No Prophet Accepted In His Own Town
Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 2 viewsAs you might imagine, going from a Christian killer to a Christian prophet is not a simple transition. Paul did not have very many friends for a while. What was his early ministry like? We will find out in this sermon.
Notes
Transcript
Just five days after accepting the position as head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team in December of 2001, George O’Leary resigned in disgrace. An investigation had revealed that more than twenty years before he had included false claims on his resume, including saying that he had lettered in football when he was not even on the team and that he had a master’s degree which he had not earned. The lies had not been discovered at any of his previous coaching jobs, but the high profile accorded the position of coach at Notre Dame led to his exposure.
In a statement O’Leary said: “Due to a selfish and thoughtless act many years ago, I have personally embarrassed Notre Dame, its alumni, and fans. With that in mind, I will resign my position as head football coach.” Though a considerable amount of time passed between O’Leary’s deception and its discovery, it did come to light with devastating results. He had seemingly reached the heights of his profession, only to wake up and find it all taken away.
Background
Paul, similar experience
youngest man
on Sanhedrin.
Thought he was
reaching the top.
House of cards
comes crashing down.
Came to Damascus
to kill Christians.
Converted right outside gate.
stays there
how long?
Bible says:
some days...
Acts 9:19–22 (ESV)
… For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Stop Arguing
Stop Arguing
Can you imagine
The killer
The persecutor
the Christ hater
Preaching about Jesus!
Everyone is confused,
Christians don’t trust.
Jews are angry.
Not making friends.
Jewish teacher go
from being amazed
to being upset.
Paul was an
amazing orator
great debtor
memorized much of Bible
They tried to argue
with Paul’s logic
but couldn’t win.
So they resorted to
their other plan,
JUST KILL HIM.
If you can’t beat ‘em kill ‘em
If you can’t beat ‘em kill ‘em
When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
Timeline...
The First Escape
The First Escape
How long was he preaching?
bible says:
many days...
The man
who plotted death
of Christians
now has ex-friends
plotting his death.
In 2 Cor he
gives more detail:
At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.
Apparently,
the political leaders
of Damascus were
part of the plot
to kill him.
So he fled
but...
Where did he go?
And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Arabia
Arabia
He went to Arabia.
For how long?
Next verse says:
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
He spent ~ 3 years in Arabia
What did he do there?
The bible doesn’t really say.
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 13—Days of Preparation
Here, in the solitude of the desert, Paul had ample opportunity for quiet study and meditation. He calmly reviewed his past experience and made sure work of repentance. He sought God with all his heart, resting not until he knew for a certainty that his repentance was accepted and his sin pardoned.
...
Acts of the Apostles Chapter 13—Days of Preparation
He emptied his soul of the prejudices and traditions that had hitherto shaped his life, and received instruction from the Source of truth. Jesus communed with him and established him in the faith, bestowing upon him a rich measure of wisdom and grace.
3 Year Timeout
3 Year Timeout
3 Years to think
about everything.
This makes sense…
right before he talks
about 3 years in Arabia
Paul says:
Galatians 1:11–12 (ESV)
For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel. For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
I don’t think
he is referring to
the first vision he had
gate of Damascus.
Jesus taught him
truth of gospel
in visions
after conversion.
In Arabia,
spent time
praying
learning truth.
repentance
transformation
preparation for ministry.
Undoing false theology
years of traditions.
That’s way Paul
introduces himself
Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—
What was he doing in
Arabian desert?
Understand his call
to be apostle
to Gentiles.
Maybe biggest thing
learn to be humble.
He had been
proud
arrogant
certain of self.
Now realized
he had been wrong.
killed innocent people.
Took time
to make sure
walking humbly
before God
in the truth.
Where did he go next?
Galatians 1:17 (ESV)
… but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
Not clear,
how long he spent
back in Damascus.
It is clear,
where he goes next.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days.
The Capital
The Capital
Jerusalem
capital of Israel
but also
Capital of Christianity.
It had been 3 years
from time of conversion
until meeting with
other apostles.
He needed,
to connect
set record straight
get on same page
work together.
Goal to
make friends with
leading apostles.
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.
What happened during
those 15 days
in Jerusalem?
No Prophet Accepted In His Own Town
No Prophet Accepted In His Own Town
And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.
Disciples still
did not trust him.
Friend Barnabas
intercedes for him.
they accept him.
Excited about
new ministry
begins preaching
old city..
well know there...
Everything is going well
until he starts preaching
and debating again.
2nd Attempted Homicide
2nd Attempted Homicide
And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Preaching boldly,
debating with Greek Jews.
Lesson -
Don’t argue your faith.
When the Cornerstone Bank in Waco, Nebraska, was robbed of some $6,000 in November of 2012, the bank employees were able to give the police a fairly good description of the teenage girl who pulled off the crime and the car in which she escaped. As it turned out, the investigators didn’t really need those descriptions, because the thief recorded a YouTube video titled “Chick bank robber” boasting of her criminal prowess.
Fanning out the cash in front of the camera, 19-year-old Hannah Sabata held up a sign that read, “I just stole a car and robbed a bank. Now I’m rich, I can pay off my college financial aid, and tomorrow I’m going for a shopping spree.”
A fool’s lips walk into a fight,
and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool’s mouth is his ruin,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Paul thought,
Jewish leaders sincere
like him.
Maybe they
would accept truth
if they saw it in Word.
No…!
Belligerent
Just starting to make friends.
another attempt
at his life.
Again,
Christian brother
save his life.
Goes to Tarsus,
place of birth.
Not sure how long
he was there.
Peace in Jerusalem
Peace in Jerusalem
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
The Mission Field
The Mission Field
Next
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Barnabas,
invites him
to do ministry
in Antioch.
Quite a lot of moves.
people in that day
didn’t move much.
Paul’s Early Moves In Ministry
Paul’s Early Moves In Ministry
Born in Tarsus.
Moved to Jerusalem.
To Damascus for Persecution.
Flees to Arabia.
Comes back to Damascus.
15 Days in Jerusalem.
Flees to home town - Tarsus.
To mission Field in Antioch.
Summary and Conclusions
Summary and Conclusions
Working for God,
don’t know where
you will go.
Be ready to go anywhere.
Working for God
does not mean
protected from harm.
Be ready for hardship.
Working for God,
is rewarding.
It’s always worth it.
Be ready for joy.
David Livingstone was a Scottish missionary and explorer who spent thirty-three years in the heart of Africa. He endured much suffering as he labored to spread the Gospel and open the continent to missionaries. This godly missionary once remarked:
“People talk of the sacrifice I have made in spending so much of my life in Africa. Can that be called a sacrifice which is simply paid back as a small part of a great debt owing to our God, which we can never repay?...It is emphatically no sacrifice. Say rather it is a privilege. Anxiety, sickness, suffering, or danger now and then with a foregoing of the common conveniences and charities of this life, may make us pause, and cause the spirit to waver, and the soul to sink, but let this only be for a moment. All these are nothing when compared with the glory which shall hereafter be revealed in and for us. I never made a sacrifice. Of this we ought not to talk, when we remember the great sacrifice which HE made who left his Father’s throne on high to give himself for us.”
Appeal
Appeal
The mission field in where you are now.
Be prepared to go where God leads.
Work for God
wherever you are.
Where you are now
is your mission field.
But....
Be ready to go.
Don’t assume
you are where God
wants you right now.
Be prepared
to be uprooted
for the gospel.