Paul and
Barnabas Head Home
Introduction:
Paul and Barnabas
are on what is called Paul’s “First Missionary Journey.” They were
last in Antioch of Pisidia and were then expelled and went to
Iconium nearly 100 miles SE.
Text:
Acts 14:1-28
Body:
I.
At Iconium
Acts 14:1-6a
“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. But the unbelieving
Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the
brethren. Therefore they stayed there a 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. But the
multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and
part with the apostles. And when a violent attempt was made by both
the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them,
they became aware of it”
NKJV
·
As usual they started at the synagogue. Many
Jews and Gentiles believed. We need to mimic their example: “They
spoke in such a way.”
·
Hearers cannot remain neutral about the gospel
message. Some Jews “disbelieved.” – This word means “disobeyed.”
Faith and obedience go together as do disbelief and disobedience. (Hebrews
3:18-19)
“And to whom did He
swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not
obey? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.”
NKJV
·
They continued to preach in spite of opposition.
(Ephesians
6:19)
“and for me, that
utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to
make known the mystery of the gospel,” NKJV
Also notice that miracles weren’t sufficient for some
people.
·
But when their lives became endangered, they fled.
They had more good they could do.
II.
At Lystra
Acts 14:6b-20a
“and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia,
and to the surrounding region. And they were preaching the gospel
there. And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was
sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked.
This man heard
Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had
faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on
your feet!’ And he leaped and walked. 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!’
And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the
chief speaker. 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. But when the apostles Barnabas and
Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the
multitude, crying out 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. who in bygone generation allowed all nations to walk
in their own ways. 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.’ And with
theses sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from
sacrificing to them. 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. However, when the
disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city.
NKJV
·
Lycaonia is a province of Asia Minor which
became part of southern Galatia. Lystra was about 40 miles SE of
Iconium.
·
Paul healed a lame man who had faith to be made
well. Faith was not a condition of being healed, though. (Acts
3) His faith must have come from
listening to Paul preach the gospel which would have included acts
of miracles being performed.
·
This striking miracle caused those who had
been watching to proclaim that the gods have become like men. Since
Paul was the speaker, they called him Hermes, the messenger of the
gods. The people even began to worship them. They brought oxen to
sacrifice. Garland was draped around the horns of the sacrificial
victim.
·
Paul and Barnabas reacted strongly when they realized
what the people planned on doing. They cried out, “We are not gods,
but men just like you.” They were there, not to be worshipped, but
to bring glad tidings [good news]. They had come to stop idol
worship, not encourage it. “Vain things” – empty, worthless,
powerless They needed to turn to the only true God, the Creator of
the universe. In order to teach someone the truth, one must correct
his errors. In times past, God allowed men to depart from Him
without immediate punishment. From the beginning, He has
demonstrated His existence by sending rain to help crops grow.
(Genesis 8:22)
“While the
earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and
summer, And day and night Shall not cease.” NKJV
Blessings of rain and food are often overlooked
by man.
·
Unbelieving Jews had run Paul out of Iconium and now
they had traveled 100 miles to do it again. They persuaded the
multitudes to have Paul stoned. Look at how fickle people can be!
They went from wanting to worship Paul to wanting to kill him. He
looked like he was dead; but he wasn’t. He got up; the next day he
and Barnabas left for Derbe.
III.
At Derbe and Then Back
Acts 14:20b-23
“And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many
disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
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.’ So when they had appointed elders in
every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the
Lord in whom they had believed.”
NKJV
·
Paul preached the gospel at Derbe and, as a
result, many disciples were made.
·
Paul returned to the cities where he had been
persecuted in order to strengthen all the new Christians. This is
as important as converting people in the first place to exhort them
to “continue in the faith.” This shows that Christians can leave
the faith. There will be “many tribulations.” Living a faithful
life will involve sufferings and persecutions. The appointment of
leaders was also needed for these new congregations. Notice there
was a plurality of elders in each church.
IV.
Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in
Syria
Acts 14:24-28
“And after they had passed through Pisidia, they came
to Pamphylia. Now when they had preached the word in Perga, they
went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, where they
had been commended to the grace of God for the work which they had
completed. 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. So they stayed there a
long time with the disciples.”
NKJV
·
They made their way back to their starting
point – Antioch in Syria. This church had sent them off on their
first mission trip and was anxious to hear all about it. Paul
related how God had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. They
stayed in Antioch for quite some time – maybe one to two years.
Conclusion:
Are we ready for
persecution, for trials and sufferings? Are we ready to take the
gospel to an ungodly world? Are we preparing to be faithful unto
death?
Bobby Stafford
January 17, 2016
Acts: Lesson 31
Acts 14:1-28
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