Exposition of Acts: Frame of Mind
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A Sermon by Dr. Bob Griffin, Teaching Elder at Sovereign Grace Church
I. MISSIONS AT HOME IN ANTIOCH
A. SERVICE
>>1. COMPLETED PREVIOUS MINISTRY
Acts 12:25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, also called Mark. [AD 46]
(also Acts 11:29-30; Col. 4:10; Lk 4:14-30; 17:12-19; Mt 8:28-34; 8:8-10; 15:24; Jn 4:5-42; 12:23-32; Acts 1:8)
>>2. COUNCIL OF LEADERS
Acts 13:1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
(also Acts 11:20)
B. SELECTED
>>1. CALL OF GOD
Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
(also Eph 2:10; Acts 9:15-16)
>>2. COMMISSION OF THE CHURCH
Acts 13:3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. [AD 47-49]
(also Acts 8:4; 11:19)
II. MISSIONS IN CYPRUS
A. SPIRIT-LED
>>1. CYPRUS
Acts 13:4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus.
(also Acts 4:36)
>>2. CONCERN
Acts 13:5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They brought John Mark to assist them.
(also Acts 11:19)
B. SWAYED
>>1. CLARITY
Acts 13:6-7 When they had traveled across the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magi, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a wise man, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the Word of God.
>>2. CONTROVERSY
Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the Faith.
C. SALVATION
>>1. CONSEQUENCES
Acts 13:9-11 But Saul, who was also called Paul [by Gentiles], filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is on you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
(also Acts 8:9-23; 16:16-18; 19:13-17)
>>2. CONVERTED
Acts 13:12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
III. MISSIONS IN ASIA
A. SINGLE-MINDED
>>1. CONTROL
Acts 13:13a Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos
>>2. CONSIDERATION
Acts 13:13b and came to Perga in Pamphylia.
B. STRANDED
>>1. COWARD
Acts 13:13c And John Mark deserted them,
>>2. CHOICE
Acts 13:13d returning to Jerusalem.
(also Acts 15:38)