First Missionary Trip
Notes
Transcript
Preparing for the work
Preparing for the work
Life is full of preparatory work isn’t it? (give examples)
God did preparatory work on you before your conversion, or maybe it is work being done now.
Paul’s preparatory work included his heritage, his education and progress in his Jewish faith.
Preparatory work continued in Damascus, Arabia, and Tarsus.
Today we start to look at the results of the preparatory work, Paul’s first missionary trip. Fulfilling what we find recorded (turn to Rom15:20-21)
20 And thus I aspired to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, so that I would not build on another man’s foundation; 21 but as it is written, “They who had no news of Him shall see, And they who have not heard shall understand.”
To places the gospel has not been heard.
Paul was going to make impact in the outer parts of the world and for generations to come.
(Transition) Paul’s first missionary trip began and ended with a two year residence in Antioch of Syria. So, we should start there.
Antioch of Syria
Antioch of Syria
Started by men of Cyprus and Cyrene after Pentecost (turn to Act11:19-21
19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
Strengthened and encouraged by Barnabas, then Paul later (turn to Act11:22-26)
22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Rejoiced and encouraged when saw the work of the grace of God in the people.
Then Barnabas went to find Paul in Tarsus and they both returned to Antioch for a year.
First called Christians in Antioch.
Those in Antioch were a loving, caring, giving congregation (turn to Ac11:27-30)
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
This then set’s up for another journey back to Jerusalem for what is known as the famine visit.
Before leaving Antioch the Lord blessed many others as prophets and teachers who would send Paul and Barnabas on the trip (read Act13:1-4)
1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
With prayer and fasting the Holy Spirit calls to send Barnabas and Saul) now the journey will begin to Seleucia and Cyprus.
Mission stops start in Cypress
Mission stops start in Cypress
Not new ground for the gospel had already come to Cypress (ref: Act11:19-20) - But, this is home turf for Barnabas (ref: act4:36)
Mission efforts start at home? Could be!
The starting places in the towns was the synagogues as noted in Salamis at Paphos (turn to Ac13:5-12)
5 When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11 “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.
John Mark joins the team
While in Paphos they encounter a false Prophet (vv.6-11)
Jew: Bar-Jesus, aka Elymas the sorcerer who was with Sergius Paulus the proconsul of the region. Bar-Jesus did not want the gospel preached to Sergius in fear would believe. The Holy Spirit blinded him and Sergius was converted.
A shift happens here, from Saul (Hebrew name) to Paul (Greek name) is used more and it will become Paul and Barnabas whereas before it was Barnabas and Saul.
(Transition) - - - setting out again the journey will continue to carry the message and the encouragements.
Regions of Pamphlia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia
Regions of Pamphlia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia
In Perga and there John Mark leaves the team (turn to Act13:13)
13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
The reason he left is only speculations, but it did create a rift in the future between Paul and Barnabas (ref: Act15:36-40). Paul would not take John Mark on the next trip.
From there to Antioch of Pisidia you can read Paul’s sermon notes (ref: Act13:14-41). Paul was invited to speak and the basics of the sermon was:
God’s dealing with Israel (13:17-22)
The proclamation that Jesus is the promised Savior (13:23-26)
A remembrance of Jesus death and evidence of His resurrection (13:27-37)
That Salvation is in Christ and Christ alone (13:38-39)
Then a warning, do not reject God’s work accomplished through the Christ (13:40-41)
Yet, with all this there is still rejection (Turn to Act13:42-49)
42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God. 44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. 46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first; since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 “For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’ ” 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.
From the rejecting Jews to the rejoicing Gentiles wanting more. This did lead to persecution against Paul and Barnabas (turn to Ac13:50-52)
50 But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. 51 But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. 52 And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
No one said mission work was going to be easy. Remember Paul was to be told by Ananias the things he would have to suffer for the name of Jesus.
To Iconium, yes, of course, started in the synagogue, yet more discord starts, but it does not stop the men from preaching (turn to Act14:1-3)
1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brethren. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.
It is believed that it was at this time Paul penned the letter to the churches of Galatia to receive him when he came (ref: Gal4:13-15).
They attempted to kill Paul by stoning, was left for dead, and the journey continued to Lystra and Derve (turn to Act14:4-7)
4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Healing and hurting come (turn to Act14:8-20)
8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them. 19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.
Yet still the preaching and converting continued to happen (turn to Act14:21)
21 After they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
Due to trying to respect the time, I will pick up the pace. From here there was the return, retracing the steps, Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga and returning to Antioch encouraging the brethren (ref: Act14:21-26)
Mission Report
Mission Report
God opened the door to the Gentiles, Paul gives report, similar to what he will do in (Act15:12)
27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
It is believed stayed there 1-2 years due to dating of the Jerusalem conference in (50AD).
Summing it up
Summing it up
In what we looked at we can see an early pattern.
Preaching followed by persecution
Establishing followed by edification
To the Jews first, then to the Gentiles
Summing up what we must do today
Christ in you invitation slide (do invitation)