Week 2 - Acts 13:1-12 | Called to Obedience

Paul: A Life Well Lived. • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 43:29
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Welcome, everyone, and Happy belated Quitters’ Day!
Yes, that’s right—The second Friday of the new year, is officially known as Quitters' Day because it’s the day when most people give up on their New Year’s resolutions. The excitement of the new year fades, and the goals that seemed so achievable start to feel overwhelming. Why? Because, like me, many of us try to go too big, too fast!
I’m sure I’m not alone in this. Culture trains us to think this way, doesn’t it? “Go big or go home!” In a world where we’re constantly comparing ourselves to others, including the rich and the famous, we often feel the pressure to live a “postable” life. We want to go big, do it for the Gram—whatever that means (I’m middle-aged now, so I’ve stopped trying to keep up with the lingo! I don’t even know if that’s something kids say anymore.). But the point is, we’ve bought into this mindset: If it’s worth doing, it has to be big and flashy.
But here’s the thing: No one starts at the top. Success stories—whether in sports or in our spiritual lives—don’t often show the quiet, steady faithfulness that makes them possible. We read about amazing accomplishments but rarely consider the small, consistent steps and practices that got people there.
In our walk with God, we often think big moments will come quickly, with one miraculous snap of the fingers. We pray, we ask, and when we don’t see immediate results, we get discouraged. But the reality is, God often works in smaller ways first.
Rarely does real power simply appear in grand gestures or giant leaps. More often, it’s built upon the small, everyday acts of obedience—the quiet moments when we choose faithfulness, even when it costs us little or nothing at all. It’s easy to overlook these small things and dismiss them as insignificant, but they are the building blocks for what’s to come.
It’s not that obedience to God won’t sometimes cost us, but let’s be honest—right now, in this country, in this season of life, what does it really cost us to follow Jesus? A little time? A little comfort? Small shifts in priorities?
This year, God challenged me with something. He challenged me to stop trying to fit Him into the margins of my life. If I want to experience His power and His presence, I need to stop just giving Him a little time and space in the corners of my day. So, I decided to dedicate and consecrate this year to truly living by His Word.
Matthew 4:4 says, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” This year, I’m committing to live by His Word—not just by food, entertainment, or leisure, but by every word God speaks.
And here’s the key: I know myself. If I go too big, too fast, I’ll quit. So, I’m starting small. One chapter of Scripture six days a week. A family Bible reading plan at dinner. A little less TV and more time with God. None of this is flashy or impressive, but it’s a start. It’s about stringing together small obedience over time to build something lasting.
I think this is what God is calling us to: a life of consistent, small steps of faithfulness. That’s where the power is. And today, we’re going to see how Paul’s journey—from his conversion to his first missionary endeavor—shows us this truth. God doesn’t just use the big moments; He uses the small, faithful steps that prepare us for greater things.Or to say ti another ways: Faithful obedience in the everyday prepares you for God's greater pruposes tomorrow.
At first reading, you’re not going to agree with me, because in our text today, what happens is going to appear to be big and grand. We’re going to see God do some crazy miracles through Paul and Barnabas, and only last week we just heard this guy was a murderer. The Lord Jesus Himself met Him in a vision, and now this week we’re blasting into Paul being one of the most powerful Apostles, working miracles and moving the mission of God powerfully forward! I get it, but trust me, we’ll slow things down a bit, so that by the end I hope you’ll agree with me, Faithful obedience in the everyday prepares you for God's greater purposes tomorrow.
So lets read it and then break it down. Acts 13:1-12
Acts 13:1–12 (NIV)
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping 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 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. 4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
1. The Backstory — A Foundation of Faithful Obedience (Acts 13:1; Acts 9-13; Galatians 1:11-21)
1. The Backstory — A Foundation of Faithful Obedience (Acts 13:1; Acts 9-13; Galatians 1:11-21)
As we step into this moment in Acts 13, we meet a group of church leaders in Antioch—prophets and teachers like Barnabas, Simeon, Lucius, Manaen, and Saul (whom we know better as Paul). While it’s tempting to focus solely on the powerful commissioning of Barnabas and Saul for their missionary journey and the truly gospel gangster moves they pull out on the Sorcerer at Cyprus, there’s an important backstory we can’t miss. These leaders didn’t just appear out of nowhere, and Paul wasn’t handed this role overnight. What we see here is the culmination of years—a decade even—of God’s unseen work in the shadows, shaping and preparing Paul for this calling.
Let’s take a step back and consider the backstory a bit more.
Paul’s story begins dramatically with his conversion on the road to Damascus back in Acts 9 that Seth covered last week where Paul encountered the risen Jesus, and everything changed.
However, Paul didn’t step into leadership or missionary work immediately. Instead, his journey took a detour into relative obscurity. After his conversion, Paul spent time in Damascus boldly proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues. The response was so intense that the Jews plotted to kill him.
Now, you might wonder—how can we say Paul wasn’t immediately thrust into leadership when he’s already preaching boldly in Damascus just days after his conversion? Fair point. But consider this: Paul had been a preacher long before meeting Jesus. As a Pharisee among Pharisees, educated at the “Harvard of divinity schools” under Gamaliel, he essentially had a doctorate in ministry. And before Jesus knocked him off his high horse, Paul used his gifts of preaching and persuasion sinfully.
And here’s what I want you to see: when God saves us, He doesn’t erase our gifts or personalities, nor does He waste our past. He redeems them for His glory. That’s what’s happening with Paul. God didn’t disregard Paul’s years of study or his skill in rhetoric. Instead, He retooled and redeemed them in light of Jesus.
So, yes, Paul preached boldly in Damascus after his conversion—but he wasn’t ready yet for the full weight of his calling. You see when God saves you, you enter His plan and purposes immediately, but that plan and purpose grows with you as you grow in God. Again, faithful obedience in the small everyday prepares you for God’s greater purposes tomorrow.
So Paul was saved and he starts sharing his story and his story was divisive. As such, his life was threatened, and he had to escape the city by being lowered in a basket through the city wall (Acts 9:25). From there, Paul traveled to Arabia.
We don’t know much about Paul’s time in Arabia, but it’s widely believed to have been a season of preparation.
You can think of this time as a kind of retreat in the wilderness. Where Paul likely wrestled with the Scriptures, coming to understand how Jesus fulfilled the Law and the Prophets. This wasn’t just intellectual work; it was heart work. Paul needed to unlearn his old ways of thinking and let the gospel transform him from the inside out. Some scholars also suggest that during this time, Paul received direct revelations from Jesus, as he himself states in Galatians 1:12: “I did not receive [the gospel] from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.”
After Arabia, Paul returned to Damascus, and later to Jerusalem, where he met Peter and James, the brother of Jesus (Galatias 1:18-24; Acts 9:26-30). Initially, the apostles were hesitant to meet him—understandably so, given Paul’s past. But Barnabas, ever the encourager, vouched for him, sticking his neck out to connect Paul with the early church leaders.
Paul began sharing his story once again and telling People about Jesus in Jerusalem, and his boldness stirred up opposition again, and his life was in danger. For his safety, the church sent him back to his hometown of Tarsus. And there he stayed—for years.
Tarsus wasn’t a stage; it was a workshop. In this quiet, hidden season, God honed Paul’s character, deepened his faith, and prepared him for the mission ahead.
It wasn’t until Barnabas sought Paul out in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch that the next chapter began (Acts 11:25-26). And we’ve got to ask, why is it that Barnabas even thought to seek out Paul? Was it the Holy Spirit. Likely, but more than that it could’ve been the impression Paul left from their time together earlier and more likely even than that, it was that word had reached the Jews in Jerusalem and the believers at Antioch of the one who used to persecute Christians was now one himself and he was preaching and teaching in His home town and surround area of Tarsus to anyone who would listen. Whatever the reason Barnabas seeks out Paul and brings him to Antioch to help him establish the Church there. And together, they disciple and teach the believers there— and apparently they do such a good job that this is where believers were first called Christians.
This then also becomes the sending Church, where God calls Paul and Barnabas to take the gospel to the nations through missionary journeys.
That’s the backstory, and it reminds us of several important truths.
First, God’s timeline often looks different from ours. Acts might feel like a series of quick transitions, but Paul actually spent 7–9 years in preparation before stepping into his greater calling. Nearly a decade of faithful, unseen obedience laid the foundation for his missionary work.
And here’s what’s even more encouraging: Paul’s messy, turbulent past wasn’t wasted. God redeemed it and used it to prepare Paul for the mission ahead. Nothing is wasted when Jesus is involved! Paul’s brokenness became a showcase for God’s grace—and the same can be true for you.
Paul’s backstory also reminds us of two key truths. Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise the day of small things.” God uses small beginnings and tiny acts of obedience to build something beautiful. And in Matthew 25 in the parable of the talents, the faithful servant is told, “You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much.” Faithfulness in the small things leads to greater responsibility and purpose.
But let’s be clear: it doesn’t happen overnight.
Courage is a habit of the heart honed in the fires of the everyday tiny choices, and Paul’s story is yet another testament to the importance of the quiet seasons in our spiritual journey.
Friends, if you’re a new believer or feel overwhelmed by what you don’t yet know, take heart. Spiritual growth is a process, not an instant transformation. Like a child learning to walk, God doesn’t expect you to figure it all out overnight. Paul’s dramatic conversion was followed by years of slow growth and small steps of obedience, which ultimately prepared him for God’s greater purposes down the road. If you’re not where you want to be spiritually, remember: change happens one small act of obedience at a time. The only way to climb a mountain—or eat an elephant—is one step, one bite at a time.
Paul’s backstory shows us this truth clearly: God’s mighty movements are built on a foundation of small, everyday obedience and the support of a faith-filled community.
2. A Cultivating Community (Acts 13:1-3)
2. A Cultivating Community (Acts 13:1-3)
When we encounter Paul in Acts 13, we find him faithfully obedient in the small things, living out his faith in Jesus within the context of a church community. Alongside other believers, he is engaged in worship, fasting, and prayer. These shared disciplines of faith set the stage for what comes next: the unmistakable call of God.
This context is not a mere incidental detail—it’s central to the story. Acts isn’t merely recounting historical events; it’s revealing patterns for how the Church is meant to function. One of those patterns is this: Missionaries and leaders are sent out from the a local Church, to other local Churches and back to their local Church.
While the Holy Spirit speaks to individuals—and every believer is a temple of the Holy Spirit—Scripture doesn’t endorse a “just me and Jesus” approach to life. Instead, Jesus designed His Church to function as a body, living in community and under authority. Scripture repeatedly warns against rejecting spiritual authority, often marking it as a trait of false teachers and false prophets (2 Peter 2:10; Jude 8).
And we can see in the early Church at Antioch, God’s call comes through the community of believers. In the shared context of worship, fasting, and prayer, the Holy Spirit speaks, setting apart Paul and Barnabas for the work to which He has called them (Acts 13:2-3). This communal discernment wasn’t optional—it was foundational. Their commissioning wasn’t born out of personal ambition but through the affirmation and direction of the Spirit, working in and through the Church.
This moment marks the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey—a mission birthed out of the faithfulness of a praying, fasting, worshipping community.
That’s why we emphasize the importance of forming deep, meaningful relationships—what we call "fridge friendships"—here at Crossroads. We need each other to live out those small, daily acts of faithful obedience. We also need each other’s help to hear and clarify the call of God through the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The discernment that comes from the Spirit-led Church is the best kind of discernment we can seek for any and all decisions. Wise, prayerful, Spirit-directed counsel is the greatest counsel there is. Without it, we risk being lost rather than found, and bound rather than freed.
Let’s affirm this truth together: We need each other in Jesus! Say it with me:
We need each other in Jesus!
We need the Spirit of Jesus!
Now, I know we’ve taken our time getting to the “good stuff.” Right? I mean, let’s be honest—this next part is like every preacher’s dream: blinding an agent of the devil! Come on, this is so gangster in the most God-honoring, glorious way. But before we dive into that, I wanted us to see the bigger picture.
Paul and Barnabas didn’t just wake up as spiritual heavyweights, ready to go toe-to-toe with darkness. No, these “gangsters for Jesus” were shaped over time. They put in the work. Every single day. They didn’t just squeeze God into the margins of their lives. They were faithful, day in and day out, in the small acts of obedience:
Worshiping together. Discipline fellow believers.Praying. Fasting. Studying the Scriptures. Worshiping. Disciplining. Praying. Fasting. Studying the Scriptures. Listening to the Spirit! Praying. Fasting. Worshiping together. Learning to live not by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God in His word and in His Whisper!
You get the picture—this wasn’t a one-time thing. It was their way of life. Practicing the ways of Jesus every single day in the community of Jesus prepared them for this moment.
And what did all those small, faithful steps lead to? The powerful purposes of God — bold Gospel proclamation and the salvation of many.
3. Prepared for the Powerful Purposes of God (Acts 13:4-12)
3. Prepared for the Powerful Purposes of God (Acts 13:4-12)
Paul and Barnabas’s obedience led to this moment in Acts 13:4-12, where the Holy Spirit empowered them to boldly proclaim the Gospel. Their mission to Cyprus wasn’t random; it was the result of years of Spirit-led preparation within a faithful Church community.
Look at how it unfolds. Paul and Barnabas begin their ministry by preaching in the synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ with boldness, which was a model they learned and honed throughout the last 9 years. And when they spoke, they didn’t hold back. Their message was clear and uncompromising, and they shared it faithfully with anyone who would listen—Jews and Gentiles alike. They trusted that the Spirit would work through their words, and He did.
But then comes the challenge. They encounter Elymas (Acts 13:6, 8), a sorcerer who actively opposes them, trying to turn the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, away from the faith. Now, imagine the scene here. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looks Elymas in the eye and calls him out. “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!”
That’s bold. That’s Spirit-led courage right there. And God shows His power through Paul by striking Elymas blind. And mind you, it’s not Paul’s power—it’s God working through Paul’s faith filled obedience. Look at v. 9. The way Luke recounts this story, leads us to believe it was the Holy Spirit who compelled or whispered to Paul to say and do what he did. Paul had learned to listen and obey. He’s just following the Spirit’s lead here, as he’s tried to do everyday!
And what’s the result? Well power to affirm the proclamation of the gospel. The sorcerer of the dark arts is blinded by the word of God through one of his faithful. And more importantly, Sergius Paulus, the Roman proconsul, think high ranking government official, he believes. But it’s not just intellectual belief—it’s awe at the power of God displayed through the Gospel. He hears the message, sees its power, and surrenders his life to Jesus.
Do you see the pattern here? Faithful obedience, even in the small and unseen moments, leads to Spirit-empowered ministry that changes lives. But let’s not miss something crucial: the opposition Paul and Barnabas faced was not a sign they had missed God’s call. It was a sign they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
Sometimes, challenges come precisely because we’re in the center of God’s will. And when those challenges hit, it’s easy to start doubting—doubting God, doubting the Church, doubting the discernment of the Spirit. We might start to wonder: “Did we miss God? Did we mishear His voice?” But if Acts and the life of Paul show us anything, it’s this: the call of God doesn’t mean a life free of struggle. Sometimes, it’s the opposite. Sometimes, the purposes of God leads us into greater challenges and hardships which is why we need the practiced conditioning of obedience and courage so much! If we don’t have it we may shrink back rather than press on and persevere!
Look at Paul and Barnabas. They were commissioned by the Spirit, affirmed by the church, and obedient to God’s call—and yet they faced opposition from Elymas almost immediately. The difficulty they faced wasn’t a detour; it was part of the journey. It was an opportunity for God to display His power and glory through their faithfulness, again, a faithfulness that had been practiced and grown through years of seemingly insignificant patterns of obedience and practices of the Way of Jesus in the context of Christian community.
This whole moment began in the church at Antioch, through prayer, fasting, and worship in community. It’s a reminder that we can’t do this on our own. We need the Church. We need the Spirit. Paul didn’t charge out on his own mission; he was sent by the Spirit and affirmed by the church. He was empowered, equipped, and directed every step of the way by God’s hand.
And isn’t this exactly what we see in Jesus’ life? Just as Paul was set apart to proclaim salvation to the Gentiles, Jesus was set apart to bring salvation to the entire world. Just as Paul relied on the Spirit’s power, Jesus depended fully on the Spirit throughout His earthly ministry, modeling the faithful obedience God calls us to. And isn’t this what we marveled at during Advent?
The King of Kings began His mission not with displays of power but in the humblest way possible—as a baby in a manger. Why? Because God delights in small beginnings. Jesus’ humble birth wasn’t a detour; it was the very foundation of His mission to redeem the world. His life reminds us that God often works through what seems small and ordinary to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
And isn’t this the heart of the gospel? Jesus came not as a conquering ruler but as a servant. He lived a life of perfect obedience in the everyday moments, fulfilling the law we couldn’t keep. He willingly went to the cross, bearing the punishment we deserved, and through His resurrection, He offers us a salvation we could never earn.
So what does this mean for us? It’s simple but profound: our small acts of faithfulness matter deeply because they follow the pattern of Christ. Just as Jesus’ humble birth prepared the way for His world-changing mission, our everyday obedience—even in obscurity—is part of God’s greater work in and through us.
Faithful obedience in the small things leads to being entrusted with greater responsibility. The question is: Are we preparing our hearts today for the extraordinary purposes God has for us tomorrow?
This preparation doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens as we live out the ways of Jesus in the small moments and do so within the community of a faithful local church. If we’re not doing this, it’s time to start—and take heart, even if the start feels small!
Don’t despise small beginnings or the season of life you’re in. God sees every act of faithfulness. He delights in it and is laying a foundation for something greater than you can imagine.
And when challenges come—and they will—don’t lose heart. Challenges don’t mean you’ve missed God’s will. Often, they confirm you’re right where He’s called you to be. Trust that He’s equipping you through His Spirit, guiding you through His Church, and working through your faithfulness to accomplish His eternal purposes.
Finally, remember the gospel. When we fall short, Jesus’ faithfulness is enough. His grace redeems our failures and empowers us to begin again.
This is the beauty of the gospel: The One who came as a baby didn’t stay in the manger. He grew, lived, died, and rose again so that even our small steps of obedience can be woven into His eternal story. So press on. Trust in Him. Your faithfulness in the little things is not wasted—it’s part of God’s plan to accomplish far more than you could ever imagine.
Let’s pray.