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Home , Simon Magus

Game On—Taking The to the World May 26-27, 2018 Mark Foreman NCCC

v Taking the Risk—Paul and Are Sent (1-5)

Ø A church that is birthed as a mission becomes missional. It’s in the DNA.

Ø The Antioch church gave the world their best—Paul and Barnabas. • Luke tells us only Paul’s story, none of the other Apostles, for example Thomas traveled from Syria to India.

Ø They fasted and prayed and were sent out.

Ø The laying on of hands is more than symbolic. It is asking for the Spirit’s power and guidance for the trip.

Ø They traveled 15 miles to the coast with their helper, (Barnabas cousin & who’s mom hosted the prayer meeting in ).

Ø They sailed first for Barnabas’ home island—Cyprus. They began as they almost always did with the ready-made audience in the synagogue.

v Success and Resistance Among Gentiles on the Island of Cyprus (6-12)

Ø Luke doesn’t record every preaching event but gives us the East and West Coast summary. • Perhaps they started on Cyprus because it was Barnabas’ home. • A week’s travel would bring them to Paphos the capital, 90 miles.

Ø They first meet Bar- (), the Jewish sorcerer. • Perhaps they first spoke in the Synagogue or met in the marketplace. • It is likely he gave “spiritual” advise to the proconsul.

Ø The intelligent proconsul (governor), , sent for them.

Ø Elymas, realized he’s was losing control and perhaps his employment opposed Paul and Barnabas. • Here, and from now on, Luke refers to Saul as Paul.

Ø Paul handles this power encounter as Peter did in (8:20). • Simon Magus (8:20). • He looks straight into his eyes, “you are a child of the devil…”

Ø Elymas was blinded (likely temporarily) and the governor believed. He was a completely Gentile convert with no Jewish background.

v Paul’s Great Sermon in Pisidian Antioch (13-41)

Ø They sailed north to Perga, where they suffered a setback: sickness and John Mark left them. • Paul was sick (Gal 4:14). • Luke mentions it a matter-of-fact here but in 15:38 he “deserted them.” • He became a source of contention between Paul and Barnabas (15:37). • Later Mark becomes helpful to Paul’s ministry (Col 4:10; 2 Tim 4:11). • We don’t know why Mark left. • Homesick, missing the lush life of Jerusalem? • Did he resent Paul taking the lead over his cousin Barnabas? • Was he only in it for Cyprus? • Did he not want to travel up the arduous mountains? • Did he disagree with Paul’s bold approach to the gentiles? • Or was it Paul was sick and he disagreed about going forward (Gal 4:14)?

Ø Paul and Barnabas press on to Pisidian Antioch, 100 miles north and over the 3500 foot mountains.

Ø On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and followed the religious format: • It would have started with the Shema: The Lord our God is One… prayers. • Then two lessons, one from the Pentateuch and one from the Prophets.

Ø Paul spoke when he is invited. Perhaps he is wearing his Rabbi attire. We have here a full summary of Paul’s approach to a Jewish audience. • A brief recap of Israel’s history (so Stephen, ). • Once he reaches King David he jumps to the promised . • He mentions his forerunner . • Then the focus is the death and of Jesus, quoting three OT passages: Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 55:3, and Psalm 16:10. • He concludes by emphasizing forgiveness and justification and how critical it is that they choose wisely.

v Success and Resistance Among Jews (42-52)

Ø Followed-here is significant success among Jews and God-fearers.

Ø Resistance comes the following week as their popularity mounts.

Ø we now turn to the Gentiles (first to the Jew, then to the Gentile (Rom 1:16).

Ø We must both respond to Jesus ourselves and then share the good news with others, knowing that the response will be mixed.

v Thinking It Through

Ø What risk is God asking you to take in sharing the Gospel?

Ø What success and resistance have you met in sharing the Gospel?

Who can you be praying for as you step out in faith to share the Gospel?

Doing the Word Together - 2018 2