“Encounter With the Risen Christ” John 20:11-23 “The Ups and Downs of Servanthood” Acts 13:49-14:20

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

I. Dust in Antioch of Pisidia

“And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.” Acts 13:49

I. Dust in Antioch of Pisidia “And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region.” Acts 13:49 “But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region Acts 13:50

I. Dust in Antioch of Pisidia “…they shook off the dust from their feet against them, and came to Iconium.” Acts 13:51

I. Dust in Antioch of Pisidia “But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.” Luke 10:10-11

I. Dust in Antioch of Pisidia “But whatever city you enter, and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘The very dust of your city which clings to us we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that the kingdom of God has come near you.” Luke 10:10-11 “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 13:52

II.Division in Iconium

1.The city

II.Division in Iconium 1.The city 2.The response

II.Division in Iconium 1.The city 2.The response “Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.” Acts 14:1

II.Division in Iconium 2.The response “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren.” Acts 14:2

II.Division in Iconium 2.The response “Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.” Acts 14:3

II.Division in Iconium 2.The response “But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles.” Acts 14:4

II.Division in Iconium 2.The response “And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region.” Acts 14:5-6

III.Disturbance in Lystra

“And they were preaching the gospel there.” Acts 14:7

III.Disturbance in Lystra 1.The city

III.Disturbance in Lystra 1.The city 2.Response

III.Disturbance in Lystra 1.The city 2.Response a.A miracle

III.Disturbance in Lystra a.A miracle “And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, ‘Stand up straight on your feet!’ And he leaped and walked.” Acts 14:8-10

III.Disturbance in Lystra a.A miracle “Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, ‘The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!’ And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.”

III.Disturbance in Lystra “Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.” Acts 14:11-13

III.Disturbance in Lystra b.A message

III.Disturbance in Lystra b.A message “But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, ‘Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to”

III.Disturbance in Lystra “the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:14-17

III.Disturbance in Lystra b.A message “And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.” Acts 14:18

III.Disturbance in Lystra c.A menace

III.Disturbance in Lystra c.A menace “Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came these; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.” Acts 14:19

III.Disturbance in Lystra c.A menace “However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.” Acts 14:20

IV.Demand for Stability

1.Servanthood is at the heart of being a follower of Jesus Christ

IV.Demand for Stability 1.Servanthood is at the heart of being a follower of Jesus Christ 1.The challenges of servanthood call for perspective

IV.Demand for Stability 1.Servanthood is at the heart of being a follower of Jesus Christ 1.The challenges of servanthood call for perspective 2.The success of servanthood must be tempered with realism

IV.Demand for Stability 4.The joys of servanthood grow out of a right relationship with Jesus Christ

IV.Demand for Stability 4.The joys of servanthood grow out of a right relationship with Jesus Christ 5.Servanthood demands devotion, loyalty, bravery and boldness