The Road Beyond: A Tale of Three Cities Acts 14:1-28 1st Missionary Journey

“The Road Beyond” A Cyclic Pattern in Acts

Christian leaders arise & preach the gospel

God intervenes to Listeners are rescue the leader OR converted & added to advance the church the church

Opponents arise to persecute Christian leaders “The Road Beyond” Iconium Acts 14:1-7 1st Missionary Journey

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:1-3 “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. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 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.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Poisoned (kakoō) • To make angry, embitter against, mistreat, or oppress.

“The Road Beyond” 2 Corinthians 4:8-12 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:4-7 “But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to and , cities of , and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:6 “They … fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Lystra Acts 14:8-20 1st Missionary Journey

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:8-11 “Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’ And he sprang up and began walking. 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!’ …”

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:11-15 “ they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 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. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news that …’”

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:15-18 “‘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. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 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.’ Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Sermon in Lystra • An Argument from Creation • “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.” (Acts 14:15, ESV) • An Argument from Providence • “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.” (Acts 14:17, ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Romans 1:19-20 “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:11 “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!’” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:19 “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. (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:20 “But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” 2 Timothy 3:10-12 “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” John 15:18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” Derbe Acts 14:21-23 1st Missionary Journey

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:20-21 “On the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” 1st Missionary Journey

“The Road Beyond” Strengthening the Churches • Gave Encouragement—“encouraging them to continue in the faith” (22) • Taught Believers—“saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” (22) • Organized the Church—“they appointed elders for them in every church” (23) • Prayed—“with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed” (23)

“The Road Beyond” Headed Home Luke 14:24-28 1st Missionary Journey

“The Road Beyond” Acts 14:26-28 “And from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 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. And they remained no little time with the disciples.” (ESV)

“The Road Beyond” The Road Beyond “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8, ESV)