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INTRODUCTION:

1. In this Chapter, we get the details of Paul’s successful journey to Jerusalem and the events that took place there.

2. After his arrival in Jerusalem, Paul reports to the Church there how GOD had worked through his ministry among the Gentiles.

3. When some of the Jews saw Paul in the Temple, they assumed that he had brought his colleague Trophimus with him and arrested and beat him.

4. Paul was saved by a Roman Tribune and his detachment of soldiers who then took Paul into custody thinking him to be an Egyptian revolutionary.

5. After the Tribune learned that Paul was a Roman Citizen, he allowed him to address the mob.

EXPOSITION: Acts 21

21:1 – 7, 15 – 16

(1) “And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. (2) And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.

(3) When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo.

(4) And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. (5) When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed

(6) and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home. (7) When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day.”

(15) After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem.    (16) And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.”

21:8 – 14

Courage is not a lack of fear, it is doing GOD’s will in spite of and in the face of our fears!

(8) On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. (9) He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.

(10) While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. (11) And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'” (12) When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. (13) Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart?

For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” (14) And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”

21:17 – 26

When dealing with non-doctrinal issues, it is sometimes wise to compromise with the traditions and culture of others in order to gain the opportunity to serve the LORD!

(17) “When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. (18) On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. (19) After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. (20) And when they heard it, they glorified God. And they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed. They are all zealous for the law, (21) and they have been told about you that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or walk according to our customs. (22) What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.        (23) Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; (24) take these men and purify yourself along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. Thus all will know that there is nothing in what they have been told about you, but that you yourself also live in observance of the law.

(25) But as for the Gentiles who have believed, we have sent a letter with our judgment that they should abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality.”

(26) Then Paul took the men, and the next day he purified himself along with them and went into the temple, giving notice when the days of purification would be fulfilled and the offering presented for each one of them.”

8:27 – 36

Faithfully doing GOD’s will is no guarantee that everything will go well for those who serve HIM; in fact, it will sometimes guarantee that things will not go well for us!

(27) “When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him,

(28) crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” (29) For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. (30) Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. (31) And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. (32) He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. (33) Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. (34) Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. (35) And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, (36) for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”

NOTE: The Chapter and verse divisions in the Bible were not part of the Original Manuscripts (aka “The Autographa”). New Testament Chapter divisions were done by Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, in 1227 AD, while the verse divisions were done by Robert Estienne (known as Stephanus) in 1555 AD.

The Old Testament verse divisions were done by a Jewish Rabbi named Nathan in 1448 AD. The first English translation of The Bible published with the Chapter and verse divisions included was The Geneva Bible, published in 1560.

The reason I mention this is that Acts 21:37 – 40 would much more logically be included in Chapter 22.

21:37 – 40

It is certainly wise to use the privileges of our citizenship, especially when our citizenship opens doors of opportunity for us to be able to serve the LORD!

(37) “As Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he said to the tribune, “May I say something to you?” And he said, “Do you know Greek?

(38) Are you not the Egyptian, then, who recently stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the Assassins out into the wilderness?” (39) Paul replied, “I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.” (40) And when he had given him permission, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people. And when there was a great hush, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying…”

Amen!

INTRODUCTION:

1. After the riot at Ephesus, Paul travels through the Roman Province of Asia with the ultimate goal of going to Jerusalem before making his way to Rome.

2. While he chooses to not revisit Ephesus, he calls the leaders of the Ephesian Church to meet with him at Miletus.

3. Paul’s farewell to the Ephesian leaders in this Chapter is one of the most insightful and heartbreaking passages in The New Testament!

4. In this Chapter, take note that Paul uses all three adjectives for Local Church leaders:

(17a) “elders” *presbuteros – Mature

(28a) “overseers” *episkopous – Overseers

(28b) “care for” (shepherd) – *Pastors

** VITALLY IMPORTANT THEOLOGICAL NOTE: Since these three Offices in the Church are used to describe the same group of men, THESE WORDS MUST BE – AND ARE – SYNONYMS!

They are NOT three separate Offices in the Church, they are the three Offices and areas of responsibilities of the men GOD raised up to lead the Church!

EXPOSITION:

20:1 – 6 The Biblical pattern for GOD’s Kingdom work was – and still is – to plan the work and then work the plan!

(1) “After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. (2) When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece.

(3) There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. (4) Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus. (5) These went on ahead and were waiting for us at Troas,

(6) but we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread, and in five days we came to them at Troas, where we stayed for seven days.”

20:7 – 12 GOD allows really bad things to happen in order to glorify HIMSELF and accomplish HIS Kingdom Work!

(7) “On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. (8) There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. (9) And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. (10) But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, “Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him.”

(11) And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. (12) And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.”

20:13 – 16 Doing GOD’s will mean not doing really good things to accomplish the main thing GOD has called us to do!

(13) “But going ahead to the ship, we set sail for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there, for so he had arranged, intending himself to go by land. (14) And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and went to Mitylene. (15) And sailing from there we came the following day opposite Chios; the next day we touched at Samos; and the day after that we went to Miletus.  (16) For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he might not have to spend time in Asia, for he was hastening to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of Pentecost.”

20:17 – 35 The best way to model ministry is to do what is right and to teach others to follow that example!

(17) “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.

(18-21) Paul’s Methods…

(18) And when they came to him, he said to them: “You yourselves know how I lived among you the whole time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, (19) serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews; (20) how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, (21) testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

(22-27) Paul’s Motives…

(22) And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, (23) except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. (24) But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (25) And now, behold, I know that none of you among whom I have gone about proclaiming the kingdom will see my face again.

(26) Therefore, I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, (27) for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.       

(28-35) Paul’s Message…

(28) Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.                   

(29) I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; (30) and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (31) Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.

(32) And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (33) I coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. (34) You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my necessities and to those who were with me. (35) In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

20:36 – 38 Paul had a final farewell and so will we!

(36) “And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. (37) And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him, (38) being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.”

Amen!

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.

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!

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.”

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.