Make No Mistake

Context: Where does this fit in the Big Picture of God's Glory?

The First Missionary Journey Continues

Greek and Roman Mythology had tales of gods coming down and walking about. Usually causing trouble, but the story of Baucis and Philemon (yes, similar name) Zeus and Hermes wandered through Phrygia (region nearby) and judged the area for not showing hospitality

(in Ovid, and he’s dead by 20 AD)

There should be a map here

Overview: What's going on here?

Acts 14:8–21 CSB

8 In Lystra a man was sitting who was without strength in his feet, had never walked, and had been lame from birth. 9 He listened as Paul spoke. After looking directly at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And he jumped up and began to walk around. 11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought bulls and wreaths to the gates because he intended, with the crowds, to offer sacrifice. 14 The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this and rushed into the crowd, shouting, 15 “People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you, and we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own way, 17 although he did not leave himself without a witness, since he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” 18 Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them. 19 Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead. 20 After the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch,

Overview: What’s Going on Here?

v. 11 refers to the missionaries as gods incarnate

Paul and Barnabas press hard to make sure they are not mistaken for gods!

Then: the crowd turns on them and stones Paul

The crowd will always be fickle.

Reflection: Why does this matter?

Only once has God truly become incarnate:

Expectations: What do we do about it?

Which false gods are you serving? ABANDON THEM OR ABANDON ALL HOPE.

As an individual: watch your fame and desire to be the center of the world to others. Even as a side effect of your good works.

As a church: what do we seek: the fame of the church, the fame of Jesus? Remember that the world, the nation, the community DO NOT NEED THE CHURCH.

They need Jesus. If we only connect them to church, we’ve shorted them, failed our mission/mandate.