Bill Acton :: Acts 14 - Paul's Ministry Abroad

Sermon Outline for Acts 14

Paul's Ministry Abroad

1. The Ministry in Iconium – Act 14:1-6
   1. They went together into the synagogue
   2. They spoke boldly in the Lord
      1. With a clear message
      2. With a direct testimony
      3. With a persuasive manner
   3. They remained (6 months)
   4. The results
      1. The Lord confirmed the message
         1. The physical signs
         2. The spiritual miracles
      2. Many believed
      3. Many opposed
         1. Subtle opposition
            1. Questioning
            2. Negative
            3. Critical
            4. Poisonous propaganda
         2. Viscious-violent opposition
      4. Departure to Lyconia
2. The Ministry at Lystra – Act 14:6-20
   1. They preached the Gospel
   2. The lame man was healed – Act 14:8-10
      1. The man
         1. He was crippled from birth
         2. He was helpless
         3. He heard Paul’s message and believed
      2. Paul
         1. He looked directly at the man
         2. He discerned that the man was responding
         3. He spoke with authority
      3. The healing
         1. The man obeyed the Gospel
         2. The man leaped and walked
   3. The results
      1. The people begin to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods – Act 14:14
      2. The response of Paul and Barnabas
         1. They stopped them – Act 14:14
         2. They corrected them – Act 14:15
         3. They taught them – Act 14:15-18
            1. Declared that they were human and refused worship
            2. Exhorted them to turn from empty rituals and vain ceremonies
            3. Referred to the living God
               1. He has revealed Himself through creation
               2. He has provided a source of joy
3. The Return Home to Antioch, Syria
   1. They returned through Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch; places of persecution
   2. Their ministry
      1. To strengthen believers in their faith – by teaching the Word of God
      2. To encourage believers in their faith – exhorting them to continue
      3. To fortify them for suffering
      4. To organize them for effective service – they appointed elders in every church
      5. To pray with them and for them
   3. The arrival at home – Act 14:27-28
      1. The rehearsal of what God had done through them
      2. The fulfillment through grace