Extreme Responses to Preaching
In Acts 13 & 14, the Holy Spirit records the first missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas. The men traveled to Cyprus, and the established churches in Galatia before returning to Antioch in Syria to give a report of their efforts.
The journey was momentous. The response to the preaching of the gospel was interesting to say the least. Paul and Barnabas were very successful in converting souls, both Jew and Gentile, to the Lord. For example, on the isle of Cyprus even the proconsul Sergius Paulus was converted (13:12). In Antioch of Pisidia (13:48), Iconium (14:1), Lystra (14:21-22), and Derbe (21), many souls were saved.
However, the journey was characterized by extreme and inappropriate responses to their efforts as well. Consider the following: Elymas the sorcerer interfered in their efforts to share the gospel with Sergius Paulus in Cyprus (13:8). Some Jews in Antioch of Pisidia spoke blasphemies against them, and persecuted them (13:45,50). An attempt was made to stone them in Iconium (14:5), and they actually did stone Paul in Lystra (14:19).
At the other extreme, in Lystra the city began to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods! This seemed to upset the men even more than the persecutions. “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes… saying, ‘Men and brethren why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you…” (14:14-15).
The only appropriate response to the gospel is to believe! Any other response is extreme and wrong.
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Sermon: Build and Grow
Justin discusses the call to add to our faith and love by becoming more Christ like day by day.
Sermon: God is Calling
The Bible clearly establishes that God does not compel us to serve Him. Rather He calls us to Him through His gospel, and those who respond to Him are granted salvation.
The Jerusalem Summit Meeting
In Acts 15, the Holy Spirit reveals the first major doctrinal conflict that troubled God’s people. The question to be answered was, “Do you have to be circumcised according to the custom of Moses to be saved?” The conflict came about because of the missionary work of Paul and Barnabas, which was opposed by some from Judea who claimed that such circumcision had to take place. In other words, one had to become a Jewish proselyte to be saved.
The disagreement reached a head at Antioch, and it was determined that Paul and Barnabas should go to Jerusalem to meet with the apostles and elders about the question, which they did.
“Men with the same nature as you”
A superstitious population in Lystra sought, with the blessing of a pagan priest, to worship Paul and Barnabas. Paul had healed a man who was crippled from the womb. As a result, the people began to call Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes “because he was the chief speaker” (Acts 14:12).
Paul and Barnabas’ response is enlightening. They tore their clothes, ran to stop the worship, and said, “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” (Acts 14:15).
What was meant by the words, “men with the same nature as you”? Simply that they weren’t different. This is important. All men are the same, in the eyes of God. Each are equally guilty because of the sins they have committed (Romans 3:23). All are equally dependent upon God’s grace for salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9). All have been granted access to “repentance to life” by God (Acts 11:18). All who come to Christ are considered of equal value (Galatians 3:28). All who practice ungodliness will suffer the same fate (Romans 1:28-32).
With that known, no man is worthy of worship. No man is to be respected and feared above God Himself (Matthew 10:28). Instead, as Paul and Barnabas exhorted those in Lystra, we must all turn “to the living God” (Acts 14:15).
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Fall 2022 Meeting with Kyle Campbell
Our Fall Meeting, 2022 with Kyle Campbell, November 5, 2002. A series of fundamental lessons answering fundamental questions.
The theme: “Can you show”
Lesson 1: Can You Show That There is a God? (Saturday)
Lesson 2: Can You Show that the Bible is the Word of God? (Sunday 9AM)
Lesson 3: Can You Show that Jesus Rose from the Dead? (Sunday 10AM)
Lesson 4: Can You Show What the Bible Says? (Sunday 11AM)
Lesson 5: Can You Show That the Bible Can be Understood? (Monday)
Lesson 6: Can You Show How We are Saved? (Tuesday)
Lesson 7: Can You Show What Worship Is? (Wednesday 10AM)
Lesson 8: Can You Show What the Church Does? (Wednesday PM)
Lesson 9: Can You Show That Chrisitans are Moral People (Thursday)
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Sermon: Anchors of Faith
Aaron Collier shares some valuable insights concerning Faith and its applications.
Sermon: The Authority of Christ
In this lesson, the premise that all authority resides in the Lord Jesus is affirmed.
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Sermon: Jeremiah’s Lament
The book of Jeremiah clearly expresses the anguish of the prophet as he sought to warn a rebellious nation of the coming consequences of their sin.
Sermon: God’s Covenant with Abraham
First in a series of lessons dealing with principles of Authority. God’s covenant with Abraham establishes the promises God made an fulfilled, ending with the establishment of Jesus Christ as Lord and Christ. (Note: The video consists only of the slides and audio. Video of the speaker was not available).
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Kindness and Respect to the Elderly
There is a short passage in 2 Samuel 19 about the blessing that David showed to an older man named Barzillai. The King had just survived the attempt of Absalom to usurp his throne. Men who had betrayed David had come to him to prostrate themselves in the hope that David would spare their lives. David’s mercy and kindness on this occasion is laudable. Shimei the son of Gera, and Mephibosheth the son of Saul were among those pardoned by the King. David said, “Shall any man be put to death today in Israel? For do I know know that today I am king over Israel?” (2 Samuel 19:22).
Barzillai the Gileadite was “a very aged man, eighty years old” (32). He was rich, and had helped the king with supplies during a stay in Mahanaim. David wished to repay Barzillai by bringing the man back to Jerusalem with him. Consider Barzillai’s response:
The Faith of Ananias
Ananias, the preacher whose message brought Saul to obedience exhibited great faith to go to Damascus to share the gospel with him.
Saul of Tarsus quickly established his name as a chief persecutor of Christians. He was present at the stoning of Stephen. We are told that he “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison” (Acts 8:3). In Acts 9, shortly before Ananias met him, we are told that Saul was “still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord” (Acts 9:1) as he came to the city of Damascus.
And now, a disciple in Damascus was told to go to where Saul was staying to preach to him.
We might think, well of course he would go, this was a vision from the Lord. However, there are examples in the past where men either questioned and equivocated (Moses) or even disobeyed (Jonah) such a message from God.
Not Ananias. He told the Lord that he was aware of Saul’s reputation, and even his purpose in Damascus (Acts 9:13-14). But, at the Lord’s insistence, “Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, ’Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you cam, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit’” (Acts 9:17).
We rightly champion Saul who became a great apostle. But, Ananias deserves our praise and thanksgiving as well.
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Sermon: Prayers for Kings
A discussion of 1 Timothy 2:1-4 emphasizing that our self-interest is well-served when we pray for others. Especially those in authority.
Sermon: Paul’s Boasting
In 2 Corinthians, Paul spends the entire epistle “boasting.” His words are explained by Stan in the lesson.
