PAUL THE APOSTLE ( Part 13) | THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY ( AD 47 )
Pastor Christopher Choo
Lesson 3112
PAUL THE APOSTLE ( Part 13)
THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY ( AD 47 )
#4. THE CITY OF LYSTRA
Paul and Barnabas traveled to Lystra, an inland city in Asia Minor.
They did not know the local language, nor did the local inhabitants speak Greek but a native dialect called Lycaonian.
3 significant things of Biblical interest happened at Lystra:
1. A convert from Lystra called Timothy joined their ranks ( i.e. when Paul returned to Lystra on his Second Missionary journey ) . He will become Paul's most faithful co-worker.
2. The Lord empowered them to perform signs and wonders.
In a public place, they healed a man crippled from birth. The crowds believed that they have been visited by the gods in disguise and proceeded to treat Paul and Barnabas accordingly--with a sacrifice offered to Paul as Zeus ( Jupiter ) and Barnabus as Hermes ( Mercury ).
Both Paul and Barnabas could barely restrain them from engaging in this blasphemy, but finally, they succeeded. The humble cry of Paul and Barnabas rings down the ages: "We are mortals just like you..." ( Acts 14:15 ). Paul seized the opportunity to preach a passionate sermon recorded for us in Acts 14:14-8
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting 15 "Men, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations He allowed all the nations to follow their own ways;17 yet He has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy."
3. But some Jews from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium came and roused a crowd against the evangelists. Barnabus managed to escape but Paul was dragged away, stoned outside the city, and left for dead. We do not know whether a miracle ensued because of the prayers of the believers. But Paul recovered from unconsciousness and even decided to walk back into Lystra to show himself alive as a testimony of his faith to the astounded populace of Lystra.
The next day Paul and Barnabus left Lystra for Derbe.
ABBA FATHER, in Iconium the people tried to stone Paul and Barnabus. But when they went to Lystra, they were feted like gods. This is actually a greater danger than persecution - for this religious frenzy roused a dissident mob of Jews and unbelieving locals to stone Paul and Barnabus for perceived blasphemy. Barnabus escaped but Paul was unmercifully stoned and left for dead. But he was "raised" and filled with courage to retrace his steps back into Lystra. We can imagine how encouraged the new believers were! Both Paul and Barnabus put Christ first, others second, and themselves last. Indeed the will to persevere is often the difference between failure and success ( David Sarnoff ). Praise the Lord!
