Gospel Blindness (Acts 13:6-12)

Acts 13:6-12

Antioch to Cyprus

Who and Where Paphos – Known for worship of Venus ‘Bar Jesus’ – Son of Joshua – Son of Joshua ‘Elymas’ – Arabic – ‘Wise’ or ‘a Wise man’ Sergius Paulus – Proconsul Appointed by the Roman Senate Obviously a Roman Citizen, a ‘Gentile’

Acts 13:6-7a (NIV) “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.

If you are not serving God There is no neutral ground. Acts 13:7b-8 (NIV) 7b “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.” If you are not serving God you are opposing Him. There is no neutral ground.

Acts 13:9-10 (NIV) 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?

Acts 13:9-10 (NIV) 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?

Acts 13:9-10 (NIV) 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?

Luke 12:11-12 (NIV) 11 “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.”

2 Timothy 1:6-8a (NIV) 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life…

Acts 13:9-10 (NIV) 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?

Acts 13:11 (NIV) 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.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.

Spiritual Blindness There is a point of no return…. “It is a dangerous thing to listen to the preaching of the gospel if you do not accept it. The danger lies in that if the good news of the gospel does not soften your heart it will harden your heart. If the teaching does not draw you to Christ, it will drive you from Christ. If the listener upon hearing the gospel time and time again continues to not respond to it they run the risk of hardening their heart beyond a point of recovery.” Alistar Begg – Pastor – Parkside Church

1 Timothy 4:1-2 (NLT) Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

Softening or Hardening? If not now, when….?