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Acts 14. Freedom. How Does This Make Any Sense?. For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace .
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Acts 14 Freedom
How Does This Make Any Sense? For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace… Isaiah 9:6-7
How Does This Make Any Sense? "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.” Matthew 10:34-36
How Does This Make Any Sense? “…the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. John 14:27
The “Good News” (Proclamation) At Pisidian Antioch… • Then the Jews stirred up the influential religious women and the leaders of the city, and they incited a mob against Paul and Barnabas and ran them out of town. Acts 13:50
The “Good News” (Proclamation) At Pisidian Antioch… At Iconium… The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. Acts 14:1-3 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. Acts 14:4-5
The “Good News” (Proclamation) At Pisidian Antioch… At Iconium… At Lystra & Derbe & etc…. When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. And there they preached the Good News. Acts 14:6-7
The “Good News” (Proclamation) At Pisidian Antioch… At Iconium… At Lystra & Derbe & etc…. While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be [saved]. So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking. Acts 14:8-10
The “Good News” (Proclamation) At Pisidian Antioch… At Iconium… At Lystra & Derbe & etc…. When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles. Acts 14:11-13
The “Good News” (Proclamation) At Pisidian Antioch… At Iconium… At Lystra & Derbe & etc…. But when Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you!”
The “Good News” (Proclamation) At Pisidian Antioch… At Iconium… At Lystra & Derbe & etc…. • We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
The “Good News” (Proclamation) But “The gods” were worthless! • Zeus is not the source of lightening. • Zeus came from someone’s imagination. • Zeus came with slavery. • Costly Sacrifices (and human sacrifices) • Costly Temples • A Powerful Religious Ruling Class
The “Good News” (Proclamation) Devolution of Paganism “Worthless things”
The “Good News” (Proclamation) “In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” Acts 14:16-17
The “Good News” (Proclamation) “In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” Acts 14:16-17
The “Good News” (Proclamation) “In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” Acts 14:16-17
The “Good News” (Proclamation) There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 “In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” Acts 14:16-17
The “Proclamation of Peace” "The word which He sent to the sons of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all)”— Acts 10:36 He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; Ephesians 2:17 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Romans 5:1
The “Proclamation of Peace” Through Liberty • NOT Peace Through Oppression "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives…. John 14:27
The “Proclamation of Peace” Through Liberty Liberty Is:
Division: Oppression Meets Liberty But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. Acts 14:18-20
Division: Oppression Meets Liberty But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them. Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconiumand won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. Acts 14:18-20 1 Peter 4:15-16 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler; but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name. 150 miles
The “Proclamation of Peace” Through Liberty • Jesus Christ is the source of OUR Civil Liberties There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28 The quotation "All men are created equal" is called the "immortal declaration“…