ACTS 18 – New Workers for New Works!

Posted on August 9, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. In this Chapter, Paul goes to Corinth which will feature one of his important and impactful ministers in a very difficult place!

2. As always, new works require new workers and in this Chapter we will watch how GOD selects and perfects HIS workers!

3. As always, great opportunity brings great opposition!

4. As always, the key to overcoming opposition is to keep doing what GOD has called and commanded us to do!

5. 18:22 marks the end of the Second Missionary Journey and 18:23 marks the beginning of the Third.

EXPOSITION:

18:1 – 6  New Workers for the New Work!

(1) “After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. (2) And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, (3) and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. (4) And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.

(5) When Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia, Paul was occupied with the word, testifying to the Jews that the Christ was Jesus. (6) And when they opposed and reviled him, he shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

** Theological Note! Aquila and Priscilla are examples of the single most important evangelistic and discipleship strategy ever seen and (sadly) almost completely abandoned today…

Romans 16:3-5a (3) “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, (4) who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. (5a) Greet also the church in their house.”

1st Corinthians 16:19 “The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.”

** BY THE WAY… this strategy does not replace the Local Church, but add to the Local Church!

Acts 2:46-47 (46) “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, (47) praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”

18:7 – 17 “Great Opportunity brings Great Opposition!

(7) And he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. His house was next door to the synagogue. (8) Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, believed in the Lord, together with his entire household. And many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized. (9) And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent,

(10) for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” (11) And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them.”

(12) But when Gallio was proconsul of Achaia, the Jews made a united attack on Paul and brought him before the tribunal,          (13) saying, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the law.”

(14) But when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, “If it were a matter of wrongdoing or vicious crime,     O Jews, I would have reason to accept your complaint. (15) But since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves. I refuse to be a judge of these things.” (16) And he drove them from the tribunal. (17) And they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal. But Gallio paid no attention to any of this.”

18:18 – 22 “Paul departs Ephesus and the Second Missionary Journey Ends.”

(18) After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. (19) And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there, but he himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. (20) When they asked him to stay for a longer period, he declined. (21) But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. (22) When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch.”

**Theological Note! 18:22 marks the end of the Second Missionary Journey in about 51 AD.

18:23 – 28  “The Third Missionary Journey Begins – The Ministry of Admonition and Correction!”

(23) “After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples. (24) Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. (25) He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

(26) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (27) And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, (28) for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.”

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ACTS 17 – “Turning the World Upside Down!”

Posted on August 3, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

SERMOM: ACTS 17 – The Second Missionary Journey Continues – “Turning the world upside down!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. After being falsely arrested, imprisoned, and divinely delivered in Philippi, Paul and Silas continue their journey through Cities that Paul had not visited on the first journey!

2. This 2800 mile and 2 year long journey took them through Macedonia (modern Greece) and to Jerusalem and back to Antioch in Syria.

3. In this Chapter, they visit Amphipolis, Apollonia, Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens.

4. In this Chapter, we once again see the continuing pattern of “Opportunity and Opposition!”

EXPOSITION:

17:1-4

“The GOSPEL is the power of GOD unto salvation!”                  (Romans 1:16)

(1) “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.

(2) And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ. (4) And some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.”

17:5-9,13 Great opportunity will always bring great opposition!

(5) “But the Jews were jealous, and taking some wicked men of the rabble, they formed a mob, set the city in an uproar, and attacked the house of Jason, seeking to bring them out to the crowd. (6) And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also, (7) and Jason has received them, and they are all acting against the decrees of Caesar, saying that there is another king, Jesus.” (8) And the people and the city authorities were disturbed when they heard these things. (9) And when they had taken money as security from Jason and the rest, they let them go.” (13) But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.

17:10-13 “Searching the Scripture is the wisest and most “Nobel” thing a person can do!

(10) “The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived, they went into the Jewish synagogue. (11) Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.     (12) Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.”

17:14-21 Unsaved religious people may be interested in Christian Doctrine, but they are rarely influenced by it!

(14) “Then the brothers immediately sent Paul off on his way to the sea, but Silas and Timothy remained there.

(15) Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.” (16) Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols. (17) So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.  (18) Some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers also conversed with him. And some said, “What does this babbler wish to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a preacher of foreign divinities”–because he was preaching Jesus and the resurrection. (19) And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? (20) For you bring some strange things to our ears. We wish to know therefore what these things mean.” (21) Now all the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there would spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.”

17:22-31 GOD’s people need to understand their current culture in order to confront and correct those who are caught up in it!

(22) “So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said: “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious.    (23) For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, ‘To the unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.

(24) The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, (25) nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

(26) And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, (27) that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,     (28) for “‘In him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ (29) Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man. (30) The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, (31) because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”

17:32-34 Three things always have happened and always will happen when the GOSPEL is shared!

(32a) Some will become Critical!

“Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked.”

(32b) Some will become Curious!

“But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

(33) Some will be Converted!

“So Paul went out from their midst. (34) But some men joined him and believed, among whom also were Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris and others with them.”

Amen.

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ACTS 16 – The Second Missionary Journey “What must I do to be saved?”

Posted on July 27, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. After Paul and Barnabas decided that they could no longer work together over the issue of taking John Mark along with them (Acts 15:36-39) Paul chose Silas and they departed on the Second Missionary Journey! (Acts 15:40)

2. Acts 16 continues the account of this journey as they left from Syria and Cilicia to Derbe and Lystra. This second journey began around 49AD and continued to 52AD as they covered about 3,000 miles!

3. On this journey they visited Syria, Cilicia, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, Athens, and Corinth. The journey concluded back in Antioch, Syria. The biblical record of the journey ends in Acts 18:22.

4. In the last year of this journey, Paul wrote both 1st and 2nd Thessalonians!

5. Five key events in Acts 16 include:

– Paul circumcised Timothy and adds him to his missionary team. 16:1-7

– Paul received the “Macedonian Vision” sending him to the Roman Province of Asia. 16:9-10

– The conversion of Lydia. 16:11-15

– The miraculous deliverance from the Jail in Philippi. 16:16-26; 35-40

– The conversion of the Philippian Jailer and his family. 16:27-34

Theological Note: GOD can and does save very different kinds of people in very different situations (Lydia/Jailer) but HE only saves people one way!

EXPOSITION:

16:1-5 Faithful Christian Workers Need to Seek, recruit, and Mentor Faithful Christian Workers!

(1) “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. (2) He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. (3) Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. (4) As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem. (5) So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and they increased in numbers daily.”

16:6-10 GOD Chooses whom HE uses, and HE puts them where HE wills!

(6) “And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. (7) And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. (8) So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. (9) And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (10) And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.”

16:11-15 Many people who believe in GOD and live faithful religious lives still need to be saved!

(11) “So, setting sail from Troas, we made a direct voyage to Samothrace, and the following day to Neapolis, (12) and from there to Philippi, which is a leading city of the district of Macedonia and a Roman colony. We remained in this city some days. (13) And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to the riverside, where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women who had come together. (14) One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God.

The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (15) And after she was baptized, and her household as well, she urged us, saying, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.”

16:16-24 Satan hates GOD and HIS people and HIS Kingdom work and will do everything he can to stop it!

(16) “As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. (17) She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” (18) And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour. (19) But when her owners saw that their hope of gain was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the rulers. (20) And when they had brought them to the magistrates, they said, “These men are Jews, and they are disturbing our city. (21) They advocate customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to accept or practice.” (22) The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates tore the garments off them and gave orders to beat them with rods. (23) And when they had inflicted many blows upon them, they threw them into prison, ordering the jailer to keep them safely. (24) Having received this order, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.”

16:25-40 GOD really does “work all things together for good for those who love HIM and who are called according to HIS purpose!”

(25) “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, (26) and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. (27) When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped.    (28) But Paul cried with a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”

(29) And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. (30) Then he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (31) And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” (32) And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. (33) And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. (34) Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God.

(35) But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, “Let those men go.” (36) And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, “The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore, come out now and go in peace.” (37) But Paul said to them, “They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.” (38) The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. (39) So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city. (40) So they went out of the prison and visited Lydia. And when they had seen the brothers, they encouraged them and departed.”

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ACTS 15 – GETTING DOWN TO BUSINESS… SOME GOOD DECISIONS AND OTHERS… NOT SO MUCH!

Posted on July 20, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Acts 15 may be called “The business meeting Chapter of The Bible!”

2. There are two business meetings in this Chapter: a Church-wide meeting in 15:1-21 and a Ministry Team Meeting in 15:35-41.

3. The first meeting went well… the second, not so much.

4. Even in the second meeting where things did not go well, GOD still used HIS imperfect people to accomplish HIS perfect will!

5. REMEMBER – this is a time of big changes and transition in the life of GOD’s people and the imperfect response of imperfect people to big changes and transition should not surprise us!

EXPOSITION:                                                                                             

15:1-11  The First Debate: Are Good Works Necessary for Salvation?

 (1) “But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”

(2) And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. (3) So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. (4) When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. (5) But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”(6) The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter.

(7) And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. (8) And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, (9) and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. (10) Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? (11) But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”

Cf. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Cf. Romans 3:17-28 “Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.”

Cf. Romans 4:4-5 “Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness…”

Cf. Galatians 2:16 “yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.”

15:12-21   Good Decision #1: The Gentiles are Recognized as Part of the New Testament Church!

(12) “And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. (13) After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me.

(14) Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. (15) And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, (16) “‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, (17) that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things (18) known from of old.’ (19) Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, (20) but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. (21) For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

15:22-29  Good decision #2: The Future Missionary Teams are Sent to Antioch!

(22) “Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men from among them and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers, (23) with the following letter: “The brothers, both the apostles and the elders, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greetings. (24) Since we have heard that some persons have gone out from us and troubled you with words, unsettling your minds, although we gave them no instructions,

(25) it has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,        (26) men who have risked their lives for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. (27) We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.

(28) For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: (29) that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.”

15:30-33 The Power of Words!

(30) “So when they were sent off, they went down to Antioch, and having gathered the congregation together, they delivered the letter. (31) And when they had read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. (32) And Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words. (33) And after they had spent some time, they were sent off in peace by the brothers to those who had sent them.

15:35-38  The Second Debate: Does GOD play, ‘One strike and you are out?”

(35) But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. (36) And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”

(37) Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark.       (38) But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.”

15:39-41 “The Best of Men are Only Men at Best!”

(39) “And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, (40) but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. (41) And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

Theological Note: GOD often uses the failures of HIS people to create success in HIS Kingdom work!

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ACTS 14 – “The First Missionary Journey Continues and Concludes!”

Posted on July 12, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Whenever I read these passages about the travels and ministry – and suffering – of the early Christians, I am shamed and deeply convicted by my life-long pursuit of a “suffering-free” life and ministry.

2. These early Christians, along with multitudes of others since their time – and still today – seek only opportunity to serve the LORD and HIS people and to reach unsaved people with the gospel and they are willing to pay any price to do it.

3. In this Chapter, the First Missionary Journey continues and is concluded. It is marked by both great suffering and great success.

4. It is entirely likely that great suffering is a key to great success in GOD’s Kingdom work.

5. In this Chapter, we see their great suffering and great success as they travel to Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, then back through Lystra and Derbe and the other Antioch, Pisidia, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and finally they sailed back to the Church at Antioch in Syria from which they had been sent to give an account of their work.

NOTE: On these journeys, which took place around 48 AD, Paul and his companions were following the Roman road system which also formed the international mail routes of the first century.

EXPOSITION:

14:1-7 “Whenever and wherever GOD bless HIS work and HIS work, three things always happen!”

(1) Some unbelievers are saved!

“Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.”

(2-4) Some unbelievers are enraged!

(2) “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. (3) So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. (4) But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.”

(5-7) GOD’s people – and especially those who are sharing the gospel – are attacked.

(5) When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, (6) they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, (7) and there they continued to preach the gospel.”

14:8 – 18 Unsaved religious people are caught up in superstition and react violently to anyone telling them that they are wrong!

(8) “Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.

(9) He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, (10) said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. (11) And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (12) Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. (13) And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

Note: This idea of Zeus and Hermes coming down to earth is from Ovid’s poem, “metamorphoses” which was written around 8 AD.

(14) But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, (15) “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

(16) In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. (17) Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” (18) Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.”

14:19-20 Those who hate JESUS, HIS people, and HIS Kingdom work will do anything to stop those who are serving HIM!

(19) “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. (20) But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.”

14:21-28 After evangelizing and planting these new Churches, Paul and Barnabas went back to them to encourage and strengthen them and then returned to the Church that sent them to report what GOD was doing!

(21) “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, (22) strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. (23) And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

(24) Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.         (25) And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, (26) and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. (27) And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. (28) And they remained no little time with the disciples.”

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ACTS 13 – THE GREAT ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Posted on July 6, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Practically every statistic from every major Christian denomination proves that the most effective evangelism strategy is planting new Local Churches!

2. This is indeed the obvious biblical strategy!

3. Effective Local Church planting begins with finding, calling, equipping, and sending the right people!

4. The right people for effective Local Church planting are already faithfully serving in their Local Church!

5. Both National and International Local Church planting will require great sacrifice and suffering!

EXPOSITION:

13:1-3 The Great Adventure of International Missionary Church Planting began with 3 men!

 “Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (3) Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

13:4-5 Even the best Churches sending the best people can run into problems!

(4) “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. (5) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.”

Cf. 13:13b “and John left them and returned to Jerusalem…”

13:6-12 “Everything that GOD blesses will face opposition!”

(6) “When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. (7) He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. (8) But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. (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.”

13:13-39 The Key to Success in Kingdom Work is planting Local Churches and the Key to Success in Local Churches is preaching the Gospel!

(13) “Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, (14) but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. (15) After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”

(16) So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. (17) The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. (18) And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. (19) And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. (20) All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. (21) Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.

(22) And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ (23) Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. (24) Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (25) And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’ (26) “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. (27) For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. (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. (30) But God raised him from the dead, (31) and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. (32) And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, (33) this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ (34) And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ (35) Therefore he says also in another psalm, “‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’

(36) For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, (37) but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. (38) Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, (39) and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”

13:40-43 The Gospel is the Power of GOD unto Salvation, to the Jews First and also to the Gentiles!

(40) Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: (41) “’Look, you scoffers, be astounded and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”

(42) As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. (43) And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.”

13:44-52 The Great Work of planting Local Churches will always be characterized by both Opposition and Opportunity!

(44) The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. (45) But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. (46) And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. (47) For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'” (48) And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. (49) And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region.        (50) But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. (51) But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. (52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.”

AMEN.

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JESUS IS GOING TO COME BACK FOR HIS CHURCH!

Posted on June 29, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

SINCE WE ARE HOSTING A CONCERT TODAY AT OUR CHURCH, AND THEREFORE I AM NOT PREACHING TODAY, HERE IS A “GOLDEN OLDIE” I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY!

“Understanding Jesus” Part 4: What Jesus is going to do in the future – Sermon #16 “Jesus is Going to Come Back for HIS Church!”

INTRODUCTION:

1. Over the previous 15 sermons in this series, I have taught about “WHO JESUS is” “What JESUS said” “What JESUS did” “What JESUS is doing” and now… we come to “What JESUS is going to do in the Future!”

2. Of course, JESUS is going to do lots and lots and lots of things in the future, so – as the LORD allows – I plan to take at least 5 more sermons to answer the question… “What is JESUS going to do in the Future?”

3. This morning I want to explain what the Word of God reveals as the very next thing HE will do… HE is going to Come Back for HIS Church!”

4. While there are lots and lots and lots of godly, intelligent Christian men and women who hold to lots and lots and lots of different views of the future, I remain persuaded that the Premillennial and Pretribulation view of the future is the Biblical view!

5. While I have lots and lots and lots of reasons for believing this to be the Biblical view – as you know, I wrote my Doctoral Dissertation on this subject – I just want to focus this morning on one of the key reasons that I believe this!

6. That reason is that JESUS, HIMSELF described HIS return on different occasions providing very different details, which must mean that HE was speaking of TWO DIFFERENT PHASES OF HIS RETURN…

EXPOSITION:

First, JESUS described a time when Believers will be raised from the dead and every living believer will escape death!

John 11:23-27

(23) “Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” (24) Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” (25) Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, (26) and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (27) She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

The Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to describe this glorious event in minute detail…

1st Thessalonians 4:16-17

(16) “For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.       (17) Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.”

So… Believers who have died are resurrected, and the Believers who are still alive at the time are taken up to Heaven while still alive!

Four things happen at that time: The LORD RETURNS, Believers who have died are RESURRECTED, living Believers are RAPTURED, and all Believers are REUNITED to forever be with the LORD!

Second, JESUS also described HIS return using very different details in Matthew 24:29-31

(29) “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

(30) Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (31) And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

In John 11, JESUS is describing a time when HE will come “in the clouds” and raise those Believers who have already died and rapture those Believers who are still alive!

In Matthew 24, JESUS is describing a time when HE will HIMSELF return physically to the earth and stand on the Mount of Olives and destroy the Antichrist and his armies as the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle John to write in Revelation 19:11-16

(11) “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. (12) His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. (13) He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.   (14) And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. (15) From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (16) On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

Since we know that JESUS cannot make a mistake and the Bible is the Word of God and cannot contradict itself, these two descriptions must be two different events!

7. So here is the “Biblical Order of Future Events” as given in the Word of God… DON’T PANIC – THESE EVENTS WILL MAKE UP THE REST OF THIS SERIES OF SERMONS !!!

The NEXT THING prophesied in the Word of God is the “rapture” of the Church as described in John 11 and 1st Thessalonians 4.

The NEXT THING AFTER THE RAPTURE will be the 7 Years of Tribulation on the earth as described in Matthew 24:4 – 25:46

The NEXT THING AFTER THE TRIBULATION will be when JESUS returns to earth, defeats Satan and the Antichrist at the Battle of Armageddon and then sets up and rules over HIS KINGDOM on earth for 1,000 years as described in Revelation 20:1-10.

The NEXT THING AFTER THE KINGDOM will be the Battle of Gog and Magog followed by the Great White Throne Judgment of the unsaved dead of all the ages followed by the onset of The Eternal State as described in Revelation 19 – 21.

Amen!

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ACTS 12 – “2 Dead, 1 Delivered, 4 Great Mysteries of GOD!”

Posted on June 22, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. This is an amazing Chapter that is filled with some of the deepest mysteries in all of history! The first great mystery presented here is, “Why does GOD deliver one and not deliver another?” Another way we hear this question is, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

2. A second great mystery seen in this Chapter is, “Why does GOD allow evil men to prevail over godly men?”

3. A third great mystery in this passage is, “Why do we pray when we do not expect GOD to answer our prayers and do not believe that GOD gets the credit when HE does answer our prayers?”

4. A fourth great mystery is, “If GOD had determined to destroy Herod Agrippa I, why did HE not do that before Herod killed James?”

5. The answer is really clear in the Scriptures but it is really unpopular!

Psalm 115:3 “Our God is in the heavens; he does all that he pleases.”

The ultimate example is JESUS on the cross!

Isaiah 53:10-11 NKJV

(10) “Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.

When You make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand.

(11) He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities.”

** The thing that “pleases” the LORD is seeing HIS will being done!

Matthew 26:39 “And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

6. It pleased GOD that HIS will was done in the death of James!

7. It pleased God that HIS will was done in the deliverance of Peter!

8. It pleased GOD that HIS will was done in the death of Herod Agrippa I !

EXPOSITION:

12:1-2 There are times when GOD allows really bad things to happen to really good people!

(1) “About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. (2) He killed James the brother of John with the sword…”

NOTE: This is Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great who murdered his father Aristobulus to become King after the death of his uncle Archelaus in AD 6.

12:3-10 GOD can deliver anyone anywhere whenever HE chooses to do so!

(3) “and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. (4) And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people.” (5) So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

(6) Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. (7) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell.        He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. (8) And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.”

(9) And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision.

(10) When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him.”

12:11-19 Christians sometimes pray while not really expecting GOD to answer our prayers and we are shocked when HE does!

(11) When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.” (12) When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying. (13) And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. (14) Recognizing Peter’s voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. (15) They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” (16) But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. (17) But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place. (18) Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. (19) And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

12:20-24 GOD does not settle HIS accounts every day but there will be a “Payday Someday!”

(20) “Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food.

(21) On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. (22) And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” (23) Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. (24) But the word of God increased and multiplied.”

12:25 In the midst of absolute chaos, GOD continues HIS work in the world!

(25) “And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.”

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Joseph Ben Jacob – The Man GOD Chose to Raise HIS Only SON!”

Posted on June 15, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

Matthew 1:18 – 25  “Joseph Ben Jacob: The Man God Chose to Raise HIS Only Son!”

INTRODUCTION:

I feel comfortable speaking to you today because as a Father of Two Sons, One Daughter, the Father-in-Law of one Son-in-Law and Two Daughters-in-law… the Grandfather of Five Grandsons and One Granddaughter, and the Great-Grandfather of one Great-Grandson and one Great-Granddaughter… and having been involved in teaching the Bible for 44 years, I think I have at least some understanding of what it means to be a Christian Father.

I would say to you that while I did not have the privilege that you have of being the son of a Christian Father, I can at least apply biblical wisdom to you and the life you have now and will have in the years ahead.

I want to begin with a terrifying question: what if you knew that you were not going to be able to raise your son?

If you had to entrust the act of raising your son to another man, what kind of man would you seek?

Some years ago, it dawned on me that God the Father faced this very situation. HIS ONLY SON was going to come to earth and live here for thirty-three years.

GOD HIMSELF, was going to entrust the work of raising HIS SON into the hands of another person.

As we think about what kind of man we would want to raise our son – and therefore what kind of man we need to be as we raise our own son – I want to use this time to briefly discuss Joseph Ben Jacob, the man of Nazareth, “The Man God Chose to Raise HIS ONLY SON.”

EXPOSITION: Matthew 1:18-25

FIRST, Joseph was a godly man!

(18-19a) “(18) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. (19a) And her husband Joseph, being a just man…”

More than our sons need anything else our sons need us to be godly men!

SECOND, Joseph was a compassionate man!

(19b) “and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.”

One of the best ways to love our sons is to love their mother and to demonstrate that love by having compassion on her and on our children.

Our wife and our children will from time to time disappoint us; the way that we respond to them at those times will either demonstrate (or fail to demonstrate) the reality of our love and compassion for them.

ONE MORE NOTE ON THIS: over the many years of my ministry, I have found that many people – especially unsaved people – reject God because HE reveals HIMSELF as FATHER and they have serious and unresolved issues with their earthly father.

THIRD, Joseph was an obedient man!

(20-25) “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. (21) She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (22) All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

(23) “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). (24) When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, (25) but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.”

With all of the things we need to do for our sons, there is nothing more important that we can do for them than to raise them up while demonstrating to them the blessings of obeying GOD by obeying HIS WORD.

Joseph was a man GOD used to do a very important work and GOD used him because Joseph was a godly man, he was a compassionate man, and he was an obedient man.

May GOD grant that we will share these characteristics and that we may pass them on to others!

Amen !!!

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ACTS 11 – OPPOSITION & OPPORTUNITY!

Posted on June 8, 2025 by Lanny Faulkner

INTRODUCTION:

1. Remembering that the chapter and verse divisions are not part of the original manuscripts of the Bible, take note that verses 1 – 18 are a continuation of Peter’s testimony from the previous Chapter.

2. Remembering that this passage covers a time of massive and rapid change for the Jewish people, it is not surprising that so much controversy was involved.

3. Massive and rapid change and the controversy it engenders is no excuse for the violent reaction of these people!

4.TAKE NOTE HERE… no one hates JESUS and HIS people more than unsaved religious people! (This is still true today!)

5. Verses 19 through 30 introduce us to a new situation in a new (to us) Church that will be a focal point in the rest of The Book of Acts!

EXPOSITION:

11:1-3 The reaction of unsaved religious people to Peter’s call to take the gospel to the Gentiles!

(1) “Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. (2 )So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, (3) “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.”

11:4-17

Peter’s defense of his calling to take the gospel to the Gentiles!

(4) “But Peter began and explained it to them in order: (5) “I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me. (6) Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air. (7) And I heard a voice saying to me, ‘Rise, Peter; kill and eat.’ (8) But I said, ‘By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’

(9) But the voice answered a second time from heaven, ‘What God has made clean, do not call common.’ (10) This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven. (11) And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.

(12) And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. (13) And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, ‘Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter; (14) he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ (15) As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning. (16) And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ (17) If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?”

11:18

The proper response when GOD is doing a new an unexpected thing!

(18) “When they heard these things, they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.”

*** As a Gentile, let me say… “AMEN and AMEN!”

11:19-21

The one and only thing that makes evangelism successful!

(19) “Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. (20) But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.       (21) And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.”

11:22-24

There are some benefits of being in a denomination and this kind of evaluation is one of them!

(22) “The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. (23) When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, (24) for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.”

11:25-26a

Barnabas’ personal ministry to Paul continued!

(25) “So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, (26) and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people.”

11:26b

The best insult a human can ever suffer!

“And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.”

11:27-30

The spirit of personal sacrifice and brotherly affection was – and still needs to be – a dominant characteristic of the Church!

(27) “Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. (28) And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). (29) So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. (30) And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.”

Theological note: In spite of their original doubts about Paul, now they demonstrate their confidence in him by entrusting him with a very large “disaster relief” offering!

** It also helped that Barnabas was with Paul at the time!

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