1. The Unhindered Harvest
Acts:
The Unhindered Harvest

2. As history unfolds… Theological truth is illuminated
Testimony is given
To strengthen
Regarding God’s work
Regarding God’s servants

3. Acts 13:44-52 The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.

4. But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming.

5. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first;

6. since you repudiate it and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

7. “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.’ ”

8. When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.

9. And the word of the Lord was being spread through the whole region.

10. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, and instigated a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.

11. But they shook off the dust of their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were continually filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

12. The Lord Commands Boldness amid opposition An issue of necessity
God’s redemptive purpose

13. The Lord Appoints Sovereignty meets responsibility God appoints
People believe

14. “To emphasize either truth at the expense of the other is to plunge oneself into the abyss of doctrinal error.” (MacArthur, pg. 6)

15. The Lord Appoints An uncomfortable necessity Spiritual death
Human culpability

16. The Lord Appoints
Spiritual Death
Genesis 3
Psalm 51
Ephesians 2

17. The Lord Appoints Human Culpability Repentance (33 times) John 1:12

18. The Lord Appoints Human Culpability None in who shouldn’t be
None out who wanted in
God’s character and wisdom are unscrutable

19. The Lord Appoints Gospel assurance People will respond
Salvation is secure

20. The Lord Testifies Therefore…?! Bold reliance Gospel assurance
We are not alone
Our message is not our own

21. So they continued on… Being faithful to their calling
Trusting the work of God
Trusting the word of God

22. Reaping the Harvest Being light is a command Trust the process
Trust the message
Reaping the Harvest