Sermon Tone Analysis

Public Reading of Scripture

Pray

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.

“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 —

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).

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)

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.

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?

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.

This fleeing positions Paul for a work in Lystra.

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.