Redeemer Church Mauritius
Paul and Barnabas are called out to begin what will become known as the First Missionary Journey of Paul. A supernatural wonder accompanies Paul’s words in an account similar to the kinds of wonders which accompanied Peter and John’s words earlier in the book of Acts. Then Paul finds himself in front of the whole city at the synagogue, and the opposition he faces from the Jews is too great to overcome. So, he sets a new course for reaching out to the Gentiles to lead them to Christ. Peter’s situation was slightly different, but despite Jewish opposition, it also led to the same result of converting Gentiles.
Acts 13:1-2, 12, 14-15, 21-22, 28-33 NASB2020
1. Antioch
Who’s in charge, anyway? Peter? John? James? No. Paul? No. Um...Barnabas? No. The Holy Spirit? Oh yeah!
2. Cyprus
What time do they eat dinner in Cyprus, Barnabas? Where’s the synagogue, Barnabas? Saul of Tarsus? I thought you were Paul! Where can we find something to eat, Paul? Oh, right, ask Barnabas. And, blindness can be quite a purposeful condition in the Kingdom of God!
3. Some Other Antioch
Well, I guess we’ll have to try to find the synagogue. Wow! Preaching Jesus in Pisidian Antioch is a piece of cake! We’ll do this again next week since they invited us back. Wait a minute, a lot can change in a week. Jealousy! Contradictions! Blasphemy! Persecution!
4. Paul knows Saul was wrong
Misplaced zeal and hard-headedness can turn us into monsters. Behind every terrorist, there could be an evangelist for Jesus.
5. Paul takes Stephen’s place
When you learn about the one who laid down his life for you, and you realize that this was their mission, and you also decide that this needs to become your mission, that’s when it becomes a radical mission.
Let's Apply It:
Follow in the radical mission of the early church.