The Unhindered Harvest Acts: The Unhindered Harvest

The Bombing of London September 7, 1940 56 out of 57 days/nights More than 40,000 died More than a million homes affected

The Bombing of London People were changed Some never could speak of it “What happened?” Greater than the facts It was personal stories

Two Significant Summaries Acts 14:5-7 Threat of violence They moved on They continued to preach

Two Significant Summaries Acts 14:19-28 Physically assaulted They moved on They kept preaching They invested in believers Established churches

Two Significant Summaries That’s a sermon by itself! Safety and faith Ministry priorities Development of the local church

Two Significant Summaries The Holy Spirit desired something greater What happened over there? Two significant distractions

Acts 14:11-19 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.”

And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you

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 the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;

and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

The Catalyst A lame man healed By the power of God Completely hopeless Everyone knew it By the power of God In response to faith Not the main point

Distraction of Popularity Instant celebrity status Misinterpretation of events Message not media Immediate dismissal

"Unless the Holy Spirit opens their hearts and minds to receive and understand the gospel message as true,

they will continue to interpret it they will continue to interpret it...in the only way they know how, in terms of their non-Christian religious beliefs and values." (Larkin, pg. 213)

The Message Clarification for Gentile idolaters We are mere men Repentance from idols to a living God

The Message Reconciliation to the Creator Human culpability and accountability God’s grace

Distraction of Danger No mere threat More than political or religious pressure Physical assault Left for dead Calling over comfort

Reaping the Harvest Don’t miss the message of the miracle Satan is subtle Be compelled by our calling Reaping the Harvest