The Trip, the Problems Continue
Witness to the world: Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 51:55
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Travel team
Travel team
The gospel is on the move. From the Jews, to the Samaritans, to the Gentiles.From Jerusalem now as fare as Paphos (Island of Cypress).
From victories to conflict (Act13:42-45)
In Antioch of Pisidia there were many Jews who believed, Gentiles who listened in to the preaching and they believed.
Other Jews had envy and opposed the mission team and the message. The team boldly stood its ground on the message and proclaimed Jesus, proclaimed the word of God.
To being expelled (Act13:49-52)
Jews and prominent women stirred up the crowds who came against the mission team. They expelled them from the area. Paul and the team shook the dust off their feet and moved on. That leads us to our passage tonight.
Our journey makes more stops tonight, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, and a return trip. That is what we are looking at tonight (Act14:1-22).
As we look at this passage you will see a pattern, or as some commentators say “more of the same” there is good and there is persecution. Victory and tribulation.
Only two points today.
Journey and ministry in Iconium, Lystra and Derbe
Suffering for the gospel, do all suffer?
Journey and ministry continues
Journey and ministry continues
Remember God’s plan thought of and considered man, not just Jewish men, Jewish nation, but all people, all nations. Like other places there is good and there is trouble, watch how this develops in our passage tonight.
At Iconium (Act14:1-6)
Iconium 90 mi east of Antioch
1 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.
3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.
5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.
What do you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you?
Question: Where did the preaching begin (v.1)?
the synagogue of the Jews
There were not only Jews but many Greeks there too.
Many came to believe
Question: What was the direct result of the preaching, when the multitude came to believe (v.2)?
The unbelieving Jews stirred up trouble (the Gentiles)
Question (not on the sheet) It says they poisoned their minds, how can someone have their mind poisoned?
Question: What was the response to the trouble (v.3)?
The mission team stayed a long time, spoke boldly, preaching Jesus and confirmed the message with signs and wonders.
Application: when persecution, tribulation, trouble come (and it will) be ready for it, and don’t run, keep on keeping on, speak truth boldly, confidently, with gentleness and respect of course. Don’t get discouraged, in fact James says “count it all a joy” Jm1:2!
(Transition) Division happens in the City (v.4) and now we want to look at (vv.5-6)
Question: When they continue to preach (v.3) the city is divided (v.4) what is it that transpires in (v.5)?
A violent attempt by Gentiles and Jews, to abuse and stone them.
(Transition) now the journey will continue when the mission team is made aware (surprise, surprise) of the intent of the stirred up people. Now this next section focuses on Lystra but actually encompasses other towns in the region too.
At Lystra (Act14:6-20)
This is a longer section and there is a lot to grab from the passage so I’m going to break into pieces so can glean along the way.
Gospel preached in the region (vv.6-7)
6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
On this just a quick notice that it is now spreading to more than just one city, it was to the region, and the message is still the same, preach the gospel!
Healing because of faith (vv.8-10)
8 At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet, lame from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who, when he had fixed his gaze on him and had seen that he had faith to be made well,
10 said with a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he leaped up and began to walk.
Question: in looking at (vv.8-9) what can we know about the lame man?
He was lame from mother’s womb, never walked.
He listened to Paul, had apparent faith to be healed.
Question: What were the results of the mans apparent faith (v.10)?
He leaped and walked!
Does this remind you of Act3:8 about the paralytic at the gate beautiful healed by Peter and John?
What about the Messianic promise found in (Isa35:5-6)
5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped. 6 Then the lame will leap like a deer, And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy. For waters will break forth in the wilderness And streams in the Arabah.
Signs and wonders oftentimes had bigger impact than on a person.
People thought Barnabas and Paul were god’s (vv.11-13)
11 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.” 12 And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
Barnabas and Paul’s reaction (vv.14-18)
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you 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 the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways; 17 and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”
18 Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.
What did you see, what do you notice, what sticks out to you in this section?
Important facts (vv.14-18)
Paul and Barnabas, in Jewish fashion tore their clothes (v.14)
Told them they are but men too, and pointed to the one and only living God (v.15); He made Himself known by His creation.
God gave free will, and yet still provided hearts with joy and gladness (vv.16-17)
Still yet, with the words, with the evidence still they wanted to sacrifice to them (v.18)
Now some interesting parallel’s you can see. See the message, the style does not change check this out.
Act14:15 he addresses the men, now look at Act17:22
22 So Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.
So we see the salutation
Act14:15 we see introduction “we bring good news” and now look at Act17:22 again, good news always will catch peoples attention.
Act14:15 says it is God who made heaven, earth, sea and everything in the. Now look at Act17:24
24 “The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands;
And just because it is needed here to keep in context
25 nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; 26 and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation,
Now looking at Act14:16, God gave free will to the nations in the past, now compare to Act17:30
30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
Act14:17; God is generous, caring, compassionate and provider for humanity, now compare to Act17:27-29
27 that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; 28 for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we also are His children.’
29 “Being then the children of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and thought of man.
Paul did not just preach a sermon, in fact we don’t have a sermon, we have reasoning being used, he uses history, creation as his “proof-text” to prove who God is.
Stone hard results (vv.19-20)
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.
Question: what did they do to Paul (v.19)?
They dragged him out and stoned him, leaving him for dead.
(Transition) then it is time to move on and then circle back.
At Derbe (Act14:21-22)
21 After 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, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
Paul goes on to Derbe and see what he does and the results
Question: What did Paul do in Derbe? And what were the results (v.21)?
Preached the gospel, made disciples
Then returned to each city completing the 1235 mile journey.
(Transition) there is still more to get out of (vv.21-22) and we cannot is it.
Question: What did they do on the return trip (v.22)?
Maybe better put that verse back in front of you
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
They strengthening the souls, encouraging to continue the faith
Told them through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
(Transition) Now may we consider Paul’s statement that we must go through tribulation to enter the kingdom. So, does that mean that all Christians “must suffer” to enter the kingdom?
Suffering for the gospel
Suffering for the gospel
In looking at (Act14:22) that suffering is commanded? So, may we consider some passages and some thoughts about suffering for the sake of the gospel.
Scriptures to consider:
We are heirs if we suffer (Rom8:17)
17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
Question: According to (Rom8:17) what is the reason for the suffering?
So that we may be glorified with Him!
We are to rejoice in the suffering (1Pt4:13)
13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
According to 1Pt4:13 we are to keep on rejoicing, so we may rejoice, rejoice with exultation when we see the revelation of His glory!
It has been granted for us to suffer (Php1:29)
29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake,
Don’t know about you, I don’t care to suffer, but according to Php1:29 it is granted to us, why? because we believe in Him.
(Transition) so must all Christians suffer to enter into the kingdom of God?
Christians and suffering:
Jesus said the Apostles would suffer (Mt10:22)
You will be hated is what Jesus told them.
Paul says they did suffer (1Cor4:9-12; 2Cor4:8-10; 2Cor11:23-29)
Paul tells of the hunger, thirst, beatings, persecution, entreaties, stoning that had happen to them.
We know they all died as martyrs with exception of John
Many of the early Christians suffered (Act8:1, 3; Php1:29-30, 1The1:6, 2:14; 2The1:4-6)
We know at the hands of Paul to the church of Jerusalem
We know the church at Philippi and Thessalonica did too.
But not all suffered (Act9:31; Rev3:10; 1Tim2:3-4; 1The4:11)
we know that there were ties of peace, we had already seen that in Act9:31 before.
Look what Jesus told the church at Philadelphia
10 Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.
The would be protected from the time of trial, testing, suffering.
Paul said to pray for peace, aspire to live quiet (peaceful) lives, why say that i suffering were inevitable?
3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
11 and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you,
Those are just some scriptures to consider regarding suffering, but having said that, may we remember context matters. when Paul makes the statement we need to remember when did he say it, to whom did he say it?
Many early Christians were were permitted to suffer for the cause of the gospel (1Pt4:12-14; 2Cor1:3-7).
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
Question: in looking at 1Pt4:14, if you are reviled, or if you suffer for the name of Jesus, what are you?
You are blessed! and the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
In 2Cor1 the God of all comfort, comforts in the suffering, it as the Apostles, it was the early church and it is today is it not? For not only did they share in the suffering they shared and partook of the consolation that abounds through Christ.
Not all Christians suffer, but we need to be willing to suffer. To be a living example of our faith through the suffering (1Pt4:16; Mt5:10-12).
16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
Question: If we suffer what are we to do?
We are to glorify God as a Christian!
Look at Jesus own words now.
10 “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Question: what is the result of suffering, or in these verses it say persecution?
Your reward in heaven is great!
(Encouragement slide: Be willing to endure suffering)
(conclusion): Paul, Barnabas suffered, as did Timothy, Titus and others for the case of the gospel, but it did not keep them from preaching and teaching the Word. The suffering did not hinder the growth of the church then, and if it happens here it will not hinder the growth here either. May we live a life that we are prepared should persecution or suffering come our way.
Encouragement - (Prayer) (Exit)