Key Passage: Acts 13:44-52

Topic: Faith/Trust; Obedience/Discipleship; Jesus

"But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles"...And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed (Acts 13:45-46,48, ESV).

Call it sour grapes; call it stubbornness, call it short-sightedness or even stupidity. It really comes back to jealousy.

As Paul preached in Antioch Pisidia, many people were drawn to the message of Jesus Christ. And they wanted to know more and more. As the crowds grew, so did the conflict. For the Jewish leaders in the town weren't happy with this new message, one they'd rejected.

To add insult to injury, this message was now given to the Gentiles. The Jews were jealous that God chose to work with people they considered as unclean, not worthy of God's attention. Like selfish children, they were angry God had taken what they'd turned down and given it to others.

For the Gentiles, this message was a matter of rejoicing. Salvation through Jesus Christ, new life under the power of the Holy Spirit, and hope for a future with God, was now theirs for the asking.

This Gospel brought meaning and purpose to their lives. And a new church grew in this community, even after Paul and Barnabas were driven out of town.

You know, sometimes we do that too. When we're not on good terms with God because of our disobedience or indifference and we see Him doing great things in someone else's life, so we get angry and jealous.

Instead, we ought to rejoice that God is at work, that a life is being changed. We need to make sure we're right with God in our heart and actions and then join in His work.

Key Passage: Acts 13:13-43

Topic: Bible Study

"And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus" (Acts 13:32-33, ESV).

The Bible is a big book containing roughly 800,000 words. It's separated into two major divisions; the Old Testament, and the New Testament.

The Old Testament is by far the largest containing about 75% of the Bible's content--and yet it is often ignored by Christians today.

But already in the Book of Acts, we've seen the importance of the Old Testament.

Before Stephen was executed (Acts 7), he retold the Old Testament story, going all the way back to Abraham. Now in this chapter, Paul, in Antioch of Pisidia, does the same thing starting with the Israelites' exodus out of Egypt.

Why is the Old Testament important? Because it all points to Jesus. On the road to Emmaus, just after His resurrection, Jesus explained to the travelers walking with Him how all of the Old Testament pointed to Him (see Luke 24:27).

Don't fall into the trap of thinking only the New Testament is important because of its stories of Jesus and letters on Christian living.

The whole Bible is about Jesus and about what He did for sinners on the cross.

Key Passage: Acts 13:4-12

Topic: New Life

He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God (Acts 13:7, ESV).

Put yourself in the place of Sergius Paulus.

You're a man of intelligence--the Bible makes a special point of mentioning Sergius' intelligence so it must have been above normal. You're a pronconsul--an appointed governor of a city or region. Because of your status, you enjoy a measure of power and influence. And you're a leader. Most people on this island know who you are and probably have some opinion of you.

Now, news has reached you of some traveling preachers who've been preaching about a man named Jesus. You're interested and you want to hear what these "Christian" preachers, Saul and Barnabas, have to say.

Yet Elymas, one of your advisors, is dead-set against this idea. He opposes Saul and Barnabas and tries to keep you from hearing their message: that Jesus is the Son of God.

What do you do? You could go along with Elymas; he's familiar and he's reportedly a magician with special powers. You're a public figure. Is it worth the hassle to satisfy your curiosity and hear what Saul and Barnabas have to say? What's your decision?

What about Sergius, what did he decide?

He summoned Saul and Barnabas and he did hear about Jesus. The magician, Elymas, was silenced. And Sergius? He believed "for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord" (Acts 13:12).

I am just curious, how many people still say Please and Thank you on a regular basis.  When you go to Starbucks, or McDonalds and place your order, do you say "give me a"_________, or "I want a"_________.  Or do you say "Id like a _______ Please"    and when you get your order, do you say "Thank you"

More often than not I have observed people not doing tha latter. 

Thanks for reading.

Jeff

Key Passage: Acts 13:1-3

Topic: God; Obedience/Discipleship

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them" (Acts 13:2, ESV).

It's one of the basic rules of physics: a body in motion is easier to move than a body at rest. And it's not just physics; God knows it also applies to people.

Case in point: these men mentioned here in Acts 13. They're busy guys, doing the work of God, obeying Him and using the gifts He's given them. They're leaders, teachers and prophets. They're "bodies in motion."

Then God says, "Let's roll." He has more for two of these men to do. A special mission that He's prepared for them, something for which they are ready and equipped.

Through the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul (also known as Paul), were set apart or called out for the next phase in God's mission: to take the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles and the nations beyond their own borders.

We'll see how the mission unfolds in the rest of Acts, but look again at where these men started. They were faithful servants, worshiping, praying, fasting and doing the work of God.

If you're sitting around just waiting and hoping God will call you to do something big, you're wasting time.

Start with the work in front of you. What can you do to serve Him in small ways, in your church, in your family, in your community? Are you faithful in worship, prayer, studying His Word, being prepared to serve?

Say yes to the opportunities you have now and if God has something bigger in mind for you, He'll show you when it's time. And if He wants to serve where you are, that's good too.

Be faithful with the small things. And remember, a body in motion is one God can use.