Approved
Notes
Transcript
Secular:
Personal:
Biblical:
Subject:
How should we respond in the midst of the ups and downs of the mission?
Textual:
Acts 14:8-23
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. 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. 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. 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.
Subject: How should we respond in the midst of the ups and downs of the mission?
In the midst of admiration we should redirect it to God. (vv. 8-18)
Lystra: Roman military post - connected to Pisidian-Antioch 100 miles NW
miracle: lame man walks - common for NT readers, but never the less miraculous
called gods:
Barnabas = Zeus (chief Greek god-father god with supreme powers)
Paul = Hermes (son of Zeus - messenger of the gods)
Barnabas and Paul respond
tear garments
run to the crowd - interrupt
Fate of Herod - Acts 12:22-23
redirect from worshiping men to worshiping the true God
one true God - maker of all things
allowed nations to walk in their own ways
But he left them a witness: rains from heaven, fruitful season, satisfied hearts (food and gladness)
Matthew 5:44-45
Psalm 19:1-6
Romans 1:18-25
Paul is interrupted before he can finish his message of repentance - but God would bring Paul back
The people continue to offer sacrifices to Barnabas and Paul
Wyoming - full moon
In the midst of attack we should be restored by God. (vv. 19-23)
Jews come from Antioch and Iconium - places they had previously visited. They are being followed by trouble.
They tried to stone them in Iconium
“Misled people are easy to mislead”
They succeed in stoning Paul in Lystra and leave him outside the city believed to be dead.
Miracle: likely in the protection from death more than the resurrection from death
Disciples gather around him and Paul rises up and enters the city
Paul and Barnabas continue the mission - next day to Derbe
They go back to their previous visited towns: Lystra, Iconium, Antioch
discipleship is not a one and done ministry
strengthen souls
encouraging them to continue in the faith
through many tribulations on the path to the kingdom of God
appoint elders in every church - Autonomy
prayer and fasting - each one committed to the Lord
watch repair