that it was necessary that they speak to the Jews first, but since the Jewish people (the people who should accept this message) have chosen to reject Jesus, to reject God; then we will turn our attention to those that are, the Gentiles. Because Jesus came for everyone, not just for you. Truly, this was a message unlike any other, one the Jews would have never expected to hear and didn’t want to hear.

For a second, I want everyone to look at your bible’s. And just to be clear, on this every bible is a little different, so yours may look different but the idea is the same. Look at the end of verse 47. If your bible has what is called “cross references,” That is, it tells you what scripture is being referred to, then there is probably some kind of letter or number at the end of this verse. In my bible’s case, it shows that this is a reference, to Isaiah 42:6, Isaish 49:6, and Luke 2:32. Listen to what God says in one of these cross references, the one in Isaiah 49:6, He says about Jesus, ““It is not enough for you to be my servant raising up the tribes of Jacob and restoring the protected ones of Israel. I will also make you a light for the nations, to be my salvation to the ends of the earth.” Paul asserts, if this is Jesus mission, then it is also our mission, to share the gospel message, the message of salvation to everyone.

Jesus came to be the light of the whole earth. In fact, He has always been. Listen to John chapter 1 about Jesus 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created. 4 In him was life,[a] and that life was the light of men. 5 That light shines in the darkness, and yet the darkness did not overcome[b] it. Believer, Jesus is the light of the world. Everything was created through and to Him. He is life. Nothing can overcome Him. The power of darkness and sin tried with it’s greatest effort, but did not succeed. And because of His (Jesus) success, you can have victory over sin; victory over whatever it is that keeps you from having the close relationship with God you wish you had. All you have to do, is trust that Jesus can do this, and let Him take control and you will find a victory where you expected defeated. This is a message unlike any other, Jesus will redeem you, Jesus will help you, Jesus is the light of the world; removing the darkness in your heart and your life. Know this, apply to yourself and share it with others; but as you do you have to understand that many who should accept it will not, and many who we think shouldn’t would. The call isn’t ours, but our call is to share The Gospel message, A message unlike any other. That Jesus is the light of the world.

Another truth to know about is: Jesus, the giver of joy. (48-50)

48 When the Gentiles heard this, they rejoiced and honored the word of the Lord, and all who had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the prominent God-fearing women and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas and expelled them from their district. 51 But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust off their feet against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

So, the gentiles, meaning people of non Jewish heritage heard this, they were excited and honored God. The next even says those that God had made to be His children, those appointed to eternal life, believed. From this message of Paul and Barnabas, many came to believe and the message spread through the whole region, excited and joyful person after excited and joyful person shared it with one another. The Jews though, didn’t like this so they convinced the God-fearing wives (jewish wives) of the city magistrates to bring persecution to Paul and Barnabas who were thrown out of town. They didn’t let this stop them though, they had accomplished their mission in that town, to share the Gospel. Even though they were rejected by the leaders and Jews, the shook the dust off of them of the rejectors of that down and went on to the next place, Iconium. The disciples they left behind, the new converts were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit because of this message they had shared with them, they were believers and nothing could change that.

“The story is told of a king who pardoned two criminals who were headed for death. They were on their way to be killed for their crimes but he issued a pardon. Both men could now go free. But the reactions of the two criminals were totally different. The first criminal who had been pardoned was full of joy, excitement, and exuberance. He was shouting and screaming as he looked at the pardon” “what joy to know that I was on my way to death and I have been given life, and not because of anything I have done.” The other criminal stood trembling and thinking, “could this really be true? Was this a joke? Nobody would do anything like that for me. Look at what I have done!” He was terrified and rather than having the joy of the first criminal, he felt miserable. In fact, the second criminal tried to discourage the joy of the first criminal by telling him not to get too excited. He tried to convince him it may not be real. Because the first criminal believed the pardon, he had both there assurance and joy of his release. Because the second criminal questioned the pardon, he had neither the joy nor the assurance of his release. One criminal looked at the piece of paper that held his pardon and believed it. The other criminal looked inside of himself to see weather he really believed it, and because what he saw in himself was doubt, it took away the joy of his assurance.”[2]

Salvation both in ourselves and in others, should bring us great joy like that first criminal. There is nothing you can say or do to earn it on your own or even with the help of anyone. Rather, it is a gift from God that makes you forgiven. Guess what, in the eyes of God each and every one of us without Christ are guilty criminals on their way to execution; criminals who deserve what is coming to them. Despite our wicked deeds and our rebellion to Him, God loves you, God loves the people in the world so much that He provided the payment, gives the reprieve, declares not guilty to the one who shows true remorse for the rebellion and takes His offer of forgiveness through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. There is great joy in that message of Jesus, a message that is unlike any other. This is a message we are to accept ourselves and share with others, but understand that not everyone will take it. In fact, often the ones we would expect to accept it won’t, and the ones we wouldn’t expect to will. Either way, it doesn’t matter. Believer, share that message, that message unlike any other.

Conclusion

So, what’s the point. What is this all about? It’s all about Jesus. It’s all about 1 knowing who He is to you. Knowing what that means what the truth of His message is to you in every situation in your life. And 2, it’s about sharing Jesus with others and not fearing the fall out. Don’t be afraid of what His name will do. Yes, their will be rejection, yes their will be acceptance, yes their will be “maybe but not now.” But, But. What a person’s response to Jesus is, is not on you and you will be rewarded by Your loving heavenly Father for taking whatever bad comes out of it. Don’t worry about yourself, don’t worry about what you have to lose; instead worry about what God worries about, that another soul could be saved. Look at Jesus, God Himself came down from His throne and took on flesh just like me and You. He knew he would endure pain and separation, and still He lovingly moved forward with His mission, because He was committed to The Father’s plan for redemption. Are you committed to The Father’s plan for redemption? Now, our part is not like Jesus’. We do not save, but our part is to apply the message to ourselves and to share with others; no matter the situation no matter the cost. Instead of counting this cost, instead look to Jesus, the name that saves. Instead, look to Jesus, light of the world. Instead look to Jesus, the giver of joy. Let your joy be complete, and share His Message, which is a message unlike any other.

With all of that being said, I would be remised if I didn’t share the Gospel (or the Good News) of Jesus Christ with you today, for the benefit of both believer and non-believer in the room. This begins all the way back at the beginning, God created everything, and he created all things good. He gave His most treasured creation (us, mankind) the ability of free will, the ability to choose Him or rebellion. Man was deceived by Satan and desired to be like God and sinned (or rebelled against God). This brought the curse of sin and death into the world and it remains with us to this day; which separates us from God. God though, loved His creation (mankind) so much that He worked through history to redeem all mankind that would turn to Him from sin so that we can experience a full and perfect relationship with Him again. This was through the perfect and final sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the pay for sins. Accepting this free gift from God, makes you new and forgiven. All you have to do accept this free gift by repenting and believing in the Lord Jesus and you will get to experience the good side of God’s justice forever. So, now that you know this, you can no longer plead ignorance. I invite and urge you to respond today non-believer and apply this to every part of your life believers in the audience today.

With that, Let’s conclude. Brothers and Sisters, I love you all. During our last song together, if you need prayer, or want to talk more about Jesus, or have something you want to talk about, I’ll be here, don’t be afraid to come on down. Let’s pray. Father God, we thank You for who You are and what You are doing to us here in this place. May whatever it is that You are doing in each of heart here, continue as we leave go out into the world this week. Change us, mold us, make us, re-arrange us, that we can be both better lovers of You and better showers of You. It’s in these things that I ask and in Jesus Christ’s Holy and precious name that I pray, Amen.

[1] Christian Standard Bible. Holman Bible Publishers, 2020, p. Ac 13:42–52. [2]Tony Evans illustration #783