Mission 1 begins - Acts 13

Today’s sermon: Acts 13 “Mission 1 begins”

Intro: Light for the world

 

        1) Gospel light impacts enemies (v1-12)

 

2 men in Paphos;

• Sergius Paulus wants to step into the light

 

“He believed for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord”

 

• Bar-Jesus (Elymas) wants to keep him in the dark

 

“Now the hand of the Lord is against you”

 

What impact has the gospel of Jesus Christ had on you?

 

              2) Gospel light saves when nothing else can (v13-43)

 

A brilliant sermon:

• Jesus has always been the plan

 

 

• Only Jesus can do what the law can’t do

 

Have you been set free from sin?

 

           3) Gospel light defeats opposition by spreading (v44-52)

Sadness and joy go together in God’s gospel plan:

• Sad that Elymas stayed in the darkness, joyful that Sergius Paulus stepped into the light

 

• Sad that the Jewish leaders rejected the gospel, joyful that Paul took the light to the Gentiles

 

There is suffering and sadness on offer for those who will carry gospel light with them but there is also rejoicing and delight as new believers are made

"When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honoured the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed to eternal life believed.”

 

Memory verse: Acts 13 v 38-39

“I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”

 

Life Group Questions:

• Read v1-12. How should the different responses to the gospel from these 2 men help us when we are discouraged by friends rejecting the gospel?
• Read v32-39 (scan from v13-43). What different bits of the bible does Paul use to show that Jesus has always been the plan? Why are verses 38-39 so important for all people to accept?
• Read v44-52. What sadness and joy can you see in these verses? How should these verses fill us with gospel hope and zeal?