Believers Proclaiming the Living God: Acts 14 Insights
Delve into Acts 14 to explore how believers declared Jesus as the living God amidst opposition and misdirected worship. Reflect on differing opinions about Jesus, conflicts with other beliefs, and maintaining focus on Christ in witnessing. Discover the challenges faced by early followers and the importance of staying true to faith in the face of adversity.
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Presentation Transcript
The Truth The Truth (Acts 14:11 (Acts 14:11- -23) 23)
MAIN IDEA: MAIN IDEA: Believers must declare Jesus to be the Believers must declare Jesus to be the living God. living God.
Introduction The Truth What differing opinions about Jesus are commonly heard today? How have your convictions about Jesus caused conflict with people who hold different beliefs?
The Truth I. II. Proclaiming the Living God (Acts 14:14-18) III. Opposition Faced (Acts 14:19-20) IV. Encouragement Given (Acts 14:21-23) Misdirected Worship (Acts 14:11-13)
Misdirected Worship (Acts 14:11-13) 11When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, The gods have come down to us in human form! 12Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.13The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.
Misdirected Worship (Acts 14:11-13) We can expect that some will not attribute God s works to Him, choosing instead to worship other people or things. How can we make sure our witness keeps the focus on Jesus, not ourselves? What explanations have you encountered from unbelievers who deny God s works?
Proclaiming the Living God (Acts 14:14-18) 14But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:15 Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.16In the past, he let all nations go their own way.17Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy. 18Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.
Proclaiming the Living God (Acts 14:14-18) We should take every opportunity to clearly communicate who God is and what He has done. What danger did Paul and Barnabas put themselves in by describing the people s gods as worthless things? Why did the apostles think it was worth it to confront the people with the truth? How can we point out God s work and actions to others? In what ways does your personal worship and daily life testify to the nature of God?
Opposition Faced (Acts 14:19-20) 19Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.20But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.
Opposition Faced (Acts 14:19-20) We can prepare for opposition by building strong relationships with other believers. Why is it significant that Paul went back into the city after being stoned and left for dead? How would you react if sharing your faith meant putting yourself in danger?
Encouragement Given (Acts 14:21-23) 21They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, they said.23Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
Encouragement Given (Acts 14:21-23) Be ready to encourage others to remain steadfast in the faith in the face of hardships. Why did the missionaries return to the cities where they had been before? What concerns might they have had? What helps you remain steadfast in your trust in God when difficulties arise? How have you encouraged others to follow Christ with confidence?
CHALLENGE Who are you working alongside closely in ministry? How are you strengthening them? How are they strengthening you? What hardships are you currently facing because of your faith? If you are not facing hardship, how can you commit to partner with those who are facing hardship?
