1. B REAKOUT ! The Leap from Galatia to Macedonia

2. I N G ALATIA … 700700 Paul was ALONE! BIG Fights! First Foreign Groups

3. I N G ALATIA … 700700 Paul was ALONE! BIG Fights! First Foreign Groups Acts 13:45-48 “For so the Lord has commanded us, ‘I have placed You as a light for the Gentiles, That You may bring salvation to the end of the earth.’” When the Gentiles heard this, they jumped up & down…

4. I N G ALATIA … 700700 Paul was ALONE! BIG Fights! First Foreign Groups Galatians 5:2 I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.

5. I N G ALATIA … Paul was ALONE! BIG Fights! First Foreign Groups Galatians 2:11-13 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision.

6. I N G ALATIA … Paul was ALONE! BIG Fights! First Foreign Groups

7. I N G ALATIA … Paul was ALONE! BIG Fights! First Foreign Groups Acts 15:1-2 When Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them, the brethren determined that Paul and Barnabas and some others of them should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders concerning this issue.

8. Jumping to Macedonia…

9. In Thessalonica, One Year Later… Acts 17:6 they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also” In Thessalonica, One Year Later… Acts 17:6 they began dragging Jason and some brethren before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have upset the world have come here also”

10. Jumping to Macedonia… Two Years Later… Now the word of the Lord is ringing out from you to people everywhere, even beyond Macedonia and Achaia! Wherever we go we find people telling us about your faith in God. We don’t need to say anything! —1 Thess. 1:8

11. Jumping to Macedonia… Three Years Later… And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe… Acts 20:4 Three Years Later… And he was accompanied by Sopater of Berea, and by Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe… Acts 20:4

12. How Did They Do It? Galatia: Paul Alone Opposition by Religion-Lovers Macedonia Revolution

13. Breaking the Power of Religion Acts 15:13-19 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. This conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written: ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles— all those I have called to be mine. The Lord has spoken—he who made these things known so long ago.’ “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”

14. Breaking the Power of Religion The Organic Unity of the Body of Christ through Scripture Heard everyone’s views. Opened the Scriptures: “The Lord has spoken—he who made these things known so long ago.” Unanimous Agreement Acts 15:22 (NLT) Then the apostles and elders together with the whole church in Jerusalem chose delegates, and they sent them to Antioch of Syria with Paul and Barnabas…

15. Breaking the Power of Religion The Power of Proclamation The Written Word The Spoken Word Acts 15:31-32 There was great joy throughout the church that day as they read this encouraging message. Then Judas and Silas, both being prophets, spoke at length to the believers, encouraging and strengthening their faith.

16. Breaking the Power of Religion The Power of Proclamation The Written Word The Spoken Word Acts 15:35 And many others taught and preached the word of the Lord there.

17. Breaking the Power of Religion A Heart for Others Acts 15:36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.”

18. Breaking the Power of Religion A Heart for Others Acts 15:36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Philippians 2:12-14 (NASB) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

19. Breaking the Power of Religion A Heart for Others Acts 15:36 After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Philippians 2:12-14 (NASB) So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing;

20. Breaking the Power of Religion God is always working, despite our failures Acts 15:37-38 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia

21. Breaking the Power of Religion God is always working, despite our failures Acts 15:37-38 Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also. But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia “And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus.”

22. Breaking the Power of Religion Acts 16:1-3 Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. And a disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek, and he was well spoken of by the brethren who were in Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him; and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. Discipleship 16-yr old punkHe became a giant!Treated him like a man.

23. Breaking the Power of Religion Causing No Unnecessary Offense Timothy was Jewish Titus was not Paul …took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

24. Breaking the Power of Religion Causing No Unnecessary Offense Timothy was Jewish Titus was not Galatians 2:3,5 “Not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised…But we did not yield in subjection to them for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.”

25. Breaking the Power of Religion Wise Rebellion Timothy was Jewish Titus was not 2 Corinthians 6:3-4 (NASB) giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,

26. Breaking the Power of Religion Holy Spirit Guiding Reasonable steps Not dogmatic steps A change direction is not failure! Acts 16:6-8 (NASB) They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia; and after they came to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them; and passing by Mysia, they came down to Troas.

27. Breaking the Power of Religion The Responsive Heart Paul expects God’s leadership So he gets it! And he moves out! Acts 16:9-10 (NASB) A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." When he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

28. Blueprint of a Spiritual Movement The Unity of the Body Through Scripture The Power of Proclamation (Teaching) A Heart for Others Trusting God With Our Failures Discipleship Causing No Unnecessary Offense The Holy Spirit's Guidance Responsive Hearts

29. Paul ended up going where he wanted to! Through Macedonia

30. Paul ended up going where he wanted to! Through Macedonia For All Christians! Not just ‘front-liners’

31. God’s Revolution of Joy The Unity of the Body Through Scripture The Power of Proclamation (Teaching) A Heart for Others Trusting God With Our Failures Discipleship Causing No Unnecessary Offense The Holy Spirit's Guidance Responsive Hearts For All Christians! Not just ‘front-liners’God leads all of us! Raising Revolutionaries (Rom. 12:2) Revolutionary Results (Matt. 6:31-34)

32. God’s Revolution of Joy The Unity of the Body Through Scripture The Power of Proclamation (Teaching) A Heart for Others Trusting God With Our Failures Discipleship Causing No Unnecessary Offense The Holy Spirit's Guidance Responsive Hearts For All Christians! Not just ‘front-liners’God leads all of us! He Raises Revolutionaries (Rom. 12:2) Revolutionary Results (Matt. 6:31-34) Romans 12:2 (NASB) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

33. God’s Revolution of Joy The Unity of the Body Through Scripture The Power of Proclamation (Teaching) A Heart for Others Trusting God With Our Failures Discipleship Causing No Unnecessary Offense The Holy Spirit's Guidance Responsive Hearts For All Christians! Not just ‘front-liners’God leads all of us! He Raises Revolutionaries (Rom. 12:2) With Revolutionary Results (Matt. 6:31-34) Matthew 6:31-34 (NASB) "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

35. I N G ALATIA … 800800 Acts 13:2-3 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.“ Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.