The Pilgrim Path---Acts 13: 13 – 41

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. 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.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:

“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness. And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 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. And when he had removed him, 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.’ Of this man’s offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all people of Israel. And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am?’ I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’

“Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of salvation. 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. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 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, as also it is written in the second Psalm,

‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’

And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,

‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’

Therefore he says also in another Psalm,

‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’

For David after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 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. 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.’”

SABBATH SERMON / ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA…

---Paul is invited to encourage---at the synagogue---He does so with the good news about Jesus Christ. We would probably never be as concise as he was in a message---but then again---his hearers knew a great deal about God’s early purpose in redemption…

---Paul is very quick to relate the redemptive plan of God--- to the Godman Himself: Jesus Christ the LORD---the Only Living Son of David. Jesus is of the “line” of David. It is interesting how he “gets there”---but get there---he does!

----Paul wants these Jews to know that their brothers in Jerusalem did not understand all that was written about the Christ---as it related to Jesus of Nazareth. He wanted them to know that in their horrific action against the sinless Jesus---all they were doing was fulfilling what was foretold in Holy Scripture---they merely fulfilled Scripture by their heinous actions against this Jesus---who had no sin (think of Psalm 22).

---Paul wanted them to know---that taking this Jesus down from the cross---to the tomb---was not the end: God raised Jesus from the dead! Notice how Paul points out that the Psalm texts could “not” have been speaking of King David: he remained in the grave. This was not true of Jesus Christ…God did not allow Him to “see” corruption…

---Paul wants his hearers to know that everyone who “believes” in Jesus---is Justified---that is the meaning in verse 39. Paul states that the Law of Moses could not accomplish this for anyone. Faith in the Son of God is the Key. As Martyn Lloyd-Jones says, faith includes knowledge of the truth---assent to the truth---and then, trust in the object ---the very Christ of GOD (and the Christ of God---is Jesus).

---Paul issues a warning from Habakkuk 1: 5, which genuinely states, “Do not be a scoffer and perish---for God is doing a great work in your days.” We may tell all people who are given an opportunity to hear a clear presentation of the Good News---this is just the word to them: “Do not mock or minimize the word---this is a soul-connection for you. Set it aside---and risk perishing forever…”

Richard Baxter: Alas! It is our wisdom to be careful lest we are deceived in so great a business as our salvation. There is no harm to be careful, since presumption, carelessness, and neglect may betray us to misery and despair. The devil wins many souls by silencing their reason. The noise of worldly business drowns out the voice of reason. Withdraw yourself just one hour to consider seriously the end of your life. While you walk alone, or awake in the night, remember soberly that God is present, time is hasting to an end, and judgment is at hand when you must give an account of all your hours. Do not allow the devil to divert you from these serious considerations by pleasures or worldly business…If company plead an interest in you, ask if it is better company than the Spirit of God…If you are wise, let stand all other things, and do what is of first in importance…

From J. Mack Stiles: I would urge the church to aim to persuade, but to persuade without manipulation. I would urge them not to exclude what is hard about the Christian life, however tempting that may be; not to confuse human response for a move of the Spirit; and not to lie about results. “And please,” I would say, “be wary of calling people Christians without some evidence that they are truly converted followers.”

HYMN

Come to the Savior now, he gently calleth thee;

In true repentance bow, before him bend the knee;

He waiteth to bestow salvation, peace, and love,

True joy on earth below, a home in heaven above.

Come to the Savior now, ye who have wandered far;

Renew your solemn vow, for his by right you are;

Come, like poor wandering sheep returning to his fold;

His arm will safely keep, his love will never grow cold.

John M. Wigner, 1871

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason