For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace… Isaiah 9:6-7 Peace Division

Peace Division

“…the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 Peace Division Divisions Galore… Acts 14

The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:1-3 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. Acts 14:4-5

When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News. Acts 14:6-7

While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be [saved]. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking. Acts 14:8-10 While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be [saved]. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking. Acts 14:8-10 What are they doing? “they preached the Gospel”Healing, helping the weak

When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles. Acts 14:11-13

But when Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you!”

“Turn from worthless things” “Turn to the living God” We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.

“Turn from worthless things” Turn to the living God

But “The gods” were worthless! 1.Zeus is not the source of lightening. 2.Zeus came from someone’s imagination. 3.Zeus came with slavery. a.Costly Sacrifices (and human sacrifices) b.Costly Temples c.A Powerful Religious Ruling Class “Turn from worthless things” Turn to the living God

“Turn from worthless things” Turn to the living God Ancient Mythology Postmodernism 100s of millions of ‘gods’ Imaginary ‘gods’ Boring ‘gods’ – no good stories to tell Stagnant, immobile, silent ‘gods’ Enslaving ‘gods’: censorship

Free Choice He gave us the freedom to choose

Reasonable Choice He gave us the evidence to make a choice

Rewarding Choice He proves He is the GOOD choice There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

FreedomReasonGoodness

"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives…. John 14:27

“…you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:32 "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36 It was for freedom that Christ set us free… Galatians 5:1 Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. James 2:12 …the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:2

150 miles 1 Peter 4:15-16 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.

The quotation "All men are created equal" is called the "immortal declaration“… There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28