The Mission: Studies In The Book Of Acts
#19: Iconium, Lystra & Derbe
February 21, 2007
1. Dissent & Division
■ Iconium, Lystra & Derbe ... Roman Province Of Galatia (Turkey)
A. Roman province ... name adapted from the subdued kingdom of Galatia
1. Hittites ... Greeks ... Celts ... Galatia ... Gaul of the East
2. Roman client state ... for nearly 100 years at time of Paul’s visit
B. First missionary journey ... roughly 46-48AD
C. Letter to the Galatian churches ... Galatians in these cities ... one of Paul’s earliest letters
1. 49AD ... from Antioch ... or ... 52 AD ... from Ephesus
■ v1 ...“Same Thing” ... Occurs In Iconium As It Did In Antioch
A. Favorable response by Jews & Greeks to message of grace/blessing through Jesus
B. Defining issue ... central conflict of early church ... reconciling Jewish/non-Jewish believers
1. Martyrdom of Stephen ... implications of Jesus’ teaching on Jewish law & tradition
2. Gains momentum ... Cornelius ... Paul ... church in Antioch (Syria)...
C. Accelerated by Paul’s strategy ... evangelizing in the Jewish synagogues ...
1. Jewish rejection (though not totally) ... Gentile “God-fearer” reception ...
2. With Gentile “God-fearers” as the nucleus ... bridge to Gentiles ... more opposition
■ v1 ... A Great Number Of Jews And Greeks Become Believers ...
A. Able to stay for awhile ... solidify church ... teaching ... seeing Word confirmed ... miracles
1. The gospel divides ... it can unite and break down barriers ... divides through choice
2. Opposition reaches critical mass ... P/B ... get wind ... escape to the south ... Lystra
2. Triumph & Tragedy In Lystra ...
■ Lystra ... Roman Colony & Military Base ...
A. Though no mention ... Jewish residents ... Timothy
1. In community ... long enough to establish body of believers
■ v8 ... One Day ... Paul Encounters Man Crippled From Birth ... Faith To Be Healed
A. Scene similar to encounter between Peter and crippled beggar ... chapter 3
B. vv11-13 ... acknowledge miracle ... interpret through their cultural lenses ... world view
1. Divine visitation ... visitation of their gods ... Zeus (Supreme) ... Hermes (Messenger)
2. Must be greeted appropriately ... Priest of Temple ... animal sacrifice
C. One of most critical issues in ministry ... connecting gospel to context
1. Language barriers ... cultural value differences
2. Different “faith systems” ... coincidence or providence?
■ P/B ... Use Misunderstanding As A Teachable Moment ... Draw Attention To The One God
A. Dennis last week ... great picture of different approaches ... required in different contexts
1. Begins with where they are ... Scripture with Jews ... nature with Gentiles
2. Builds a bridge between their concept of God ... claim of “one God ... maker of ...”
■ Visit To Lystra Ends ... Arrival Of Jewish Opposition ... Antioch And Iconium
A. Jewish community ... ability to exploit Lystran confusion ... disappointment
1. Riot ... lynch mob ... stone Paul ... leave him for dead ... revives w/disciples
3. Derbe & The Return Home ...
■ vv21-24 ... Preached The Good News In Derbe ... Small Town ... Southwest Of Lystra
A. All we are told ... preached the good news ... many chose to follow Jesus ...
1. Observation ... perseverance of Paul ... good news ... brutal circumstances
■ vv21-24 ... Return Home ... Back Through Cities They Had Earlier Preached In
A. Purpose ... though some risk ... strengthen the young churches that God had planted
1. Two-fold ... continue in the faith ... persevere through persecution
B. “Strengthening” ... not just inspiration ... very likely it would be additional instruction
1. Cluster of core teachings ... core beliefs (doctrine) ... behavior (ethics)
2. Core practices ... sacraments ... Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
C. vv27-28 ... Home ... called the church together ... shared all that God had done with them
1. Beautiful picture of the church ... going out ... gathering to celebrate
2. Picture of this incredible partnership ... God’s mission ... inviting us to share in it