Acts_17
Sun. 11/30/08
Acts_17
I. Review
A. Paul and Silas had been ministering in Philippi where they were beaten and thrown into prison.
1. In spite of the persecution and suffering through supernatural events they had led the jailer and his household to faith in Christ.
2. The magistrates had sent word to release them the day following the arrest but they confronted the magistrates concerning their unlawful arrest.
a. They finally agreed to go but do so on their own terms, first taking time to visit the believers who were now meeting at the home of Lydia one of the new converts, in order to encourage them.
II. Which brings us to chapter-17 and our text for today, beginning with ministry in Thessalonica.
Acts 17:1-4 (NKJV)
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.
2 Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
3 explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.”
4 And some of them were persuaded; and a great multitude of the devout Greeks, and not a few of the leading women, joined Paul and Silas.
A. Leaving Philippi they traveled through a couple of small towns on their way to Thessalonica.
1. No indication given of ministry by them in the two smaller towns.
2. Paul's pattern was to minister in the larger towns that had a synagogue.
a. And he had the expectation that new believers would evangelize the smaller towns around them.
B. The fact that Paul ministered three weeks in the synagogue is not indicating the length of his stay in Thessalonica.
1. We know he was there long enough to receive financial support from Philippi twice.
Philippians 4:15-16
Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
2. He also spent time working in his trade as a tent maker part of the time.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 (NKJV)
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and toil; for laboring night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.
2 Thessalonians 3:7-10 (NKJV)
7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
C. He presented Jesus to them as the Christ (Messiah)
1. The Jews were faced with a dilemma in the scriptures, because they were familiar with passages like Isa. 53 which speaks of a Suffering Messiah and Psalm-2 which speaks of a Reigning Messiah.
a. The only way to reconcile this in their minds was to have two Messiahs.
(1) The Reigning Messiah they referred to as Messiah Ben David, and the Suffering Messiah they referred to as Messiah Ben Joseph…
2. But Paul laid out to them how both sets of prophecy were fulfilled in one Person - Jesus, who suffered when He was crucified on the cross, but rose from the dead to rule and reign forever.
a. The key to opening the scriptures is to focus on the Person of Christ.
D. The result; a few Jews, a multitude of Greeks, and many of the prominent women believed!
1. That is the result of the word being taught!
III. But not all were persuaded; vv-5-9
Acts 17:5-9 (NKJV)
5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
6 But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some brethren to the rulers of the city, crying out, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.
7 Jason has harbored them, and these are all acting contrary to the decrees of Caesar, saying there is another king—Jesus.”
8 And they troubled the crowd and the rulers of the city when they heard these things.
9 So when they had taken security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.
A. The unbelieving Jews, prompted by envy decided to take action against Paul and Silas.
1. The accusation is that they are acting contrary to Caesar, but the accusation is really only a cover for their envy.
a. Often those who bring accusation, have a deeper reason or undisclosed motive.
2. And they get together some trouble-makers to start a riot, and attack the house so that they might get to Paul and Silas.
a. Not finding Paul and Silas they drag Jason and some of the brethren to the government officials.
(1) Church historians tell us that six million Christians were killed in the first 2.5 centuries for refusing to say "Caesar is Lord"
3. They refer to the Christians as those who have turned the world upside down! Wow what a great testimony…
a. Since the world is upside down to begin with, they are guilty of making it right again.
b. What contrast there is between God's plan and intent, and the ways and values of man!
4. They make a deal with Jason that as long as Paul and Silas leave they won't press charges, so desiring to see Paul and Silas go free they agree to the deal.
IV. On to Berea vv10-15
Acts 17:10-15 (NKJV)
10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men.
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds.
14 Then immediately the brethren sent Paul away, to go to the sea; but both Silas and Timothy remained there.
15 So those who conducted Paul brought him to Athens; and receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him with all speed, they departed.
A. Paul and Silas rather than being discouraged were ready to go on.
1. And they jumped right back into the pattern of ministry they had established, going right to the synagogue.
B. What an encouragement the Berean's must have been as we consider what vv-11 says.
1. The man or woman who receives the word of God, with a ready mind, that is they embrace it, the welcome it, but they diligently examine and scrutinize it for themselves to see if what has been said or taught concerning it is accurate, are considered of noble mind.
a. We are exhorted by scripture
2 Timothy 2:15 (NKJV)
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
b. The Berean’s, heard it, they searched it out, and they formed an opinion about it!
c. Look at verse-13 "But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was preached by Paul at Berea, they came there also and stirred up the crowds."
(1) It was the word of God, i.e. what God has said, and that is what they preached and that is what changes lives.
(a) Not the theories and opinions of men.
C. The unbelieving Jews from Thessalonica heard that Paul and Silas were in Berea and followed them there and stirred up opposition.
1. The brethren having heard and having received the word of God sent Paul on realizing that it would be better for him to keep moving.
a. But Silas and Timothy remained in Berea.
2. Leaving Berea, Paul traveled on to Athens
a. Athens was the intellectual capital of the world.
(1) It was the city of Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates.
b. When Paul arrived in Athens, Paul immediately sent word back for Silas and Timothy to join him as quickly as possible.
V. Athens
Acts 17:16-21 (NKJV)
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was given over to idols.
17 Therefore he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and with the Gentile worshipers, and in the marketplace daily with those who happened to be there.
18 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, “What does this babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods,” because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection.
19 And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new doctrine is of which you speak?
20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.”
21 For all the Athenians and the foreigners who were there spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing.
A. As Paul waited his heart was greatly stirred for this incredible city, so full of the wisdom of men, but so devoid of God's truth.
1. Here in this intellectual center of the world there were over 3000 altars and temples built to different deities.
a. Temple to Aphrodite, abounding with prostitutes, man's attempt to justify sexual promiscuity.
b. Temple to Zeus, for the "make my day mentality" for those into savagery.
c. The temple to Bacchus for those into alcohol.
2. Paul's heart was stirred but he didn't jump up and form committees or political protest groups against idolatry.
a. Instead verse-17 tells us that he began to dialogue (reason), discuss, and dispute, in the churches and on the street (market place) with those in the city who were gripped by idolatry.
3. As he does this the Epicureans and the Stoics get involved.
a. Epicureans - philosophers who taught that man ought to live for pleasure.
b. Stoics - those who taught a disciplined lifestyle, avoiding anything, emotional, sensual, or material.
(1) Enjoy life or Endure life.
c. Neither group believed in eternal life, so talk of the resurrection caught the interest of both groups.
B. They took him to the Areopagus (Mars Hill) where the philosophers and the council of education (which sort stood watch over new teachings) could hear him.
1. The smartest men in the world had the understanding that religion and education could not be separated, how far we have drifted from that idea today.
C. The Athenian's were caught up in the endless analysis of new truth.
1. It has been said that "if it's true it's not new" and if it's new, it's not true". It is not some new novel truth we need but a return to the old truths, which have been with us from the beginning.
a. As we look in scripture we find that we have all the truth we need, and we would do well to learn as much of it as possible.
D.
Acts 17:22-34 (NKJV)
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, “Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious;
23 for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you:
24 God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands.
25 Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things.
26 And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,
27 so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that 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 have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, “We will hear you again on this matter.”
33 So Paul departed from among them.
34 However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
1. Paul seized upon his observation of their culture and used it as a launching pad to present the truth.
a. He speaks of
God's greatness(vv24),
God's goodness (vv25),
the government of God (vv26-27),
the glory of God (vv28,29),
and the grace of God (vv30-34).
b. He quotes from two poets popular within intellectual circles, to support his logic.
(1) Quoted from Epimenides, the Cretan poet
(2) The poet Aratus, from Paul's homeland Cilicia:
2. Yet it wasn't a very fruitful endeavor.
a. While some have said this should be the model of a good sermon (great intro, applicable illustrations, and sequential order of thought)
b. Jon Courson believes it is here as an example of failure, in that it lacks mention of the crucifixion, and the name of Jesus.
(1) That Paul was trying to make it culturally relevant instead of preaching Christ and Him crucified and thus it had little impact!
(2) Certainly there is some food for thought in his notion.
VI. All important is what you do with the message of the gospel
A. Just as Paul points out
29 Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising.
30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
1. Since we are the created and He is the creator we are not free to worship the work of our hands.
2. And He has overlooked for awhile our ignorance and has suffered long with us.
a. We have had general revelation, but now in hearing the gospel message we have received specific revelation and we are responsible for how we respond to it.
b. What is your response?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday Nov 23, 2008
Acts_16_11-40
Acts_16_11-40
I. As we left off
A. Paul has invited young Timothy to join him in this missionary journey, Silas and Luke are a part of the team traveling with them.
B. The Holy Spirit had forbidden them to go into Asia (Roman Asia) or into Bithynia, and they had come down to Troas a sea port where in a vision Paul had seen a man of Macedonia calling to him to come and help them.
1. By this they had determined that God was calling them to preach the gospel in Macedonia, and they immediately set out to travel to Macedonia.
II. Ministry in Philippi
A. Lydia Baptized
Acts 16:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
1. They had to cross the Aegean sea sailing from Troas to Samothrace an Island in the Aegean and then on to Neapolis.
a. Samothrace is about halfway between Troas and Neapolis.
b. They ran a straight course means that they had favorable winds and we see that they made the journey in two days where as later in the reverse direction it took them five days.
2. Then traveling over land they came to Philippi which was a larger city in that part of Macedonia.
a. Paul would target the major cities knowing that it was much easier for the gospel to go out from the large cities than it was for the gospel to come in to the large cities.
b. Luke tells us that it was a colony meaning it was a Roman colony let me read what the "Bible Knowledge Commentary" says here as it is often kind of fun to catch a glimpse of history as we move along.
Philippi, originally named Crenides ("Fountains"), was taken by Philip of Macedon and renamed after him. In 168 b.c. Philippi became a Roman possession. After Mark Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius, the assassins of Julius Caesar, near Philippi in 42 b.c., the city was made into a Roman colony. This gave it special privileges (e.g, fewer taxes) but more importantly it became like a "transplanted" Rome (cf. comments on Philippi in the Introduction to Phil.). The primary purpose of colonies was military, for the Roman leaders felt it wise to have Roman citizens and sympathizers settled in strategic locations. So Octavian (who became Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor, in 27 b.c.) settled more colonists (primarily former soldiers) at Philippi after his defeat of Antony at Actium, on Greece's west coast, in 31 b.c.
Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:399
3. On the Sabbath "we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there."
a. Evidently the Jewish population was small in Philippi, they were gathering by the riverside for prayer there not being enough men in good standing to open a synagogue.
b. And to the women gathered there, Paul and company sat down and preached the gospel.
4. Among the women who had gathered was a woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God.
a. The dyes used for coloring things purple were very expensive and sellers of purple were dealing with very luxurious and highly desired products.
(1) Lydia was apparently successful and had a house large enough to accommodate Paul and his team.
b. We are told that she worshipped God, so likely she was not a proselyte who had converted to Judaism, but had come to believe in and worship Jehovah.
(1) And as Paul preached the Lord open up her heart to believe the message of the gospel and heeding the message she and her household were subsequently baptized.
(2) After her baptism she begs Paul and company to come and stay at her house which they did.
c. Lydia has the distinction of being the first European convert of the Apostle Paul.
(1) Many like to speculate on how history may have been different if the Gospel had gone first to Asia before it went to Europe.
B. A demon possessed girl is delivered
Acts 16:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
1. A group of men were exploiting a slave girl who was possessed with a demon of divination and were profiting off her fortune-telling.
2. And the girl sort of latches on to Paul and company following them around and declaring who they were ( the servants of the Most High God) and what they were doing (who proclaim to us the way of salvation).
a. And after many days of her doing this, Paul being greatly annoyed by what she was doing commands the spirit to come out of her, and the spirit obeys, and she is set free from it.
b. Interesting that they were not interested in the free advertisement she brought, they did not want to be in any way identified with sucha spirit even if it was telling the truth.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV)
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
(1) I marvel at the way much of the church is chasing after the endorsement of the world today...
C. Paul and Silas are persecuted because of this
Acts 16:19-24 (NKJV)
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
1. Caring nothing for the well being of the girl and motivated solely by their loss of income from their fortune-telling enterprise, the masters of this girl turn on Paul and Silas and drag them before the magistrates of the city.
a. Paul and Silas are singled out because they are Jews and less likely to be Romans there were one set of laws for Roman citizens and quite another for those who weren't.
(1) Roman citizens had civil rights which were zealously gaurded, non-citizens did not have civil rights.
b. The accusation these men being Jews are trouble makers troubling the city;
(1) Took place shortly after Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome
Acts 18:2 (NKJV)
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
(2) And the people were permitted to have their own religions but were not permitted proselytize Roman citizens.
2. So moved by the crowd the magistrates beat Pail and Silas then threw them into prison (in stocks)
a. The jailers being given specific instructions to keep them securely.
D. Conversion of the Philippian jailer.
Acts 16:25-32 (NKJV)
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
1. In spite of their circumstance Paul and Silas are full of joy and singing to God.
a. Joy comes when we keep in mind not our circumstances but the promise and knowledge that God is in control of our circumstance.
2. The other prisoners were listening, the world watches and listen to us, what example do they see???
3. Suddenly a supernatural earthquake which loosens the chains of everyone of the prisoners including their doors.
a. With good reason the jailer awakened by the earthquake and seeing all the doors opened was about to kill himself, because the penalty for letting a prisoner escape was that you had to fulfill their penalty.
b. Paul realizing that the jailer would likely harm himself cries out and intervenes.
(1) Paul and Silas care more about the others then they do about their own freedom!!!
4. Now the jailer is really shook up and asks them what he must do to be saved...
a. Paul responds “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
(1) Salvation is through grace by faith.
(2) Promise of household many feel is specific to the jailer...
5. And they believed and are baptized.
Acts 16:33-34 (NKJV)
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
a. And he is now ministering to them.
E. They don't go quietly
Acts 16:35-39 (NKJV)
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”
36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”
38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
1. The earthquake was about the salvation of the jailer and his household and not the release of Paul and Silas or why would the message now come to let them go (God surely knew what would happen)!
2. At any rate the magistrates are now ready to let them go, they have made an example of them which will surely keep everyone else in line.
a. But Paul and Silas are not going to let them off the hook so easily and reveal that they are Roman citizens which they had unlawfully beaten without a trial.
b. I would have been anxious to let the matter go, but they are standing up for the others by their protest.
3. They go on their own terms
Acts 16:40 (NKJV)
40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
a. first ministering to Lydia and the other believers before they depart...
III. God wants you!!!
A. Your heart
1. Two ways
a. First in relationship...
b. Second in relationship...
Acts_16_11-40
I. As we left off
A. Paul has invited young Timothy to join him in this missionary journey, Silas and Luke are a part of the team traveling with them.
B. The Holy Spirit had forbidden them to go into Asia (Roman Asia) or into Bithynia, and they had come down to Troas a sea port where in a vision Paul had seen a man of Macedonia calling to him to come and help them.
1. By this they had determined that God was calling them to preach the gospel in Macedonia, and they immediately set out to travel to Macedonia.
II. Ministry in Philippi
A. Lydia Baptized
Acts 16:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Therefore, sailing from Troas, we ran a straight course to Samothrace, and the next day came to Neapolis,
12 and from there to Philippi, which is the foremost city of that part of Macedonia, a colony. And we were staying in that city for some days.
13 And on the Sabbath day we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there.
14 Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshiped God. The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
15 And when she and her household were baptized, she begged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” So she persuaded us.
1. They had to cross the Aegean sea sailing from Troas to Samothrace an Island in the Aegean and then on to Neapolis.
a. Samothrace is about halfway between Troas and Neapolis.
b. They ran a straight course means that they had favorable winds and we see that they made the journey in two days where as later in the reverse direction it took them five days.
2. Then traveling over land they came to Philippi which was a larger city in that part of Macedonia.
a. Paul would target the major cities knowing that it was much easier for the gospel to go out from the large cities than it was for the gospel to come in to the large cities.
b. Luke tells us that it was a colony meaning it was a Roman colony let me read what the "Bible Knowledge Commentary" says here as it is often kind of fun to catch a glimpse of history as we move along.
Philippi, originally named Crenides ("Fountains"), was taken by Philip of Macedon and renamed after him. In 168 b.c. Philippi became a Roman possession. After Mark Antony and Octavian defeated Brutus and Cassius, the assassins of Julius Caesar, near Philippi in 42 b.c., the city was made into a Roman colony. This gave it special privileges (e.g, fewer taxes) but more importantly it became like a "transplanted" Rome (cf. comments on Philippi in the Introduction to Phil.). The primary purpose of colonies was military, for the Roman leaders felt it wise to have Roman citizens and sympathizers settled in strategic locations. So Octavian (who became Caesar Augustus, the first Roman emperor, in 27 b.c.) settled more colonists (primarily former soldiers) at Philippi after his defeat of Antony at Actium, on Greece's west coast, in 31 b.c.
Walvoord, John F. ; Zuck, Roy B. ; Dallas Theological Seminary: The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL : Victor Books, 1983-c1985, S. 2:399
3. On the Sabbath "we went out of the city to the riverside, where prayer was customarily made; and we sat down and spoke to the women who met there."
a. Evidently the Jewish population was small in Philippi, they were gathering by the riverside for prayer there not being enough men in good standing to open a synagogue.
b. And to the women gathered there, Paul and company sat down and preached the gospel.
4. Among the women who had gathered was a woman named Lydia who was a seller of purple from the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God.
a. The dyes used for coloring things purple were very expensive and sellers of purple were dealing with very luxurious and highly desired products.
(1) Lydia was apparently successful and had a house large enough to accommodate Paul and his team.
b. We are told that she worshipped God, so likely she was not a proselyte who had converted to Judaism, but had come to believe in and worship Jehovah.
(1) And as Paul preached the Lord open up her heart to believe the message of the gospel and heeding the message she and her household were subsequently baptized.
(2) After her baptism she begs Paul and company to come and stay at her house which they did.
c. Lydia has the distinction of being the first European convert of the Apostle Paul.
(1) Many like to speculate on how history may have been different if the Gospel had gone first to Asia before it went to Europe.
B. A demon possessed girl is delivered
Acts 16:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Now it happened, as we went to prayer, that a certain slave girl possessed with a spirit of divination met us, who brought her masters much profit by fortune-telling.
17 This girl followed Paul and us, and cried out, saying, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.”
18 And this she did for many days. But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
1. A group of men were exploiting a slave girl who was possessed with a demon of divination and were profiting off her fortune-telling.
2. And the girl sort of latches on to Paul and company following them around and declaring who they were ( the servants of the Most High God) and what they were doing (who proclaim to us the way of salvation).
a. And after many days of her doing this, Paul being greatly annoyed by what she was doing commands the spirit to come out of her, and the spirit obeys, and she is set free from it.
b. Interesting that they were not interested in the free advertisement she brought, they did not want to be in any way identified with sucha spirit even if it was telling the truth.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (NKJV)
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
(1) I marvel at the way much of the church is chasing after the endorsement of the world today...
C. Paul and Silas are persecuted because of this
Acts 16:19-24 (NKJV)
19 But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities.
20 And they brought them to the magistrates, and said, “These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city;
21 and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe.”
22 Then the multitude rose up together against them; and the magistrates tore off their clothes and commanded them to be beaten with rods.
23 And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely.
24 Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.
1. Caring nothing for the well being of the girl and motivated solely by their loss of income from their fortune-telling enterprise, the masters of this girl turn on Paul and Silas and drag them before the magistrates of the city.
a. Paul and Silas are singled out because they are Jews and less likely to be Romans there were one set of laws for Roman citizens and quite another for those who weren't.
(1) Roman citizens had civil rights which were zealously gaurded, non-citizens did not have civil rights.
b. The accusation these men being Jews are trouble makers troubling the city;
(1) Took place shortly after Claudius had expelled Jews from Rome
Acts 18:2 (NKJV)
2 And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them.
(2) And the people were permitted to have their own religions but were not permitted proselytize Roman citizens.
2. So moved by the crowd the magistrates beat Pail and Silas then threw them into prison (in stocks)
a. The jailers being given specific instructions to keep them securely.
D. Conversion of the Philippian jailer.
Acts 16:25-32 (NKJV)
25 But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.
27 And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself.
28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.”
29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas.
30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
1. In spite of their circumstance Paul and Silas are full of joy and singing to God.
a. Joy comes when we keep in mind not our circumstances but the promise and knowledge that God is in control of our circumstance.
2. The other prisoners were listening, the world watches and listen to us, what example do they see???
3. Suddenly a supernatural earthquake which loosens the chains of everyone of the prisoners including their doors.
a. With good reason the jailer awakened by the earthquake and seeing all the doors opened was about to kill himself, because the penalty for letting a prisoner escape was that you had to fulfill their penalty.
b. Paul realizing that the jailer would likely harm himself cries out and intervenes.
(1) Paul and Silas care more about the others then they do about their own freedom!!!
4. Now the jailer is really shook up and asks them what he must do to be saved...
a. Paul responds “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
(1) Salvation is through grace by faith.
(2) Promise of household many feel is specific to the jailer...
5. And they believed and are baptized.
Acts 16:33-34 (NKJV)
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
a. And he is now ministering to them.
E. They don't go quietly
Acts 16:35-39 (NKJV)
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the officers, saying, “Let those men go.”
36 So the keeper of the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace.”
37 But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us openly, uncondemned Romans, and have thrown us into prison. And now do they put us out secretly? No indeed! Let them come themselves and get us out.”
38 And the officers told these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Romans.
39 Then they came and pleaded with them and brought them out, and asked them to depart from the city.
1. The earthquake was about the salvation of the jailer and his household and not the release of Paul and Silas or why would the message now come to let them go (God surely knew what would happen)!
2. At any rate the magistrates are now ready to let them go, they have made an example of them which will surely keep everyone else in line.
a. But Paul and Silas are not going to let them off the hook so easily and reveal that they are Roman citizens which they had unlawfully beaten without a trial.
b. I would have been anxious to let the matter go, but they are standing up for the others by their protest.
3. They go on their own terms
Acts 16:40 (NKJV)
40 So they went out of the prison and entered the house of Lydia; and when they had seen the brethren, they encouraged them and departed.
a. first ministering to Lydia and the other believers before they depart...
III. God wants you!!!
A. Your heart
1. Two ways
a. First in relationship...
b. Second in relationship...
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Acts_16_1-10
Acts_16_1-10
11/16/08
Acts_16
I. Introductry
A. Paul and Barnabas had returned to Antioch from Jerusalem after the event known as the Jerusalem council, where the church officially ruled that circumcision and keeping the law are not requirements for salvation.
1. After some time Paul and Barnabas determined to take a second missionary journey to strengthen the churches they planted on their first trip.
2. But a sharp division occurred between them over young John Mark whom Barnabas wanted to take along but Paul refused because he had abandoned them during the first trip.
3. The division was so sharp that Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus, and Paul took Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had established there.
II. Timothy joins the team.
Acts 16:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.
2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
A. They are traveling in the reverse order from the first missionary journey their approach being from the east this time and thus they came to Derbe first.
1. And at Lystra is a young man named Timothy described as a disciple.
a. Timothy was probably a convert of Paul who refers to him as "his own son in the faith"
1 Timothy 1:2 (NKJV)
2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)
17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
(1) Certainly it is clear through the NT references to this young man that Paul Mentored him and trained him for ministry.
b. Here he is referred to as a disciple already, and he has full of knowledge of the persecutions including the stoning which Paul endured on his first trip to Lystra, which indicate he was a convert on that first trip.
2 Timothy 3:10-11 (NKJV)
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
c. He was the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, she and his Grandmother had passed along a Godly heritage to him.
2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)
5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
2 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(1) Both by example and by instruction in the scriptures they passed along this Godly heritage to him.
2. His dad was Greek and beyond that we are not told anything about his dad.
3. Timothy himself we are told had a good reputation among the local churches, and the gifting and grace for ministry were evident in his life and attested to by those that knew him.
a. What a great report, and this is as it should be, ordination for ministry should simply be man saying amen (we agree) to what God is already doing in someone’s life.
(1) This sadly is misunderstood and many fill the pulpit of today’s churches simply because they completed a series of prescribed classes, for a profession they chose, rather than being chosen by God to fulfill.
B. So Paul wants to take Timothy along for the rest of the journey, but on account of Jews who lived in the areas they would be ministering to, Paul first circumcises Timothy, who was not already circumcised because his dad was Greek and circumcision was not a common practice of the Greeks.
1. After all the fuss over circumcision in chapter-15 we naturally stop and ask why is Paul first circumcising Timothy before taking him along in ministry.
a. In chapter-15 the issue was over circumcision as a requirement for salvation, that is not the issue here, Timothy is already a believer, having received salvation by faith, and circumcision has nothing to do with it.
b. But in order to avoid conflict with Jews since they would be ministering to both Jew and Gentile, this would allow Timothy to be more effective in the ministry to which God was calling him.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NKJV)
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
(1) This was all the more important because Timothy was both Jewish and Greek.
(a) Lack of circumcision would have prevented him from being able to preach in the synagogues.
(2) How willing are we to sacrifice personally in order that we might minister to others?
2. And so as the trip continued, Timothy joined them and as they went through the cities and as they did so they delivered the decrees made by the church at the Jerusalem council.
a. And the churches were strengthened both in their faith and in their numbers as new converts were made through the preaching of the gospel and the teaching of God's word.
III. The Macedonian call.
Acts 16:6-10 (NKJV)
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
A. After traveling through the Phrygian region of Galatia, they attempted to turn and go into the Roman province of Asia of which Ephesus is the capital but the Holy Spirit forbid them to preach the word in this region.
1. Then as they reached Mysia they attempted to turn up and go into Bithynia, but again the Spirit refused to let them go that way, so passing by Mysia, literally skirting by it and not preaching or ministering anywhere, they came to Troas.
a. Paul would eventually preach in the Roman province of Asia, but now was not the time, God had something else in store for them.
(1) What a great lesson this is for us, we somehow get the idea that we can go what ever way we want to for ministry, but that isn't true.
(a) We can minister wherever we go but that is different than picking a place that we want to go to and establish ministries.
(b) Rather we are to be Spirit led, having a great idea, or simply having a burden for something is not enough, we must be God directed, Paul and his group are sensitive to what God is telling them.
i) I imagine that there may have been some disappointment in this, perhaps some frustration, but they didn't give up, they continued to seek out what God had for them.
B. But there in Troas which is a port town on the Aegean sea (near the site of Ancient Troy) Paul has a vision in the night, a man pleading with him to come over to Macedonia and help them.
1. A plea for help would be a very moving event and immediately Paul and team make plans to cross over to Macedonia, concluding that God was calling them to preach the gospel to them; and thus the gospel is headed to Europe.
a. So Paul and company fall in line with how God is working, and in line with God's divine plan, which they have readily allowed to redirect them and turn them aside from their own plans.
b. Note that Luke says "WE sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called US to preach the gospel to them." and so we see that Luke has at some point joined them in this trip and is now eye witness to the events at this point in time.
2. God has a plan and work for us, something that He is doing and that He wants us to join Him in, may we be more diligent in seeking His direction for us, more sensitive to hear, and more diligent in doing what He shows us to do.
IV. Now then what we are reading is a report of what this missionary group did and what they encountered, a report given to the church, so today we are going to take time to hear an actual report of missionary trip that Peggie and her son Michael recently participated in.
11/16/08
Acts_16
I. Introductry
A. Paul and Barnabas had returned to Antioch from Jerusalem after the event known as the Jerusalem council, where the church officially ruled that circumcision and keeping the law are not requirements for salvation.
1. After some time Paul and Barnabas determined to take a second missionary journey to strengthen the churches they planted on their first trip.
2. But a sharp division occurred between them over young John Mark whom Barnabas wanted to take along but Paul refused because he had abandoned them during the first trip.
3. The division was so sharp that Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus, and Paul took Silas and traveled through Syria and Cilicia strengthening the churches he and Barnabas had established there.
II. Timothy joins the team.
Acts 16:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek.
2 He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.
3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.
5 So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily.
A. They are traveling in the reverse order from the first missionary journey their approach being from the east this time and thus they came to Derbe first.
1. And at Lystra is a young man named Timothy described as a disciple.
a. Timothy was probably a convert of Paul who refers to him as "his own son in the faith"
1 Timothy 1:2 (NKJV)
2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 4:17 (NKJV)
17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
(1) Certainly it is clear through the NT references to this young man that Paul Mentored him and trained him for ministry.
b. Here he is referred to as a disciple already, and he has full of knowledge of the persecutions including the stoning which Paul endured on his first trip to Lystra, which indicate he was a convert on that first trip.
2 Timothy 3:10-11 (NKJV)
10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me.
c. He was the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, she and his Grandmother had passed along a Godly heritage to him.
2 Timothy 1:5 (NKJV)
5 when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
2 Timothy 3:15 (NKJV)
15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
(1) Both by example and by instruction in the scriptures they passed along this Godly heritage to him.
2. His dad was Greek and beyond that we are not told anything about his dad.
3. Timothy himself we are told had a good reputation among the local churches, and the gifting and grace for ministry were evident in his life and attested to by those that knew him.
a. What a great report, and this is as it should be, ordination for ministry should simply be man saying amen (we agree) to what God is already doing in someone’s life.
(1) This sadly is misunderstood and many fill the pulpit of today’s churches simply because they completed a series of prescribed classes, for a profession they chose, rather than being chosen by God to fulfill.
B. So Paul wants to take Timothy along for the rest of the journey, but on account of Jews who lived in the areas they would be ministering to, Paul first circumcises Timothy, who was not already circumcised because his dad was Greek and circumcision was not a common practice of the Greeks.
1. After all the fuss over circumcision in chapter-15 we naturally stop and ask why is Paul first circumcising Timothy before taking him along in ministry.
a. In chapter-15 the issue was over circumcision as a requirement for salvation, that is not the issue here, Timothy is already a believer, having received salvation by faith, and circumcision has nothing to do with it.
b. But in order to avoid conflict with Jews since they would be ministering to both Jew and Gentile, this would allow Timothy to be more effective in the ministry to which God was calling him.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NKJV)
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;
20 and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;
21 to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;
22 to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.
(1) This was all the more important because Timothy was both Jewish and Greek.
(a) Lack of circumcision would have prevented him from being able to preach in the synagogues.
(2) How willing are we to sacrifice personally in order that we might minister to others?
2. And so as the trip continued, Timothy joined them and as they went through the cities and as they did so they delivered the decrees made by the church at the Jerusalem council.
a. And the churches were strengthened both in their faith and in their numbers as new converts were made through the preaching of the gospel and the teaching of God's word.
III. The Macedonian call.
Acts 16:6-10 (NKJV)
6 Now when they had gone through Phrygia and the region of Galatia, they were forbidden by the Holy Spirit to preach the word in Asia.
7 After they had come to Mysia, they tried to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit did not permit them.
8 So passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.
9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.”
10 Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them.
A. After traveling through the Phrygian region of Galatia, they attempted to turn and go into the Roman province of Asia of which Ephesus is the capital but the Holy Spirit forbid them to preach the word in this region.
1. Then as they reached Mysia they attempted to turn up and go into Bithynia, but again the Spirit refused to let them go that way, so passing by Mysia, literally skirting by it and not preaching or ministering anywhere, they came to Troas.
a. Paul would eventually preach in the Roman province of Asia, but now was not the time, God had something else in store for them.
(1) What a great lesson this is for us, we somehow get the idea that we can go what ever way we want to for ministry, but that isn't true.
(a) We can minister wherever we go but that is different than picking a place that we want to go to and establish ministries.
(b) Rather we are to be Spirit led, having a great idea, or simply having a burden for something is not enough, we must be God directed, Paul and his group are sensitive to what God is telling them.
i) I imagine that there may have been some disappointment in this, perhaps some frustration, but they didn't give up, they continued to seek out what God had for them.
B. But there in Troas which is a port town on the Aegean sea (near the site of Ancient Troy) Paul has a vision in the night, a man pleading with him to come over to Macedonia and help them.
1. A plea for help would be a very moving event and immediately Paul and team make plans to cross over to Macedonia, concluding that God was calling them to preach the gospel to them; and thus the gospel is headed to Europe.
a. So Paul and company fall in line with how God is working, and in line with God's divine plan, which they have readily allowed to redirect them and turn them aside from their own plans.
b. Note that Luke says "WE sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called US to preach the gospel to them." and so we see that Luke has at some point joined them in this trip and is now eye witness to the events at this point in time.
2. God has a plan and work for us, something that He is doing and that He wants us to join Him in, may we be more diligent in seeking His direction for us, more sensitive to hear, and more diligent in doing what He shows us to do.
IV. Now then what we are reading is a report of what this missionary group did and what they encountered, a report given to the church, so today we are going to take time to hear an actual report of missionary trip that Peggie and her son Michael recently participated in.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Acts 15 Sunday November 9, 2008
Acts_15
11/9/08
Acts_15
I. Opening Statement
A. The scriptures record for us not only the successes of the church but also some of the churches struggles, failures, and conflicts.
1. In Acts 15 Luke sets before us a couple of struggles and conflicts, we can learn much from them if we will.
II. A conflict arises.
A. The conflict
Acts 15:1-2 (NKJV)
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
1. Certain men came from Judea, they were driven to persuade other Christians to embrace their belief system.
a. Because they were from Judea, Galatians indicates they were from the mother church in Jerusalem; they had an appearance of authority, though they had not been sent out by the church in Jerusalem, especially with the doctrine they were presenting.
b. What these men were teaching the brethren in essence was that in order to become Christians they would first have to become Jews by submitting to Jewish rituals including circumcision.
(1) It was a hard thing for the Jewish mind to embrace the fact that Gentiles could be admitted to the church as equals to the Jews w/o submitting themselves to the law.
(2) Such teaching says that the work of Christ on the cross was not a finished work, that salvation is not by faith alone, and puts men in bondage again to the law.
(a) There teaching contradicts what Paul taught at Antioch of Pisidia in Acts 13:39
Acts 13:39 (NKJV)
39 and by Him [Jesus] everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
c. Jesus taught a parable that addressed this when He taught that you cannot put new wine into old wine skins because it does not work, the church is a new work, and it can't be mixed in with Judaism.
d. We can never work our way into heaven, but heavens work can and should flow out of us.
2. These Judaizers taught that salvation was dependent on keeping the law, so this no small issue where parties could agree to disagree, the doctrine of salvation was and is a core doctrine, and it had to be resolved.
a. Today the doctrine of salvation is finding renewed opposition amongst those who have progressive ideas about how the church should function and what its mission is.
3. Their teaching brought about a sharp dispute and debate from Paul and Barnabas and when no resolution was reached, the Church in Antioch determined that Paul, Barnabas, along with others to act as witnesses should travel to Jerusalem to get an official ruling from the mother church.
a. There is no way that this theological issue is beyond Paul and Barnabas, ant the rest of the leaders of the church in Antioch, there is no confusion on their part.
(1) But they recognize the significance of the issue and that it needs to be settled officially and put to rest or many may be led astray by this false teaching and these false teachers...
B. Back to Jerusalem
Acts 15:3-5 (NKJV)
3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
1. As they traveled to Jerusalem they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, sharing along the way (giving testimony) describing the work of salvation God was accomplishing among the Gentiles.
a. This report brought great joy to the brethren that heard it. (the salvation of others ought to be a source of great joy)
2. Arriving in Jerusalem there was a public welcome for Paul and his associates (they were received by the church), and then probably a private meeting with the leaders (and by the apostles and the elders), at which time they gave a report of what God was doing through them.
a. Then in a second public meeting the Judaizers presented their case concerning salvation and keeping the law.
b. And then a fourth meeting probably public, where the issue is debated in an event known as the Jerusalem council, and where the church will ultimately make a ruling of official church doctrine concerning the issue at hand.
III. The Jerusalem Council
A. Peter speaks first
Acts 15:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
1. They came together to consider the issue, it was not left to individual conscience.
2. Doctrinally speaking this is a huge issue raised by the Jerusalem council, are Christians saved faith in Christ alone, or by a combination of faith and obedience to the Law of Moses.
3. "And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them..."
a. Peter evidently sat there and heard things out before finally speaking,
Proverbs 18:13 (NKJV)
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
b. and he gives them a history lesson reminding them of how God had already opened the door to the gentiles through him, and how God acknowledged them and gave His Spirit to them even though they were uncircumcised, the same way that He had given the Spirit to them.
(1) And that God has spoken to him in a vision that he was not to call what God had clean common or unclean, that is that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile.
(a) But that their hearts were purified by faith, not by keeping the law.
c. And Peter makes this observation "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"
(1) The law was a yoke that they were not even able to bear.
d. Peter concludes his argument with this statement "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we [Jews] shall be saved in the same manner as they [Gentiles].”
(1) It is backwards from the way you would think he might state it
(2) And he is thus making the point, that it is only by grace through faith that anyone could be saved, the Jews were not saved by grace and keeping the law.
B. Paul and Barnabas
Acts 15:12 (NKJV)
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
1. Paul and Barnabas then affirm or support what Peter has said by testifying to the way God was working greatly among the Gentiles.
C. James Speaks
Acts 15:13-21 (NKJV)
13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:
14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
1. James who is the brother of Jesus then speaks, making the point that God had already settled the question in the declaration of Peter as to how God had already visited the Gentiles (ethne- nations) taking out of them a people (laos) for His name.
a. And then he turns to the true authority on which doctrine and any work of God should be judged and that is by the word of God, and he quotes from Amos chapter-9 verses 11-12 demonstrating that the prophets agree with this work among the gentiles with no mention of their keeping the law.
2. "Therefore I judge" which indicates that James had a position of great authority in the church.
a. It is stated as a mutual decision when his determination is published, so his judgment was followed and ratified by all officially.
3. What he determined is that the gentiles should not be troubled that is "we should leave them alone", but that they should abstain from
a. things polluted by idols, strangled, or meat not properly bled, and from sexual immorality, (marriage within the family...)
(1) These were all related to laws found in Leviticus 17 & 18, and the idea was not so much to keep the law but to practice the law of love and by abstaining from these things they would not antagonize or provoke their Jewish brethern.
(a) And thus it would prevent division in the church.
4. Bottom line is he ruled that Peter, Paul and Barnabas were right and the Judaizers were wrong.
D. A letter of decision is drafted.
Acts 15:22-29 (NKJV)
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
1. This makes it clear that the issue was ultimately determined by the Holy Spirit who led them and helped them to understand how the scriptures spoke to the issues they discussed.
a. And to their credit they listened and obeyed.
b. Thus they sent a letter back, as well as the men to bear witness and confirm the words of the letter which Paul and Barnabas carried back.
2. And this issue was settled early in the beginning days of the church, that salvation is by grace through faith alone and not mixed with keeping of the law.
E. The letter is well received.
Acts 15:30-31 (NKJV)
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
1. Paul and Barnabas return with the ruling and gather the church together, and when the letter was read, it caused the church in Antioch to rejoice over the encouragement it contained.
IV. Work in Antioch continues
Acts 15:32-35 (NKJV)
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
A. Judas and Silas minister to the church in Antioch for a time, ultimately Silas remained in Antioch ministering, along with Paul and Barnabas, but Judas headed back to Jerusalem.
V. Contention over John Mark
Acts 15:36-41 (NKJV)
36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
A. Paul suggest to Barnabas that they return to the cities where they had planted churches on their first missionary journey in order to see how they are doing, which they evidently thought was a great idea.
B. but they divide over the issue of taking Mark with them, who had left them on their first missionary journey.
1. Barnabas was determined to take young Mark with them (ever the man of Grace)
2. But Paul insisted that they not take him, since he had departed from them the first time (Paul obviously thought his departure to be inappropriate)
3. And the contention between them became so sharp that they parted from one another going their separate ways.
a. This seems an unfortunate development, we need to be careful not to simply step over people in the ministry...
b. Barnabas and Mark head to the churches in Cyprus
c. Paul and Silas through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
11/9/08
Acts_15
I. Opening Statement
A. The scriptures record for us not only the successes of the church but also some of the churches struggles, failures, and conflicts.
1. In Acts 15 Luke sets before us a couple of struggles and conflicts, we can learn much from them if we will.
II. A conflict arises.
A. The conflict
Acts 15:1-2 (NKJV)
1 And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”
2 Therefore, when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and dispute with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas and certain others of them should go up to Jerusalem, to the apostles and elders, about this question.
1. Certain men came from Judea, they were driven to persuade other Christians to embrace their belief system.
a. Because they were from Judea, Galatians indicates they were from the mother church in Jerusalem; they had an appearance of authority, though they had not been sent out by the church in Jerusalem, especially with the doctrine they were presenting.
b. What these men were teaching the brethren in essence was that in order to become Christians they would first have to become Jews by submitting to Jewish rituals including circumcision.
(1) It was a hard thing for the Jewish mind to embrace the fact that Gentiles could be admitted to the church as equals to the Jews w/o submitting themselves to the law.
(2) Such teaching says that the work of Christ on the cross was not a finished work, that salvation is not by faith alone, and puts men in bondage again to the law.
(a) There teaching contradicts what Paul taught at Antioch of Pisidia in Acts 13:39
Acts 13:39 (NKJV)
39 and by Him [Jesus] everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.
c. Jesus taught a parable that addressed this when He taught that you cannot put new wine into old wine skins because it does not work, the church is a new work, and it can't be mixed in with Judaism.
d. We can never work our way into heaven, but heavens work can and should flow out of us.
2. These Judaizers taught that salvation was dependent on keeping the law, so this no small issue where parties could agree to disagree, the doctrine of salvation was and is a core doctrine, and it had to be resolved.
a. Today the doctrine of salvation is finding renewed opposition amongst those who have progressive ideas about how the church should function and what its mission is.
3. Their teaching brought about a sharp dispute and debate from Paul and Barnabas and when no resolution was reached, the Church in Antioch determined that Paul, Barnabas, along with others to act as witnesses should travel to Jerusalem to get an official ruling from the mother church.
a. There is no way that this theological issue is beyond Paul and Barnabas, ant the rest of the leaders of the church in Antioch, there is no confusion on their part.
(1) But they recognize the significance of the issue and that it needs to be settled officially and put to rest or many may be led astray by this false teaching and these false teachers...
B. Back to Jerusalem
Acts 15:3-5 (NKJV)
3 So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, describing the conversion of the Gentiles; and they caused great joy to all the brethren.
4 And when they had come to Jerusalem, they were received by the church and the apostles and the elders; and they reported all things that God had done with them.
5 But some of the sect of the Pharisees who believed rose up, saying, “It is necessary to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
1. As they traveled to Jerusalem they passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, sharing along the way (giving testimony) describing the work of salvation God was accomplishing among the Gentiles.
a. This report brought great joy to the brethren that heard it. (the salvation of others ought to be a source of great joy)
2. Arriving in Jerusalem there was a public welcome for Paul and his associates (they were received by the church), and then probably a private meeting with the leaders (and by the apostles and the elders), at which time they gave a report of what God was doing through them.
a. Then in a second public meeting the Judaizers presented their case concerning salvation and keeping the law.
b. And then a fourth meeting probably public, where the issue is debated in an event known as the Jerusalem council, and where the church will ultimately make a ruling of official church doctrine concerning the issue at hand.
III. The Jerusalem Council
A. Peter speaks first
Acts 15:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter.
7 And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.
8 So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us,
9 and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.”
1. They came together to consider the issue, it was not left to individual conscience.
2. Doctrinally speaking this is a huge issue raised by the Jerusalem council, are Christians saved faith in Christ alone, or by a combination of faith and obedience to the Law of Moses.
3. "And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them..."
a. Peter evidently sat there and heard things out before finally speaking,
Proverbs 18:13 (NKJV)
13 He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.
b. and he gives them a history lesson reminding them of how God had already opened the door to the gentiles through him, and how God acknowledged them and gave His Spirit to them even though they were uncircumcised, the same way that He had given the Spirit to them.
(1) And that God has spoken to him in a vision that he was not to call what God had clean common or unclean, that is that God makes no distinction between Jew and Gentile.
(a) But that their hearts were purified by faith, not by keeping the law.
c. And Peter makes this observation "Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?"
(1) The law was a yoke that they were not even able to bear.
d. Peter concludes his argument with this statement "But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we [Jews] shall be saved in the same manner as they [Gentiles].”
(1) It is backwards from the way you would think he might state it
(2) And he is thus making the point, that it is only by grace through faith that anyone could be saved, the Jews were not saved by grace and keeping the law.
B. Paul and Barnabas
Acts 15:12 (NKJV)
12 Then all the multitude kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul declaring how many miracles and wonders God had worked through them among the Gentiles.
1. Paul and Barnabas then affirm or support what Peter has said by testifying to the way God was working greatly among the Gentiles.
C. James Speaks
Acts 15:13-21 (NKJV)
13 And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:
14 Simon has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles to take out of them a people for His name.
15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written:
16 ‘After this I will return And will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, And I will set it up;
17 So that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, Even all the Gentiles who are called by My name, Says the Lord who does all these things.’
18 “Known to God from eternity are all His works.
19 Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God,
20 but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.
21 For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”
1. James who is the brother of Jesus then speaks, making the point that God had already settled the question in the declaration of Peter as to how God had already visited the Gentiles (ethne- nations) taking out of them a people (laos) for His name.
a. And then he turns to the true authority on which doctrine and any work of God should be judged and that is by the word of God, and he quotes from Amos chapter-9 verses 11-12 demonstrating that the prophets agree with this work among the gentiles with no mention of their keeping the law.
2. "Therefore I judge" which indicates that James had a position of great authority in the church.
a. It is stated as a mutual decision when his determination is published, so his judgment was followed and ratified by all officially.
3. What he determined is that the gentiles should not be troubled that is "we should leave them alone", but that they should abstain from
a. things polluted by idols, strangled, or meat not properly bled, and from sexual immorality, (marriage within the family...)
(1) These were all related to laws found in Leviticus 17 & 18, and the idea was not so much to keep the law but to practice the law of love and by abstaining from these things they would not antagonize or provoke their Jewish brethern.
(a) And thus it would prevent division in the church.
4. Bottom line is he ruled that Peter, Paul and Barnabas were right and the Judaizers were wrong.
D. A letter of decision is drafted.
Acts 15:22-29 (NKJV)
22 Then it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas, namely, Judas who was also named Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brethren.
23 They wrote this letter by them: The apostles, the elders, and the brethren, To the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, “You must be circumcised and keep the law”—to whom we gave no such commandment—
25 it seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
26 men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
27 We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who will also report the same things by word of mouth.
28 For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things:
29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.
1. This makes it clear that the issue was ultimately determined by the Holy Spirit who led them and helped them to understand how the scriptures spoke to the issues they discussed.
a. And to their credit they listened and obeyed.
b. Thus they sent a letter back, as well as the men to bear witness and confirm the words of the letter which Paul and Barnabas carried back.
2. And this issue was settled early in the beginning days of the church, that salvation is by grace through faith alone and not mixed with keeping of the law.
E. The letter is well received.
Acts 15:30-31 (NKJV)
30 So when they were sent off, they came to Antioch; and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the letter.
31 When they had read it, they rejoiced over its encouragement.
1. Paul and Barnabas return with the ruling and gather the church together, and when the letter was read, it caused the church in Antioch to rejoice over the encouragement it contained.
IV. Work in Antioch continues
Acts 15:32-35 (NKJV)
32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.
33 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles.
34 However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there.
35 Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
A. Judas and Silas minister to the church in Antioch for a time, ultimately Silas remained in Antioch ministering, along with Paul and Barnabas, but Judas headed back to Jerusalem.
V. Contention over John Mark
Acts 15:36-41 (NKJV)
36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.”
37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.
38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work.
39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus;
40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.
41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
A. Paul suggest to Barnabas that they return to the cities where they had planted churches on their first missionary journey in order to see how they are doing, which they evidently thought was a great idea.
B. but they divide over the issue of taking Mark with them, who had left them on their first missionary journey.
1. Barnabas was determined to take young Mark with them (ever the man of Grace)
2. But Paul insisted that they not take him, since he had departed from them the first time (Paul obviously thought his departure to be inappropriate)
3. And the contention between them became so sharp that they parted from one another going their separate ways.
a. This seems an unfortunate development, we need to be careful not to simply step over people in the ministry...
b. Barnabas and Mark head to the churches in Cyprus
c. Paul and Silas through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Acts 14 Sunday November 2, 2008
Acts_14
11/2/08
Acts_14
I. Opening Remarks
a. We are looking at Paul’s first missionary journey.
II. They continue traveling through modern-day Turkey and press on to Iconium after being kicked out of Antioch.
Acts 14:1-7 (NKJV)
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.
7 And they were preaching the gospel there.
A. Again we see that pattern of going to major population centers and to the synagogue first.
1. Many believed but those who did not believe set out to sabotage their ministry.
a. Watch out that we don't listen to character assassinations and gossip
2. We read of those who believed and there were also those who were unbelieving
a. The world can be divided into one of these two groups and it is important to know which group you belong to.
(1) The unbelieving group are enemies of the cross in one way or another, there is no middle ground.
(2) Jesus said to the religious leaders who did not believe:
John 8:42-47 (NKJV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
3. Satan has been working since the garden to pervert the truth of God, and the gospel will always meet opposition from some quarter.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (NKJV)
8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
a. But they did not let that overthrow their work but provoked them to preach all the more boldly while they had opportunity.
(1) Opposition depending on its nature can be an indicator that you are on the right track.
B. We see that the Lord confirmed the Word Through signs and wonders.
1. We don't grasp it with the same sense of drama, but this room is full of people that are evidence to the miraculous work of God.
a. Raised from the dead, spiritually not physically...
C. The truth divided the city, and ultimately Paul and Barnabas had to flee for their lives.
1. And they went to Lystra and Derbe… preaching the Gospel.
a. The fact that there is no mention of then going to the synagogue in these cities indicates that there were not enough Jews in the city to have a synagogue.
D. Map
III. A lame man healed (lame from birth).
Acts 14:8-18 (NKJV)
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
A. Paul looked intently at him, as if he were the only one in the room...
1. Saw that he had faith to be healed???
a. He leaped up and walked, truly a miracle, we have the record, and I know of no dispute to it, how do you explain it?
2. In response they begin to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods {Hermes and Jupiter( Mercury and Jupiter)}.
a. Temptation to receive glory is a dangerous temptation, we like the praise and esteem of men, but glory belongs to God and to Him alone and Paul and Barnabas are very sensitive to this.
(1) They tear their clothes as a strong way of showing their aversion to the crowd’s response of worship toward them.
(2) And they preach to them that they should turn away from their superstitions and worship the true and living God.
(a) And they point to general benefits enjoyed by mankind as an adequate witness to His existence and His goodness.
i) And this implies now that through the church they are receiving direct revelation not just general revelation
3. Even with all they said they were barely able to keep the people from offering sacrifices to them, still supposing them to be gods!
a. But this quickly changes.
IV. Verses 19-2o we see that trouble makers followed Paul around…
Acts 14:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
A. One minute they are crying "they are god's" the next they are stoning them.
B. We too often put our trust in men, and are ready to follow them rather than following God.
C. Why are people so fickle?(why were the men of Lystra so easily backed down from what they appeared to believe?)
Jeremiah 26 gives us some insight into the ficklness of men.
Jeremiah 26:2-3 (NKJV)
2 "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.
3 Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.'
In obedience to the Lord's command Jeremiah stood in the Temple courtyard and preached powerfully a message of repentance.
Jeremiah 26:8 (NKJV)
8 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, "You will surely die!
But the people said we don't like what your saying so we are going to kill you.
Jeremiah 26:12 (NKJV)
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: "The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard.
Jeremiah 26:14-15 (NKJV)
14 As for me, here I am, in your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to you.
15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will surely bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for truly the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."
Do what you want with me but if you kill me your problems will be worse and you will have innocent blood on your hands.
Jeremiah 26:16 (NKJV)
16 So the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God."
Jeremiah took a stand, he would not back down and his life was spared.
Jeremiah 26:20 (NKJV)
20 Now there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, what you're saying makes sense so I'm going to prophecy just like you, the very things you say I will say.
Jeremiah 26:21 (NKJV)
21 And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid and fled, and went to Egypt.
When Urijah heard that his life was at stake he backed down, and raan away.
Jeremiah 26:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Then Jehoiakim the king sent men to Egypt: Elnathan the son of Achbor, and other men who went with him to Egypt.
23 And they brought Urijah from Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
A good way to get wiped out is to back away from what you know to be true.
To look to the world (Egypt) for a fix.
Or to take a vacation from the Word.
Urijah backed down because he was not receiving directly from the Lord, he was just mimicking Jeremiah. He agreed mentally but it was not in his heart.
Truth moves from the head to the heart through prayer.
Jeremiah 26:24 (NKJV)
24 Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
1. Jeremiah stood his ground and it saved his life.
2. Paul stood his ground and would not backdown, his was the kind of faith that is genuine.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
a. No doubt Paul's faith was strong because he was allowing himself to have communion with Christ on a daily basis.
b. Some believe that Paul actually died when he was stoned (vv-19)
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (NKJV)
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-
4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
D. Paul got up and went back into the city, and the next day left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Acts 14:21-28 (NKJV)
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
1. We enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation.
a. Paul and Barnabas realized this and that the Christian life is not an easy life, so they went back through the cities where they had preached, and where they had persecuted, to strengthen and encourage the believers they had left behind.
(1) Thank God for the ministry of encouragement.
b. And they appointed Elders in the churches...
2. Preaching along the way they returned to their sending church in Antioch, and there they gave testimony and report to what God had done through them and the work He was doing among the Gentiles.
a. And they remained at home for a long time.
11/2/08
Acts_14
I. Opening Remarks
a. We are looking at Paul’s first missionary journey.
II. They continue traveling through modern-day Turkey and press on to Iconium after being kicked out of Antioch.
Acts 14:1-7 (NKJV)
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.
7 And they were preaching the gospel there.
A. Again we see that pattern of going to major population centers and to the synagogue first.
1. Many believed but those who did not believe set out to sabotage their ministry.
a. Watch out that we don't listen to character assassinations and gossip
2. We read of those who believed and there were also those who were unbelieving
a. The world can be divided into one of these two groups and it is important to know which group you belong to.
(1) The unbelieving group are enemies of the cross in one way or another, there is no middle ground.
(2) Jesus said to the religious leaders who did not believe:
John 8:42-47 (NKJV)
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.
46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?
47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
3. Satan has been working since the garden to pervert the truth of God, and the gospel will always meet opposition from some quarter.
1 Corinthians 16:8-9 (NKJV)
8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost.
9 For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
a. But they did not let that overthrow their work but provoked them to preach all the more boldly while they had opportunity.
(1) Opposition depending on its nature can be an indicator that you are on the right track.
B. We see that the Lord confirmed the Word Through signs and wonders.
1. We don't grasp it with the same sense of drama, but this room is full of people that are evidence to the miraculous work of God.
a. Raised from the dead, spiritually not physically...
C. The truth divided the city, and ultimately Paul and Barnabas had to flee for their lives.
1. And they went to Lystra and Derbe… preaching the Gospel.
a. The fact that there is no mention of then going to the synagogue in these cities indicates that there were not enough Jews in the city to have a synagogue.
D. Map
III. A lame man healed (lame from birth).
Acts 14:8-18 (NKJV)
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed,
10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.
11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
A. Paul looked intently at him, as if he were the only one in the room...
1. Saw that he had faith to be healed???
a. He leaped up and walked, truly a miracle, we have the record, and I know of no dispute to it, how do you explain it?
2. In response they begin to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods {Hermes and Jupiter( Mercury and Jupiter)}.
a. Temptation to receive glory is a dangerous temptation, we like the praise and esteem of men, but glory belongs to God and to Him alone and Paul and Barnabas are very sensitive to this.
(1) They tear their clothes as a strong way of showing their aversion to the crowd’s response of worship toward them.
(2) And they preach to them that they should turn away from their superstitions and worship the true and living God.
(a) And they point to general benefits enjoyed by mankind as an adequate witness to His existence and His goodness.
i) And this implies now that through the church they are receiving direct revelation not just general revelation
3. Even with all they said they were barely able to keep the people from offering sacrifices to them, still supposing them to be gods!
a. But this quickly changes.
IV. Verses 19-2o we see that trouble makers followed Paul around…
Acts 14:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.
20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
A. One minute they are crying "they are god's" the next they are stoning them.
B. We too often put our trust in men, and are ready to follow them rather than following God.
C. Why are people so fickle?(why were the men of Lystra so easily backed down from what they appeared to believe?)
Jeremiah 26 gives us some insight into the ficklness of men.
Jeremiah 26:2-3 (NKJV)
2 "Thus says the Lord: 'Stand in the court of the Lord's house, and speak to all the cities of Judah, which come to worship in the Lord's house, all the words that I command you to speak to them. Do not diminish a word.
3 Perhaps everyone will listen and turn from his evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity which I purpose to bring on them because of the evil of their doings.'
In obedience to the Lord's command Jeremiah stood in the Temple courtyard and preached powerfully a message of repentance.
Jeremiah 26:8 (NKJV)
8 Now it happened, when Jeremiah had made an end of speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, that the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, "You will surely die!
But the people said we don't like what your saying so we are going to kill you.
Jeremiah 26:12 (NKJV)
12 Then Jeremiah spoke to all the princes and all the people, saying: "The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city with all the words that you have heard.
Jeremiah 26:14-15 (NKJV)
14 As for me, here I am, in your hand; do with me as seems good and proper to you.
15 But know for certain that if you put me to death, you will surely bring innocent blood on yourselves, on this city, and on its inhabitants; for truly the Lord has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing."
Do what you want with me but if you kill me your problems will be worse and you will have innocent blood on your hands.
Jeremiah 26:16 (NKJV)
16 So the princes and all the people said to the priests and the prophets, "This man does not deserve to die. For he has spoken to us in the name of the Lord our God."
Jeremiah took a stand, he would not back down and his life was spared.
Jeremiah 26:20 (NKJV)
20 Now there was also a man who prophesied in the name of the Lord, Urijah the son of Shemaiah of Kirjath Jearim, who prophesied against this city and against this land according to all the words of Jeremiah.
Jeremiah, what you're saying makes sense so I'm going to prophecy just like you, the very things you say I will say.
Jeremiah 26:21 (NKJV)
21 And when Jehoiakim the king, with all his mighty men and all the princes, heard his words, the king sought to put him to death; but when Urijah heard it, he was afraid and fled, and went to Egypt.
When Urijah heard that his life was at stake he backed down, and raan away.
Jeremiah 26:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Then Jehoiakim the king sent men to Egypt: Elnathan the son of Achbor, and other men who went with him to Egypt.
23 And they brought Urijah from Egypt and brought him to Jehoiakim the king, who killed him with the sword and cast his dead body into the graves of the common people.
A good way to get wiped out is to back away from what you know to be true.
To look to the world (Egypt) for a fix.
Or to take a vacation from the Word.
Urijah backed down because he was not receiving directly from the Lord, he was just mimicking Jeremiah. He agreed mentally but it was not in his heart.
Truth moves from the head to the heart through prayer.
Jeremiah 26:24 (NKJV)
24 Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.
1. Jeremiah stood his ground and it saved his life.
2. Paul stood his ground and would not backdown, his was the kind of faith that is genuine.
1 Peter 1:6-7 (NKJV)
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
a. No doubt Paul's faith was strong because he was allowing himself to have communion with Christ on a daily basis.
b. Some believe that Paul actually died when he was stoned (vv-19)
2 Corinthians 12:2-4 (NKJV)
2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago-whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows-such a one was caught up to the third heaven.
3 And I know such a man-whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows-
4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.
D. Paul got up and went back into the city, and the next day left with Barnabas for Derbe.
Acts 14:21-28 (NKJV)
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.
27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.
1. We enter the kingdom of God through much tribulation.
a. Paul and Barnabas realized this and that the Christian life is not an easy life, so they went back through the cities where they had preached, and where they had persecuted, to strengthen and encourage the believers they had left behind.
(1) Thank God for the ministry of encouragement.
b. And they appointed Elders in the churches...
2. Preaching along the way they returned to their sending church in Antioch, and there they gave testimony and report to what God had done through them and the work He was doing among the Gentiles.
a. And they remained at home for a long time.
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