The Pilgrim Path---Acts 14: 8 – 18

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas, they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

YOU SHOULD TURN FROM THESE THINGS…

Whoa---what a narrative! People are often strongly influenced by the religious formulation of their family, tribe, or nation of origin. Take a listen to Dr. James Boice on this passage, as he brings up Ovid (Roman Poet from around 8 AD):

In Metamorphoses Ovid collected the mythological stories that have to do with people being changed into one thing or another, which is what metamorphosis refers to, and at one place he told a story about this very area. According to Ovid’s story, Zeus and Hermes had once visited a valley near Lystra. They went from door to door, but people refused to take them in. Finally, they came to a poor house occupied by a man named Philemon (the same name as that of the runaway slave of Paul’s acquaintance) and his wife Baucis. These elderly people received Zeus and Hermes. So, they stayed the night. In the morning the gods took the couple up out of the city to a mountain, and when they looked back on the valley they saw that they gods had flooded it, drowning everyone. Then, while they were looking on, Philemon and Baucis saw that the gods had transformed their poor hovel into a great temple with a glittering gold roof. This story must have been known in Lystra. So, when Paul and Barnabas did a miracle, the people inevitably thought that Zeus and Hermes had returned. And if they had returned, the last thing in the world they wanted to do was offend them. They remembered what had happened the first time.

---Paul and Barnabas could have “robbed” these gullible people of everything they possessed. But the LORD’S servants were not there to “get” all they could---but to bring the Gospel of Life and Light in Jesus Christ the LORD.

---Paul and Barnabas’ work in Lystra reminds us that the work of the Holy Spirit of God is absolutely essential in Gospel endeavor. People may be physically alive---but still be spiritually dead apart from Christ Jesus. We need to “give” them the truth---but only the Blessed Holy Spirit can actually “open” their heart and enlighten their mind with the saving power of the Gospel.

---Pray for the Word before it goes out---as it goes out---after it goes out. That the Holy Spirit will use it in the lives of people in a most manifest way…

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” Ephesians 6: 12, 13

From Thomas Brooks: Those years, months, weeks, days, and hours, that are not filled up with God, with Christ, with grace, and with duty, will certainly be filled up with vanity and folly. The neglect of one day, of one duty, of one hour, would undo us, if we had not an Advocate with the Father.

From John Duncan: That salvation is entirely of grace is equally plain, not only to exegesis, but also to the feeling of everyone who by the teaching of the Holy Ghost has discovered himself to be lost, entirely lost.

HYMN

Brethren, we have met to worship and adore the LORD our God;

Will you pray with all your power, while we try to preach the Word?

All is vain unless the Spirit of the Holy One comes down;

Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Brethren, see poor sinners round you slumbering on the brink of woe;

Death is coming, hell is moving---can you bear to let them go?

See our fathers and our mothers and our children sinking down;

Brethren, pray, and holy manna will be showered all around.

Let us love our God supremely, let us love each other too;

Let us love and pray for sinners till our God makes all things new.

Then he’ll call us home to heaven, at his table we’ll sit down;

Christ will gird himself and serve us with sweet manna all around.

Attributed to George Atkins, 19th century.

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