After the Miracle
Acts 13:13-52
1. Look for God Opportunities
Acts 13:13–14a (ESV)
"Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia."
Acts 13:14b–16a (ESV)
"And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”"
2. Tell a God Story
Acts 13:16 (ESV)
"So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.”"
1. God chose Israel. Acts 13:17a (ESV) — The God of this people Israel chose our fathers.
2. God made Israel great in Egypt. Acts 13:17b (ESV) — [God] made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt.
3. God led them out of Egypt. Acts 13:17c (ESV) — with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
4. God sustained Israel in the wilderness. Acts 13:18 (ESV) — And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
5. God judged the nations in Canaan. Acts 13:19a (ESV) — And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan.
6. God gave Israel the promise land. Acts 13:19b (ESV) — he gave them their land as an inheritance.
7. God gave Israel judges. Acts 13:20 (ESV) — All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
8. God gave Israel King Saul. Acts 13:21 (ESV) — Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years.
9. God Removed King Saul. Acts 13:22 (ESV) — And when he had removed him.
10. God raised up King David. Acts 13:22b (ESV) — he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’
11. God Sent Jesus. Acts 13:23 (ESV) — Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised.
12. God Sent the Message of Salvation. Acts 13:26 (ESV) — “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation.
13. God Fulfilled His Plan through Jesus’ Death. Acts 13:27–29 (ESV) — For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.
14. God Resurrected Jesus. Acts 13:30 (ESV) — But God raised him from the dead.
3. Show Them They Can Know God
Acts 13:32 (ESV)
"And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus"
Acts 13:38–39 (ESV)
"Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses."
Romans 3:20 (ESV)
"For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin."
Acts 13:38–39 (ESV)
"Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses."
Acts 13:40–41 (ESV)
"Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about: “‘Look, you scoffers, be astounded
and perish; for I am doing a work in your days, a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”"
4. Be Ready for God to Work
Acts 13:42–44 (ESV)
"As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. And after the
meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord."
Acts 13:45 (ESV)
"But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him."
Acts 13:46–49 (ESV)
"And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’” And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region."
Acts 13:50–52 (ESV)
"But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district. But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit."
