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He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”. Text: Acts 13:6-12 Scripture Reading: II Tim. 2:14-16. Intro. Historical background of the conversion of Sergius Paulus Acts 11:19-21: The church is established in Antioch of Syria.

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He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

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  1. He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God” Text: Acts 13:6-12 Scripture Reading: II Tim. 2:14-16

  2. Intro • Historical background of the conversion of SergiusPaulus • Acts 11:19-21: The church is established in Antioch of Syria. • Acts 11:22-26: Barnabas and Saul go to Antioch to build up the church. • Acts 11:27-30: The church at Antioch makes a contribution for the saints in Judea. • Acts 12:1-23: Persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem. • Acts 12:24: Work of the Lord continues even though James is executed and Peter imprisoned. Upon returning from their trip through Judea, Barnabas and Saul are set apart by the Holy Spirit to undertake the first preaching trip to the Gentiles, which has its beginnings in Cyprus! (Acts 13:1-5) He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  3. Intro Acts 13:6-12 6. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7. who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8. But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10. and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11. "Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. 12. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. His conversion reveals the character of those who will be converted and the obstacles they will face!! He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  4. SergiusPaulus, the Roman Proconsul of Cyprus Acts 13:7:who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. • He was a Roman proconsul, stationed at Paphos, the • capital city of Cyprus • Two types of government in the Roman Empire in use within the provinces: • If there was a standing Roman army in the province to keep law and order, there was a military governor (Prefect, Procurator, Governor) who answered to the Emperor. • If there was no army, then the province was governed by a Proconsul (Governor) that answered to the Roman Senate. • He was “a man of intelligence…” (KJV: “Prudent”) • Intelligence: sunetos (G4908) = “intelligent, clever, understanding; mentally put together; prudent.” • Mt. 11:25; I Cor. 1:19: Some view being “intelligent,” or “clever” as a hindrance to obedience to the gospel Prov. 1:7 7. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction. Such a man was Sergius Paulus! He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  5. SergiusPaulus, the Roman Proconsul of Cyprus Acts 13:7:who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. • He “sought to hear the word of God…” • The word “hear” means he wanted to hear what the apostles had to say. • Mt. 6:33: Jesus says we are to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. SergiusPaulus was such a person! Paul and Barnabas did not come looking for him; he went looking for them – He was ready to hear the Word of the Lord! (Js. 1:21-25: ready and willing to obey!) He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  6. Opposition to the Gospel Acts 13:8: But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. • “But Elymas the magician…” • 13:6: Bar-Jesus (G919) means “son of Jesus, or Joshua” • 13:8: Elymas(G1681) means “wise man; seer; wizard.” • A Jewish false prophet who sought to “turn the proconsul away from the faith.” • Elymas “was opposing them” • II Tim 3:8: He may have used illusion as the magicians of Pharaoh’s did to oppose Moses (Ex. 7:10, 22; 8:6-7, 17-18) • He may have misrepresented the apostles (Acts 17:6-7: Jews formed a mob and slandered) • He did whatever he thought was necessary – just as false teachers do today. (Slander, discredit, deceit, popularity contests, etc…) II Tim. 3:8 8. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  7. Opposition to the Gospel Acts 13:9-11: 9. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10. and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11. "Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. • How was this opposition met? • Paul (filled with the Holy Spirit) rebuked the false prophet (teacher) • Paul told him he was “filled with all deceit and fraud.” • He labeled Elymas (Bar-Jesus) as a “son of the devil!” The magician was an “enemy of all righteousness,” working ceaselessly to distort the truth of God. • Because he had tried to keep others, such as the proconsul, in spiritual darkness, he himself would be punished with physical blindness! • Elymasmight be taken as a picture of the nation of Israel, not only unwilling to accept Jesus, but seeking to prevent others from doing so as well. As a result, Israel acts as one blinded to the truth (Rom. 10:1-3) He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  8. Opposition to the Gospel Acts 13:9-11: 9. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10. and said, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11. "Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time." And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. • How should such opposition be met today? • Preachers today need to identify false teachings! (II Tim. 2:14-16) • Once identified as error, correct and rebuke the doctrine and the one teaching it. (I Tim. 4:1-3; II Tim. 4:1-5) II Tim. 2:14-16 14. Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16. But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, Satan will always seek to oppose truth – Teachers must be alert! He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  9. He “Believed,” “Being Amazed at the Teaching of the Lord” Acts 13:12:Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. • SergiusPaulus saw the power of truth when displayed against the weakness of error • Authority was in the Word, not just the miracle. (Heb. 2:3-4; Mk. 16:19-20; Jn. 20:30-31: Miracles confirmed the word) Jn. 3:16: God said those who believe in Christ would have eternal life Many denominations point to this conversion to teach salvation without baptism! • True belief is one of action: Faith with works – Js. 2:14-26 • Js. 2:19: Demons believe and shudder. Theirs is a non-saving belief. • Js. 2:14, 17, 24, 26: Saving faith is one of action/works. • Acts 2:38; 22:16: The act of faith necessary for forgiveness: baptism He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  10. He “Believed,” “Being Amazed at the Teaching of the Lord” Acts 13:12:Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. • The passage does not specifically mention baptism, but also does not mention: • Repentance, which brings one to baptism and salvation. (Acts 2:38; 11:18) • Confession, which is essential to salvation. (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:9-10) • The “Sinner’s Prayer,” which is nowhere in the Scriptures. • The Scriptures teach that the baptized believer is the saved believer. (Acts 2:38-41; 8:12, 37-39; 9:18; 10:48; 16:30-34; 22:16) Acts 22:16 16. 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' Based upon the evidence of other conversions, there can be no doubt that Sergius Paulus was a baptized believer! He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  11. Conclusion • From Sergius Paulus we learn: • Seekers of truth will seek out the word of God! • Men of honest and noble character will hear the gospel unto salvation. • Satan seeks to hinder these through false prophets and false teachers. • Men of intelligence will see past the deceit to the truth of the gospel! SergiusPaulus was an “intelligent man” and sought to hear the word of God! Do you seek out the word of God? Having heard the word of God, do you follow Segius Paulus’ example and obey it? He “Sought To Hear The Word Of God”

  12. “What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)

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