TEXT: Acts 12:25-13:12

SUBJECT: Acts 14

Today with the Lord's blessing, we'll pick up our study of Acts where we left it last time, at the end of Chapter 12. And going through the first story of Chapter 13.

The two main characters are Paul and Barnabas. But remember--the story is not about them and what they did in Cyprus, but about Jesus Christ and what He's doing to advance His Kingdom in the world.

ANTIOCH

The story begins in Antioch, Syria. Barnabas and Paul had been the leading men in that church till they traveled to Jerusalem to bring relief to the needy believers there.

In their absence, the Lord had been at work, raising up other men to prophesy and teach the Word of God. One was named, "Simeon Niger". "Niger" is the Latin word for "black" and probably means this good man was of African descent. Another was called "Lucius of Cyrene"--a city in Libya. The third was "Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the Tetrarch". He was a childhood friend of the king who lopped off the head of John the Baptist.

What are the men doing? They're seeking the leadership of Jesus Christ. They're doing it the old-fashioned way of praying and fasting.

As they're waiting on the Lord, He tells them what He wants them to do: "Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them".

After more fasting and prayer, they lay hands on the men and send them away with Godspeed. Barnabas' nephew, John Mark, goes along to help the missionaries.

SALAMIS

The three men sail for Cyprus, an island off the Syrian coast. The first place they come to is Salamis, where they preach in the Synagogue, and without much effect, it seems.

PAPHOS

From there, they make their way west to the capital city of Paphos. There, things get a little bit livelier. The governor of Cyprus is a very smart man named Sergius Paulus. He is intrigued by the Gospel Paul and Barnabas are preaching.

But there's someone there to oppose them. His name is Bar-Jesus, a Jew who dabbles in the occult, and claims to be a prophet.

Being a Magician, he's appalled at the Gospel and does everything he can to keep the governor from believing it.

Paul is a very "insensitive" man. He's not into "dialoguing" with other religions. Knowing what the Wizard's up to, he turns--and in the power of God's Spirit--says,

At that moment, Bar-Jesus is struck blind. The man who claimed special "insight" into the Mysteries Divine can't even find his way home! His blind eyes now match his blind soul.

That's it for Bar-Jesus. But what about the governor? What becomes of Sergius Paulus? He "Believed". That is, he trusted Christ for salvation.

What caused him to do that? You'd think it was the miracle Paul performed. After all, it was an impressive display of God's power and justice.

But that's not what Luke attributed it to. He says,

The miracle played some part in his faith, to be sure. But it wasn't a miracle that truly amazed the man; it was "the teaching of the Lord". Or, the Gospel.

What is the content of this Gospel? Luke doesn't tell us here. But he does a few verses later. In short, here it is:

That's the Word that staggered the brilliant Governor. It's no less staggering today.

Many believers want to get past the Gospel into "the deeper things of God". There is no deeper thing!

The Gospel uniquely glorifies God, unites His people, and gives hope to a dying world.

I submit--if you're not amazed and staggered and knocked-out by the Gospel--something is seriously wrong with you! You either don't know what the Gospel is or don't believe it or have become the worst thing a Christian can be--"Lukewarm"!

Paul gloried in the Gospel. Charles Wesley sang of it,

This is "the teaching of the Lord" that Sergius Paulus found so astonishing.

That's the story--and a little bit more.

MESSAGE

Now, what does it mean? Why did Luke include this story? It seems fairly obvious to me. In the Book of Acts, this is the first showdown between Christ and Satan. Bar-Jesus is a servant of the devil. Paul is a servant of Christ. They are battling for the soul of Sergius. Which Paul wins. But it's not really Paul who wins; it's Christ. And how does He do it? By His Word.

Thus, the moral to the story is this:

The Word of Christ overthrows the kingdom of Satan.

Luke has made this point many times before. In his Gospel. There we find the Lord Jesus confronted by Satan. First in the Wilderness where he tempts Him three times. Each temptation, though is resisted by the Word--"It is written". Later, he opposes Him indirectly by the demon-possessed. But again, Christ speaks a word and the devil is cast out. Even Peter speaks up for Satan, but the Word of Christ repulses him. In every case, the powers of darkness are thrown back by the Word of Christ.

Now Paul is using that same Word and getting the same results.

Elsewhere he urges us to do the same. He tells us that we too are in a spiritual war. And that our enemies are real, numerous, clever, powerful, and relentless.

It is not "flesh and blood" that we're up against, but "Principalities, powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places".

We've got to fight them. But they can't be fought with fists or guns or propaganda or votes. They can only be fought with

Jesus Christ did not command His people to hold their ground and survive as best we can. No, He commanded us to advance His cause in the world!

He told us to do it with His Word.

Now, get out there and witness! And do without some luxury to support missions. And pray for the cause of Christ in the world. And study your Bibles so that you can "Give an answer to any man who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you with meekness and fear".

Whether we want to do it or not, this is our duty! We are responsible to Christ to do it. And one day, He's going to call us to account for ourselves.

To help us do it, He gives so much encouragement. Look what His Word can do

That Word is the same Word we have in the Gospel. Now, let's go use it. Charles Spurgeon was once asked how he defended the Bible. He replied, "The way a man defends a lion--by letting it loose".

May God give us confidence in His Word! And we'll see what the disciples did long ago: Satan fall as lightning.