Acts 13:1-3
GETTING STARTED:
- There is a focus shift taking place in Acts – there has been a focus on what God was doing through the ministry of Peter but the rest of Acts will center on what God was doing through Paul. It is not because God was using Peter less – but because of God using Paul to take the Gospel to the ends of the World.
- Remember what God said to Ananias in Acts 9:15 – Saul (Paul) is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings…
- The reason Saul will now be referred to as Paul is because Paul is his Greek name and Saul was his Hebrew name – and his focus will now be the Gentiles. The switch will take place in Acts 13:9
THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS THE CHURCH TO BE INTENTIONALLY MISSIONAL.
- Antioch Syria – the model New Testament church led by the Spirit – full of diversity – with many different active ministries – in this church the Holy Spirit will set apart Paul and Barnabas for a new type of work. The strategic and intentional going out to places that have not heard about Jesus.
- Up to this point the spread of the Gospel has happened through dispersion due to persecution. There have been some individual exceptions – Philip and the Ethiopian – Peter and the house of Cornelius. But look at Acts 11:19-21 and see how this church was started.
- NOW – God is launching modern missions. When we support and partner with missionaries – we are following the direction of the Holy Spirit.
THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY BEGINS. Acts 13:4&5
- We see the impact of the Spirit from the beginning. He puts together the team – and the Spirit inspires the strategy that Paul will use again and again.
- They will start at the Jewish synagogues and use it as a platform to spread the Gospel. Synagogues were full of Gentile hearers who loved the beauty of the law. Paul’s background and the power of the Spirit made him powerful as he would bring forth Jesus from the teachings of the Old Testament. Many would believe and eventually a church would be planted.
THE SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN YOU IS GREATER. Acts 13:6-12
- Just as the Spirit told Ananias – Paul gets in front of the governor of Paphos named Sergius Paulus and presents the Gospel of Jesus.
- A sorcerer named Elymas tries to prevent this but Paul confronts him boldly in the power of the Spirit. He is temporarily struck with blindness and now Paul is able to preach and teach the Word of God.
- Interestingly – the governor will become a believer – not because of this demonstration of power – but because of the teaching about the Lord.
THE RULE: The working of the Holy Spirit will lift up Jesus.