Our summer series deals with the life and missionary trips of a man named Saul, better known as the Apostle Paul.

We have seen a lot of change when it comes to Saul/Paul:
- He was intent to destroy the followers of Jesus (The Way)
- Meets Jesus on the Road to Damascus
- Ananias is told by Jesus to go to Paul and tell him God's plan for him
- Mission was to proclaim Jesus to the Gentiles, their kings and the people of Israel...and that he would suffer in doing this
- Saul is prepared during the quiet years
- Barnabas and Paul preach, teach, and speak in Antioch for a year
- Gentile church begins to grow
- Barnabas and Paul, along with John Mark, go to Cyprus to preach
- Leave Cyprus and go to Antioch of Pisidia

Paul and company begin to move into "uncharted" territory.
For the next 5 weeks we'll be looking at the first missionary journey.

Think about the idea of "firsts." What are some "firsts" in your life?

Table Discussion: What have you done one time that you wish you could do again?

When you use the word "first," it is assumed that there will be more than one (a second, third, etc.). Often our "firsts" were never intended to be "lasts." Our hope is that it's just the beginning.
Last week Pastor Don covered the "Liftoff" and this week our title is, "And So It Begins."

Today we see a few "firsts."

- Paul is no longer called Saul
Acts 13:4, 9, 13, 51 [NCV]

- Paul's first recorded sermon
Acts 13:13-52 [NCV]

Let's look at the first few verses:

v. 13 & 14 - Paul and those with him left the island of Cyprus and John Mark left them. Went to Antioch of Pisidia and visited a Synagogue there.

v. 15 - Law of Moses and writings of the prophets were read and Paul & Barnabas were invited to speak something that would encourage.

v. 16 - Paul addresses both the Jews and the Gentiles. His plea was to listen which we know from Deuteronomy 6:4-5 [NCV] that this means to not just hear but to listen and obey.

What is Paul wanting the people to hear, obey, and be encouraged by?

Paul then preaches from Genesis through Jesus.
Can you think of another time this happened?
Stephen did this in Acts chapters 6 and 7 and we know that Saul was there listening.
Jesus also preached a message that started in Genesis. Luke 24:25-29 [NCV]

All of them began in the law, judges, kings, and prophets and then...Jesus!
Everything points to Jesus! Jesus is Messiah!

The messaged that was preached is the Good News. What should the Gospel (Good News) do?
- Convict
- Comfort
- Change
- Commission

We are convicted - Accepting the Good News
We are comforted - Learning and being equipped
We are changed - Christ lives in you
We are commissioned - we are giving, serving, and sharing

As Pastor Don stated a couple of times in our series so far..."Obedience is the primary change that validates our faith.

In Luke 24:29 the people wanted Jesus to stay with them and teach more. In Act 13:42 the people wanted Paul & Barnabas to tell them more about these things.
The Gospel is NOT meant to be COMFORTABLE, it is meant to bring CHANGE.
This will bring about suffering...but the world wants to be comfortable.
We were NOT called to make the world COMFORTABLE on their way to Hell, we were called to CHANGE the world with the Gospel!
This isn't just a one time thing, we should live this out in our daily lives.