Paul & the Attack of the Pride Monster

Acts 13:42 CSB says, As they were leaving, the people urged them to speak about these matters the following Sabbath….

Acts 13:44 CSB - The following Sabbath almost the whole town assembled to hear the word of the Lord. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what Paul was saying, insulting him.

Acts 14:1,3 CSB - In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue, as usual, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed… 3 [they] and spoke boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace by enabling them to do signs and wonders.

Acts 14:8-9 CSB - In Lystra a man was sitting who was without strength in his feet, had never walked, and had been lame from birth. 9 He listened as Paul spoke. After looking directly at him and seeing that he had faith to be healed,

Acts 14:10 CSB - Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” And he jumped up and began to walk around.

Acts 14:11 CSB - When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”

Acts 14:12-13 CSB - Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the town, brought bulls and wreaths to the gates because he intended, with the crowds, to offer sacrifice.

Psalm 72: the whole earth is filled with God’s glory.

Isaiah 42:8 CSB - I am the LORD. That is my name, and I will not give my glory to another or my praise to idols.

Paul & Barnabas Push Back

Acts 14:14-15 CSB - The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this….
and rushed into the crowd, shouting, 15 “People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you,

Acts 14:14 continues: The apostles Barnabas and Paul tore their robes when they heard this… and rushed into the crowd, shouting, 15 “People! Why are you doing these things? We are people also, just like you, we are proclaiming good news to you, that you turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and everything in them

Acts 14:16-17 CSB - In past generations he allowed all the nations to go their own way, 17 although he did not leave himself without a witness,

Acts 14:17 CSB - although he did not leave himself without a witness, he did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.”

Acts 14:18 CSB - Even though they said these things, they barely stopped the crowds from sacrificing to them.

Romans 12:3 CSB - I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.

Philippians 2:4-5 CSB - Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.
5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus,

Proverbs 29:5 CSB - A person who flatters his neighbor
spreads a net for his feet.

Luke 14:8 CSB - “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, don’t sit in the place of honor,

Matthew 23:6-10 CSB - They love the place of honor at banquets, the front seats in the synagogues,7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by people.
8 “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ because you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers and sisters. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father, because you have one Father, who is in heaven.

Acts 12:21-23 CSB - On an appointed day, dressed in royal robes and seated on the throne, Herod delivered a speech to them. 22 The assembled people began to shout, “It’s the voice of a god and not of a man!”

At once an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give the glory to God, and he was eaten by worms and died.

1. Remember that human nature is fickle

Acts 14:19 CSB - Some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and when they won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

2. Remember your mortality

Acts 14:19b CSB - they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.

2 Corinthians 12:2-4,7-9 CSB - I know a man in Christ who was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know; God knows. 3 I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know; God knows— 4 was caught up into paradise and heard inexpressible words, which a human being is not allowed to speak.
…because of the extraordinary revelations…. so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”

James 4:13-16 CSB - Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.
15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

Psalm 49:12ff NASB -
But man in his pomp will not endure;
He is like the beasts that perish.
His glory will not descend after him.
18 Though while he lives he congratulates himself—
And though men praise you when you do well for yourself—
Man in his pomp, yet without understanding,
Is like the beasts that perish.
Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.

3. Focused on God’s purpose, not yourself

Acts 14:20-21 CSB - After the disciples gathered around him, he got up and went into the town.The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.
21 After they had preached the gospel in that town and made many disciples

Acts 20:24 CSB - But I consider my life of no value to myself; my purpose is to finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.
Philippians 3:13b-14 CSB - But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way
1 Corinthians 2:1-3 CSB - I did not come with brilliance of speech or wisdom. 2 I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling.

2 Corinthians 5:9 CSB - we make it our aim to be pleasing to [God].

Galatians 1:10 CSB - If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

James 4:10 CSB - "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."