Acts 13 LG Sermon

1. Paul picked - 12:25–13:3

A. Paul and Barnabus had delivered relief funds to Jerusalem - 12:25 - cf. 11:27–30

B. The Antioch church - 13:1

A Hub of early Christianity

Started because of persecution - cf. 11:19

Full of capable prophets and teachers

Barnabus from Cyprus, also a Levite

Simon called Niger - Likely an African

Lucius of Cyrene in Africa

Manaen - Grew up with Herod the Tetrarch (The Herod that behead John the Baptist)

Saul - A Pharisee from Tarsus in Cilicia

What does the diversity of the leaders of this church tell us about their message?

C. The Antiochan activities - 13:2

They worshipped the Lord

They fasted

They heard from God to send Barnabus and Saul

D. They obeyed and sent them - 13:3

They fasted and prayed

They laid hands on them

They sent them

2. Paul provoked - 13:4–12

A. Sailed from Seleucia to Salamis in Cyprus - 13:4

B. Preached in the synagogue - 13:5

C. Traveled to Paphos at the west of Cyprus - 13:6

D. The Proconsul (Roman government official) sent for them 13:6–12

Elymas bar-Jesus opposed them and the gospel

Paul blinded him

The proconsul believed

3. Paul preaches - 13:13–41

A. They travelled to Perga in Pamphylia

John Mark split for Jerusalem

B. They preached in the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch

He started in the OT - 13:16–22

Why start in the OT?

OT foundation for Jesus, connect to audience, it had just been read from, connection to David (“son of David”) - Jesus is the true king of Israel

He proclaimed Jesus as Savior and King - 13:23–37

Fulfills God’s promises - 13:23

Fulfills John’s proclamations - 13:24–25

Fulfilled the prophets words through his rejection by the Jerusalem leaders and his death - 13:26–29

Addresses potential objections, tying the biggest stumblingblock to belief to OT prophecies

What are common objections to Jesus today and how can we respond to them?

4. Fulfilled prophecy with his resurrection - 13:30–37

Greater than David

iii. He invited them to believe - 13:38–41

Jesus provides forgiveness of sins - 13:38

Faith in Jesus brings justification the law could not - 13:39

A warning of the consequences of rejection - 13:40–41

cf. Hab 1:5 - Babylonian judgment of God’s people

Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV)

“Look at the nations and watch—

and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told.

4. Paul provokes - 13:42–52

What were the responses?

A. Some were provoked to further investigation - 13:42-44

B. Some were provoked to jealousy - 13:45

C. Some were glad at Gentile inclusion - 13:46–49

D. Some stirred up opposition - 13:50-51

E. The disciples had joy - 13:52