Saturday, October 29, 2016

“Through Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” (Acts 13)

“Through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.”
Acts 13:1-52
Key verse 13:38-39
I always wonder why I am not good at preaching. I have preached on the UM campus over 20 years but my preaching has not been fruitful. I was rejected so many times without success. I thought about how to improve my initial approach, my preaching style, my understanding of student, etc. Onetime my wife said I should look clean to them so I took care of my face with more and better skin lotion. But none of them worked. Then, I began to think about what to preach rather than how to preach. Today, we are going to talk about what to preach.
As Jesus said in Acts 1:7-8, the disciples witnessed Jesus with the power of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem and in Samaria. Then God shifted the gear to gentiles. God established a church in Antioch, which was the first church in the gentile area. Now the Antioch church sends off Paul and Barnabas to other gentile areas. This was their first missionary journey. We will study where they went and what they did, particularly what they preached. Their preaching was powerful. Why? I pray that God may teach us how we can be fruitful in preaching.
“1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.”
Other than Barnabas and Saul, there were other prophets and teachers in the Antioch church. They were Simeon called Niger, who was probably from Africa, Lucius of Cyrene in Northern Africa, and Manaen who grew together with Herod the tetrarch. Their backgrounds and social status were various but they were all Bible teachers and prophets. They also engaged in prayer. This showed that the church grew on a solid foundation of the word of God and prayer. One day while they were worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit told them to set apart Barnabas and Saul for his work. These two persons were the pillars of the Antioch church. So sending them off was not easy for them since the church needed them to grow more. But they fasted and prayed to obey the Holy Spirit. This was a very significant event in that the church became a missionary sending church and the gospel began to widely spread to other gentile areas.
God is pleased with such a missionary sending church. Many churches are focused on maintaining themselves and gathering more church members rather than sending out and supporting missionaries. Sending out missionaries may be a big loss and sacrifice for the church. But God blesses such a church and provides with much more. How can we be a missionary sending church? As the Antioch church did, we first need deep Bible study and prayer because the Holy Spirit works together with the word of God and through prayer. A missionary sending church is not always a big church. Rather small churches can be better in sending missionaries if they engage in Bible study and prayer. Our ministry was a missionary sending ministry from the beginning. Though we were small and had not much, we studied the Bible diligently and sent out missionaries and prayed for them with the first priority. Whenever we met, we prayed first for the missionaries and also for ourselves to go out as missionaries. That was why God blessed us so much. We are not here to sustain ourselves in this small region. God has called us out for the world mission. I pray that God may bless our ministry so that we can raise Bible teachers and warriors of prayer, send out missionaries and support missionaries overseas. Though we are small, the Holy Spirit may use us for his purposes.
After being sent off, Barnabas and Saul was led to Cyprus by the Holy Spirit. John was with them also as their helper. Cyprus was Barnabas’ home. They began from a place they were familiar with. They first went to Salamis, where they proclaimed the word of God in synagogues. Then they traveled through the whole island and arrived at Paphos, which was located in the far west of the island, and met a Jewish sorcerer there.
“6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.”
The name of the Jewish sorcerer was Elymas. He was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who acted as governor of the province like consul today. He was an intelligent man. He sent for Barnabas and Soul to hear the word of God. But Elymus tried to turn the proconsul from the faith, opposing Barnabas and Saul and perverting their teaching. He felt that he was losing his influence on the proconsul and thus his beneficial relationship with the proconsul. Then, Saul, who was also called Paul, confronted him, being full of the Holy Spirit.
“10 You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”
Out of holy anger, Paul confronted Elymas because he saw the devil working through this sorcerer. The devil tried to hinder the work of God, giving a hard time to Barnabas and Saul through the Jewish sorcerer. But the evil man could not overcome the power of the Holy Spirit. As soon as Paul rebuked Elymas, he could not see for a while and groped about, asking someone for help. The proconsul was amazed by the power of God and the teaching about Jesus and then he believed. Their preaching in Cyprus was successful by winning the most influential person.
This event alluded that their missionary journey would face opposition and challenges from people, particularly from the devil. But anyone even the devil cannot stand in the way of the Holy Spirit. God is in control and so we will be victorious at the end. Though we may have troubles and opposition while preaching the gospel, we should not be discouraged or shrink back. Some Bible students are unfaithful. Some Bible students are very stubborn or deep in their sins so they try to avoid the word of God. Then, we are easily frustrated and give up. But we have to see that there is the devil working behind them. We cannot overcome the devil by ourselves but the devil cannot stand in the way of the Holy Spirit. Peaching is not easy. That is why we need to be full of the Holy Spirit and his power. I pray that we may fight against the devil working behind with the power of the Holy Spirit and preach the gospel boldly.
After this, Paul and Barnabas went to Pisidian Antioch in Turkey today. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and Paul had an opportunity to speak to them.
“17 The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; 18 for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; 19 and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. 21 Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years.”
Here Paul reminded them of what God had done for Israel. God chose Abraham and his descendants, increased their number in Egypt, led them out of that country, endured their sins and weaknesses in the desert, conquered seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to Israel. Then God granted Israel judges, who taught and led them in God’s way. But Israel asked for a king because they rejected God as their king (1 Sam 8:7). So God granted them Saul the kind of king they wanted to have.
“22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’”
But Saul ruled Israel in his own way. So God removed him and then found David. Contrary to Saul, David was a man after God’s own heart. He did everything God wanted him to do. Through David, God wanted to build her as the kingdom ruled by Him. The whole Israel loved David and respected him. Under his ruling, Israel prospered. Then, God promised King David that he would raise up David’s offspring who would establish his kingdom forever. (2 Sam 7:11b-13)
“23 “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised.”
Here Paul made an amazing announcement to the audience that from David’s descendants God brought the one he promised and he is Jesus. Jesus came from David’s descendants, which meant that he was the one who did everything God wanted as David did; he was the one whom God was pleased with and he promised to King David. This Jesus came as the Savior for whom Israel had had longed and waited.
This Jesus was witnessed by John the Baptist who was respected by all Jewish people. He preached repentance and baptism in power. So they thought that he might be the promised one. But he said he was not the one. Instead, he said that the promised one would come soon after him and that he was nobody in comparison with him. He testified that Jesus was the one Israel had looked for. (Luke 3:3-6) All this proved and authenticate that Jesus was the one God promised to Israel. 
“26 “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent.”
Paul proclaimed that the message of salvation that Jesus is the Savior God promised was already given to his people. This might have come as shocking news to the audience since they all had waited for the Savior for a long time and was not aware of the coming of the Savior. But what surprised them more and even terrified them was that his people rejected him and crucified him. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers failed to recognize Jesus and condemned him to a death sentence without any proper ground. They asked Pilate to execute Jesus. The Savior they had looked for was killed by his people. How come his people killed him? It was ridiculous and astounding and sad. Yet, despite their evil, God did marvelous things for them.
First, God used their evil to fulfill the words of prophets.
“27…, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. … 29 When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb.”
They killed Jesus but God paid for our sins by the blood of Jesus they crucified. So, Isaiah said, “4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (53:3-4) Jesus was not crucified merely by the evil men. He died for all our sins according to the Scripture.
Secondly, God raised Jesus from the dead.
“30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. 32 “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors 33 he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus…”
God did not leave Jesus dead. He raised Jesus from the dead. The risen Jesus was seen by hundreds of his disciples. (1 Cor 15:5-8) Jesus’ resurrection was also the fulfillment of God’s promise given to his people.
Psalm 2:7 said, “You are my son; today I have become your father.” A dead person cannot be a son of a living man. Likewise, the dead Jesus cannot be a son of Living God. But pointing to Jesus, God said, “You are my son.” That means that Jesus is living as God is living. God everlasting Father made Jesus his son by raising him from the dead. Jesus seats next to the throne of God and rules the whole world now and forever. So he will never be subject to decay.  
God said in Isaiah 55:3, “‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.” The holy and sure blessings promised to David was that David’s offspring would reign forever. (2 Sam 7:11b-13) That means that Jesus would never die again but reign forever. And Psalm 16:10 says, “You will not let your holy one see decay.” Again the holy one refers to Jesus, not King David because King David was dead and his body decayed. All these quotations teach us the necessity that Jesus must be risen from the dead and will not die again. That way Jesus’s death for our sin has been confirmed and he is the Savior forever.
So far, Paul testified about Jesus’ death and resurrection. What does all this tell us, then?
“38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.”
Now Paul proclaimed the forgiveness of sins that comes from Jesus. Jesus died for our sins and God raised him from the dead so that he could save us from our sin forever. Now the new way of salvation is believing in Jesus and accepting his death and resurrection for our sins. Faith in this Jesus brings us forgiveness of sins whereas the law of Moses cannot help obtain justification. The salvation is given not only to Jews but also to anyone who believes. Everyone is set free from every sin through Jesus. This is the good news for all. So Luke 2:10-11 reads, “I bring good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
This good news is for people today too because we are all sinners and Jesus died for our sins and has risen from the dead. So by faith we can be forgiven and saved and will live forever with Jesus.
Paul boldly proclaimed the good news of Jesus – his death and resurrection for their sin. Simply put, Paul delivered the gospel, which he repeatedly said in his letters. For example, Rom 1:1-4 reads,
“1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”
1 Cor 15:3-4 read, “3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
This is the gospel. The gospel is Good News. Nothing is greater than this news. God did everything for the forgiveness of our sins through Jesus’ death and resurrection. All you have to do is to believe in this Jesus.
After proclaiming the forgiveness by the gospel, Paul urged the people not to perish by unbelieving as Habakkuk said. (Hab 1:5)
“40 Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: 41 “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”
Please do not reject what God has done for you. Do not ignore or make light of the gospel. Do not turn your deaf ears to God’s calling. Without accepting Jesus’ death and resurrection, you cannot be saved. You can find your forgiveness, your salvation only in Jesus. Do not forget that Jesus is God’s greatest and last offer for your salvation. God wants you to live but perish.
Look at verses 42-45. At the message the people there responded differently. The Gentiles believed whereas the Jews did not.  Rather the Jews stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas. But Paul and Barnabas were not discouraged. Rather they turned to the Gentiles as Isaiah 49:6 said and went to Iconium.  And the disciples in Aisidian Antioch were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
In today’s passage, Paul and Barnabas began their first missionary journey by the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Soon they faced resistance, opposition and even persecution. Regardless, there were always some people who listened to their message and believed, which was the work of the Holy Spirit. The message they delivered was that Jesus is the Savior promised by God and so anyone can be saved from his sin by believing in Jesus.

This is the message we must believe and preach. Nothing else and nothing more. Only this message can save people. So we should not compromise the gospel in fear of troubles or hardship. Let’s pray that we can proclaim the gospel of Jesus boldly and fearlessly. There are so many people who do not know the gospel or still hesitate to believe in Jesus. Tell them, “Jesus is your Savior.” Proclaim the forgiveness of sins to them, “Here is the good news: Jesus died for your sins and God raised him from the dead. Believe in Jesus and you will be set free from your sins forever.” For that, we ourselves must believe first that Jesus’ death and resurrection has power to save anyone. The gospel is the power of God. (Rom 1:16) So we must preach this gospel boldly and confidently without compromise. There is no other way of salvation other than Jesus’ death and resurrection. Pray for me to believe the power of the gospel and focus on Jesus’ death and resurrection only when I preach. I pray that you can also bold in Jesus our Savior. By David Yun 

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