ACTS Go Tell the Good News Lesson 15

ACTS Go Tell the Good News! Lesson 15 Acts 14

REVIEW Antioch-Syria : the church sends out Barnabas and Saul (1 st missionary journey) Cyprus: (Saul is called Paul) Salamis: they preach in the synagogues Paphos: Elymas the sorcerer is struck blind; Sergius Paulus believes the teaching of the Lord Asia Minor: Perge: John Mark leaves Paul and Barnabas

REVIEW Antioch-Pisidia : Paul’s first recorded sermon; expelled from region “But they shook off the dust from their feet against them…” (13: 51) (Mt. 10: 12 -15) (Luke 9: 5) (Luke 10: 10 -11) “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” (13: 52)

Preaching at Iconium (Acts 14: 1 -7) • Upon arriving in Iconium, they go together to the synagogue of the Jews. • They speak in a way that a great multitude of both Jews and Gentiles believed. v. It wasn’t how Paul spoke (1 Cor. 2: 1 -5) but the message he spoke • But unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their mind • “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord…” (vs. 3)

Preaching at Iconium (Acts 14: 1 -7) • The city was divided and a violent attempt was made on their lives…Paul and Barnabas flee to Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region of Lycaonia.

Lystra (about 18 miles south of Iconium)

Region of Lycaonia

Preaching at Lystra (Acts 14: 8 -20) • A certain man, cripple from the womb, who had never walked hears Paul speaking. • Paul “observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed ”…healed him. • This miracle caused the people of the city to believe that “the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (vs. 11) • The people called Barnabas “Zeus” (Jupiter) • They called Paul “Hermes” (Mercury) because he was the chief speaker

Preaching at Lystra (Acts 14: 8 -20) • The priest of Zeus began to prepare sacrifices (oxen and garlands) and brought them to the front gate. The temple of Zeus was in the front of the city. • When Paul and Barnabas heard this, they tore their clothes and ran among the multitude imploring them not to do this… o Paul & Barnabas were men in the same nature as those“Even men with these words, they had o They had been preaching to them to turn from difficulty keeping fromall things useless idols to the living the Godcrowd who made (14: 18 NIV) o God hadsacrificing done goodto tothem. ” all mankind

Sacrifice at Lystra (Raphael)

Preaching at Lystra (Acts 14: 8 -20) • Jews from Antioch and Iconium arrive and persuade the people to stone Paul. • They drag him out of the city supposing him to be dead. • Paul rose up as the disciples gathered around him and went into the city. • The next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

Derbe (about 30 miles SE of Lystra)

Preaching at Derbe (Acts 14: 21) • Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel to Derbe and made many disciples.

Return trip to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 14: 22 -23) • Paul and Barnabas return to these cities “strengthening the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith…” • “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (vs. 22)

Return trip to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 14: 22 -23) • They appoint elders in every church Ø For the churches to be fully equipped, they needed elders Ø The men would need to be qualified: o Converted Jews, knowing the scripture o Miraculous gifts of the Spirit to help these men Ø Elders were appointed in every church, not each province or region; each church had its own elders o Titus 1: 5 “…appoint elders in every city…” o Acts 20: 28 Ephesian elders “…to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers…” o 1 Peter 5: 1 -2 “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you…”

Return trip to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch (Acts 14: 22 -23) • They appoint elders in every church • They prayed with fasting and commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Return trip to Antioch (Syria) (Acts 14: 24 -28) • Paul and Barnabas came to Pamphylia (Perga) and preached the word • They travel to Attalia and from there sail back to Antioch of Syria.

SUMMARY “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” (14: 27)

Lessons from Acts 14 • Our challenges in life can be used as teaching tools for others. (2 Tim. 3: 10 -12) • James 1: 2 “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials. ” • 1 Peter 4: 16 “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter. ”