PAUL & BARNABAS ON THE ROAD
July 21, 2019 | Adam Barnett
In Acts 13, we see the story of Paul and Barnabas being set apart by God for a mission to spread the good news of the Gospel. This mission saw them share with many Jews and Gentiles alike. In week 9 of our Acts study, Adam Barnett explores 3 themes that we see in the journeys of Paul and Barnabas.
MESSAGE NOTES
Paul & Barnabas On The Road
Acts | Week 9
July 21, 2019 | Adam Barnett
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- Message of Repentance
- Momentum from Persecution
- Motivation from Rejection
Message of Repentance
Acts 13:24 NIV
Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel.
When you minimize the problem, you cheapen the solution.
Momentum from Persecution
Acts 14:22b NIV
“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.”
Despite persecution and opposition, the gospel was spreading.
Acts 11:19-20 [paraphrase]
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen...went to Antioch and told the Greeks the good news about the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord!
Despite...and BECAUSE of persecution and opposition, the gospel was spreading.
Motivation from Rejection
Acts 13:44-50 NIV
On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him. Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed. The word of the Lord spread through the whole region. But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 14:1-3 NIV
At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.
The reactions of people—acceptance or rejection—cannot be the basis of our joy, or our obedience.
Romans 10:14-15 [paraphrase]
But how can Joe call on Jesus to save him unless he believes in him? And how can _ believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can __ hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”