Acts Series

1. Power 120 Acts Series

2. Acts 13:13 – From Paphos [in Cyprus], Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John [Mark] left them to return to Jerusalem.

3. Let’s review the 3 main points of our study on the books of Acts: • Context: Kingdom of God advancing • Paul and Barnabas are now headed into the interior of Turkey with the Gospel. • The Kingdom of God is now advancing deep into the enemy’s territory. • Theme & Order: Acts 1:8 – You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; you will be My witnesses in both Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest parts of the earth.

4. Couple that with this truth: • God Never Changes: What God made available then, He makes available today. • We still have the same mandate: Fill the earth with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. • We need the same empowerment. • Paul and Barnabas needed the empowerment as they advanced the Gospel. • We will see shortly that they ministered both in word (the message) and in deed (miracles).

5. Luke 9:1-2—Oneday Jesus called together His twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out demons and to heal all diseases. 2 Then He sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. What did Jesus give the disciples? • Power and Authority What was this power and authority for? • To cast out demons and to heal all diseases.   • Jesus gave them the same power and authority to minister He had.

6. 2 Then He sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God [word] and to heal the sick [deed]. • This has not changed. • His commission has not changed: Preach the Kingdom of God, heal the sick and cast out devils! • That’s our marching orders too. • If you don’t have new orders, operate on the last one you received.

7. Side Note: Pastor Bill Johnson: Jesus simply said to heal the sick. He didn’t say go pray for them and hope they get well. • Jesus had 100% success in His healing ministry. How many times does it say, “And He healed them all . . .”? • Then, Jesus said to His disciples: The works that I do, you shall do and greater works than these shall you do (John 14:12). • Just saying . . .

8. Power = Dunamis – miraculous power • Authority = Exousia – delegated influence or authority, jurisdiction, power, right • Exousia is more like a Power of Attorney to represent another. • Jesus gave us His Power of Attorney to represent Him in all things here on earth. • We need both His power and authority. • They are like a double edged sword that makes us much more effective. • Problem: We have authority but not power. • Policeman –gun (power) &a badge (authority).

9. Here is when Jesus gave us His Exousia (authority): Matthew 28:18-20 – Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be). (AMP)

10. He gave us His commission and the authority to get it done, but the power was to come a little later. • But, remember Jesus said not to leave home without it! Luke 24:49 – And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as My Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.(NLT) • It has been said that there are 100’s of promises in the Bible, but only 1 promise from the Father. • And, it’s a promise of power!

11. Today: John 1:12 – But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. • Right = Exousia • At salvation, we received Jesus’ authority. • We receive power when we are baptized in the Holy Spirit. • We need both—like a 2 edged sword.

12. This is what Paul & Barnabas took into the regions beyond. • I titled this evening: The Edge of Beyond. • That is a phrase I read years ago in a guide book before I traveled into northern Burma. • It described the region I went to as the edge of beyond. • It was so far removed that Coca-Cola had not arrived there yet. • It was the scene of some of my greatest miracles. • This is where Paul & Barnabas found themselves after they left Cyprus and sailed for Turkey.

13. Acts 13:13-14 – From Paphos [in Cyprus], Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John [Mark] left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia. On the Sabbath they went to the synagogue for the services.

15. It is 150 miles from Cyprus to Turkey, and Perga is 12 miles inland. Why did they not stop and preach here? • Perhaps there was not a synagogue there. • It was their habit to always start at a synagogue when they entered a new city. • Later they preach here (14:25). • They traveled 100 miles inland to Antioch of Pisidia. • In order to do so, they had to travel through some rugged mountains which were known for bandits. I have faced dangers from rivers and from robbers . . . (2 Cor. 11:26b).

16. I have dwelt forty years practically alone in Africa. I have been thirty-nine times stricken with the fever, three times attacked by lions, and several times by rhinoceri; but let me say to you, I would gladly go through the whole thing again, if I could have the joy of again bringing that word "Savior" and flashing it into the darkness that envelops another tribe in Central Africa. — Willard Hotchkiss, pioneer missionary in Africa

17. Why did they start in Antioch? • They’d just gone to Barnabas’ home of Cyprus, so now they traveled to Paul’s home region. • Antioch was the leading city in this region and was along a major trade route. • This seems to be a part of their missionary strategy. • They would start in major urban centers and establish a beach head there. • From there the local church would reach out to the entire region surrounding it. • Teen Mania Russia Strategy

18. Also, there were many Jews in this city. • This was another aspect of their strategy. • They would always go to the local synagogue on the Sabbath and start from there. 15 After the usual readings from the books of Moses and the prophets, those in charge of the service sent them this message: "Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, come and give it." • It was common to have a visiting rabbi. • Paul was from Tarsus which was east of Antioch along the same trade route. • Plus, he was a former student of Gamaliel, the leading Jewish scholar of his day.

19. Paul was especially well-suited for this. • Being a former student of Gamalielwould have given him immediate acceptance with the Jews. • But not only that, he was a Roman Citizen. • He spoke Greek, Hebrew and Aramaic. 4 Parts of a Synagogue’s Service: • Reciting of the Shemah: Hear, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! (Deut. 6:4, NASB) • Reading from Moses (Torah) • Reading from the Prophets – to illustrate the reading from Moses. • Sermon—This is where Paul came in.

20. This is Paul’s 1st recorded sermon and the 3rd longest recorded in Acts: • Stephen’s – 52 verses • Peter’s @ Pentecost – 36 verses • Paul’s – 26 verses • Luke probably included this to show us what Paul’s typical sermon in a synagogue was about. • Just going to pick out highlights.

21. 16 So Paul stood, lifted his hand to quiet them, and started speaking. "Men of Israel," he said, "and you God-fearing Gentiles, listen to me. • Notice the 2 groups Paul addressed: • Jews & Proselytes (most persecution) • God-fearing Gentiles (most receptive) • This shows another aspect of their missions strategy. • They targeted the God-fearing Gentiles. • They were by far their most receptive audience.

22. 17 "The God of this nation of Israel chose our ancestors and made them multiply and grow strong during their stay in Egypt. Then with a powerful arm He led them out of their slavery. • Notice that he started with a point of connection—”Our ancestors”. • Find the common points of interests &start there. • Paul had a 3 point sermon: • The Biblical characters leading to the Messiah – vv.16-25. • The Rejection, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus – vv. 26-37. • The Appeal to believe & receive Jesus as the Messiah – vv. 38-39.

23. Then with a powerful arm He led them out of their slavery. • Literally it means with a mighty armHe delivered them. • When God led Israel out, it was one of the most concentrated exhibits of God’s power in history. • Paul is reminding them of God’s awesome, matchless power. • It’s leading up to the resurrection and the fact that God can save the Gentiles.

24. 22 But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do.” Why was David a man after God’s own heart? • In other words, why did David bring so much delight to God? God: He will do everything I want him to do. • To obey with a willing heart truly delights God.

25. 23 And it is one of King David's descendants, Jesus, who is God's promised Savior of Israel! • Paul leads them from King David to declaring that his descendant, Jesus, is the long awaited Messiah. • Let’s not beat around the bush. • Let’s get right to it.

26. 26 Brothers—you sons of Abraham, and also you God-fearing Gentiles—this message of salvation has been sent to us! • At 1st glance, you might miss this. • By putting the Gentiles in with the Jews, Paul is declaring that salvation is available to them too. • You don’t have to become a Jew to follow Jesus.

27. Can you see why the God-fearers responded so enthusiastically? • They already had a God-consciousness or they would not have been in the synagogue. • It was a welcome relief to hear they do not: • have to be circumcised • cut off all their cultural ties • become a Jew culturally • No wonder it resonated so well with them.

28. This was a nonnegotiable truth to the Jews. • Salvation is only through the Mosaic Law, and to suggest otherwise was blasphemy. • You can also see why the Jews hated Paul so much.

29. Here’s the heart of the message Paul preached: 38 "Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone [Jews AND Gentiles] who believes in Him is declared right with God—something the Law of Moses could never do. • We are justified by faith in Jesus. • Forgiveness of our sins could not be accomplished through keeping the Law of Moses.

30. To the Jews, this meant the Day of Atonement • Once a year the sins of the nation were atoned for. • This had to be done year after year. • But, Paul is saying that it is a onetime event through the death of Jesus Christ. • It doesn’t have to be repeated. • And, it’s available to all who believe. • The Jews main message was to keep the Law. • Paul message was to believe. • God saves by faith!

31. This became 1 of the 3 main points of the Protestant Reformation: • Justified by Faith • Priesthood of all Believers • Sola Scriptura

32. Look at the response to this Good News: 42 As Paul and Barnabas were going out, the people kept begging that these things might be spoken to them the next Sabbath. 43 Now when the meeting of the synagogue had broken up, many of the Jews and of the God-fearing proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, were urging them to continue in the grace of God.44 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord. 45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. (NASB)

33. 2 Basic Responses: • The Jewish Leaders rejected the message and were filled with jealousy. • Rank & File Jews & God-fearers believed. • This would be a pattern for the remainder of Paul’s ministry.

34. Why did the whole city show up? • Luke doesn’t tell us, but we know that Paul & Barnabas ministered in word and deed everywhere they went. • Listen to what they told as they were giving their report to the Jerusalem Church: Acts 15:12 – All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. (NASB) • Notice in Jerusalem, it was back to Barnabas and Paul.

35. Paul’s words convinced the God-fearers because they wanted justification by faith without the Law. • For the rest of the Gentile population of Antioch, they could’ve cared less about the Law of the Jews. • They lived in fear to pleasing the demonic spirits and needed healing and deliverance. • For them, it took the deeds or the miracles to grab their attention. • Evidently during the week, Paul and Barnabas moved in the miraculous.

36. 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.(NASB) • See what happens when we combine the word with the deeds of the Gospel. • The message spreads rapidly! • Missionaries to Brazil

37. Luke tells us that even though the Jews debated on theological issues, their real motive was jealousy. • Look at the numbers! • Everyone in the city turned out the next Sabbath to hear Paul and Barnabas. Envy is that consuming desire to have everybody else as unsuccessful as you.–Frederick Buechner • Many religious attacks and debates are motivated by jealousy. • Perhaps this is true of some fundamentals who attack us for believing that the miracles are for today.

38. Conclusion • We have been equipped with the same authority and power which Paul and Barnabas had. • We too need to take the Gospel message to the world around us. • But, also believe God to confirm the message we share with miracles following.

39. Power 120 Acts Series