Last week was Acts 12. The Lord moved in a slightly different direction but it was still addresses. Here is how, the theme that kept coming to the surface was all about trust.

• Do you trust Him when you pray?
• Do you trust Him when you’re facing difficulties?
• Are you expecting the creator God to show up in some way?
• Peter knew that James the disciple was killed by Herod and he was next.
• Peter wanted to be sure that the rest of the followers knew he had been freed and specifically named James this was the brother of Jesus.

This week we shift back to Saul.

• Chapter 7 he approved of the stoning of Stephen.
• Chapter 9 he was radically saved and began following Jesus.
• Chapter 11 Saul came back to minister to those he persecuted.
• Chapter 13 Saul is still there preaching and teaching.

Acts 13:1-52 ESV

• Verses 48-52 What brought excitement and rejoicing to some stirred distain in others.
• Gentiles. Excitement grew because this message offered hope where there had been no hope. Despite all that they had done and all that they were not, Jesus was offering them a new life.
• Jews. Distain and persecution arose because of jealousy, this message had only been for Jews, pride because what they had been doing wasn’t good enough.
• The message had been the same, the one true God has always been loving and just.
• The method was different. What was unsuccessfully worked for, was now paid for by the work of Jesus.
• July 1780 was the start of Sunday school in England. It came to the U.S. within 10 years and spread during the 1800’s.
• Sunday school has been on the decline for more than 30 years.
• The method is changing.
• How will you handle a change in the method.

Acts 14:1-28 ESV

• Verses 8-18 Lystra, crippled man, tried to stop the sacrifices.
• Verse 19 Antioch and Iconium, Jews came and led the stoning of Paul.
• Verses 20-21 The next day went to Derbe, preached the gospel, made many disciples.

A disciple is a learner, student, or follower who accepts and helps spread the teachings of a leader, philosopher, or religious figure.

• Verses 21-22 They returned to the very place that had inflicted pain and prejudice.
• A few weeks ago when looking at Acts 10-11 the question was asked, How will you minister to those you’ve hurt or will you allow those who have hurt you to also minister to you?
• Today we see Paul (Saul Acts 13:9) reaching out to minister to those who stoned him.
• How will you minister to those who have hurt you?

Support the show