MISSION IN ICONIUM, LYSTRA AND DERBE Acts: The Unfinished Story of the Church Series [28] Acts 14:1-28 September 23, 2012 Pastor Paul K. Kim

MISSIONAL LIVING: LIVING AS CHRIST-SENT PEOPLE IN THE WORLD It is NOT just for spiritual elites (John 17:18). “As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.” It is NOT just about going overseas (Luke 5:29-31). “And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’” It is a command for ALL Christ-followers (Matt 28:19-20). “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching... ” It is a matter of a lifestyle and mindset in Jesus’ way (Col. 3:17). “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus... ”

* Source: ESV Study Bible Online ( PAUL’S FIRST AND SECOND MISSIONARY JOURNEYS

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 1) BOLDNESS in going and sharing the gospel. 1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 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.

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 1) BOLDNESS in going and sharing the gospel. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel. (vs.1-7)  They just got here from Pisidian Antioch because of a plot of mistreatment there, but they were bold amidst opposition.  The first lifestyle we must adopt is to go where the gospel is needed and to share it boldly.  The gospel divides people, family, city—it is the fork of road.  As Christ-sent people we must also GO where unbelievers are and BOLDLY SHARE the gospel for the LORD in deeds and words.

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 2) POWER in Spirit-dependence. 8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. (vs.8-10)  It seems Dr. Luke was intentional in recording these incidents as the counterparts of Apostle Peter in signs and wonders.  Signs and wonders were always used as a validating factor for the gospel being spoken (a means to the end).  For us, we must live our lives before unbelievers as an undeniable proof of the transforming power of the Spirit.

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 3) HUMILITY in limelight/popularity. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you (vs.11-15a)  As a result, Paul and Barnabas were in the limelight, being treated as gods [i.e., Zeus/Jupiter and Hermes/Mercury].  The true test of faithfulness is when we are in “limelight”.  We must also follow their example, being always prepared to humble ourselves in limelight without any hesitation.

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 4) FLEXIBILITY in witnessing style. 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. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them. (vs.15b-18)  Paul’s sermon in Pisidian Antioch was an eloquent expose of the Old Testament scriptures, but here he deals with illiterate pagans who worships all kinds of gods.  Paul changes his approach here—i.e., “nature” as the focus.  We also must learn to be flexible in our evangelistic approach and witnessing style with different people and context.

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 5) RESILIENCE in persecution/suffering. 19 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. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. (vs.19-20)  Paul was stoned and looked dead, which meant the stoning was for real and severe—a helpless discouraging blow on him.  However, he got up, being resilient and focused on his mission and next day “went on” with Barnabas to Derbe!  What was the secret of his resilience? It is his readiness to suffer for the gospel—a cost he was willing to pay for Christ.  We must also be ready for opposition and hardship in missional living so that we may be resilient for the gospel.

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 6) CLEAR PLAN in helping new believers. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed. (vs.21-23)  Paul’s clear plan was planting indigenous churches by threefold way: (1) direct charge/follow-up, (2) appointing indigenous elders, and (3) entrusting them to God.  Over the history, many missionaries did NOT follow this pacesetting example but rather built colonizing missions.  We must also have a clear plan for new believers as a missional believer and as a missional church.

SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES OF PAUL AND BARNABAS IN MISSIONAL LIVING 7) GIVING GLORY TO GOD in sharing experiences with others. 24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples. (vs.24-28)  After two eventful years, Paul’s first missionary journey came to an end by returning to their sending church.  Paul and Barnabas shared “God’s work with them” so that their partners may share their celebration of God’s glory.  We also must be a launching pad like the church in Antioch and give all the glory to God as we share the joy of partnership for the gospel.

MISSIONAL LIVING: SEVEN PACESETTING EXAMPLES 1.BOLDNESS in going and sharing the gospel (v.3). 2.POWER in Spirit-dependence (v.10). 3.HUMILITY in limelight/popularity (v.14). 4.FLEXIBILITY in witnessing style (v.15). 1.RESILIENCE in persecution/suffering (v.20). 2.CLEAR PLAN in helping new believers (vs.22-23). 3.GIVING GLORY TO GOD in sharing experiences/fruits (v.27).

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Of all seven examples of Paul and Barnabas, which one encourages you the most? Why? What will you do about it? 1.Of all seven examples of Paul and Barnabas, which one challenges you the most? Why? What will you do about it? 1.What must be changed in your lifestyle and mindset to follow these examples of missional living?