In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas Are Set Apart for the Work of the Ministry

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In Acts 13 Paul and Barnabas are set apart for the work of the ministry. − After a time of fasting and prayer the first missionary team is formed − Their first missionary journey is through Galatia – approx. 1500 miles − This new missionary team first travels to Cyprus where they encounter a false prophet by the name of BarJesus − After Paul and BarJesus have a “come to Jesus meeting” the proconsul Sergius comes to faith in Christ. − Paul and Barnabas leave Cyprus and sail 175 miles northwest to Perga where John Mark leaves the mission field and returns to Jerusalem − Paul and Barnabas pass through Perga and make their way through the Taurus Mountains to Antioch of Pisidia. − The route is treacherous and could be the reason why John Mark left… he basically chickens out… you could say he was no Eagle Scout. − Paul preaches in Pisidian Antioch, but the Jews reject the gospel and end up running Paul and Barnabas out of town. − The new missionary team moves on to Iconium full of joy and the Holy Spirit − I love being around people that are discovering ministry for the first time. − They are so fired up and excited, nothing discourages them − But as the work gets dangerous, Paul faces four challenging tests of faith… o The Test Of Perseverance o The Test Of Integrity o The Test Of Courage o The Test Of Completion

The Test Of Perseverance

Acts 14:1–7 (NKJV) At Iconium 14 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a

______Jesus Culture long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.

Paul and Barnabas preach the gospel at the synagogue in Iconium − Both Gentiles and Jews respond to Paul’s preaching and believe − But the unbelieving Jews aren’t happy campers… so they begin a smear campaign against Paul and Barnabas. − “poisoned their minds against the bretheren” – the unbelieving Jews did more than talk bad about Paul and Barnabas. − They turned the Gentiles against them to the point of having hostile feelings − That is the power of gossip and slander – it can incite hatred in people against others that they’ve never met. o A slanderer is one who intentionally seeks to damage a person’s reputation through misinformation and defamation of character usually because of insecurity, jealousy or pride. − How does Paul and Barnabas deal with slander? They persevere!!! o Speaking boldly in the Lord o Bearing witness of the word of His grace o Witnessing signs and wonders through prayer o Paul and Barnabas obey God and prove the rumors wrong by continuing to minister to others with God’s power. o Are you being mistreated or falsely accused… persevere in helping others. − However, the city was divided. − A violent attempt is made to abuse and stone the apostles…. − They flee for their lives to Lystra…. − They continue preaching the gospel… − NOTICE: They didn’t take it personal, they just kept moving forward

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The Test Of Integrity

Acts 14:8–13 (NKJV) Idolatry at Lystra 8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

Paul is preaching the gospel in Lystra − As he is preaching he looks at a crippled man − Seeing that the man has faith he commands him to stand up − The man is healed and the crowd goes wild − SIDE NOTE: My job is not to do the ministry. o My job is to equip and train you to do the ministry o One thing to note is that Paul could see the Spirit at work o We need to pay attention and look where the Spirit is working. − Only they think that Paul and Barnabas are the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes − I imagine that Barnabas must have had long grey hair and a beard because they call him Zeus − They are so convinced that the priest of Zeus brings oxen and flowers to sacrifice to them… they’re planning a citywide barbeque. − This is a test of integrity for Paul and Barnabas… o How do they respond to the rock star treatment? o Do they let them have a nice barbeque? o They could use their influence for the gospel? o What could it hurt? o Who would know? o God would know…

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Acts 14:14–18 (NKJV) 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

How did Paul and Barnabas do it? How did they stay grounded? Listen to their response to the situation… − They don’t forget who receives worship – Jews would tear their clothes when they witnessed blasphemy. The people were blaspheming God by worshipping man. − They don’t forget who they are – We are men with the same nature as you − They don’t forget why they are there – we preach that you should turn from these useless things to the living God − They don’t forget their place in the world – he’s just a small part of God’s plan to demonstrate His love… God gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.

The Test Of Courage

Acts 14:19–20 (NKJV) Stoning, Escape to Derbe 19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered

______Jesus Culture around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Paul learns just like Jesus did… the same crowd that said “Hail Him” moments later said “Nail Him.” − The Jews follow Paul from Antioch and Iconium and incite a riot against Paul − Why do you think they did that? − Did they believe they were doing God a favor by stopping Paul? − Did they catch Paul in a lie? − Was it personal? − Paul is a Jew. It was fellow Jews that turned the Gentiles against Paul. − Paul is stoned, dragged out of the city and left for dead − The Bible says the disciples gathered around him, I believe they prayed for Paul, he gets up and goes back into the city − That’s courage − How did Paul find the courage to keep going? From other disciples!!! − NOTE: There are times when we need our brothers to come around us, to pray for us and to stand with us, especially when others are out to harm us… o Maybe it’s someone at work that thinks you’re in the way of their promotion o Maybe it’s a mean neighbor or an angry family member o Maybe it’s another brother in Christ o We need to stand around each other and pray for each other.

The Test Of Completion

Acts 14:21–26 (NKJV) Strengthening the Converts 21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23

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So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed. 24 And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. 26 From there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had completed.

The Greeks had a race in their Olympic games that was unique. The winner was not the runner who finished first. It was the runner who finished with his torch still lit.

It wasn’t enough to finish the race, but to finish it well − We see this principle early in Paul’s ministry − On his return to Antioch, Paul stops by the places he visited with the intent of strengthening the disciples − He could have blown in and blown out… I came, I saw, I kicked the devil’s butt and now I’m going home. − Paul’s not interested in making converts, he’s interested in making disciples − He tells them it’s not going to be an easy road – expect tribulation. − He goes back to the places where he preached and appoints leadership, prays with them, fasts with them and encourages them − Paul wanted to finish well

Acts 14:27–28 (NKJV) 27 Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 So they stayed there a long time with the disciples.

I want to point out something about life in the early church… − The church gathered together – no lone rangers, no lone Bible studies

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− They talked about what God had done with them − They were looking for open doors to share the gospel − They spent a lot of time with each other… this is how discipleship happens − This is my hope for Worship Life − Prayer – we are all commissioned to pray… turn to your neighbor and ask for prayer.