Blessed Hope
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Acts 14- All Glory to God
And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 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. Acts 14:8-11
As Paul and Barnabas continued to preach the gospel wherever they went, it caused a great divide, just as Jesus taught us it would. As Jesus said “ I came not to send peace on Earth, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34) The gospel message of Jesus Christ will divide you, you either receive Christ or reject Christ, there is no in between
As the disciples continued to preach, they also healed a crippled man, notice the man had faith to be healed. However when the Greeks witnessed this, instead of giving glory to God, they thought Paul and Baranabas were actual gods. Its important to remember , whatever you do or accomplish for Christ, all glory and power comes from God and is his glory , not our own
And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. 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. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, 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: Acts 14:12-15
The Greeks believed that Barnabas was the god of Jupiter and Paul was the god of Mercury, because of the healing that occurred. They even brought animals to be sacrificed to them. Once Paul and Barnabas realized what was going on, they tore their clothes and rebuked the people. Tearing your shirt or coat, was a sign of total disgust or disagreement with a statement someone had made
Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 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. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. 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.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. Acts 14:16-20
The situation became volatile, as the Jews also stirred up the crowd against Paul and Barnabas, eventually they thought they stoned Paul to death. Paul tried to teach the Greeks about the one true living God, but this plan was sabotaged by the Jews.
Eventually the disciples came and rescued Paul out of the city, everyone perceived Paul was dead so they didn’t take notice he got away. However this event would not deter Paul and the disciples from continuing to preach and spread the gospel, all glory to God Amen!
By Our Fruit
Acts 13- Light of The Gentiles
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming. Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 13:44-46
Paul and Barnabas began preaching in the synagogues for the next couple of weeks. It says the Jews began to be jealous of the multitude converting to Christ and began to speak blasphemy against the gospel. This event made Paul realize his ministry was directed to the Gentiles, not just Israel.
As Paul said “Since you reject the Word of God and don’t consider yourselves worthy of salvation, they are turning to the Gentiles” Paul is now understanding the fulfillment of the New Covenant. Israel’s Messiah bring salvation to those who become Born Again, Jew and Gentile
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region. Acts 13:47-49
Paul quotes Isaiah “I have made you a light of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 49:6) The New Covenant is not a modern day invention, this was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. God would not only save the Jewish people, but He will also graft in the Gentiles through Jesus Christ! As it says the gospel was spread throughout the entire region
But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. Acts 13:50-52
Obviously persecution was coming for Paul, Barnabas , and all the Christians for preaching boldly about Jesus. However, notice what they did “They shook the dust off their feet” , sound familiar? Yes the same words Christ used (Matthew 10:14) If anyone willingly rejects the gospel , move on as Christ said
Notice even during the persecution is says “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” There was no pity party for the early Church, they enjoyed serving Christ the Lord and fulfilling the great commission Amen!
Last Days
Acts 13- The Gospel of Christ
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. And though they found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should be slain. Acts 13:26-28
While Paul and some other Christians were visiting a synagogue on a Sabbath, they asked Paul to speak, here Paul lays out how the entire Old Testament lines up with Jesus. He talks about how God choose Israel to be his people, and he talked about how Israel demanded a King be put over them, so God choose David and how Christ is from the line of David
Paul then says this Jesus, who you read about every Sabbath in your Torah, is the one you had crucified! Now imagine the response Paul is going to get from this crowd, he accused of Israel of killing their own Messiah
And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. But God raised him from the dead: And he was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses unto the people. Acts 13:29-31
Paul then preaches the gospel message, Christ died for our sins, then Christ has risen from the dead. Notice Paul said there were many eye witnesses to the risen Lord. Its important to understand that, the Apostles who made the New Testament , were eyewitnesses to the Risen Jesus
And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David. Acts 13:32-34
“And we declare unto you good news (the gospel” ) Paul was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ , and then it was backing it up with reference to prophecies in the Old Testament (Psalm 2:7) God the Father declared he has a Son Jesus Christ and prophesied about the resurrection. The Holy One will never see decay, meaning the Christ will not remain dead but be Risen
Paul is tying together the Old and New Testaments. Paul is demonstrating Jesus is the Messiah (Christ) that has been prophesied about throughout the Old Testament and Jesus Is Risen Amen!
Last Days
Acts 13- The Mission Begins
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus: Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. Acts 13:4-7
Paul’s first missionary trip has begun, but he didnt go alone, Barnabas went with him to preach the gospel. Notice before they were sent out, the Church layed hands on them and prayed over them. It’s important before we do things, we are in the will of God, and filled with the Holy Spirit
The first thing they encountered was a false prophet named Barjesus, this is why its important to be trained and have sound doctrine before you go out into the ministry field. You will encounter and be challenged by many false prophets and false religions, always be prepared to give a response (1 Peter 3:15)
But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand Acts 13:8-11
Paul didn’t waste any time he rebuked the false prophet named Elymas and caused blindness to fall upon him. Notice it says Paul was “filled with the Holy Spirit” during this time, many people today would say “Paul was not acting Christian” but Paul understood the seriousness of false religions. As Paul said they will “pervert the right ways of The Lord” If we don’t rebuke false prophets and false teachers they will continue to pervert the gospel of Jesus Christ
Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:12-13
So would say “what good can come from Paul’s harsh behavior” however notice when the deputy saw what Paul did, he believed and accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ! We worry too much today about not offending people or hurting their feelings, if we really cared about people we would not want them to spend eternity in Hell. I would rather offend somebody and tell them the truth, the lie to them and let them go to Hell
Of course everything we do should be for the glory of God and in his will in Jesus Name Amen!
Acts 12- Pray Without Ceasing Part 2
And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place Acts 12:15-17
As we continue to look at God’s deliverance of Peter from prison, when Peter went back to the where the disciples were staying, at first they didn’t believe it was him. So Peter kept knocking and when they saw him, they were astonished. And Peter gave glory to God how he literally rescued him from prison
Remember this was all possible because the Church continued to pray for Peter without ceasing. They never forgot Peter or any of their brothers or sisters. The power of prayer is a tool missing from the Church today!
Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. Acts 12:18-19
When King Herod discovered Peter was missing, he was not happy. In fact he executed all the guards who were involved in that day. Herod thought he was going to execute Peter and display his power, however God displayed he is still in control. After this event Herods whole reign came crashing down.
And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. Acts 12:23
Herod declared himself a god and the true living God showed him who was really in charge. The angel of The Lord killed Herod because of his blasphemy, and just like that King Herod was worm food. Time for people to humble themselves and truly understand who is in control
Peter’s deliverance from prison was a miracle and it strengthened the Church, it says “The Word of God continued to spread and multiply” Even under persecution the Church continues to flourish Amen!
Increase Knowledge Increase Sorrow
Unashamed of Jesus 