Search This Blog

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Acts 13:13-30 Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia =February 9

Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia
Acts 13:13-30

Some great speeches in history are worth committing to memory, at least in part. What famous lines or stanzas from a famous speech can you recall? 



Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia
13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaanhe gave them their land as an inheritance20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26 Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead


  • God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
  • We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
  • From Cyprus to Pisidian Antioch is about 350 miles by sea and land. What does their willingness to travel so far show about Paul and Barnabas? Why do you think John Mark (12:12; 13:5) may have left them to go back to his home? What consequence will this have for Paul and Barnabus later (Acts 15:36-41)? 
  • What is significant about Paul's audience (v. 15)?
  • What was the gist of Paul’s first recorded sermon? How is it a pattern for missionary preaching? In the first part of his sermon, Paul traces Israelite history. Next Paul explains the significance of these events. What has God promised the Jews that he has now fulfilled (13:32-37)?
  • From Acts 13:17-23, list all the things Paul says God has done. How do God's actions prepare the way for Paul to speak about Jesus in Acts 13:23? 
  • Compare verses 22-23 and 36-37 with Romans 1:3 and Acts 2:29-31: What is the connection between David and Jesus? Why is this so important to Paul and Peter? 
  • I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
  • If you were to emphasize one central truth about the Gospel, what would it be? Why? 
  • What difference would it make to your faith if there were no resurrection to celebrate, but only Good Friday to remember? 
  • How do you think Paul would respond to a modern-day skeptic who felt Jesus was a noble, but misguided, martyr? What role would the Old Testament play in Paul's answer? How would knowing the Old Testament, even memorizing it help you to understand and share your faith better? 
  • You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.

==============

Document for DBS

Series: Immeasurably More “Revival & Revolution in Acts”

It sometimes takes something big and extraordinary to get our attention. In the book of Acts, we see God establish and unleash the Church, and change the world forever! With just a handful of eyewitnesses and a powerful story, God did more than anyone could’ve imagined. And He still does today. It’s time to open your eyes and see God do immeasurably more than you can ask or imagine.

Title: Unbelievable(Acts 13:13-39)

Bookmark: Click Here

Opening Thoughts: Retrospect gives clarity to our view of history. We can see the hand of God and heart of God revealed in the improbable events that led up to Jesus's life, death & resurrection. Are you willing to believe what some say is unbelievable?

  • Prayer: God, help us dare to imagine what you can do, and give us the faith to see when you do it.

  • History shows us the hand & heart of God in unbelievable ways.

===============================================================

Text: Acts 13:13-41

In Pisidian Antioch

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. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

16 Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! 17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. 22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. 25 As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. 27 The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. 28 Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;
 
    today I have become your father.’

34 God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

35 So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘You will not let your holy one see decay.’

36 “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. 37 But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. 40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
 
    wonder and perish,
 
for I am going to do something in your days
 
    that you would never believe,
 
    even if someone told you.’”

 

===============================================================

Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.

  • Review and retell the story.

Reflections for applications:

  • Paul would go to the synagogue.
  • The Hand of God
    • Psalm 136.12 (ESV) with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for his steadfast love endures forever.
    • Acts 4:30 “Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
    • John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
  • The Heart of God
    • Hosea 11:4 I led them with cords of human kindness, with ties of love. To them I was like one who lifts a little child to the cheek, and I bent down to feed them.
  • Retrospect clearly shows the hand of God working & the heart of God displaying love, compassion and patience toward His people.


Challenge to say this prayer throughout the series: “God, help us dare to imagine what you can do, and give us the faith to see when you do it.”

==============================

Digging Questions:

  • How will you respond to God’s “Revival”? What transformative move needs to be made?

  • What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

  • What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?

 

Take Away Challenges

  • What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

  • Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

  • What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

 

Hashtags #Unbelievable #God #Spirit

Sunday sermon link  https://youtu.be/c8-LaBBTdDU

Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources: Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes

Comments and resources with some more resources:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+13%3A13-41&version=NIV


==============

Paul's First Journey

Acts 13:1–14:8   Estimated:  1200 miles, approximately 2–3 years in duration.  Planted at least 6 churches.


              Place

 Location

                               Events

1. Antioch of Syria

13:1

The Holy Spirit called Barnabas & Saul into missionary service. Sent away by the church.

2.  Seleucia

13:4

Caught a ship to go to the island of Cyprus.

3. Salamis (Cyprus)

13:5

Proclaimed Word in synagogues with John's help.

4.  Paphos (Cyprus)

13:6

Encounter with Bar-Jesus and Sergius Paulus.

5. Perga (Pamphylia)

13:13

John left the missionary team.

6.  Antioch of Pisidia

13:14

Preached famous synagogue sermon, rejected.

7.  Iconium

13:51

Racial tension.  Rejected

8.  Lystra (Lycaonia)

14:6

Healed lame man. Sacrifice to Barnabas and Saul. Preached. Stoned.

9.  Derbe (Lycanoia)

14:20

Preached the gospel and made many disciples.

10.  Lystra

14:21

Returned to strengthen the church.

11.  Iconium

14:21

Returned to strengthen the church.

12. Antioch of Pisidia

14:21 

Returned to strengthen the church.

13.  Perga

14:25

Returned to strengthen the church.

14.  Attalia

14:25

Set sail for Antioch

15.  Antioch of Syria

14:26

Reported on the journey.



==============











The Kingdom Unleashed - Part 6 from North Boulevard Church of Christ on Vimeo.





No comments:

Post a Comment