Scripture Reading: Acts 14:21-28

Part 4

First Preaching Journey of Paul

(God opens a door of faith to the Gentiles)

Intro.

1. Progress of the gospel is continuing in Antioch (Acts 12:25-13:2).

2. Christ had told Saul He would send him to the Gentiles (Acts 22:21), & this work continues on the journey he is about to take.

I. AT ANTIOCH: SEPARATION OF BARNABAS & SAUL TO A WORK – Acts 13:1-4.

A. Teaching the Gospel: Serving the Lord – Acts 13:1-2.

1. Ministered: Serving daily needs of the brethren (1 Cor. 3:5).

2. Fasted: Abstinence from food; Exclusive dedication to God’s will & work; concentrated effort on spiritual things.

a. Times of mourning over sin (Acts 9:9, 11); intense devotion to the Lord’s work (14:23); extreme sorrow (Lk. 5:35).

b. Fasting was never an end in itself (Matt. 6:16-18).

B. Barnabas & Saul Called by Holy Spirit to a Work – 13:2-4.

1. How? (a prophet, cf. 12:28); The work? Take the gospel to new areas of the world – cf. Acts 14:27.

2. Sent by the church by the authority (approval) of the Holy Spirit – 13:3-4.

3. Commended to the grace of God – 14:26: Delivered to God’s care.

II. THEIR PREACHING JOURNEY:

A. The Route (chart). “Paul” (13:7) now named 1^st (13:2; 14:43).

1. Paul takes the lead (chief speaker, Acts 14:12).

2. John Mark was their assistant (13:5); departed (13:13; 15:38).

B. The Timeframe & Length: Cannot know precisely (~AD 45-49).

III. THE POWER OF GOD ON DISPLAY: THEY PREACHED THE WORD OF GOD – Acts 13:5 (Rom. 1:16 – Jews 1^st, also to Gentiles).

A. The Power of God to Reveal & Confirm His Word (Acts 15:12).

1. Synonyms (Acts 13:5-12): Preached the word of God; the faith; the straight ways of the Lord; the teaching of the Lord.

2. Called on people to “listen” (13:16): 13:26, 38-39, 48.

3. Displayed the genuine & exposed the counterfeit:

a. Cyprus (Acts 13:4-12): Elymas & Sergius Paulus.

b. Iconium (14:3) & Lystra (14:8-18).

B. The Power of God’s Word (“the word of this salvation,” 13:26):

1. To save (Rom. 1:16)…

a. Cyprus: Sergius Paulus “believed” – 13:12.

b. Antioch: Convinced, convicted & saved – (In synagogue, 13:14-15; 42-43); to a multitude, 13:44-49).

c. Iconium: Great multitude believed – 14:1.

d. Lystra: Disciples were made there – 14:20.

e. Derbe: Made many disciples – 14:21.

2. To evoke opposition (13:45, 50; Lk. 12:49).

-Increasingly organized – 13:45, 50; 14:2, 4-5, 19.

3. To produce joy & gladness – 13:46-48, 52.

4. To spread – 12:49.

5. To edify the saints – 14:21-22.

C. The Power of Faith (13:5; Rom. 10:17).

1. Faith to go to the work – 13:4-5.

2. Faith to boldly oppose error & confront opposition.

a. Elymas on Cyprus.

b. Unbelieving Jews at Antioch.

c. Divided city at Iconium: 14:2-3 (cf. 1 Cor. 16:9).

3. Faith to endure persecution – Acts 14:22.

a. The prominent people (Antioch) – 13:51.

b. Violence toward them (Iconium) – 14:5-7.

c. Stoning / threat of death (Lystra) – 14:19-21.

4. Faith in their brethren to continue work of God – 14:23.

IV. THEIR WORK COMPLETED – 14:26-28.

A. They Had Been Kept in God’s Grace – 14:26.

B. Reported All God had done with them – Acts 14:27; 1 Cor. 3:6.

Conclusion

1. The work of gospel evangelism is vital in this day to:

a. Save souls in Christ (Rom. 10:13-17).

b. Distinguish the truth from counterfeit faiths (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2).

c. Strengthen the souls of the disciples with exhortation (14:22).

2. God calls you to salvation & to the work of the gospel: Will you respond? (2 Ths. 2:13-14; 2 Tim. 4:2)