The Story of the 1st – 3/21/10

Sermon Series: Acts – Faith Explosion
Title: The Story of the 1st Journey
Text: Acts 13-15 (Various Passages)

Introduction: Telling a story – a big story that has some real significance.

Transition: Today we are going to study the story of the first missionary journey. We are not going to do an in depth look at all of the events of the story, instead we are going to do a survey of sorts in order to get a clear idea what the people involved in this story were trying to accomplish and to see if we can recognize the movement of God as He moves these events along.

I. The Gospel Story
a. The gospel told in Antioch
i. ““Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.” (Acts 13:26, ESV) “And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers,” (Acts 13:32, ESV) “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.” (Acts 13:38-39, ESV)
b. The Gospel told in Lystra
i. ““Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.” (Acts 14:15-16, ESV)
c. Our Gospel Story
i. We tell it because we care about people.
1. These people are brothers.
ii. We tell it because we want to honor God
1. He is a living God
2. A Creator God.
3. A ruling God
iii. We tell it because it is good news.
II. The Opposition Story
a. Did you notice the Pattern involved here.
i. In Antioch – “But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.” (Acts 13:50, ESV)
ii. In Iconium – “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.” (Acts 14:2, ESV)
iii. In Lystra – “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.” (Acts 14:19, ESV)
b. One of the things that we better be prepared for is that when we tell the good news – Satan will raise up adversaries against our efforts and we might even suffer.
c. But the point is this when satan bring s things up that stand against you Jesus stands with you!!!
III. The Victory Story
a. But there is also another pattern that we better not miss.
b. A Pattern of victory
i. In Antioch – “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 13:52, ESV)
ii. In Iconium – “So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” (Acts 14:3, ESV)
iii. In Derbe – “When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch,” (Acts 14:21, ESV)
c. When we stand up for God, in spite of the circumstances, God wins.