Introduction:
A. Preaching, ministry and missionary work are very interesting and challenging adventures.
1. I read about one preacher who gave a very unusual sermon one day – He used a peanut to make several important points about the wisdom of God displayed in nature.
2. After the service, one of the members greeted the preacher at the door and said, “That was a very interesting sermon. I never expected to learn so much from a nut.”
3. Well, today, I won’t be using a peanut as an illustration, but I still hope you will learn a lot from a nut.
B. In 1793, missions pioneer, William Carey, was refused permission to enter India by the British East India Company, which thought that missionaries would be bad for business.
1. Carey asked John Newton, the author of “Amazing Grace,” what he should do since he was not allowed to enter India.
2. Newton told him, “Then conclude that your Lord has nothing there for you to accomplish. But if God has something for you to accomplish, then no power on earth can hinder you.”
3. Well, Carey believed that God did have something for him to accomplish in India.
4. So, Carey sailed to India on a Danish ship and was put ashore in Calcutta by a fishing boat.
5. So, in a sense, Newton was right: no power on earth was able to keep William Carey from bringing the gospel to India.
C. Let me ask you: Do you sense that kind of calling from the Lord? Do you have that kind of passion to bring the good news of Jesus to the lost?
1. I must admit that sometimes my passion for the lost gets lost in the chaos of my life. You know what I mean?
2. David Livingstone put it very simply: “God had only Son, and He was a Missionary and Physician,” and so David Livingstone became a missionary physician.
3. A contemporary of Livingstone was Henry Martin, another pioneer preacher in India. Martin wrote: “The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him the more intensely missionary we must become.”
4. Is it true that the closer we get to Christ, the more Christ-like we become? Indeed.
a. And if we become like Christ, then we must become mission minded, for he came to seek and save what was lost. Right?
5. Paul Harvey said in an interview in 1995, “We need more missionaries in the Market Place. The church has overshot the target. We send missionaries to Pago Pago when we should be sending them to the south side of Chicago.”
6. Obviously, we need missionaries in Pago Pago, and everywhere else in the world, but we don’t have to go elsewhere to be a missionary. We can be one right where we are.
7. As a matter of fact, each one of us is right where God wants us to be at the moment, and we are to be God’s missionaries right where we are.
D. In today’s text, Saul and Barnabas begin what we refer to as Paul’s first missionary journey.
1. Incidentally, from this point on in the story of the Apostle Paul, he is no longer called Saul.
a. Perhaps the reason is because, like many of the apostles, they had a Hebrew name and a Greek name.
b. Paul probably used both names throughout his life, depending on whether he was in a Jewish or Gentile environment.
c. So, in the book of Acts, the use of his Greek name, Paul, begins when Paul enters the Greek world on his first missionary journey.
2. Today, I want us to look at the experiences of Paul and Barnabas as the first missionary journey begins, and I want to encourage us to follow their examples as we grow in our obedience as God’s special agents in the world.
I. The Story
A. You might remember back when Paul was commissioned on the road to Damascus, he was told about three things that would happen to him: (1) He was to be an instrument to carry the name of Jesus, (2) he would carry the message before Gentiles and Kings, (3) he would be shown how much he must suffer for Christ.
1. As this mission begins, we see the dramatic confirmation of his commission.
B. This section of Paul’s story begins in a way that we have come to expect in Acts - nothing begins without the initiation of the Holy Spirit.
1. As we saw last week, Barnabas and Paul were “set apart” for a new work by the Holy Spirit.
2. As usual, they are not “free agents” moving at their own initiative, rather they are identified by the Spirit, and confirmed by the church through prayer, fasting, and the laying on of hands.
3. It has always been and continues to be the work of the Holy Spirit, in and through the local church, to equip and enlist believers to go forth and serve.
C. Having been sent by the Holy Spirit, they embark on a breathless itinerary which includes Seleucia, Cyprus, Salamis, Paphos, and Pisidian Antioch.
1. The Bible says: 4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. (Acts 13:4-5)
2. One of the amazing things about Acts is the heroism that is passed over in a sentence.
3. These evangelists took long journeys on foot or by ship to far away and strange places, to tell others the good news about God – How heroic and courageous!
4. On the basis of the accounts in Acts, it is estimated that Paul traveled over 10,000 miles during his journeys and keep in mind he did that in the day of hard and dangerous traveling.
D. So, it was logical for them to go first to Cyprus, for this was the island home of Barnabas.
1. As you notice, Luke gives us few details of the ministry in Salamis, the great commercial center at the east end of the island, other than that they proclaimed the Word of God in the synagogues.
2. We trust that some people did believe the gospel, and that a local assembly was formed.
3. The men then moved 90 miles to Paphos on the west end of the island and it was there that they met their first opposition.
4. The Bible says: 6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun.” 12 Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. (Acts 13:6-12)
E. Paphos was the capital of Cyprus, and the chief Roman official there was Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man who wanted to hear the word of God.
1. Unfortunately, his attendant, a Jewish sorcerer (oxymoron) and false prophet, named Bar-Jesus.
a. The word “Bar” means “son” and the word “Jesus” is the Hebrew Yeshua and mean “YHWH saves.” – this man had the boldness to call himself the “son of the Lord saves”).
2. Bar-Jesus was also called “Elymas” which means “wise man or sorcerer.”
3. Bar-Jesus/Elymas did not want his boss, Sergius Paulus to hear the teaching of Paul and Barnabas, perhaps because he was afraid of losing his job as advisor.
4. So, how did Paul respond to this opposition? Was he tolerant or passive? Not at all.
5. The Bible tells us that Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit and rebuked Bar-Jesus, saying, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right…”
6. Paul struck him with blindness, and the once influential attendant was now a needy, helpless individual – does that remind you of someone else who was made blind temporarily?
7. Such a display of power was enough to make a believer out of Sergius Paulus.
8. I wish that Luke gave us more information about what else occurred. Did other people believe in addition to Sergius Paulus? Did Bar-Jesus repent and believe? We don’t know.
F. Let’s continue the story: 13 From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. 14 From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. (Acts 13:13-14)
1. So when Paul, Barnabas and John Mark left Cyprus, they sailed to the southern coast of Turkey – to a land then known as Pamphylia and a city called Perga.
a. The city had a rugged coastline that ascended sharply into the towering heights of a mountain range steeper and fiercer than the eastern Tauras Mountains famililar to Paul, and more terrible than any hills known to the Cypriot Barnabas or the Judean John Mark.
2. The sight of those mountains alone may have initiated the surge of doubt that may have flooded the soul of young John Mark.
a. That may have been the last straw for the inexperienced traveler to endure.
b. Without any explanation, Luke simply writes, “John left them and returned to Jerusalem.”
c. We wish that Luke would have added, “because he was homesick” or “on account of the arduous journey ahead” or “because of an Illness.”
d. Nothing like that is provided, so we’re left to our imagination.
e. We will never know why John left them, but what we do know is that Paul considered his leaving a defection, and refused to take him on a future trip.
3. From Perga, they traveled inland 100 miles north and about 3,600 feet up to get to Pisidian Antioch.
a. To do so, they had to cross the Taurus Mountains by way of one of the most difficult and dangerous roads in Asia Minor.
4. It appears that Paul and Barnabas did not spend any time ministering in Perga, where they had landed in Asia Minor, and scholars over the years have wondered why.
a. When Paul later wrote to the churches of Galatia that he established on this trip (Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe), he speaks of coming to them because of an illness (Gal 4:13).
b. Scholars speculate that the illness may have been related to malaria that attacked him in the low-lying, sea level areas of Pamphylia and that’s why they quickly moved on to higher elevations.
G. Nevertheless, for whatever reason, they arrived in Antioch of Pisidia (not Antioch of Syria where they had been commissioned for this journey), and they they began their ministry in the synagogue.
1. As we know from reading the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, Luke loves speeches, and he treats us to Paul’s first, and only full-length sermon.
2. We don’t have time to read the entire sermon, but we notice that the sermon may be divided nicely into three parts, each introduced by “Brothers.”
3. The first section is The Preparation (v. 16-25):
a. In this section, Paul reviewed the history of Israel, climaxing with the ministry of John the Baptizer and the coming of their Messiah.
b. He made it clear that it was God who was at work in and for Israel, preparing the way for the coming of the promised Messiah.
c. He also reminded his hearers that the nation of Israel had not always been faithful to the Lord and the covenant but had often rebelled.
4. The second section is The Declaration (v. 26-37):
a. As Paul addressed both the Jews and Gentiles in the congregation, he changed his approach from the third person (they) to the second person (you).
b. He explained to them why their leaders in Jerusalem rejected and crucified the nation’s Messiah. It was not because they had not read or heard the message of the prophets, but because they did not understand the message.
c. Furthermore, the crucifixion was not a surprise, but also was a fulfillment of all that was written about the Christ.
d. The crucial event, however, was the resurrection. Paul declared: “But God raised him from the dead,” and then Paul proceeded to prove this prediction from OT scripture.
5. The final section is The Application (v. 38-52):
a. Paul told them that through faith in Jesus Christ they could have two blessings that the Law could never provide: forgiveness of their sins and justification before the throne of God.
b. The Law could not justify the sinner, it could only condemn him, but in Jesus, God not only forgives us but he imparts to us the very righteousness of Christ.
c. This was and is good news!!! Amen!
d. Paul closed his message with a note of warning from Habakkuk. In Habakkuk’s day, the unbelievable thing that God was doing was raising up the Chaldeans to chasten the Jews.
e. But the wonderful work that God wanted to do was to use the Jews to reach the Gentiles, for they were now also appointed for eternal life.
H. The reaction to Paul’s sermon was wonderful.
1. They asked him to speak again on the next Sabbath.
2. By the time the next Sabbath arrived, the entire city had heard of their message, and almost the whole city gathered to hear them preach.
3. As you might expect, this was very threatening to the Jewish establishment and they spoke abusively against what Paul was saying.
4. Then Paul and Barnabas uttered those fateful words we knew were eventually coming: “We had to speak the Word of God to you Jews first, but since you have rejected it, we now turn to the Gentiles.” (vs. 46)
5. The Gentiles rejoiced and believed, but the Jews incited the leading men and women stirring up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, thus expelling them from the region.
6. So, Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet (as Jesus had commanded) and went on their way.
7. Acts 13 ends saying: “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.”
8. So, that was their experience during the first half of the first missionary journey, and I want us to ask ourselves: what lessons for our lives and ministries can we learn from their experiences?
a. Let me offer four lessons.
II. The Application
A. First of all, we learn that there is a time to be bold and firm.
1. There are times for us to be diplomatic and gentle, and then there are times to be bold and firm.
2. When Paul and Barnabas faced the opposition of Bar-Jesus, the Spirit let Paul know this was not a time to be tolerant and passive.
3. Paul boldly said to Bar-Jesus, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery.” (vs. 10) – How’s that for bold and firm?
4. What Paul said was the truth – the Holy Spirit had made that very clear.
5. Paul nipped this opposition in the bud – Paul knew the stakes were high, and so did the devil.
6. This was nothing short of a battle for Sergius’ soul, and Bar-Jesus’ soul as well, and so there would be no diplomacy.
7. Can you imagine the shock of Bar-Jesus when the mixed-up magician realized that he’d just messed with the wrong guy!
8. We may face similar situations as we confront the enemies of the truth.
9. When we do, we should look for God’s guidance and then boldly speak the words of truth, and leave the results to God.
10. The results may not be as dramatic as what happened in Cyprus, but God will honor our faith, and the truth will accomplish what it can.
B. Second, we learn that even when others quit the journey, we must press on.
1. I’ve been in ministry long enough to know that many who begin the journey, don’t always finish it - and it breaks my heart when it happens.
a. I’ve seen far too many brothers and sisters in Christ give up worshiping and serving and move on to other things.
b. I’ve even seen those in leadership, both elders and deacons, abandon the journey and mission and move on to other pursuits.
c. I hope and pray that some day, these individuals will return.
2. Like John Mark, many leave, but the church and the mission continues.
a. It’s hard to press on when people abandon ship, but we must.
b. It must have been hard on Paul and Barnabas when John Mark left them, but they kept their eyes on the Lord and on the goal and pressed on, and we must do the same.
3. One of the marks of maturity is the ability to press ahead regardless of who walks off the scene.
a. The alternative just can’t be an option.
b. When others quit, we must not quit, but we must press on with God’s help.
C. Third, we learn the importance of being ready to simply share the good news about Jesus.
1. When Paul and Barnabas arrived at Pisidian Antioch and joined the Jews in the synagogue, it says they went into the synagogue and sat down – they were there simply to participate.
2. But when the worship began, the synagogue ruler said to them, “If you have a message for us, please go ahead and speak.” In other words, “Would you like to preach?”
3. As a preacher, I must tell you, I’m impressed.
a. Paul didn’t even know that he was going to get to preach that day, but he was prepared.
b. Paul stayed prepared, and so should we!
c. The Apostle Peter wrote, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you for the reason for the hope you have.” (1 Peter 3:15)
d. At Dallas Seminary they tell their students: “Be ready to preach, pray, or die at any moment.” That’s good advice for all of us.
4. As we saw earlier, Paul preached and the response was overwhelming.
5. Ultimately, I believe what was true then is still true today: People are hungry for the Word of God and for the Gospel of Jesus.
a. When we have opportunity to share the good news, we need to be ready to share it.
6. Our experience will likely be like Paul’s: Some chose to reject the message, some were violently opposed to it, but everywhere he went some were interested and became believers.
a. Not every friend, co-worker or neighbor is going to be interested, but some will be.
7. We simply must talk about the Lord often enough, with enough individuals, to find those who are interested in the good news.
8. I’m afraid that our failure is not in how we present the message or the invitation we give, but that we simply do not present it enough or at all.
D. One final thing we learn is the importance of Joy.
1. Verse 52 says that the disciples were filled with JOY.
a. Who are the disciples who were filled with joy? Are they the new converts in Pisidian Antioch, or were they Paul and Barnabas, or were they both?
b. We don’t know for sure, but I would hope that both were filled with joy.
2. The new disciples had found salvation in Jesus. Their sins were removed, they were at peace with God, and they now had an eternal purpose. Don’t you think that would lead to JOY?
3. Although Paul and Barnabas had just been kicked out of a region, it wasn’t because they were criminals, it was because they had effectively preached the gospel and too many people became believers.
a. Certainly they had the joy of knowing they had done their job, they had been faithful, and now they had new brothers and sisters in that region.
4. There is no greater joy than knowing the salvation of the Lord, and sharing it with others.
5. Toward the end of Paul’s life he put that kind of joy into words in these ways:
a. To the Thessalonians, Paul wrote: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? (1 Thess. 2:19)
b. To Timothy, Paul wrote: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Tim. 4:7-8)
E. So, let’s be like Paul and Barnabas.
1. Let’s be firm and bold when necessary.
2. Let’s press on even when others quit.
3. Let’s be ready to share the good news when the opportunity presents itself.
4. Let’s be filled with joy – We can have joy because of our salvation and because we get to help others be saved.
Resources:
Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit, by Charles Swindoll, Word Publishing, 2002, Chapters 10-11.
Sermon “The Mission Begins” by David Owens, from the sermon series “The Church on Fire – A Study
of the Book of Acts.”
