1. The Unhindered Harvest
Acts:
The Unhindered Harvest

2. The Bombing of London September 7, 1940 56 out of 57 days/nights
More than 40,000 died
More than a million homes affected

3. The Bombing of London People were changed Some never could speak of it
“What happened?”
Greater than the facts
It was personal stories

4. Two Significant Summaries
Acts 14:5-7
Threat of violence
They moved on
They continued to preach

5. Two Significant Summaries
Acts 14:19-28
Physically assaulted
They moved on
They kept preaching
They invested in believers
Established churches

6. Two Significant Summaries
That’s a sermon by itself!
Safety and faith
Ministry priorities
Development of the local church

7. Two Significant Summaries
The Holy Spirit desired something greater
What happened over there?
Two significant distractions

8. Acts 14:11-19 When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have become like men and have come down to us.”

9. And they began calling Barnabas, Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.

10. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.

11. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their robes and rushed out into the crowd, crying out

12. and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things
and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you

13. that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

14. “In the generations gone by He permitted all the nations to go their own ways;

15. and yet He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good and gave you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.”

16. Even saying these things, with difficulty they restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

17. But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead.

18. The Catalyst A lame man healed By the power of God
Completely hopeless
Everyone knew it
By the power of God
In response to faith
Not the main point

19. Distraction of Popularity
Instant celebrity status
Misinterpretation of events
Message not media
Immediate dismissal

20. "Unless the Holy Spirit opens their hearts and minds to receive and understand the gospel message as true,

21. they will continue to interpret it
they will continue to interpret it...in the only way they know how, in terms of their non-Christian religious beliefs and values." (Larkin, pg. 213)

22. The Message Clarification for Gentile idolaters We are mere men
Repentance from idols to a living God

23. The Message Reconciliation to the Creator
Human culpability and accountability
God’s grace

24. Distraction of Danger No mere threat
More than political or religious pressure
Physical assault
Left for dead
Calling over comfort

25. Reaping the Harvest Don’t miss the message of the miracle
Satan is subtle
Be compelled by our calling
Reaping the Harvest