Introduction

Acts 13:1-12 confirmed that Jesus Christ is working to ensure that his gospel is taken to the ends of the earth. All people must come to hear of what he has done. It is not enough for the Messiah to raise up the tribes of Jacob only; he must also be a light for the nations. As Jesus goes about this work, he uses the ordinary prayers and plans of his people. Godly men are trained and sent to preach. Believers bearing witness in their communities, inviting friends, giving to support the ministry. Ordinary means in the hands of an extraordinary King. That brings us to Paul and Barnabas. Chosen by the Spirit and sent by the church, they are the ones who embark on the first official missionary campaign. Thus far they have gone through the island of Cyprus, and now they are on their way to another Antioch in Galatia. One of sixteen which existed in the ancient world, all of them built to promote Greek culture. Exactly why they have chosen to go to this city is not clear. It was a much smaller city than Perga and quite a long journey on foot up into the mountains. It is possible that Paul had some existing contacts which he wanted to use. Maybe he received a letter of introduction from the Roman proconsul. More likely is the fact that it had a decent sized Jewish population. Perga for example, even though it was a larger city that the Galatian Antioch, did not have a synagogue. There were some Jews but not that many and if your aim is to bring the gospel first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles, it makes sense to target the places where Jews are kno to live.

Focused and wise preaching

• Explain: Why does Luke give details about Paul’s sermon?

• Explain: Summarise the content of Paul’s sermon. What does it reveal to us about the message of Christianity?

• Explain/Apply: How does the sermon of Paul help us to evaluate the sermons that we hear today?

• Explain: How does the sermon of Paul address/target the recurring problem of unbelief?

The sovereignty of God in salvation

• Explain: How do the people initially respond to Paul’s sermon? Is it positive or negative?

• Explain: What causes the sudden change amongst the Jews? Why do they become angry and hostile?

• Explain: What does Paul mean when he says that the gospel will now be taken to the Gentiles?

• Explain: Who are those that come to faith following Paul’s preaching? What does this show about who is responsible for conversion and who is building the church?

• Apply: What does the fact that Jesus is building the church imply for our preaching/evangelism? Are we allowed to tone down the gospel for the sake of winning people?

• Apply: What can we pray in response to God’s Word?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Thank you for sending your Word to the people of Antioch in ages past, and that we have had the same privilege here where we have gathered today. We praise you for all the faithful preachers that you have raised up and sent throughout history. We praise you even more for the message which they proclaimed, the good news of what you have done through Christ Jesus. Thank you that he came to do the work that we are unable to do and that we can share in all his benefits through faith. Please help us to train men in this message so that it might continue to be proclaimed in our day. We ask also that you would work a true faith in the hearts of all your people, and that you would strengthen faith where it is found. Please help us to submit to your Word. Do not allow us to harden our hearts against you, but soften them by your Spirit and make us all the more willing to submit to your commands. Where there are habits and patterns in our lives that need to change, point them out to us and strengthen us for obedience. Finally, help us also to be a church where we welcome all your people and where we work hard at being one family. Make us willing to forgive each other and draw us closer together in Christ. In his name we pray, Amen.