Sermon Tone Analysis

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.