Staying Focused (Acts 14)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Persistence In the Face of Opposition (Acts 14:1-7)

1)Great Number Believed (Acts 14:1)

2)Refused to Believe (Acts 14:2)

3)No Distraction (Acts 14:3)

4)The Evil Alliance (Acts 14:4-7)

5)Principle

Opposition is often an indication of effective work.

6)Applications

In what way are you facing opposition because of your testimony for Jesus Christ? Will you ask for continued boldness?

Faith, Folly, and Firearms (Acts 14:8-20)

1)The Crippled Man With Faith (Acts 14:8-10)

2)A Strange Conclusion (Acts 14:11-13)

3)Worthless Vs Living God (Acts 14:14-17)

We're Only Men (Acts 14:14-15)

Why Are You Doing This? (Acts 14:14-15)

From Vanity to Reality (Acts 14:15)

No Grandfather Clause (Acts 14:16-17) 5

Premeditated Attempted Murder (Acts 14:19-20)

4)Principle

Commitment to the cause of Christ provides endurance in good times and in bad.

5)Applications

What has God asked you to endure for Him and who else is aware of it?

Who do you have that is praying for you on a regular basis? Are they aware of your spiritual needs? Your physical needs? Your emotional needs?

Courage and Encouragement (Acts 14:21-28)

1)Strengthen and Encourage (Acts 14:21-23)

2)The Mission Report (Acts 14:24-28)

3)Principle

Our struggles are best used as illustrations of God's goodness.

4)Applications

What new believer has God put in your path that could use some encouragement?

What challenges has God brought you through that you can use to encourage someone else?

Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever had to do something that requires a great deal of concentration but for one reason or another, you were distracted? Not only does a distraction hinder your ability to do what you are supposed to be doing, but it can cause frustration as well. And depending on the nature and importance of the activity, the frustration might be enough to cause one to quit altogether.

Concentrate (v): to bring all efforts, faculties, activities, etc. to bear on one thing or activity; to come toward a common center; single purpose or aim

Aside from the fact that Tiger Woods is very a talented golfer, much of his ability to be consistent is credited to his ability to stay focused on the course. To put his energy into the hole he is currently working on and not let other things distract from trying to reach the hole in the minimum number of strokes.

Paul is the Tiger Woods of evangelism. I mean that in a good way. His focus is on the goal of his calling and that is to remain true to the One who called him from the “kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the his beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13)

Persistence In the Face of Opposition (Acts 14:1-7)

1)Great Number Believed (Acts 14:1)

...went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. They made a habit of going where they knew they would have an audience. And where they knew people who worshiped God would be.

But they also always presented the whole Gospel, never assuming the audience was already familiar with its message.

Luke points out that they spoke so effectively that many Jews and Gentiles believed. In other words, what they spoke was made effective by the work of the Holy Spirit on those that heard them.

2)Refused to Believe (Acts 14:2)

The affect of the Gospel causes divisions. The reason being is that those who believe are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. From the kingdom of death to the kingdom of life.

Are here we see the Jews who refused to believe (we are not told the reason), but they are not satisfied with their own disbelief, but now they want to influence others. Luke says that they poisoned the minds of the Gentiles.

I don't know what they said. But the effect was deadly as poison. It caused them to be against the brothers. There was now a split, those who disbelieved against those who believed.

3)No Distraction (Acts 14:3)

Paul and Barnabas were so in tune with their mission for Christ, they recognized what was going on. They saw that this type of opposition was an indication that they were making inroads into the enemies territory. And he didn't want to make it easy for them.

But they also recognized that they were committed to the course that was set for them. And they had no intention of turning back.

In fact, they pressed on and spent considerable time there, spoke boldly for the Lord, and performed signs and wonders to confirm the message.

Not only did they not leave due to opposition, they were emboldened in their determination to carry on for the cause of Christ. They didn't allow this poisoning of minds to distract them from their real mission.

What distractions are you facing in your work for the Lord? What effect is it having on that work?

NOTE: Those who are committed to results will leave when they face opposition such as this because it is a hindrance to their goal. But those who are committed to the cause of Christ will be enabled to persevere and withstand that opposition.

4)The Evil Alliance (Acts 14:4-7)

Sometimes people who normally would not give each other the time of day find themselves teaming up to fight a common enemy. That is what we see here. The Jews had no companionship with these Gentiles other than they now had them fully against Paul and Barnabas. Even to the extent that they are plotting to silence them once and for all. And this was not just a group of fringe personalities, this included the leaders.

Their intent was to mistreat and stone them.

Isn't it interesting that the only creatures God designed to have fellowship with Him are so hateful of the only message that can restore that fellowship.

What could cause such animosity toward people who showed them nothing but consideration?

It wasn't so much that they hated the messengers as much as they hated the message. The gospel exposes what is in the heart. It sheds light into dark places. And most of humanity would rather think well of themselves than deal with the stark reality of their own need of a Savior.

Luke tells us (Acts 14:6) when they heard of the plot they fled. They realized it was time to move on. It was not time to stand and face what might be their own death.

Sometimes God's will is that we flee. Later, Paul would head into Jerusalem knowing that death 'awaited him' but not this time.

Illustration: Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, etc. Were called by God to become pioneer missionaries to the Auca Indians of Ecuador. They made contact slowly by flying over and giving gifts from a basket they lowered from their plane. They landed and even took one of the curious tribesmen on a ride. But before they were even able to begin working with this tribe, they were attacked by a group of warriors and brutally slaughtered. Seems like a waste of young, able, willing Christian missionaries. And I am not here to tell you I understand all of what God's purpose was in allowing this tragedy. But I do know that this did not stop God's work with the Aucas. Jim's wife, Elizabeth, and some of the relatives of the other killed missionaries, continued the work and many of them became believers.

In order to carry on the work of God's calling, they needed to move to Lystra and Derbe.

5)Principle

Opposition is often an indication of effective work.

6)Applications

In what way are you facing opposition because of your testimony for Jesus Christ? Will you ask for continued boldness?

Faith, Folly, and Firearms (Acts 14:8-20)

Verse 6 and 7 end with Paul and Barnabas going on to Lystra and continuing to preach the good news (gospel). This is their occupation wherever they go and it has nothing to do with the positive or negative response of the hearers. They know that responses are not up to them, they are just responsible for disseminating the message. They know their calling and they stick to it.

1)The Crippled Man With Faith (Acts 14:8-10)

Even though Luke does not specifically talk about the words Paul is using in Lystra, we see that he is preaching the gospel. This is the same message we have seen over and over through the first 13 chapters of Acts: All men are sinners and separated from God, Man us under God's judgment due to sin, God provided His perfect Son, Jesus, to bear sin for sinners, Men crucified him according to the plan of God, God raised Him from the dead, He is ascended to the 'right-hand of the Father'.

During his message, Paul is made aware of a man in the audience and his faith to be made well (Acts 14:9). Paul's ability to recognize this must have been a prompting by the Holy Spirit.

I am not sure how this man went from hearing the gospel message to believing he could be healed. Perhaps it was the events of Jesus' life that the apostle spoke about. Or maybe he just realized that a God able to save a sinner, such as himself, certainly was able to heal a man crippled from birth.

Whatever the case may be, Paul shouts at the man to get up. “On your feet!” And he sprang to his feet and began walking. Something he had never done. Very similar to the first healing Peter had done at the Beautiful Gate early in the book of Acts.

2)A Strange Conclusion (Acts 14:11-13)

I'm not sure if you've ever traveled to a different country or not. Maybe you are in a different country. If you are unfamiliar with the culture and local customs, sometimes you are caught off guard. Sometimes there's commotion in the street and you don't know if you should move toward the commotion to see what is happening or if you should run for your life. You don't know what the norms are, so you have nothing to gauge your reaction to other than your own familiar culture.

Just because you articulate the gospel message very clearly, that is no guarantee that the hearers will respond in the way you hope they will. The town's response to Paul's message was not an indication that Paul needed to modify his message.

In fact, the response was very similar in many ways to the Jews' response in Iconium. It's interesting how much a person's world view impacts the way they filter information.

The Jews practicing their false religion at synagogue (false in that it was works-based, law-based righteousness rather than faith) saw this message as either blaspheme or a threat to their power over the people. Their religious duty was to silence the heretics.

These pagans saw these me as gods to be appeased. Their religious duty was to make sacrifices to them.

Natural man will always misappropriate the message of God's word without the aid of the Holy Spirit.

So Paul and Barnabas see all this commotion and don't realize what is happening. They didn't recognize what these people were saying was actually targeting them as being two of their pagan gods.

3)Worthless Vs Living God (Acts 14:14-17)

We're Only Men (Acts 14:14-15)

They tore their clothes indicating that they were appalled at the idea these people saw them as anything other than what they were: common ordinary men, created beings.

In fact, despite all of Paul's personal qualities: zeal, drive, training, etc.; he would be the first to tell anyone that the results of his work were not to his credit but were a work of God through him. Don't get me wrong, he knew he would be rewarded for his labors, but he also knew that Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, he who abides in him will bear much fruit...but apart from the vine, you can do nothing.

I wonder how many of us have a favorite Bible teacher. Maybe it's your own pastor or priest. It's easy to get caught up in the personality cult and put more stock in the person than in purpose that person is where they are.

And any teacher worth his salt will avoid building a church upon their own charisma.

Paul and Barnabas want nothing to do with receiving praise for this man's healing or the faith that made it happen. So tearing their clothes was a demonstration of their repulsion to the idea that they would be given credit for what only God can do.

Why Are You Doing This? (Acts 14:14-15)

Why not? This is what we do. This is what we have always done.

Without God's work in a life, this is the way all of humanity goes. To do whatever they believe is right in order to make themselves right with God. They have a false view of God which leads to a false view of what God requires which leads to a false collection of man-made practices in an effort to compensate for what man knows to be lacking in his own moral character.

But any view, no matter how well intentioned it is, if it does not correspond to reality, it is in fact a vain and futile effort.

From Vanity to Reality (Acts 14:15)

And so Paul calls these worshipers of Zeus and Hermes away from what is vain. These practices of yours gain you nothing.

He calls them to turn from the vain (NIV: worthless) to the living God. This is a God who is responsible for all that is alive and everything that supports life.

In fact, the knowledge of this God and language to describe Him transcends language barriers. As psalmist put it in Psalm 19:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.

No Grandfather Clause (Acts 14:16-17)

Just because this is the way we have always done it doesn't make it right. Just because nations in the past practiced these vain practices doesn't mean it was acceptable to God.

God allowed the nations to remain nations even when they were practicing things that were contrary to His nature. He mercifully allowed people to go on while all the time providing a witness to reality. He was the one who sustained your ancestors with food from the earth and water from the clouds and enjoyment of life.

Premeditated Attempted Murder (Acts 14:19-20)

The Jews from Antioch and Iconium were not satisfied with the fact that Paul and Barnabas were out of town. They must have felt quite threatened to do what they were doing.

Their intention was to apply the Old Testament form of capital punishment, stoning. And notice how they have been employing the Gentiles all along the way. Here again, they draw from the crowd to assist in this act. And we saw from the preceding verse that Paul and Barnabas' message did not resonate with all of the people.

So they stone him. I don't think we have any idea what that must be like. These were not pebbles being thrown. No, they were large rocks that broke bones, tore flesh, rendered a person unconscious. And that's what Paul underwent.

Those performing the execution thought they had completed the job. So they dragged him outside the city walls to leave him for the wild animals.

But the brothers gathered around him, revived him and brought him back inside the city walls. What a bold move that was. Right under the noses of those who had taken part in the act.

There's no way that a person would go on from here were it not for a heart set on following through with your commitment to the Lord. The Holy Spirit gave Paul and Barnabas a singleness of mind in completing the work set before them.

This was no time for a furlough or a break from ministry, there was work yet to be done – there were lost souls needing the Gospel in Derbe.

4)Principle

Commitment to the cause of Christ provides endurance in good times and in bad.

5)Applications

What has God asked you to endure for Him and who else is aware of it?

God never leaves us alone. We all need others to come along side and to pray for us.

Who do you have that is praying for you on a regular basis? Are they aware of your spiritual needs? Your physical needs? Your emotional needs?

Courage and Encouragement (Acts 14:21-28)

Encourage (v): To give courage to; to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to raise, or to increase, the confidence of;

Paul and Barnabas understood the challenges that faced (and perhaps had already arrive) for these new believers. They had not promised them an easy life, just eternal life.

1)Strengthen and Encourage (Acts 14:21-23)

It seems like Paul and Barnabas would need some strengthening and encouragement, doesn't it? It's hard to imagine the strain on they have endured for the past 3 years.

But they understood the importance of ensuring these new believers were firmly grounded in the faith. They understood that if the enemy could not defeat them through physical injury, he would try to pollute their doctrine and lead them astray. And cause them to become discouraged in the faith. Anything to make them ineffective witnesses for the cause of Christ.

And so the team travels back through the same route, only in reverse. Yes, they even go through Lystra, the site of Paul's stoning. Their goal is to establish strong pockets of believers who will be able to reproduce. And so they return to visit, encourage, strengthen, and establish those who will be responsible for the spiritual development of these new churches.

2)The Mission Report (Acts 14:24-28)

One of the things I have really enjoyed in the past is being a part of missions work in various churches. It is exciting to read the news from the field and to be kept up to date on the needs of the missionaries and to have a part in praying for them regularly.

It is also a great time to have them back from their mission field and hear what God is doing in other parts of the world.

In the first century, news didn't travel too fast. Most likely, the Antioch church was unaware of where Paul was and how things were going. So when they return, there must have been great excitement to see them again and great anticipation to hear what God had done.

This is one of the joys Paul and Barnabas and the sending church in Antioch experience. They are able to share in the joy of what God has done by opening the door to the Gentiles.

3)Principle

Our struggles are best used as illustrations of God's goodness.

4)Applications

What new believer has God put in your path that could use some encouragement?

What challenges has God brought you through that you can use to encourage someone else?

Conclusion

What hole in life's 18-hole course are you on? Is your focus too far ahead? Is it thinking about the mistakes you made on previous holes? Or are you just focusing your attention on the next stroke? The place where God has you right now?

On Tour (Acts 13)

Introduction

Hearing the Voice of God (Acts 13:1-12)

1)Prepared to Listen (Acts 13:1-4)

2)Wanting to Hear (Acts 13:4-12)

3)Principle

In order to hear God's voice, one must be actively listening.

4)Applications

What do you need to do in order to be more intentional about listening for God's voice?

What have you heard from God but have yet to act upon?

Heeding the Word of God (Acts 13:13-41)

1)Paphos to Perga (Acts 13:13)

2)Perga to Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:14)

3)A Message of Encouragement, Part 1 (Acts 13:15-25)

From the Patriarchs to the Promised Land (Acts 13:17-20a)

From Judges to Jesse's Son (Acts 13:20b-22)

The Savior, Jesus (Acts 13:23-25)

4)A Message of Encouragement, Part 2 (Acts 13:26-37)

Salvation For Us (Acts 13:26)

Missed the Obvious (Acts 13:27)

Man's Verdict (Acts 13:28-29)

God's Verdict (Acts 13:30)

Many Witnesses: Then and Now (Acts 13:31-37)

Forgiveness of Sin Through Him (Acts 13:38-39)

A Warning to Heed (Acts 13:40-41)

5)Principle

God has provided everything for His people's redemption, but only those who heed His word are saved.

6)Applications

Upon what does your righteousness depend? Are you depending on what you do and the way you live?

Or have you believed the Gospel message and are trusting in Jesus' righteousness for your justification?

Having the Joy of God (Acts 13:42-52)

1)A Great Reception and Invitation (Acts 13:42-43)

2)A Great Turnout (Acts 13:44)

3)A Great Envy (Acts 13:45)

4)A Great Reception and Rejoicing By the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48)

5)A Great Spread (Acts 13:49)

6)Everyone Filled (Acts 14:50-52)

7)Principle

There is joy in doing God's will regardless of the outcome.

8)Applications

When was the last time you experienced joy? If it's been a while, why is that?

Conclusion

Introduction

When a musical group spends a lot of time and effort in the studio recording an album, there comes a time when they need to get out on the road and expose the public to their new recording. And so they'll go on tour to promote their new songs. They plan where they are going to tour, schedule where they will play, and make the arrangements so that they can travel from city to city and perform with the hope that this will generate more fans and album sales.

I've been to concerts where I thought the musicians should have stayed in the studio. But others where the live concert was just as well performed as the studio version.

Up to this point, the “Gospel Tour” of the new church had been caused by the Dispersion and persecution, for the most part, with a few exceptions being the visitors to Jerusalem at Pentecost and the Ethiopian, etc. But at the beginning of Acts 13, we see an intentional sending out on tour of the first foreign missionaries.

Hearing the Voice of God (Acts 13:1-12)

1)Prepared to Listen (Acts 13:1-4)

When you want to sit down and have an important conversation with someone, you want the environment to be free from distractions that will hinder that conversation.

For example, if you want to have an intimate conversation with your wife, you don't go turn on the Chiefs game and ask her to sit down on the couch beside you and talk. At least I hope that's not what you consider and intimate conversation.

Depending on what you want to talk about, you might book a reservation at a quiet restaurant where you can be alone together. Somewhere where there will be minimal distractions and a place that will enhance the ability to communicate what you would like to say. And you need to listen, not just hear, and comprehend what is being said.

When the Antioch church wanted to hear from God, they took intentional steps in order to seek His guidance. Let's look at verse 2 & 3:

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting ...
3 Then after fasting and praying …

God spoke to them when they were in a right frame of mind. They were worshiping, fasting and praying. They took the time to consider God for who He is (as revealed in His word) and they were exalting the Lord and humbling themselves before Him. They were withholding food, denying themselves, in order to more fully devote themselves to seek God's will.

You probably have preset buttons on your car radios. When you travel too far out of town or to another state, those presets do little good (at least without satellite radio). The frequency those buttons are preset for are frequencies that most likely are not broadcasting the same radio content as back home.

It's not that God's not continually speaking, often my problem is that I am not on the same wavelength. I am listening to noise, rather than being in a place that is conducive to hearing His voice.

The problem is never with God, the problem with hearing God's voice is that I am often too busy to listen. Often too busy doing His will to listen.

When was the last time you heard God's voice?

The Antioch church heard the Spirit tell them to send out Barnabas and Saul. They were key individuals in that church. They were the ones who God had used to build them up and to equip them. They were very valuable. But Antioch was willing to give them up for God's purpose.

They were willing to send their very best so that others could receive what they had.

I know this may disappoint you, but I am not going to talk about the mileage Barnabas and Saul put on. But it was a lot.

2)Wanting to Hear (Acts 13:4-12)

Briefly: Sailed to Cyprus, Proclaimed in Salamis Synagogue, Went through the whole island to Paphos.

In Paphos, we see a strange pair of individuals. Strange in the sense that one is a Jewish sorcerer and the other is a Gentile proconsul. One is trying to silence the words of God and the other trying to hear the words of God. One leaves blind and the other has his eyes opened to the truth. One who was a descendant of Abraham in the flesh and the other becomes a descendant of Abraham in the faith.

In verses 6 and 7 these two men are introduced. Here we have a Jewish man who, rather than being a light for the world, was using his influence to dissuade this man from hearing the truth. Elymas himself was blinded by the god of this world and he didn't want anyone else to see the truth.

Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them [Barnabas and Saul], seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.

The enemy of our souls, Satan, would like nothing better than to silence the voice of God in the hearts of the lost. And here he is using a human instrument to try and do just that. In Elymas' mind, he may have had other motivations, we are not told, but regardless of his motivation, he was being used as a pawn.

In Paul's second letter to the Corinthian church he writes (by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit):

2 Corinthians 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

So Satan's strategy is to try and silence the messenger or to blind the receiver.

But in this case, the Holy Spirit, through the Apostle Paul, silences Satan and opens the eyes of the receiver. Let's read 9-12:

Acts 13:9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

3)Principle

In order to hear God's voice, one must be actively listening.

4)Applications

What do you need to do in order to be more intentional about listening for God's voice?

What have you heard from God but have yet to act upon?

Heeding the Word of God (Acts 13:13-41)

1)Paphos to Perga (Acts 13:13)

Notice: The change in rank (Barnabas to Paul). The name change (Saul to Paul). The team change (John Mark leaves).

2)Perga to Pisidian Antioch (Acts 13:14)

Notice the casual wording Luke uses in verse 14, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia.

It would seem that this was just up the road, and it was, a 100+ mile road. Noted for rough terrain, pretty good change in altitude, and some formidable bandits along the way. It was not a Sabbath afternoon walk.

3)A Message of Encouragement, Part 1 (Acts 13:15-25)

When you think of an encouraging message, what comes to mind? Some message that will make you feel good about yourself? If it's not true, then it can't be encouraging – at least not in a real sense. Paul's message of encouragement highlights the faithfulness of God in spite of the disposition of the people.

From the Patriarchs to the Promised Land (Acts 13:17-20a)

God chose our fathers (Sovereign choice in election) – verse 17a

Grew the nation even in hostile Egypt (Providential care) – verse 17b

Led the people from Egypt (Redemption) – verse 17b

Endured their conduct 40 years (ESV: put up with them) (Patience and mercy) – verse 18

Gave them an inheritance (Provision) – verse 19

From Judges to Jesse's Son (Acts 13:20b-22)

If you've ever taken the time to study the book of Judges, you'd know that it was a time of great turbulence for the descendants of Abraham. After Joshua's death and the death of the generation that entered the land, there arose a generation who knew nothing about the LORD. And they lived like it. They began adopting the practices of the nations that their forefathers failed to drive out.

And in mercy, God sent trouble, invaders, nations who would oppress them. God is merciful in giving consequences to our actions so that we may cry out to Him and realize the destructive nature of our own sin.

And so God graciously gives Judges to draw the people back to Him and to drive back the enemies of Israel.

There was no earthly monarch or king at this time, the judges did not rule the people, but God alone was their King.

And when Samuel came on the scene, there was corruption even in the priesthood under Eli and his wicked sons. And so Samuel was to bring a message about the judgment against the house of Eli.

During Samuel's tenure as prophet, the people came to him with a proposal. We want a king. We want someone who will take over the responsibility of establishing an army, making and enforcing laws, and basically taking care of all the things that we just don't have time doing. Plus, all the other nations have a reigning king, we want one too.

God points out to the discouraged prophet that it wasn't Samuel they were rejecting, it was YHWH.

And so God gave them someone that they all thought would meet the requirements of a great leader. He was a tall guy. But he had a big self-confidence problem once he was established. God gave them their choice in order to allow them to see the disaster that can take place when men would rather choose their own way than God's way. And although Saul appeared to be custom fit for the job, he ultimately was rejected by God and his career ended tragically.

But God chose David. A man who was far from perfect, but whose heart was committed to seeking and following the Lord. A man after God's own heart, Luke tells us. When you read through some of the Psalms, you get a sense of this man's heart. That He loved the Lord deeply and desired more than just some superficial knowledge of God – he wanted to know and obey God.

So this is where Paul leads his audience. To another pinnacle in God's redemptive history. The place where God's promise to David was that his seed would be no ordinary seed but He would have an eternal reign.

The Savior, Jesus (Acts 13:23-25)

Paul points out the fact that there is no more waiting for God's promise to be fulfilled, it is fulfilled in the promised descendant of David, the Savior Jesus. How can you get more encouraging than that. The very one that Sabbath after Sabbath the Jews would read about in the prophets and the Law. They would speak of his coming. And here Paul says that he has already arrived.

And in fact, John the Baptist, who would have been known to many of the listeners as the last and latest prophet. He had pointed to the one whose sandals he was not worthy of untying. He saw himself as less than the lowest servant of Jesus.

4)A Message of Encouragement, Part 2 (Acts 13:26-37)

After laying out the redemptive history of God's plan culminating in the person of Jesus Christ, Paul goes on to present the Gospel message.

Salvation For Us (Acts 13:26)

Paul starts out by calling his audience to realize that this salvation through Jesus is for us. There is no more waiting for Messiah, he has already come. What the prophets longed for has already come to pass. Don't miss it!

Missed the Obvious (Acts 13:27)

My wife sometimes accuses me of not looking. I know what I'm looking for, in a cabinet or the refrigerator, but I come away empty handed. And then Mary will walk right over to where I have been looking and pick up that very thing.

There is one of two things at work when this happens. Either I have a mental image of what I am looking for and my brain performs some sort of inversion of the image that is transmitted from the optic nerve to the brain. Or the image I have is an incorrect image. (Mary says, “You just don't look”, but I don't see how that could be true).

Something of much greater gravity was at work at the end of Jesus' earthly ministry, and Paul points it out here. Those who spent their lives pouring over the word of God through the Law and the Prophets were the very ones who missed the identity of Jesus. And not only did they miss who he was (and is), they were instrumental in fulfilling what the prophets spoke about him.

They failed to heed the Scriptures and by doing so, they fulfilled the Scriptures.

Man's Verdict (Acts 13:28-29)

The interesting thing about humanity is that we try to shun anything that reveals the uncomfortable truth of who we are. We want to avoid anything that exposes our flaws and instead find things the accentuate our good qualities. We want to feel good about ourselves when the fact of the matter is, we are not good.

That's one of the issues with those who put Jesus to death. They were not unfamiliar with Scripture, they just were not willing to allow the Scripture to reveal to them how very distant they were from God. They were overexposed without the affect of heeding the warnings.

And so, they were instrumental in disposing of someone who was perfect in every way. And his perfection exposed all of their hidden faults and self-centered motives and self-righteous thoughts.

They thought burying him was the end. But what they didn't realize was that God is infinitely greater than the box they had put Him into.

Acts 13:28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed.
29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.

God's Verdict (Acts 13:30)

All through this sermon, we see a God who doesn't react because man does something. We see a God who acts according to His nature and character. He is fulfilling redemption for His people, not because His people desire it, but because that is what they need even though they don't realize it.

Men executed and buried Jesus because His perfection revealed their sin. God raised Him from the dead to show that His perfection made Him the only worthy sacrifice for sin.

Acts13:30 But God raised him from the dead,

Many Witnesses: Then and Now (Acts 13:31-37)

Paul goes on to tell them that there are both contemporary as well as prophetic witnesses to the resurrection of Jesus. The contemporary are those who were his followers and many others.

The prophetic witness Paul uses is David himself showing how several prophecies were fulfilled in the resurrection of Jesus (just to mention a few)

Forgiveness of Sin Through Him (Acts 13:38-39)

(Romans 3:20-24) 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
21But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it
22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction:
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

A Warning to Heed (Acts 13:40-41)

There's always a danger in reading Scripture. The danger is either to look at it as if it were not applicable to me, or to realize the truth in what it being said and ignore or fail to take action. A hardening of the heart can begin to occur.

Paul warns his audience to avoid being a fulfillment of prophecy by resisting the truths just told. Don't resist the salvation God has provided because there may not be another opportunity.

5)Principle

God has provided everything for His people's redemption, but only those who heed His word are saved.

6)Applications

Upon what does your righteousness depend? Are you depending on what you do and the way you live?

That's what the Jews who rejected Jesus were depending on.

Or have you believed the Gospel message and are trusting in Jesus' righteousness for your justification?

Having the Joy of God (Acts 13:42-52)

1)A Great Reception and Invitation (Acts 13:42-43)

NIV: Acts 13:42 As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath.

ESV: As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath.

There was a great reception to what they had said, at least at first glance. And there seemed to be a lot of people who wanted to hear the message again. And perhaps they wanted him to expound upon what he had taught.

But as we see the turnout next Sabbath, in verse 44, it seems that many who heard were very excited to tell their friends and family.

How excited are you about what you are studying and learning in the Bible?

Who are you going to tell about your excitement? Who will you invite to come study with you? We have an intro class coming up on the 7^th. What better time than now to start inviting.

2)A Great Turnout (Acts 13:44)

3)A Great Envy (Acts 13:45)

Not all the Jews were jealous. But here Luke points out that the jealousy was centered on the Jews. What were they jealous about? The popularity of the message of salvation that Paul was preaching.

Their jealously really revealed what was in their hearts. Had they believed that salvation was in Jesus, the promised descendant from David, then they would have been happy to see all this turnout. But similar to their brothers in Jerusalem in Jesus' day, they saw their power and popularity at stake. They had a wrong motive. They were not seeking God but seeking their own way to be right with God.

4)A Great Reception and Rejoicing By the Gentiles (Acts 13:46-48)

Paul's heart for his own people was evident. And I'm sure his sorrow over their rejection was great. But he also realized that it was not Paul that could turn the hearts of a people to God, it was God.

This opportunity to speak a second time to a greater audience was a working of God to make it possible. So when Luke records that all who were appointed for eternal life believed. He is pointing to the Sovereign hand of God at work in calling and drawing all who are His to faith.

And the Gentiles, hearing that the light was sent to them as well and recorded in Scripture, they rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord (ESV).

5)A Great Spread (Acts 13:49)

The message of Salvation through Jesus spread throughout the region of Galatia. And their was no small impact.

Later, Paul writes an entire letter to the churches in Galatia in order to correct heretical teachings that were being introduced by some Jews.

6)Everyone Filled (Acts 14:50-52)

This last section highlights the fact that everyone is filled with something. The Jews were so jealous that they were filled with hatred and malice.

But those that they hated were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

We are all filled with something. What are you filled with tonight?

7)Principle

When the outcome of what you do depends upon you, then there can be real anxiety and stress when things don't turn out as you planned.

But as a servant of God, Paul and Barnabas knew that the results of their obedience were not something God held them accountable for. They just needed to obey and leave the rest up to God.

There is joy in doing God's will regardless of the outcome.

8)Applications

When was the last time you experienced joy? If it's been a while, why is that?

Conclusion

God has placed you and I in various places in the KC area. We work in differing lines of work. We have different neighbors and neighborhoods. We frequent different restaurants and meet up with different people.

God does not desire His word to remain in studio. His intention is not that we go to BSF and go to church and that is where people hear the Gospel. No, he has sent you and I on tour with the message of the Gospel. So let's get out there and perform as He empowers.

An Open Door (Acts 9:31-12:25)

Table of Contents

Introduction 2

Signs, Miracles, and Visions (Acts 9:31-10:48) 2

1)Peace In the Church (Acts 9:31) 2

2)Aeneas Healed (Acts 9:32-35) 2

3)Tabitha Raised (Acts 9:36-43) 2

4)Cornelius and the Visions (Acts 10:1-48) 3

Cornelius' Vision 3

Peter's Vision (Acts 10:9-16) 3

The Visions Fulfilled (Acts 10:17-48) 4

5)Illustration 5

6)Principle 5

The final authority for the Christian life is the Bible; that is where one finds God's will. 5

7)Applications 5

What uncomfortable new venture are you being called you into? Are you checking with God through the word? Are you talking with God in prayer? 5

What Biblical principles or commands are you resisting because they go against the way you've always been taught? 5

Mental and Spiritual Revisions (Acts 11) 5

1)What Was the Difficulty (Acts 11:1-3) 5

2)Explanation Given (Acts 11:4-18) 5

3)The Antioch Church (Acts 11:19-30) 6

4)Illustration 6

5)Principle 7

God's word brings unity when all parties are yielded to His Spirit. 7

6)Applications 7

How would you rate your willingness to receive Biblical correction from a brother? 7

When was the last time you praised God for a change in your thinking brought about by sound doctrine? 7

Divine Providence (Act 12) 7

1)Herod Executes James and Arrests Peter to Please the Jews While the Church Prays (Acts 12:1-5) 7

2)An Angel of the Lord Frees Peter (Acts 12:6-11) 7

3)Peter Shows Himself to Disbelieving Prayer Meeting (Acts 12:12-17) 7

4)Herod Executes Guards and is Executed By God (Acts 12:18-23) 7

5)Illustration 8

6)Principle 8

Our prayers don't change God's will but God's will includes believer's prayer. 8

7)Applications 8

What situation are you facing that seems inevitable and how is the inevitability affecting your prayers? 8

What answer to prayer are you having a hard time accepting? 8

What do you need to stop wringing your hands over and start folding them instead? 8

Conclusion 8

Introduction

Have you ever had to be told something more than once before you got it? Or perhaps you've gotten something (intellectually) and over time lost it?

If you are anything like me, it sometime takes a number of times hearing or seeing the same thing in various ways before it sinks in to my thick skull. And often times, I need to be reminded of what I claim to already know.

Often, God in His grace, provides us will a multiplicity of disclosures in order for us to grasp and realize His direction and leading in our lives. That's what we are going to see in this week's text. Something that seemed to oppose everything a Jew had grown up to believe. And to top it off, it was God pointing out the wrong thinking of the believers.

Let's look.

Signs, Miracles, and Visions (Acts 9:31-10:48)

1)Peace In the Church (Acts 9:31)

God often sends times of peace and refreshing to His people. Sometimes too much peace can cause one to let his guard down.

This doesn't seem to be the case for the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. There remained a healthy fear (or reverence) for the Lord, they experienced the comfort from the Holy Spirit, and they continued to grow.

Into this setting, we see Peter moving freely about, visiting various local gatherings in order to encourage them and teach. Remember, the New Testament was not yet written, so part of the apostolic ministry was to teach and correct any errant doctrine that might creep into the church.

As we have already seen, Peter spends much of his time proclaiming the Gospel message to various groups of people. And often the message was validated (or confirmed) by God through the use of signs or miracles.

We looked at a couple such cases this week.

2)Aeneas Healed (Acts 9:32-35)

Aeneas seems to be a believer from the context of the verse.

Acts 9:32 Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed.

So here was a saint, bedridden for eight years. And Peter, in typical form, heals the man but makes it perfectly clear that it is not him at all, but Jesus Christ who heals.

Acts 9:33b “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose.

Luke immediately zeroes in, not on the healed man, but the result of the healing. He tells us that when people in Lydda and Sharon saw the man, they turned to the Lord.

What does, “they turned to the Lord mean”?

What did they believe in? The healing? Jesus the healer? Or, Jesus the one who died for sin and rose again?

It must be the latter. Although Luke does not spell out the details, turning to the Lord implies they believed in the Lord of the Gospel. The One who died for sin, was buried, and rose again.

Peter moves on from their to visit a town along the coast, Joppa.

3)Tabitha Raised (Acts 9:36-43)

This was a lady who was loved by many. She is called a disciple, so she was a believer. And her faith led her to care of others, using the skills and gifts God gave her. Her skill at weaving and sowing and her gift of generosity.

But now she is dead and those who love her are grieving. And their seems to be nothing to do but bury her. And yet they still send for Peter – very interesting.

Healing a paralyzed person is one thing, but raising the dead, that is a totally different category, isn't it? Or is it? For God, this is all natural (no preservatives added). Giving life to a paralyzed man and putting life back into a dead woman – all the same.

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all outside, and knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up.
41 And he gave her his hand and raised her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Again, this is not belief in a Lord who is able to raise the dead. This miracle was a validation of the words and work of the apostle. The New Testament was under construction at this point. Those without the ability to test against Scripture, often received a validating sign of God's work through an individual.

So this sign pointed to the fact that the One who raised Tabitha from the dead is the One who has power over death and proved it by his own resurrection. Tabitha would die again. But the Lord who had raised her is the One with the power over the second death. Those whose faith is in him will never see the second death, but receive eternal life in Him.

So Peter stays in Joppa for many days. And with a tanner, no less.

4)Cornelius and the Visions (Acts 10:1-48)

When you read chapter 10, weren't you impressed with this man's character?

I was. He had every reason, from a human perspective, to be self-confident. He was a very important man and in authority. Yet, we see that all of what this man had and who he was was placed in a right perspective because of his relationship to God (YHWH).

He was a devout man (Acts 10:2) and he feared God. This fear of God is the same terms Luke used in Acts 9:31 for the church that was at peace. Cornelius was a believer.

And we see the result of his faith sprinkled throughout this chapter. He had compassion for the needy and gave generously. And he prayed continually. He depended on God and took prayer seriously.

Cornelius' Vision

God answers Cornelius' prayer in a very unique way. One that you and I better not be expecting. He receives an angelic messenger who gives him just enough information for what he needs.

I am not sure what Cornelius' prayers consisted of, but I can imagine confession of sin as he struggled with it, and a hope on God's provision of Messiah, the Christ.

Merely speculation on my part, but he is about to encounter the Christ.

You doesn't waste time obeying the words of God. He gets dependable servants and a devout soldier to go get Simon Peter. And he shares with them what he has experienced so they understand the importance of this assignment and its Divine origin.

Peter's Vision (Acts 10:9-16)

Peter's vision may have seemed strange to you if this was the first time reading it. You might have thought, “what does this have to do with Cornelius”.

Peter thought the vision was strange too. Especially having grown up as a devout Jew. He knew what foods you can and cannot eat and to do otherwise was ingrained in him as detestable.

But what he had not yet grasped was the reality of much of the Old Covenant symbolism through the ceremonial laws. When God declared certain foods as unclean, he was not saying that they were unclean but that they were common and would make His people ceremonially unclean if they touched or ate them.

The Jews were set apart as a holy nation unto God. And part of that setting apart was that they were not for common use. They were His and could not live any old way they pleased. So much of what they did as a people looked very different from the people around them. Part of that was different foods.

But the real aspects of these laws were symbolic in nature. All of the ceremonies, observances, memorials, daily sacrifices, seasonal offerings, etc. All of these things were not an end in and of themselves but they pointed to something. They pointed out the character and nature of God; they showed the inability of man to remain clean; and they pointed ultimately to One who was to come who would fulfill all these things in himself.

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus says:

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant. Anyone who is in Christ through the New Covenant in his blood, has me the righteous requirements of the law because Jesus met them for you. And he gives the ability to live according to the moral requirements of the law. Because sin is no longer our master...

But if you've grown up with these types of traditions, it would be hard to break from them. And it would take something very compelling to convince you that they no longer have any value whatsoever in the life of a believer.

There would have been nothing wrong with Peter continuing to abstain from certain foods. But he would have to examine his motivation. If he thought abstaining would make him right with God, then this practice would be sin.

Jesus already had pointed out to the disciples that food cannot make one unclean because it merely goes into the body and then passes through. But what is unclean is what is in the heart and that generally comes out through the mouth in spoken words.

So Peter's vision of the sheet was revolutionary for him because he was being asked to do something that was repulsive. And to top that off, it was God asking him to do it.

So either this was a test, or Peter was misunderstanding God, or something else.

Interesting that this was happening at a time when Peter was seeking the Lord in prayer. He was also hungry, so the parable is fitting for his current situation (more than he even knows).

God custom fit this vision to illustrate a very important point to Peter. God in His Sovereignty, is opening Gentile territory so you can fulfill Jesus' commission.

What religious traditions or practices are you holding on to that are un-Biblical?

If not against Scripture, are you giving them the same authority as Scripture?

Nothing should have more authority in a Christian's life than the Word of God.

God will never call you to do anything morally wrong. If you are being called to do something morally wrong, you can be assured it is not God calling you there.

God will never call you to do anything that opposes His word. If you are being called to do something against the Word of God you can be assured it is not God calling you.

You and I must be very careful to test all things in light of the Holy Word of God. We must hold this high, especially in a day where people like to take a bit of this and a bit of that and some experience I've had and roll it all up to make a customized form of Christianity. One that may look a bit like the real thing, but is far from it.

The Visions Fulfilled (Acts 10:17-48)

This is a large passage so I will try to just hit a couple of points.

Peter was perplexed at the vision and what God was telling him. But he also recognized that it was the Lord revealing to Him the nature of clean and unclean. God had declared the animals that were unclean to His people, but now that was no longer the case. So too were the other aspects of the ceremonial laws.

And Peter was about to get a confirmation on what this vision was really about. Or at least an expansion on that vision.

Coincidence, no way. Here comes 3 visitors looking for Simon Peter. And now the Holy Spirit tells Peter to go without hesitation. And the men he meets help validate what he has already experience, God had sent these men.

This whole encounter was orchestrated by the Sovereign Lord for the purpose of His kingdom.

And Peter goes.

And when he goes, he gets more confirmation. Its one thing to be sent by God to spread the Gospel, its another to enter a house and have an entire family with friends awaiting your arrival so you can tell them the Gospel message.

That's what he finds.

He finds a humble Cornelius who is so committed to the Lord that he doesn't want to leave out any friend or family member.

And after hearing the account directly from Cornelius, Peter shares his conviction that he now understands. That aha moment came as he recognizes that all this was orchestrated by God and that there is no partiality and that descent has nothing to do with the Gospel's applicability.

The same Gospel is for Jew and Gentile alike because Jesus came to seek and to save the lost regardless of national origins. Besides, we all are physical descendents of one man and one woman – Adam and Eve.

And God provides one Spiritual adoption into His family tree through Jesus Christ.

And as Peter expounds on the life of Jesus, these believers faith is confirmed and the Holy Spirit fills them.

Peter could have no doubt now, God had added the confirmation of the sealing by the Holy Spirit – even on Gentiles.

So they're baptized at Peter's command.

5)Illustration

When I was in the army, there were guys who had been in so long that they knew many of the regulations by heart. They could almost quote them. And if not quote them, they know what they said and how they applied to a given situation. And they knew how to find them in order to determine what they said in the event they were uncertain.

For the Christian, knowing the Word of God is of utmost importance for where else can we find the will of God? We can't or at least we can't be certain apart from His word.

6)Principle

The final authority for the Christian life is the Bible; that is where one finds God's will.

7)Applications

What uncomfortable new venture are you being called you into? Are you checking with God through the word? Are you talking with God in prayer?

What Biblical principles or commands are you resisting because they go against the way you've always been taught?

Mental and Spiritual Revisions (Acts 11)

It's one thing to be convinced in your heart of the truths of Scripture and to live them out. But sometimes the things God reveals are not shared by other believers and they need you to share with them.

Peter's obedience to God had the potential to bring disunity to the church. It could have split the church. This can be the cause of many church problems in our own day.

1)What Was the Difficulty (Acts 11:1-3)

The circumcision party had grown up just like Peter, observing all the ceremonial laws. And they had heard that one of these laws had been disregarded by their own leadership. This needed explanation. This was a clear violation of everything they had been taught from youth onward.

2)Explanation Given (Acts 11:4-18)

Since these people were not aware of the circumstances, Peter goes into detail about the events. He shows that this vision he had was from God:

• He was praying at the time. (Acts 11:5)

• That he initially rejected the notion but that God confirmed it by showing 3 times (Acts 11:5-10)

• After the vision the visitors were there (Acts 11:11)

• The Holy Spirit confirmed he should go (making no distinction between Jew and Gentile) (Acts 11:12)

• They were waiting (Acts 11:11-12)

• Cornelius' explanation of the angel (Acts 11:14)

• The Holy Spirit fell on the listeners (Acts 11:15-17)

In Peter's mind, this was indisputably God's work, every bit. And if Peter had not complied, he would have been standing in the way of God.

He and John had already boldly stated on two occasions that they would obey God rather than men.

The great thing about this confrontation is the way it ends. Those questioning Peter are as convinced of the truth as Peter is. They had been willing to listen and saw that this clearly was of God.

And the result is unity and glorifying God. And now they see more clearly the vision God has – salvation is truly for Jew and Gentile alike.

This really opens the door now for what is to happen next. The opening of Antioch, the gateway to the uttermost parts of the earth.

3)The Antioch Church (Acts 11:19-30)

This church in Antioch was very strategic. It would become the launching point of many of Paul's missionary journeys into Asia Minor and Greece.

It was Jews who were scattered that spread the Gospel to other Jews in Cyprus. And some of those believers shared with the Hellenists in Antioch.

The Hellenists were those who were well versed in Greek. We remember that the original dispute between Hellenists and Hebrews lead to the need to select 7 deacons to serve tables (Acts 6:1).

There may have been a tendency toward prejudice between the Hebrews and Hellenists. Hebrews may have thought Hellenists should stick to the Language of the O.T. – our mother tongue.

Hellenists thought Hebrews too narrow and besides, we have the Septuagint Greek Torah.

These are merely speculations on my part however.

But the Holy Spirit did some amazing things in Antioch:

• The grace of the Lord was evident there (Acts 11:23)

• There was an unheard of generosity for people they didn't know (Acts 11:29)

• There was a great number who turned to the Lord – the H.S. Was at work there! (Acts 11:21)

• They were first called Christians here. (Acts 11:26)

One other item was this church became a place where Spiritual gifts were used to edify the church. Barnabas was sent (the son of encouragement). What a better use of his gift of encouragement than to send him to a fledgling church.

And then God gave him insight be bring Saul from Tarsus so that there could be training of the new believers.

This all happened according to God's will and timing and for a whole year, this church grew under Saul's teaching.

4)Illustration

A church split.

5)Principle

God's word brings unity when all parties are yielded to His Spirit.

6)Applications

How would you rate your willingness to receive Biblical correction from a brother?

When was the last time you praised God for a change in your thinking brought about by sound doctrine?

Divine Providence (Act 12)

1)Herod Executes James and Arrests Peter to Please the Jews While the Church Prays (Acts 12:1-5)

2)An Angel of the Lord Frees Peter (Acts 12:6-11)

3)Peter Shows Himself to Disbelieving Prayer Meeting (Acts 12:12-17)

Have you ever had God answer a prayer while you were praying?

Maybe not one that would surprise you as much as this answered prayer.

My suspicion is that this same group of people had been praying for James as well. But God's answer for James was different than His answer for Peter. They may have been thinking that Peter's doom was sealed.

One of the main things Jesus taught about prayer was to pray according to God's will. God's will for James was to take him home. We don't know why. God's will for Peter was to release him from prison. We don't know why other than He had more for Peter to do.

4)Herod Executes Guards and is Executed By God (Acts 12:18-23)

Even ungodly leaders are answerable to God.

6)Principle

Our prayers don't change God's will but God's will includes believer's prayer.

7)Applications

What situation are you facing that seems inevitable and how is the inevitability affecting your prayers?

What answer to prayer are you having a hard time accepting?

What do you need to stop wringing your hands over and start folding them instead?

Growth in the Midst of Adversity (Acts 3-7)

Table of Contents

Introduction

A Cripple Healed and Apostles Arrested (Acts 3-4)

1)A Lame Man Healed (Acts 3:1-10)

Adversity

Boldness

In Jesus' Name

2)Peter's Second Sermon (Acts 3:11-16)

Adversity

Boldness

3)Peter and John Arrested; the Church Grows (Acts 4:1-22)

What Power or Name

Peter's Answer

Stop or Else (Acts 4:13-22)

4)The Prayer (Acts 4:23-31)

5)The Church Thrives (Acts 4:32-37)

6)Principle

God provides the opportunity and ability for affective witness.

7)Illustration

8)Applications

How many spiritually lame people do you pass by each day?

What have you been able or willing to offer them?

What do you do when you encounter obstacles in your Christian walk? Who do you take them to? Do you ask for them to be removed or for strength to continue doing God's will?

Internal and External Conflict (Acts 5)

1)Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

2)The Second and Third Arrest (Acts 5:12-39)

3)Suffering, Rejoicing, and Preaching (Acts 5:40-41)

4)Principle

Nothing can inhibit God from accomplishing His will.

5)Illustration

6)Applications

How would you rate your integrity in the small issues of life?

The First Deacons and the First Martyr (Acts 6-7)

1)The First Deacons (Acts 6:1-7)

2)The First Martyr (Acts 6:8-7:60)

3)Principle

A believer experiences peace, even in death, because of God's presence.

4)Illustration

5)Applications

How has God deepened your faith through adversity?

How has God used a trial in your life as an opportunity to glorify Him?

What potential future events cause you to fear? Will you bring those fears to God?

Conclusion

Introduction

I heard a radio ad this week advertising a company that will come into your church or ministry, collect data on various aspects of your church and the demographics of the communities surrounding where your church meets, and then they would provide valuable insights in to strategies for growing your church or ministry. This is the twenty-first century mindset in regard to growing a church.

I wonder what would happen if the church today employed God's strategy for church growth as seen in the first century church? A strategy that include multiple arrests of the pastoral staff, strict church discipline when sin was present, fervent prayer to remain in God's will despite the political and religious climate of the day, fear of God and a desire to be holy because He is holy, equipping the saints in God's word so that they might be Spirit-filled, affective messengers of the Gospel message to the lost, etc.

God's mission for the church has not changed in the twenty-first century. It is our responsibility to remain true to that mission no matter what the cost.

A Cripple Healed and Apostles Arrested (Acts 3-4)

1)A Lame Man Healed (Acts 3:1-10)

Jesus probably passed this man, after all, he spent most days outside this gate. But Jesus didn't heal him.

If Peter and John had had money, what good would that have done this man in the long run? His problem was lameness, not poverty, even though he probably had that too.

Adversity

The temptation to address the man's temporal needs and neglect what he really needed. For all we know, this man may have been a man who had a deep faith and love for the Lord. But the illustration we can take from his physical condition is useful in illustrating all of humanities' spiritual condition.

We covered such things in our lesson this week: inability to do anything to remedy his situation

The danger in our day is to meet the physical needs of those around us, but neglect the more important fact of the spiritual needs. Man has an eternal soul that, apart from a work of God, is eternally lost.

Humanity is lame spiritually and incapable of remedy. If you and I merely meet the needs of a beggar and have no concern for his soul, we accomplish nothing of value and may in fact aid in his derelict state.

Boldness

But Peter and John, when faced with the adversity, looked beyond the outward condition of the man. They looked him in the eye and treated him like the man that he was rather than as the beggar. And they gave him what he needed.

John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14 If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

Acts 3:4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.”
5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.
6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

In Jesus' Name

There is a recurring theme in these chapters that we see over and over. It is the idea of asking or speaking or even not speaking in the name of Jesus.

In our thinking, we often consider a name as a label for a person. I am Mike, you may be Bob or Charlie. But when Luke (or Peter) talks about the name of Jesus, he is referring to everything that name stands for. The person of Jesus. The eternal Son of God. The Divine second person of the Trinity.

And when he asks for something or does something in His Name, it is done according to His will and by the power of the holder of that name.

We often tend to be pretty loose with that thinking in our day. I have caught myself on occasion closing a prayer “In Jesus' Name...” Without really even considering what that means.

We can't just tack Jesus name to something and consider that to be what “in His Name” refers to. There is no magic formula to be had by baptizing in his name or closing a prayer in his name or running a ministry in his name.

It is far more than some add-on to say “in his name”. The primary purpose Jesus mentioned in the John 14 is that the Father would be glorified in the Son.

I this is a great test. The next time I consider doing something or asking for something in the name of Jesus, consider whether or not that something will in fact bring God glory.

2)Peter's Second Sermon (Acts 3:11-16)

It would have been quite a spectacle to see this man walking, jumping, and praising God. Especially if you were used to passing him on the way into Temple each day. But that is what the crowd saw.

And the people ran to Peter, John, and the man.

Adversity

There are a couple of potential adversities in this section. One would be to take some of the credit for what has happened to the man. The other would be to water down the Gospel message since you were now out in the open within the Temple courts and possibly subject to arrest.

[Illustration from India]

Boldness

But we see a God-centered acknowledgment of the truth from the lips of Peter:

Acts 3:12 And when Peter saw it [the running crowd] he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

He not only gives full credit to God, but he uses the opportunity to share the Gospel message at the same time:

• God of our Fathers (not some new or unknown god)

• Glorified His Servant (evokes remembrance of Isaiah and other prophets)

• You denied him before Pilate

• You killed...God raised from the dead

• We are witnesses to the fact.

• Faith in Him is what gave this man perfect health

• He calls them to repent and receive the Christ, even Jesus

• All those who refuse Him will be cut off

The message from Peter is sharp, to the point, even politically incorrect, but it is the truth. God has no plan B for salvation, it is found in Jesus. And this was not something foreign or new, at least not in content if it was new in understanding: the prophets and Moses had spoken these things.

3)Peter and John Arrested; the Church Grows (Acts 4:1-22)

Peter and John are taken into custody. This becomes a theme throughout Acts. The authorities often pulled people aside, away from the crowds in order to determine what they are doing and to charge them to be silent.

But while they were arresting them, many in the crowd that had just heard Peter's sermon, had come to faith and repentance in the risen Jesus. And Luke tells us that the number of men grew to about 5000.

What Power or Name

The leaders were in authority and they had the authority to question these men and challenge them in regard to matters of Scripture.

They brought them in, not because they didn't know what they were doing, they knew of the healing. They just wanted to have their stamp of approval on anything that dealt with spiritual matters.

They wanted power and even though they were the OT legal authorities and they knew the Scriptures, they didn't know the author, at least not most and not yet.

Peter's Answer

Once again, Luke points out that the words that come from the apostle are prompted by the Holy Spirit (4:8). This is a direct fulfillment of what Jesus told them would happen:

Matthew 10:19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour.
20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Acts 4:10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well.
11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.
12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Not only is Jesus the power behind the healing, but the healing is just an illustration of the real power, the power for salvation. And even more than that, the exclusive power for salvation.

What a bold statement. Not exactly what these guys wanted to hear, but is wasn't foreign to them at all. These were things that Jesus had spoken to them on numerous occasions during his encounters.

Stop or Else (Acts 4:13-22)

They have a small huddle to determine how to treat these guys. They can't refute any of the evidence that was presented (what hard hearts they have!). No denying that this man was the same lame man that everyone had seen over the years.

Undeniable Evidence

This was not a setup where the lame was actually only partially lame or a lame man made to hobble a couple of steps. This was a complete work of restoration of a man crippled from birth.

Hard Hearts

The indictment against them, as rejecting the capstone, was apparently not discussed. They didn't care about what these guys said, as long as they could get them to shut up about this name.

The name kept coming back to haunt them. And for anyone who rejects this name, they too are not free from it. Everyone will one day stand in His presence and give an account of their lives.

But they just want to silence the message.

Who Should We Obey

And I love Peter and John's response. In essence, “It isn't our message or our choice to stop. We can't stop doing what God has given us to do”.

The leaders would have been the first to acknowledge that they wanted the people to obey God. Well, that is what Peter and John put forward. Obeying you would be to go against God and we can't do that.

4)The Prayer (Acts 4:23-31)

Just a quick note on this prayer meeting that happened after Peter and John return.

They had just encountered the religious authorities who were against them and ultimately against God.

But when they address God, they acknowledge Him as their true authority. He is the Sovereign Lord, able to accomplish His will, despite and even through wicked men.

They also pray according to God's will as laid out in Scripture.

And they don't ask God to remove the obstacles (the threats) but to give them what they need in order to persevere. They want boldness when human nature would tell you to cower.

I wonder what would happen to the church in America if believers began to ask God for boldness to speak the Gospel in love?

If we chose to speak the truth rather than being silenced by society?

If we remained true to the Gospel message rather than trying to make it less offensive?

[Upcoming “Sharing the Gospel” Seminar]

5)The Church Thrives (Acts 4:32-37)

This was a healthy church in the first century!

Not only did they obey Jesus' great commission – the very commission you and I have to this day – preach the Gospel, but they met together in unity and were selfless. They gave for the good of others.

6)Principle

God provides the opportunity and ability for affective witness.

7)Illustration

I can either miss an opportunity because I have not been looking (or praying) for the opportunity.

Or, I can see the opportunity but am not depending on God. I am not filled with His Spirit. So I am not affective (or bold) when I should be (when the opportunity arises).

Or, I can see the opportunity and boldly share the Gospel.

8)Applications

How many spiritually lame people do you pass by each day?

What have you been able or willing to offer them?

What do you do when you encounter obstacles in your Christian walk? Who do you take them to? Do you ask for them to be removed or for strength to continue doing God's will?

Internal and External Conflict (Acts 5)

1)Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11)

I am not sure what the motivation was, but for some reason, they [Ananias and Sapphira] decided to hold back some of the money for the sale of land.

In itself, this is not a wrong thing to do. They had every right to do what they wanted with the money. And they certainly could have brought the money to give and said this is part of what we sold and that would have been fine.

But where we are unable to see the motivation, God saw clearly. He saw that there was deceit involved in this situation.

And so on the pretense of complete generosity, they kept some of the money for themselves (not that giving part would have been less than generous)

And the Lord points out the he holds people accountable for not only their actions but the underlying attitudes that drive those actions.

These people wanted others to notice them for being givers. They were seeking their own reward from what others' thought. Or they were driven by greed. But ultimately, they were not fooling where it really counts and that is with God.

And they paid with their lives.

But it also had an affect inside and outside the church. There was a fear. There was a stark reminder of the character of God. That He is a God of truth and integrity.

And I'm sure it caused many to evaluate their own motives for doing things.

2)The Second and Third Arrest (Acts 5:12-39)

The reason I call this section the second and third arrest is due to the fact that God shows the authorities that they have no authority to arrest without God allowing it.

Even under arrest, the apostles are freed to continue preaching, as the angel tells them.

But it's interesting that the reason Luke gives for their arrest is the same reason for them hating Jesus as seen in the Gospels. They were jealous of Jesus and hated him. Here they are seeing the group of believers getting larger and larger and people everywhere getting healed, all due to this man Jesus whom they hate.

And not only do they hate Jesus and want these men to stop speaking about and in his name, but they don't like the idea that they are being held responsible for his death. But this is the very fact that everyone has to face if they would enter the kingdom of God.

A few items to consider from this passage:

• Those who hate God will oppose those who are obedient to God (5:17,18)

• God knows no obstacles to accomplishing His will (5:19,20)

• There must have been a lot of stones in the temple area (John 10:31; Acts 5:26; others)

• Unbelievers often misrepresent the intentions of believers (“bring this man's blood upon us”) (Acts 5:28)

• It's not wrong to repeat the Gospel in the same way to the same group of people (Acts 5:29-32)

3)Suffering, Rejoicing, and Preaching (Acts 5:40-41)

The council didn't like the thinks that were being said, in fact didn't like is mild. They hate what they heard and they knew it was true. At least the part that held them responsible. But they didn't agree with the part stating that Jesus was raised by the Father and that He is the Savior of His people – the recipients of the Holy Spirit from God.

Notice the way God is presented: The Father sent the Son, who is the Savior, and the Spirit is sent as the witness to that truth.

Well, whoever said the Christian life is easy probably lived in America in the 20^th or 21^st century and wasn't very obedient to Jesus call.

After the council convened, they brought the apostles in and had them beaten. And once again charged not to speak in that name again.

[And the disciples left, humiliated, discouraged, and disheartened that they had not been able to convince the religious leaders] NO!

They were filled with joy. They rejoiced, not because they enjoyed a good beating, but because they loved their Lord who had endured infinitely more suffering than that for them.

And rather than cower in a corner or start to be very discrete about witnessing, they continued to meet in the very place they always met. Preaching the same message of salvation found only in Jesus the Christ.

4)Principle

Nothing can inhibit God from accomplishing His will.

5)Illustration

We hear a lot of bad things in the media relating to clergy in our day. And none of these things, if they are true, go unheeded by God.

We may tend to think that these are the primary reasons why Christianity is having so little affect on the culture.

But I believe it is less the slander of the media and failings of the clergy and has more to do with the true church not taking their calling seriously. Not being obedient to Christ out of a love for him.

If we were to be filled with the Spirit. To be bold in our witness. To love the brethren. The Gospel would spread. And even if it didn't, the results of our labors would still be the Spirit's responsibility. And we would reap the reward of “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

6)Applications

How would you rate your integrity in the small issues of life?

If I can't get the small issues in order, how can I ever expect to get the big issues in order?

The First Deacons and the First Martyr (Acts 6-7)

1)The First Deacons (Acts 6:1-7)

Churches sometimes split over silly issues. And sometimes they divide over legitimate issues. But whatever the reason, the conflicts that can emerge in a church are never easy to handle – they always require wisdom and discernment on the part of God's people.

And in the case of the first church, there were legitimate needs, especially as the church grew. The primary needs of the people were to be spiritually fed. They needed sound teaching in the truth because as fallen creatures, we are never far from heresy and doctrinal delusion.

There are times when too much is asked of church leaders. And this was one such time. The apostles knew their call, preach the word and prayer. But if they started leading efforts to meet the physical needs of the church, when would they have time to put enough effort into their studies. The answer is, they wouldn't.

So they acknowledge the need for help and propose the qualifications for those that can help out: good reputation, Spirit-filled, and wise.

Notice that they were looking for people that had experience in food pantry administration. God was fully able to enable them with whatever skills they needed. In fact, He specializes in making something out of nothing.

But they had to be of good reputation. They didn't want anyone who was know for being divisive or a gossip.

He also wanted men who were pure in God's sight. Not perfect, but those who were sold out to God. Who were serious about acknowledging and confessing their sin before God. Not quenching the Holy Spirit but submitting to His leading.

And finally, those who were known for Godly wisdom. Able to discern God's will and carry it out.

The apostles didn't dictate who was going to be the deacons. They put forward the qualifications but the whole congregation picked those who would carry out the work.

2)The First Martyr (Acts 6:8-7:60)

Stephen, as Luke points out, met the qualifications of a deacon, but he also carried His Christian faith out into the market place, so to speak. He was not silent about what he believed because what he believed was true.

And because he was obedient to Christ by sharing the Gospel, he was a victim of persecution – to the extreme.

There were false charges against him, claiming he was a blasphemer against Moses and against God. These were the most serious charges one could bring against a person.

This plot against Stephen was a way to get back at the Christians for continually bringing this convicting (and annoying) message about Jesus into the public square. And so he was brought in front of the same council that had tried and beaten Peter and John.

When I first read Stephen's response to the charges, I thought, wow, all these things are true, but do they really address the charges.

What they do address is the motives behind the charges and at the same time, display the insights God gave him to the truth of the Law of Moses.

As you read the account of Israel's history, several themes jump out at you:

• God is Sovereign – He is the One continually carrying out the events of redemptive history (Abraham, the Patriarchs, Moses, David, Solomon, Jesus)

• There have always been God's people of faith

• There have always been those mixed in with God's people of faith who resist God and His ways

• God is always faithful, even in the face of out and out rebellion

But the kicker to the council (who was most likely nodding and saying “preach it brother” as he recounted in detail the truth) was when he points out the truth of their current actions.

They were clearly rebelling against the Spirit of God and resisting Him. They were trying to set him [Stephen] up on false charges. They were bearing false witness against him because they could not bear the truth of the wickedness within their own hearts. They wanted to silence the message and the messenger because it exposed who they really were. And they were rotten, just like all men who are without Christ.

None of us in this room can claim we are any better than they were. Apart from Christ, you and I were as lost as this council. But for God's grace that changed us by opening our eyes to see the truth of the Gospel. To have faith in Jesus. To turn away from sin in repentance. All of this is from God, through exposure to the truth of His word, and by the work of the Holy Spirit.

But they didn't want to hear it and so in an effort to stop the noise, they attacked the mouthpiece of the Holy Spirit.

Their very actions validated the indictment against them. And they tore into him like a pack of wild animals.

3)Principle

A believer experiences peace, even in death, because of God's presence.

4)Illustration

5)Applications

How has God deepened your faith through adversity?

How has God used a trial in your life as an opportunity to glorify Him?

What potential future events cause you to fear? Will you bring those fears to God?