The Challenge of Preaching

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Acts 14:1–7 HCSB
1 The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. 3 So they stayed there for some time and spoke boldly in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them. 4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to assault and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns called Lystra and Derbe, and to the surrounding countryside. 7 And there they kept evangelizing.
acts14
Sub: The Challenge of Preaching

I. Preaching brought Deliverance

1 The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

Three things happened in verse 1:

...they entered the Jewish synagogue...
....spoke in such a way ....
....that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
A. The Partnership and The Plan of their ministry.

A. The Partnership and The Plan of their ministry.

A. The Partnership and The Plan of their ministry.

As was their usual practice, Paul and Barnabas went first to the synagogue. The partnership "They went both together into the synagogue" (). While the phrase "they went both together into the synagogue" may seem to give only a simple matter-of-fact report of Paul and Barnabas, yet the phrase also underscores the strong, partnership of two very dedicated believers in serving the Lord. John Mark had left the group, but Paul and Barnabas stayed together to proclaim the Word of God.

Three things happened in Verse 1:
As was their usual practice, Paul and Barnabas went first to the synagogue. The partnership of their ministry. "They went both together into the synagogue" (). While the phrase "they went both together into the synagogue" may seem to give only a simple matter-of-fact report of Paul and Barnabas, yet the phrase also underscores the strong, noble partnership of two very dedicated believers in serving the Lord. John Mark had left the group, but Paul and Barnabas stayed together to proclaim the Word of God.
....spoke in such a way ....
....that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
....that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
As was their usual practice, Paul and Barnabas went first to the synagogue. The partnership of their ministry. "They went both together into the synagogue" (). While the phrase "they went both together into the synagogue" may seem to give only a simple matter-of-fact report of Paul and Barnabas, yet the phrase also underscores the strong, noble partnership of two very dedicated believers in serving the Lord. John Mark had left the group, but Paul and Barnabas stayed together to proclaim the Word of God.
As was their usual practice, Paul and Barnabas went first to the synagogue. The partnership of their ministry. "They went both together into the synagogue" (). While the phrase "they went both together into the synagogue" may seem to give only a simple matter-of-fact report of Paul and Barnabas, yet the phrase also underscores the strong, noble partnership of two very dedicated believers in serving the Lord. John Mark had left the group, but Paul and Barnabas stayed together to proclaim the Word of God.

The plan "They went... into the synagogue" (). Once again we note that Paul's plan for reaching the people was to start at a synagogue.

LIFE APPLICATION
....that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
TEAMING UP
The Gospels and Acts record a great number of ministry endeavors in which followers of Christ were sent out in teams of at least two (; ; ; ; ; cf. ). By ministering together with another committed believer, we are less likely to yield to temptation, get discouraged, or stop serving God. We can make up for one another's weaknesses as well as combine our gifts. With whom are you teaming up to make a difference? Who is your ministry partner?
....spoke in such a way ....

II. Preaching brought Division

B. The preaching of their ministry. "Spake" (). Once again Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the Gospel in the synagogue.

(1) the strength of the sermon . "So spake, that a great multitude... believed" (). "So spake" indicates that the Paul and Barnabas spoke with great power. It is through the foolishness of preaching that the Holy Spirit often works. He energized the words of His servants so that they produced conviction and conversion. Paul said later to the Corinthians, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power" ().

Let us emphasize the little word "so." It is God who "so" loved that He gave. The Apostle "so" spake that many believed. (1) the strength of the sermon . "So spake, that a great multitude... believed" (). "So spake" indicates that the Paul and Barnabas spoke with great power. It is through the foolishness of preaching that the Holy Spirit often works. He energized the words of His servants so that they produced conviction and conversion. Paul said later to the Corinthians, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power" ().

First, the strength of the sermon . "So spake, that a great multitude... believed" (). "So spake" indicates that the Paul and Barnabas spoke with great power. It is through the foolishness of preaching that the Holy Spirit often works. He energized the words of His servants so that they produced conviction and conversion. Paul said later to the Corinthians, "My speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power" ().

They "so" spake. However, verse 3 tells us that they spake in the Lord. In preaching it is not enough to preach the Truth. It must be preached in the Holy Ghost. Paul wrote to the Church in Corinth, "I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling." (2) The subject matter of the sermon The subject matter was the grace of God made manifest in Jesus Christ, raised and exalted. We need the preaching of Christ. He who preaches any other gospel is not preaching the Gospel. (3) The Spirit in the sermon

(2) The subject matter of the sermon The subject matter was the grace of God made manifest in Jesus Christ, raised and exalted. We need the preaching of Christ. He who preaches any other gospel is not preaching the Gospel.

They spake with boldness. Verse 3 also says, They abode "speaking boldly in the Lord." There was no fear of man either with Paul or Barnabas, There never should be with us. A preacher has no right to doctor his message to seek the please the pew.

II. Preaching brought Division

Despite the persecution and evil feelings against their preaching, they continued ministering and witnessing for Christ. They did not...

• withdraw or flee.

• soften their preaching.

• compromise their message.

• seek to please the officials.

But note the source of their boldness. They spoke boldly "in the Lord"; that is, they relied upon and trusted Him and His strength to bear them along, looking after their welfare. The Lord granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands." These signs and wonders often followed the ministry of the disciples. In Acts, signs and wonders are key to revealing the work of salvation in Christ and to proclaiming the gospel. They authenticated the apostles' authority and the authority of those associated with them (Barnabas in 14:2-3; Stephen in 6:8; Philip in 8:5-6). A "sign" (semeion) is a miracle whereby God shows himself to be almighty. A "wonder" (teras) is an amazing miracle that causes astonishment.

II. Preaching brought Division

II. Preaching brought Division

II. Preaching brought Division

2 But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers. 3 So they stayed there for some time and spoke boldly in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them. 4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles.

It was the unbelieving religionists (Jews) who stirred up the trouble over the preaching of the gospel. The word "unbelieving" (apeithēsantes PWS: 4109) means disobedient. The idea is they were unwilling to believe or be persuaded. They deliberately withheld belief, disobeying God. The picture is this: they went about stirring up the city against the Lord's servants. The religionists made a deliberate attempt to arouse the people. The religionists...

It was the unbelieving religionists (Jews) who stirred up the trouble over the preaching of the gospel. The word "unbelieving" (apeithēsantes PWS: 4109) means disobedient. The idea is they were unwilling to believe or be persuaded. They deliberately withheld belief, disobeying God. , The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "E. Iconium, the Ancient City: God's Pattern for Preaching and Witnessing, 14:1-7".

• spread rumors

• poisoned opinions

• made false suggestions

• made insinuations They tried to embitter and provoke the people and the officials of the city to get rid of the preachers.

III. Preaching brought Danger

III. Preaching brought Danger

5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to assault and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns called Lystra and Derbe, and to the surrounding countryside. 7 And there they kept evangelizing.

The opposition won out and actually made an assault (horme) upon the two men. The word means an impulse, a rush upon. Apparently a mob gathered and headed for the men, either rushing into their residence or rushing about trying to find them. Note: both Gentiles and Jews were involved, that is, both non-religionists and religionists, both those who were unfamiliar and those who were familiar with the Scriptures. The preachers discovered that the opposition was about to attack them. More harm to the gospel would be done if they remained, and the important thing was for the gospel to go forward in its saving power. So the preachers turned away and fled for the sake of the gospel. They turned to willing hearers and continued to preach the gospel.

The opposition won out and actually made an assault (horme) upon the two men. The word means an impulse, a rush upon. Apparently a mob gathered and headed for the men, either rushing into their residence or rushing about trying to find them. Note: both Gentiles and Jews were involved, that is, both non-religionists and religionists, both those who were unfamiliar and those who were familiar with the Scriptures. , The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "E. Iconium, the Ancient City: God's Pattern for Preaching and Witnessing, 14:1-7".
Jon Courson, Jon Courson's Application Commentary – Jon Courson's Application Commentary New Testament, (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 725.
John G. Butler, Analytical Bible Expositor – Acts, (Clinton, Iowa: LBC Publications, 2009), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 154.
Bruce B. Barton et al., Life Application Bible Commentary – Acts, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "".
John Phillips, The John Phillips Commentary Series – Exploring Acts: An Expository Commentary, (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1986), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 276.
R. E. Neighbour, Wells of Living Water – Volume 10: thru , (Cleveland, OH: Union Gospel Press, 1940), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 269.
, The Preacher's Outline & Sermon Bible – Acts, (Chattanooga: Leadership Ministries Worldwide, 1991), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: "E. Iconium, the Ancient City: God's Pattern for Preaching and Witnessing, 14:1-7".
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