When Worship Goes Wrong.
Notes
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This morning we are going to continue Acts 14. We are going to cover verses 8-18. there is a lot to unpack in these short section. Now just to refresh your memory, Paul and Barnabas were just in the city Iconium the unbelieving Jews turned the gentiles against them and were going to kill them so they fled out of the city to Lystra.
Let’s pray then dive in this morning.
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.
I want to start this morning to ask you an important question.
How do you look at people? The greek word used here for “looking Intently” is the word “Ah-ten-ezo” and it means to look at with fixed eyes.
We are to keep our spiritual eyes on Jesus, but our physical eyes should be fixed on people. Now, let me be clear—I’m not talking about some kind of ‘third eye’ or new-age concept. The Bible talks about the ‘eyes of our heart,’ and Paul mentions this in Ephesians.
The eyes of our heart should be fixed on Jesus. He is the founder and perfecter of our faith. He is both the spiritual and physical example we follow. Think about this: Jesus was always looking to the Father. He said in
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
We have eyes in our heart and they should be fixed on Jesus.
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
We look to Jesus because he is the founder and perfecter of our faith. He is the both the spiritual and Physical example we follow. Jesus was always looking to The Father.
Jesus said in John 6:38
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.
Jesus’ eyes were consistently fixed on the Father—not physically looking up at the sky but spiritually, through prayer and constant union with Him. Prayer was Jesus’ everything. It wasn’t just something He did before meals or before big decisions. For Jesus, prayer was a way of life.
And prayer isn’t just a checklist for us either. Let me say this clearly:
• Prayer isn’t something we do before we start the day.
• Prayer isn’t something we do before a meal.
• Prayer isn’t something we do before bed.
• Prayer isn’t something we do before a big decision.
• Prayer isn’t something we do as a last-ditch effort.
Prayer is something we do always.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
Listen to me, we are as believers are ALWAYS in a spiritual battle. and we have no choice but to stay in the Armor of God or we will not make it. Prayer is a part of the Armor of God. It’s not something you put on and take off when it’s convenient. It’s something you live in every moment of every day.
Living consistently in prayer—or as Paul puts it, ‘praying always’—is what allows us to keep our spiritual eyes fixed on Jesus. But here’s the amazing part: when our spiritual eyes are fixed on Jesus, He will fix our physical eyes on people.
So let me ask you again: How do you look at people?
Look at what Paul did. He looked at this man intently and saw that he had the faith to be made well. And then, with boldness, Paul said, ‘Stand up on your feet!’
When you live in consistent prayer, you won’t just see people differently—you’ll act differently.
You’ll have a boldness that doesn’t come from yourself but from the Spirit of God working through you. A boldness to speak life into situations. A boldness to step out in faith. A boldness to act in ways you never thought possible.
So again, I’ll ask: How do you look at people? When you keep your spiritual eyes on Jesus, He’ll show you exactly who and what to see, and He’ll give you the boldness to act on it.
Now, Here we are about to come across something that is going to seem comical at first, but is it uncomfortable and convicting for all of us.
So through the power of God Paul heals this man. Let’s look how the town of Lystra responds.
11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
The people saw the miracle and thought Paul and Barnabas were gods. They even gave them the names of their own false gods.
Humanity is always looking for something or someone to name as god in their life.
We were made to worship. We will worship someone or something. It’s wired into our DNA. The question isn’t if we worship—it’s what or who we worship. And too often, we look for gods in all the wrong places.
“Now, I want you to put yourself in Paul and Barnabas’s shoes for a moment. How would you respond in this situation?
Why? Because while we were created to worship God, sin has twisted that. Instead of just wanting to worship, we’re often tempted to crave worship. Think about the very first temptation in the garden. The serpent told Eve, ‘You will be like God’ Genesis 3:5
5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
From the very beginning, humanity has wrestled with the desire to elevate ourselves. This craving shows up in different ways. Maybe it’s through pride, where we want others to notice and praise us. Jesus called this out when He said the Pharisees loved the best seats at feasts and greetings in the marketplace Matthew 23:5-7
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long, 6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues 7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
Or maybe it’s when we put ourselves at the center of things instead of God, exchanging His glory for our own, just as Paul described in Romans 1:25
25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
Moments like what Paul and Barnabas experience here is what shows how commited and surrendered you are to Christ.
Let me be clear:
We are not little gods.
I’ve said this time and time again as we’ve journeyed through Acts: FRUIT OVER POWER. It’s not about asking, ‘How can I get that power?’ It’s about asking, ‘How can I bear that fruit?’ When we stay focused on bearing fruit—on living surrendered to Christ—the temptation to seek glory for ourselves fades.
Look at how Paul and Barnabas respond:
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, 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.
They tear their clothes and cry out. Now, remember, in Hebrew culture, tearing your garments was an act of mourning and deep anguish. It was something you did when your heart was broken, when you were grieving, or when you were overwhelmed by sorrow.
So, what did Paul and Barnabas do when the people thought they were gods? They mourned
They didn’t brush it off with a coy smile and say, ‘Oh, thanks, but it’s all God.’ No. They were devastated. They mourned and cried out.
Think about it—you don’t cry out because you’re happy or flattered. You cry out when you’re hurting, when something deeply unsettles your spirit. Paul and Barnabas were so distraught, so bothered by the people thinking they were gods, that they physically tore their clothes and began pleading with them to stop.
Their response wasn’t casual or polite; it was visceral and heartfelt. This was a moment of raw anguish because they understood the seriousness of misdirected worship. They couldn’t stand the idea of taking even a fraction of the glory that belonged to God.
Here’s a question we all need to sincerely ask ourselves and wrestle with in our hearts:
How much of the glory of God am I willing to take?
This isn’t a surface-level question; it’s one that cuts deep into our motives, our pride, and our relationship with God. It’s something we must address honestly.
We were created to worship, not to be worshiped. There is not a single speck within any of us that even comes close to being worthy of God’s glory. And yet, because of sin, we’re often tempted to take credit, to seek recognition, or to desire applause that rightfully belongs to God.
Think about the gravity of this: God’s glory is sacred. It’s the weight of His presence, His holiness, His perfection. It’s something so pure and powerful that even the heavens declare it Psalm 19:1
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
And yet, how often do we find ourselves grasping for even a tiny piece of it?
Maybe it’s in subtle ways—when we want to be noticed for something good we’ve done, when we feel slighted because we didn’t get the recognition we think we deserve, or when we secretly crave the admiration of others. Or maybe it’s more obvious—when we allow our pride to inflate, when we make life about us, or when we take credit for what only God could do.
Here’s the truth:
Taking even a fraction of God’s glory is a dangerous.
God Himself says in Isaiah 42:8
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
God’s glory isn’t something we’re meant to share—it’s His alone.
So let me ask you again: How much of the glory of God are you willing to take? This isn’t just a question to think about; it’s one to confront and surrender to God. When we truly grasp the holiness of God and the depth of our own unworthiness, the only rightful response is humility and awe.
Now, Paul and and Barnabas are mourning and pleading with the people not to worship them. They begin to try and teach and instruct them.
16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
Paul and Barnabas point the people back to God as the source of all good things. Even though these people had been walking in their own ways, worshiping false gods, and rejecting the truth, God had still left them a witness. He showed His goodness through the rains, the fruitful harvests, and the joy they experienced in their lives.
Here’s what they’re saying: ‘Don’t look at us. Look at the One who has always been providing for you, even when you didn’t recognize Him.
This passage reminds us that God’s glory is not only revealed in His holiness and power but also in His kindness and provision. Even when humanity is blind to Him, He continues to show His goodness. He doesn’t force Himself on us, but He constantly leaves a witness—whether it’s through creation, through blessings, or ultimately through Jesus Christ.
And this is what Paul and Barnabas are doing here: redirecting the glory to God. They’re reminding the people—and us—that everything good in our lives comes from Him. He’s the one who provides. He’s the one who satisfies. He’s the one who is worthy of worship.
I wish the next verse read, ‘And the people understood, stopped trying to worship them, and immediately turned to Jesus and worshipped Him instead.’
But it doesn’t.
Instead, we read in verse 18, ‘Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.’
18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
The word scarcely here is the Greek word molis, which means ‘with difficulty.’ Despite Paul and Barnabas’s heartfelt plea and clear explanation, the people still struggled to grasp the truth. This wasn’t an easy moment for them, and it serves as a reminder for us:
Sometimes, people will resist. Sometimes, they won’t understand right away. Sometimes, they’ll try to cling to their own ideas or idols, even when the truth is right in front of them.
But here’s the key:
Pointing people to Christ is not always easy, but it doesn’t mean we stop
Paul and Barnabas didn’t give up. They didn’t get discouraged and walk away, thinking, ‘Well, we tried, but they just don’t get it.’ They stayed faithful, doing the hard work of redirecting the glory to God and pointing people to Jesus, even when it was met with difficulty.Faithfulness isn’t measured by how easy it is or by immediate results. It’s measured by our willingness to make sure God get’s the glory, and we keep going, even when it’s hard.
Here’s what I want to leave with us this morning:
Pointing people to Jesus is always worth it.
