You Need Jesus

Text

Acts 13:13–52 ESV

Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ Therefore he says also in another psalm, “ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: “ ‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’ ” As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13:13

Introduction

RECAP

The church was worshiping & fasting (proactively seeking the Lord’s will)

until now: church grew by persecution

now: taking seriously

Holy Spirit calls Paul and Barnabas to go out

So began Paul’s first missionary journey

Last week: the conversion of Roman proconsul, Sergius Paulus

Lessons Learned: As we ourselves go about in our mission field:

Some will be open to the gospel

Some will oppose the gospel

Some will believe the gospel

Expect evangelism to be tough

Expect Jesus to do great things

We are on His mission!

THIS WEEK

The next phase of Paul’s 1st Missionary Journey

(13-14) Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.

PROBLEMS IN MINISTRY!

Acts 13:13–14 ESV

Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down.

Almost as a passing comment - “And John left them and went to Jerusalem, but they went on...”

Acts 13:

Luke doesn’t elaborate, but John Mark left

Can only assume that there might have been a disagreement...

OR… it at the very least led to one…

because later on in 15:37-40 we will see that Paul and Barnabas end up having a strong disagreement and splitting up...

… because when Paul suggested going back to visit all the churches… Barnabas wanted to take John Mark with

…but Paul didn’t think it was a good idea to take him with because of THIS incident

Since Paul and Barnabas had a big disagreement in ministry

I am not surprised when we have disagreements in ministry

Barnabas was a chilled guy, a softy

Paul, at least here, seems to have been a more black and white personality

When diffierent personalities clash…

But it is encouraging that this never led to a permanent feud

Later on in , Paul tells them to welcome Barnabas, that he was a great comfort to him

Humility

There are no perfect saints in ministry, this is Jesus’ work

In the end Barnabas and Paul both continued in ministry and remained brothers in Christ

Inter-personal disagreements are not what tears ministry apart and breaks down churches

GOSSIP does.

I like the way Luke handles this awkward event of John Mark leaving.

He records it but doesn’t go into detail.

Oh but how we love to divulge every sorbid detail of our disagreements with others in our Bible studies!

I know I am digressing a bit from the sermon, but Ican’t help but give you this sermonette as a side to the sermon

Gossip is the most dangerous thing in a church.

Please remember that when you feel the urge to share your frustrations with other members, with other members

And please remember it when someone is telling them to you

You are both complicit in the sin of gossip.

Better to go and speak 1 to 1 and settle your differences and move on for the sake of Jesus and the gospel

Paul and Barnabas go to the synagogue on the sabbath

Paul invited to preach

Gamaliel?

Sergius Paulus?

This is not the first recorded sermon of Paul in Acts, but it is the first time that the content of his sermon is recorded.

Much for us to learn - both from his outline, and the content

1. Proclamation

2. Application

3. Response

Conclusion