Gospel Challenge Series

Acts 14:1-23 The Challenge of the Church

The challenges Paul faced on his first missionary journey.

I. The Challenge of Division (1-7)

A. The Point of Division

i. The Place - 1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews,

ii. The Preaching - 1 and so spake, -

with a burden, with boldness, with brokeness, with blessing.

iii. The Product - 1 that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.

B.The Presence of Division - 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the brethren. [4] But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with

the Jews, and part with the apostles.

The Jews who refuted the teaching of Christ stirred up the Gentiles, creating doubt and division among them.

i. Division Because of the Message

ii. Division Because of the Method

iii. Division Because of the Motive

C. The Patience in Division - 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

D. The Problem with Division

i. Their Assault -5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them,

ii. Their Assessment 6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:

iii. Their Assignment - 7 And there they preached the gospel.

II. The Challenge of Confusion (8-18) the events in Lystra

A. The Submission of Paul - 8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: [9] The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly

beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed.

Paul perceived the man had faith to be healed.

His life and ministry were totally surrendered to the will of God.

B. The Manifestation of Power - 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

C. The Confusion of the People (11-18) – Upon seeing this great miracle, the people perceived Paul and Barnabas to be gods.

What The People Assumed - 11 The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.

What They Attempted 13 would have done sacrifice with the people.

III. The Challenge of Persecution (19-23)

A. The Reality of Persecution 19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead

The people of Lystra stoned Paul and left him for dead.

B. The Resolve in Persecution - 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. [21] And when they had

preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch.

C. The Reaction to Persecution - 22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.