Speak Boldly

1 In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue, as usual, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they stayed there a long time and spoke boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace by enabling them to do signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside. 7 There they continued preaching the gospel. 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, 22 strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” 23 When they had appointed elders for them in every church and prayed with fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 They passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 After they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed back to Antioch where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. 27 After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and that he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a considerable time with the disciples.

Pray

This passage is divided up into Four major sections. We are going to look at each of these four sections. And then we are going to put it all together as we see what the theme is for us.

Section 1 - Antioch

We begin by learning that after shaking their feet and leaving Antioch Paul and Barnabas travel down to Iconium. Following the roman road that ran east of Antioch known as the imperial road. As they enter into the city they begin in the Synagogue and speak in such a way that both Jews and Greeks believed. But those who don’t believe stir up trouble and cause the general public to turn against the Believers.

So they run away?

No they remain for a Long time Speaking Boldly for the Lord. It isn’t until the rulers plan to mistreat them and to stone them. To kill them. That they flee.

Not because they are ashamed of their faith. Not because they fear death. Not because they will not be Martyred. But because it is not their time to die. God still has a plan for them. Just like he does for you.

Zeus and Hermes?

Section two they see a man who cannot stand and been like that since birth. And This man’s faith in God at the command of Paul heals the man. And he is able to get up. But that’s not the focus of the story, no, the people of Lystra proclaim godhood on these two men.

Barnabas is Zeus the king of all god’s in the Greco-Roman world. And Paul (since he was the speaker of the two) was Hermes. Zeus’ son, messenger god, inventor of language, spokesmen for all the gods.

This is allowed to go on for two major reasons. A Greek myth puts Zeus and Hermes as doing this before. Those who show hospitality to the pair are rewarded those who don’t are punished. Case of Philemon and Baucus their neighbors were destroyed in a flood. So the myth allows the idea to spring up fast without much resistance after the healing. The biggest reason verse 11 they were saying in Lycaonian. Paul and Barnabas didn’t speak the local language. They were speaking in the common tongue of Greek. The language of business.

What they did with this opportunity is they turned down godhood. Imagine that temptation. Instead they Spoke boldly the words of God and the truth of Jesus Christ. Even though the people still chose to put their faith in what they could see.

What a temptation to be a god.

What a temptation it is for us as well. We like to put our faith in what we can see. We are a society of reason and order. I can see the numbers. I can see the person. I can see my bank account. Whatever.

The probability is Good that one here puts their faith in what they can see. Struggle for all of us. Jesus is the only true savior. The bank account will fade away. But we know that the difference is in practice not knowledge.

Iconium

Part three Paul and Barnabas are speaking Boldly and The Jews (the religious People) followed them from Antioch and Iconium. And did stone Paul left him for dead. He was seriously injured but alive by the will of HaShem and nothing else.

Speak Boldly

The fourth section. They don’t run away. Don’t go home and heal. They go back through the area where the people had just tried to kill them. And make sure that the people are discipled and have elders (pastors) looking over them to show them the way of Jesus Christ. Then they Go Home.

So what do we see.

Speak Boldly – People Believe

Religious people force them to leave

Speak Boldly - People Believe

People put their Faith in what they can see

Speak Boldly – People Believe

Religious people follow them and Stone Paul

Speak Boldly – People Believe

Returning to disciple and care for the believers

Next Steps

This is a passage of encouragement , of hope and of the character of the God we serve. Speak Boldly the Truth of Jesus Christ. It is what we have all been called to do through each of your individual Gifts. We need to take ever opportunity to proclaim Jesus

In our actions

In our words

In our vision - Where we are looking

Are you looking forward with Christ as the goal?

What is your vision for the church?

What is your vision for your family?

(think on that we need to cover that another day)

When we speak boldly the words of Christ, People will believe. Not everybody, But it isn’t for you to decide that. You only loose when you don’t tell

As people will Believe. The devil will challenge you and you will face troubles. May not be as harsh But will come, Expect it But in that trouble. God is faithful to us.

So Proclaim God In all that You Do.

And Let not the distractions of this world stand in your way of Proclaiming God

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