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.