Acts 14 | "Continue in the Faith"
[Acts] The Church Empowered • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 28:49
0 ratings
· 1,722 viewsTribulations (persecutions) are a necessary part of Gospel advancment. In the face of opposition, God's people are called not to give up, but to persevere and continue in the faith!
Files
Notes
Transcript
Sermon Tone Analysis
A
D
F
J
S
Emotion
A
C
T
Language
O
C
E
A
E
Social
Public Reading of Scripture
Public Reading of Scripture
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Pray
Introduction
Introduction
If God loves us, and is with us, and is for us (Rom 8:31), how is it that God’s word says in chapter 14:22 —
“through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” ?
This assurance of tribulations (or persecutions) with this promise of God’s kingdom teaches us about God’s grace and faith.
There is a kingdom of God that already is, but yet we must also enter into it — That’s faith.
We have not yet fully obtained what we have already received, but God’s grace carries us on the way.
This was the testimony and teaching of Paul and his missionary companions who had already encountered tribulations as they proclaimed the Gospel in Iconium, to the cities of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region. This is the farthest reach of Paul’s first missionary journey and they encountered significant opposition.
Rather than giving up the faith, when encountering this opposition, they press on and persevere and encourage the disciples with their words and their own example to “continue in the faith.”
These tribulations are confirmations that the work they are doing is from God.
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
“They” refers to Paul and his companions. Barnabas was one companion still with him.
Paul knows his mission is to proclaim Christ to the Gentiles, but he doesn’t give up on his Jewish brothers. It is his custom to enter into the Jewish synagogue and proclaim Christ there first — from the Law and Prophets that are read, showing how Christ is the fulfillment of them all and how Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior promised of God.
Take note of the action used to describe what they did in the synagogue.
I. THEY SPOKE…(Acts 14:1)
Acts 14:1 (ESV)
“they…spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.”
In several instances throughout Acts, Luke records for us WHAT was said in various speeches and sermons. But notice here — attention is drawn not to WHAT is said, but HOW it was said!
"they…spoke in such a way...” (or, so spake, KJV)
We teach our children at times: “It’s not what you are saying that’s the problem, but it is how you are saying it that is the problem.”
Same thing with preachers. A preacher can have the right content, but if the delivery is boring or un-engaging, the content doesn’t reach the ears of the hearers.
The same is true about you and your speaking to others about Jesus. If you speak in with language that is not understood, using old methods that are not relatable, your content may be fine but lost because of your methods.
HOW you speak about the things of God can turn people away from the faith, or as in this case — win people over to the faith! The HOW is just as important as the WHAT.
When speaking to a diverse audience about the things of God, we must give careful attention to how we speak. It is possible to win over a diverse audience.
How they spoke won over their audience in large number, with not only Jews believing but also Greeks.
Paul gives insight into how he speaks when he wrote to the Corinthian church later —
1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
Paul wasn’t divisive. In mixed audience he wasn’t picking sides. He spoke about nothing but what was important - Jesus Christ and him crucified.
And while there were many who believed, there also arose opposition. Not everyone believed. (And not everyone will believe the message about Jesus).
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
This is not just unbelief — but this is outright opposition!
The unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, they woke them up, they intensified the opposition by “poisoning their minds. ” Literally, “embittering their souls.” Causing division.
Believing that God was the God of the Jews only, not the God of the Gentiles. Keeping apart what God has brought together and contradicting the message of the Gospel that makes salvation available to all people in the name of Jesus!
Notice the action of Paul and his companions in response —
II. THEY STAYED… (Acts 14:3)
II. THEY STAYED… (Acts 14:3)
3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
This verse begins with the word “So.”
They remained a long time as a direct result of the opposition. They persevered in the faith with their presence.
What did they do to heal poisoned minds? Embittered souls?
“They spoke boldly for the Lord.” They patiently and persistently proclaimed the truth in Jesus Christ.
Think about the people you know who do not know the Lord. Who have for a long time resisted the Lord. Take note and encouragement from what Paul and others did — they stayed the course, they remained present, and they spoke boldly for the Lord - and it took a long time.
But the Lord blessed their boldness and perseverance and proclamation by granting signs and wonders to Paul and his companions — and in doing so the Lord Himself bore witness to the word of His grace.
We obey God in being witnesses for Jesus and proclaiming the Gospel but the work of salvation always belongs to God. God bears witness with us when we bear witness to Him. We are never alone in our witnessing.
We can never argue someone into the kingdom of Heaven. Logic has a place but logic does not save. Charisma does not save. Jesus saves — and the word of grace is the Gospel of Jesus and his salvation for all — both Jews and Gentiles.
Because all have sinned, both Jews and Gentiles, and all are in need of God’s grace. And Jesus died for all, so that in him alone all may find forgiveness of sins and eternal life.
The signs and wonders of God are worked hand-in-hand with the word of God.
4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.
That word for division is ( σχίζω) / you can hear the word “schism.” There was a split in the city. Some sided with the unbelieving Jews, and others with the apostles.
This isn’t talking about division within the church. This is the division outside the church that will happen when the Gospel is rightly preached. It will clearly divide and separate those who believe and those who oppose. In this way the Gospel is polarizing.
And the persecution intensifies. What should the apostles do?
Should they stand their ground? Should they fight? Or should they flee?
5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country,
III. THEY FLED... (v.6)
III. THEY FLED... (v.6)
This fleeing appears to be the opposite of boldness, but they had already been there a long time.
The Gospel message had done its work.
God had blessed with signs and wonders. The day of decision had come and the line in the sand was drawn. There was no questioning the message any more — the message was clear. The city had taken sides.
So they fled — to persevere. They fled to continue proclaiming the good news to others also in Lystra, Derbe and the surrounding country.
7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
This fleeing positions Paul for a work in Lystra.
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.
Notice this man listened to Paul speaking. And in his listening his faith became evident — observable!
He “had faith to be made well” (v.9).
FAITH is visible. It can be seen. Jesus saw the faith of people who brought him a paralytic, lying on a bed, to be healed (Matthew 9:2).
Faith can be seen in action — for this man, his faith was observable through his listening.
At the conclusion of this message, we will stand together and sing a song of response and commitment — it is a time in our service for faith to be seen.
Faith to come and pray because you believe in God who answers prayers.
Faith for salvation in Jesus - because you believe Jesus is the way, truth and life.
Faith to join God’s work through his church by becoming a member — believing that God loves his church and works through his church.
And what others see when you walk forward to pray or be prayed for, or to make a decision, is not you, but they see your faith. They are pointed to God when you make your faith visible through actions.
Clearly this man believed what Paul was preaching, and believed God could heal him. So Paul —
10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking.
This healing was the work of the Lord, again, confirming the word of his grace by granting Paul a sign (Acts 14:3). Through this healing, the Lord brought to light for others what Paul already saw in this man — His faith.
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.
This is a city like many others, that worshiped idols. At the entrance to Lystra was a temple to Zeus. The only way the people could make sense of the wonders being done was to think that they had been visited by their gods.
One of the local legends told of an ancient visitation by Zeus and Hermes to the city of Phrygia. In that story, only one couple in the city received Zeus and Hermes graciously, so the rest of the population was destroyed in a flood.
Those in Lyconia, knowing that legend, would not want to make the same mistake and so they honor Paul and Barnabas believing them to be their gods because they had worked a miracle (Keener, IVP Background Commentary).
But Paul and Barnabas do not make the same mistake as Herod did in Acts 12.
Just like Herod who delivered an oration in bright silver clothing that glimmered in the sun, Paul and Barnabas were thought to be gods — but Paul and Barnabas immediately reject this notion. Herod did not — and God immediately struck Herod down because he did not give God the glory (Acts 12:21-23).
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. 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.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
In this case we are told how Paul and Barnabas communicate — with torn garments and crying out --- but we are also told WHAT they spoke. The content of their message.
This is a Gentile audience that would not be familiar with the Hebrew Scriptures as in the synagogue setting. This audience does not worship the God of the Scriptures, but they worship idols.
So here, Paul starts his gospel presentation with what his audience would understand — Creation.
And notice in verse 15 he refers to God as the “living God” who made heaven and earth and all that is in them.”
This is instructive for us in our gospel witnessing to understand our audience, to be students of the people we are praying for, and know how to lead them to the ways of God.
Once again, Paul is met with strong opposition.
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
This same crowd that wanted to offer sacrifices to them now wants to stone them.
When Paul and Barnabas deny that they are gods, in this culture the people would think that they must then be dangerous magicians. The gods were regarded as good and gracious, but magicians were viewed as secretive and harmful. (Keener, IVP Background).
So they drag Paul out of the city and stone him.
This stoning makes the list of Paul’s sufferings in:
24 Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea;
Where was God in the midst of this stoning?
God allowed Paul and his companions to flee an attempted stoning before in Acts 14:5, but here he is actually stoned.
How many of us, if we faced opposition like this, would continue on in the faith? How many of us would find a new job?
But God clearly God was protecting Paul, even if Paul wasn’t aware of it. He allowed Paul to endure the stoning, and he protected him in the midst of it. Not from it, but in the midst of it!
Not only did Paul survive, but he was able to get up and walk away. This was a miracle!
But in this case — it was a miracle that hurt!
God’s grace is amazing, but it doesn’t erase suffering.
Faith perseveres because it coexists with opposition.
Paul later wrote to Timothy:
10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.
I suppose it is possible to live an uneventful life in the Lord. But for those who want to teach, to set an example in the faith, to be patient and loving and steadfast — must be those willing endure — to endure also the persecutions and sufferings and to know the presence of God in the midst of trials.
20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Paul went on. He continued. He persevered even after being dragged out of the city and stoned. He was not swayed from his calling in Jesus that was worth more to him than the tribulations.
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
Notice the phrase “made many disciples.”
It is a phrase printed on the bulletin cover this week.
It is the same word used in:
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
What Paul and others are doing is directly fulfilling Jesus’s command. And it is an example for us of the cost in obeying Jesus.
Their work is also instructive for us on how to make disciples.
How were many disciples made? In part — as a result of preaching the gospel.
“When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples.”
They preach, but then they fulfill the Great Commission and baptize, and teach the commands of Jesus.
And after all of this, verse 21 says —
IV. THEY RETURNED… (v.21)
IV. THEY RETURNED… (v.21)
21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,
And they returned for a purpose —
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
They can now speak from experience that “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
They returned to tell the disciples that tribulations are to be expected. That God is faithful always, and that they should continue in the faith.
And they perform one final and important action.
23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
V. THEY COMMITTED/ENTRUSTED…(v.23)
V. THEY COMMITTED/ENTRUSTED…(v.23)
Before moving on their mission, after teaching and encouraging and equipping the church with elders to oversee their spiritual care, after praying and fasting they entrusted the believers to the same Lord that they were entrusted to themselves. To persevere in the faith.
That word “elders” is πρεσβυτέρους . Elders had an important role in the spiritual direction and oversight of the church. It is a group Paul will later develop and explain as being different from deacons, although they both share many of the same requirements.
But in appointing elders, Paul was not leaving them alone or without pastoral care because that care is needed for the people to persevere!
Steven Curtis Chapman wrote a song with these words:
“Nobody said it would be easy. But the One who called us here, is never going to leave us alone...” (SCC, Burn the Ships).
God never leaves us or abandons us.
Continuing in the faith means to continue through all kinds of opposition, persecution and trials.
Continuing in the faith means continuing in the work God has done in Jesus Christ through his death, burial, resurrection and ascension so that we might be forgiven of sins in Him.
If we find ourselves in a place of comfort in our faith, where we are not experiencing new challenges, problems, or opposition, it may be that the Lord is encouraging us to continue in the faith by examining whether or not our faith is alive and active and working to advance the gospel of Jesus!
Jesus himself was obedient unto death…even death on a cross. Jesus persevered in the faith, as our example. And Jesus is the one who empowers us to be faithful.
At the beginning of this New Year, will you entrust yourself to God and continue in His grace and continue faith with all perseverance until He comes?