June 6, 2010
Morning Service

Acts 14

 

Review:

1.       In chapter 13 we saw Barnabas and Saul was sent on their first missionary trip.  God said, “separate me Saul, and Barnabas for the work that I have called them.”

2.      They also had John Mark with them.  However, John Mark leaves them part way through their trip, and returns to Jerusalem.

3.      They have a conflict with one Bar-Jesus, a sorcerer, and God allows Paul to strike him blind.

4.      Then Paul preaches his first recorded sermon.  Very much along the lines as Steven’s was.  He told them some history, then explained prophecies concerning the Christ, then how Jesus fulfilled these prophecies.  People were very interested in what he had to say, and ask that they would come back the next Sabbath.  Especially the gentiles.

5.      This stirred up the Jews, they became upset and run Saul, who will be known as Paul from now on, and Barnabas out of town. 

6.      We close chapter 13 with this statement, Act 13:52 KJVR  And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.

 

Let’s begin with chapter 14.

 

Act 14:1-28 KJVR  And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 

• Iconium, a short distance to the east of Antioch in Turkey.  
• And so spoke, that a great multitude believed, Jews, and Greeks.
• People with ready hearts to serve God, and believe the Scriptures.  The Gospel, Jesus fulfilling the prophecies, and the clincher is the resurrection.   This hadn’t been heard of even of the greatest men around.  This is the clincher.

(2)  But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. 

• Paul explains this unwillingness to believe from these Jews in the Roman letter.  They are actually blinded by God so the Gentiles could be grafted into the family of God.  One day God will lift the blindness, and all Israel shall be saved.

(3)  Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 

• God’s grace.  Unmerited favor.  Salvation is solely, and wholly from God at no charge.  It is a gift that we don’t deserve, but yet it is offered to all.   Then notice, why should I believe this?
• God granted signs, and wonders to be done by their hands.   Only God can do these things.

(4)  But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.  (5)  And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, (6)  They were aware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and into the region that lieth round about:  (7)  And there they preached the gospel. 

• So here we see the Apostles run out of another town.
• Lystra and Derbe, cities just south of where they have been run off from.  Just west from where the Apostle Paul grew up.  Tarsus.

(8)  And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:  (9)  The same heard Paul speak: who steadfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,  (10)  Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 

• Being a cripple from his mother’s womb.   God working a miracle by the hands of Paul.
• Here we would understand that this man had the faith to be healed.
• Jesus on more than one occasion said to His disciples; “oh ye of little faith.” 

1. When He was teaching them that God would provide for their needs.
2. Once when he calmed the wind, and the sea.
3. Once when Peter came to Him walking on the water, and began to sink.

• But this man had the faith to be healed.

(11)  And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.  (12)  And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 

• Ju'piter. (a father that helps). The Greek Zeus. The Olympian Zeus was the national god of the Hellenic race, as well as the supreme ruler of the heathen world, and as such formed the true opposite to Jehovah.
• Mercu'rius. (herald of the gods). Properly Hermes, the Greek deity, whom the Romans identified with their Mercury, the god of commerce and bargains. Hermes was the son of Zeus, (Jupiter)  Which strikingly illustrates the readiness with which the simple people of Lystra recognized in Barnabas and Paul, the gods who, according to their wont, had come down in the likeness of men.

(13)  Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.  (14)  Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out,  (15)  And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:  (16)  Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.  (17)  Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.  (18)  And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 

• If Paul and Barnabas had been preaching this Gospel for filthy lucre, they could have cleaned up here.

(19)  And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.  (20)  Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 

• So now Paul is stoned, but not killed.  He could have been killed, but God brought him back to life.

(21)  And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,  (22)  Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.  (23)  And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.  (24)  And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.  (25)  And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 

• Paul has been stoned, then goes right back through the area that he had first been threatened to be stoned.
• Confirming the souls, encouraging them to continue in the faith, letting them know that hard times were ahead.
• They ordained older men into the leadership offices of the church to lead, and guide the church.  They prayed, and fasted, commending the men to the Lord, on whom they had confidence.
• They are still in Turkey, directly south of Antioch, on the Mediterranean Sea coast.

(26)  And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.  (27)  And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.  (28)  And there they abode long time with the disciples.

• A beautiful picture of God expanding His church.
• Paul and Barnabas sent out by God, to travel through Turkey, preaching the Gospel in the Synagogues of the Jews, to which there were gentile proselytes. 
• This wonderful gospel of love, grace, and forgiveness, being accepted by many, and rejected by many.
• Paul and Barnabas experiencing true persecution for their faith.  Jesus said of Paul to Ananias;  Act 9:16 KJVR  For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

• Paul now knows what Jesus was talking about.  But he will not be turned from his work, but will continue to preach this glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

In this glorious gospel, we are taught to pray for our people who are in authority.  This we will do, and we also pray that God’s plan for Israel will help the world to see that this gospel is truth, and will soon bring and end to all suffering, and pain. 

EVEN SO COME QUICKLY LORD JESUS.