The First Journey, Part 4: Iconium

Call to Worship

Psalm 148 “Praise Yah! Praise Yahweh from the heavens; Praise Him in the heights! Praise Him, all His angels; Praise Him, all His hosts! Praise Him, sun and moon; Praise Him, all stars of light! Praise Him, heavens of heavens, And the waters that are above the heavens! Let them praise the name of Yahweh, For He commanded and they were created. He caused them to stand forever and ever; He gave a statute and it will never pass away...”

Elder: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you!

Reading of Scripture

Jeremiah 18:1-11

Philemon 1-21

Introduction

Paul a Knight of Christ

Our lens for looking at these missionary journeys has been as Paul being commissioned by his King to go on a quest:

The kingdom of darkness is confronted with the kingdom of light in the commissioning of Saul and Barnabas in Acts 13.

Saul’s quest is to go tell the surrounding lands that a great dragon has been slain, so the people do not need to live in the dragon’s service any longer!

But there are devoted servants of this dragon who continue to fight for their doomed kingdom of death and hell and bring great opposition. Saul received his new Knightly name, Paul, while slaying his first servant of the dragon on the island of Cyprus.

This opposition. then, is overcome by the obedient, faithful, and bold service of the Knights of Jesus Christ, Saul and Barnabas. And many people, upon hearing the truth, believe and are rescued from the kingdom of the dragon.

Through their faithful service, and the continued work of the following generations throughout the first 300 years of New Covenant history, God’s promises were progressively realized and resulted in the Conversion of the Roman empire.

Since that time, the kingdom continues to grow even today, 2,000 years later. But God has ordained that it grow commensurate to the obedient, faithful and bold service of its citizens. Will we be able to say, I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith? Will we hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant...”?

Our Continued Mission

These questions highlight that this progression we see in the book of Acts and throughout the entirety of redemptive history is the same progression we also experience:

We have been commissioned to establish a household, churches, communities based upon the Truth of Scripture. To confront the kingdom of darkness with the kingdom of light.

This may meet with initial success and excitement as we communicate all of the blessings of peace with God to the surrounding region.

Then the three-headed dragon of sin, the flesh, and the devil rears its ugly heads in opposition to our plans. This opposition comes from both within our individual and corporate bodies and without them.

And so, we must continually oppose this opposition but not in our own strength, by faith in the finished work of Christ, and the grace of God extended to us by His Spirit because of that finished work.

Ultimately, we trust and remind ourselves of God’s promise to bring us and the nations to salvation in Christ Jesus. Otherwise, the opposition would greatly discourage us. When it seems like the battle is lost and there is no hope, we must remember, Christ is still on His throne and His church will succeed. And although circumstances may look bad, even this, bad circumstances, God uses for the furtherance of His kingdom.

Remember, sin, the flesh and the devil are present with us and desire to destroy every good work. They desire to build strongholds against the church of God. But, the gates of Hell shall not prevail against our King, Jesus Christ, nor the church that He has instituted as His continuing witness here on earth.

Review Map of Paul’s Journey Thus Far

Commissioned in Antioch

First battle in Cyprus

Second battle in Pisidian Antioch

Moves them to Iconium

Outline & Exposition

Confrontation - Acts 14:1 “Now it happened that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together...”

We once again see them entering a Synagogue.

This was in obedience to the command to go to Jew first. God was giving His covenant people 40 years to accept the New Covenant of His Son.

It was also reasonable, since the Jews would have had the same foundational framework.

The emissaries of Christ enter the Synagogue and proclaim the New Covenant inauguration in Christ’s blood.

Communication - Acts 14:1 “...and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.”

As we saw in the Psalms, book II is all about the communication of that promised kingdom to the world. This is happening here. Notice, it is not just Jews, but also Greeks who believe.

I appreciate the wording, they “...spoke in such a manner...” - This is not Pelagian or Arminian. I mean, the Holy Spirit will regenerate His elect. However, This is an indication that they were being good stewards. We should want to speak in such a manner that the unbelieving world will hear and take heed to what we say. Are we stewarding our opportunities to be a good emissary for Christ in our community?

Devastation - Acts 14:2,5 “But the unbelieving Jews instigated and embittered the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers...an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers to mistreat and to stone them.”

Corresponding to book III of the Psalms, wherein there was great opposition, even so much as would take away any hope that the work could continue or that the kingdom would last.

Here, the unbelieving Jews instigated the rulers to stone them. I can imagine the exasperation of Paul as he sees this great opportunity seized by the servants of the enemy. He pours himself into this work only to see the unbelieving Jews destroy it.

Note that descriptor, “unbelieving.” Acts 14:4 says, “But the multitude of the city was divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.” - They were divided on the person and work of Jesus Christ. These Jews, covenant people, and those siding with them denied that Jesus was the great Prophet, Priest, and King who came to establish a redeemed humanity; a new covenant in His blood. Whereas those siding with the Apostles would believe this. The Jews could be therefore “believing” or “unbelieving.”

So, in this opposition or devastation, we see 1) How easy it might be for the servants of Christ to get exasperated. 2) That being in the covenant is not enough if you reject Jesus. Everything hinges on Jesus.

Maturation - Acts 14:3 “Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord...”

In the Psalms, particularly Book IV, there is a remembrance that our dwelling place is in Yahweh. He is our portion forever. Therefore, the work, or mission, or kingdom, will proceed as God has intended. There is no reason to be exasperated. Everything is happening according to plan. The opposition itself will be used by God. And also remember, that unless God builds the house, they labor in vain that build it. Therefore, if a work is ever destroyed, we always have to 1) repent of any sin we may have contributed, but 2) rest in the providence and sovereignty of God in that matter.

And note what they did: With patience (long time) they spoke boldly, but with reliance upon the Lord. And it is the same for us: we must be patient in the face of opposition, remembering that we cannot control whatever we cannot control. We should squarely focus on what is in our power and then we should be patient and rely upon the Lord to do the work.

Consummation - Acts 14:6–7 “they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; and there they continued to proclaim the gospel.”

It seems like a bad thing that they needed to flee. However, now the Gospel is being proclaimed in more places. God can do wonderful things with terrible circumstances. So even if the situation looks bleak, trust in God and continue to patiently do your duty with reliance upon the Lord.

Application

It is always about Jesus.

Jesus is the foundation of everything: a life, household, society, government, church...everything you can think of. If you are building any of those things on a foundation other than salvation in Christ, then it is built on a foundation of sand.

Christ is our ultimate authority and He has given us new hearts out of which will flow the issues of life. If you are in Jesus Christ, you are a New Creation, the Law of God should be so saturating your life that you will naturally be guided by it how you live.

Therefore, examine yourselves: Is Christ the foundation of your life? Is Christ the foundation of your household? Are you living lives in obedience to His Word and Spirit in these areas of your life?

You might be asking? I think so, but how do I know? You need to ask yourself some questions: If Jesus was the overseer of your household, how do you think He would evaluate your management of it and what standard of evaluation might He use? If Jesus was overseeing your daily life, how would He evaluate your stewardship? Well, Jesus is the overseer of your household, life, etc...Therefore, live your life 1) knowing that everything you do is done before the face of God. 2) Everything will be evaluated based upon the revelation of Jesus Christ. He has given us everything we need for life and godliness. We must diligently live accordingly. This is how Jesus is central.

Remember that Jesus is gracious to forgive our failures. It says in Proverbs that a just man will fall seven times and rise back up again. Our sins are forgiven in Christ, but the heart that has been granted new life in Christ lives a life of repentance, continually turning from sin and bringing every aspect of our life into conformity to God’s Word. It is a dynamic life.

When you realize that you are being lazy in the evening, then you repent of it and bring it into captivity to Christ. Or if you are not being consistent in disciplining your children, you repent and bring it into captivity. Whatever it is, we must work to bring our lives into conformity to God’s Word.

Yet remembering that it is not by works of righteousness that we will be brought into the kingdom. It is by the mere grace of God in Christ. Therefore, our frame toward Christ is one of gracious acceptance of His favor towards us, and an earnest desire to walk in a manner that is faithful to His Word and Spirit.

And the Two greatest means that God has given you to accomplish this are His Word and His church. So, read and study the Word of God and do not forsake the assembly. This is how Christ will be central in your life.

We saw how there was division in our passage on Christ. There is still division for us today on Christ: Is He Lord over everything in your life? If not, and if you refuse to relinquish yourself to Him, then you are living as an unbeliever. Examine yourselves, see if you are in the faith, and give yourself up to the grace and mercy of God in Christ. He who has began a good work in you WILL COMPLETE IT. Trust Him.

You have a quest to complete.

For those who are in Christ Jesus are Knights on a quest to conquer the land and to rid it of sin, the flesh, and the devil.

Are you slaying your flesh? Are you disciplining yourself? Kids, do you think it’s easy to fight a dragon? How about a little itty bitty wasp? We don’t even want to fight those dragons! Let alone one with fire breath!

Are you evaluating those in your sphere: Fathers, mothers, children. Are you aware of dragons and buckeys that rise up in your households? How are you fighting these things? How about here in the assembly? Are you remembering that Paul’s theater of operations is the same for us? There are sons of the devil running around taking advantage of people. And all it might take is a bold word spoken at a fitting time for the chains of darkness to be loosed and the glorious light of salvation to shine into a poor and desolate soul. Are you living your life as a knight, as a lighthouse, as a safe-haven for those around you?

We have a quest: Go into the world, baptize disciples, and teach them about their King.

Let’s Pray

Communion

2 Samuel 23:11–12 LSB

Now after him was Shammah the son of Agee a Hararite. And the Philistines were gathered into a troop where there was a portion of the field full of lentils; and the people fled from before the Philistines. But he took his stand in the midst of that portion and delivered it and struck down the Philistines. So Yahweh brought about a great salvation.

One of my favorite passages in the entire Bible. Notice these things with me:

He is not a native born Israelite and yet he defends the land. Let the hearer understand.

He took his stand alone against the enemies of God. He probably thought he was going to die. Sometimes, doing our duty before the LORD will feel that way.

But God was with Him and he delivered that portion from the enemies of God.

Yahweh brought a great salvation because of the obedient and bold faithfulness of Shammah.

Now, Christ, as the greater deliverer, although everyone fled from Him and abandoned Him, even though the land was filled with evil and He was not, He took His stand before an unbelieving world, laid His life down, and Yahweh brought about a great salvation. The dragon was slain. And we are here to remember and to partake of that salvation.

If you are baptized and in good standing with the body of Christ, harboring no sin in your heart toward God or your neighbor, then we invite you to eat and drink with us in remembrance of Christ.

If you are not baptized, or if you are harboring sin in your heart toward God or your neighbor, then we would ask you to refrain from the supper, repent of your sins, and accept the invitation to membership in Christ’s household.

The victory is won! Let’s celebrate with our Lord together.

The Bread

Give thanks

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 LSB

...the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was being betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

Read during distribution:

Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18

The Cup

Give thanks

1 Corinthians 11:25 LSB

In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.

Read during distribution:

Luke 14:25-33

1 Corinthians 11:26 LSB

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes.

The Lord’s Prayer

Matthew 6:9–13 LSB

“...Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Matthew 6:14–15 LSB

“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.

The Commission

Matthew 28:18–20 LSB

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to keep all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Numbers 6:24–26 LSB

Yahweh bless you, and keep you; Yahweh make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; Yahweh lift up His face on you, And give you peace.’