ACTS—Acts 13:1-12

Acts 13:1-12

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of 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 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:1-12 ESV

With the Holy Spirit of God
and the Word of God,
we can do the work of God. 

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of 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 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. Acts 13:1-3 ESV

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1. The Holy Spirit will SET APART each believer for the work of God.

1.1 We can consistently exalt and seek The Lord.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting… Acts 13:2 ESV

1.2 We can receive specific assignments from The Lord.
“…the work to which I have called them.” Acts 13:2 ESV

1.3 We can trust the hand of The Lord to bless the worker of God. 
…they laid their hands on them… Acts 13:3 ESV

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. 6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. Acts 13:4-7 ESV

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2. The work of God requires the Word of God to be PROCLAIMED.

2.1 We can be empowered for the next opportunity by the Holy Spirit. 
…being sent out by the Holy Spirit… Acts 13:4 ESV

2.2 We can share the Word of God with religious people. 
…in the synagogues of the Jews. Acts 13:5 ESV

2.3 We can share the Word of God with irreligious people. 
…a Jewish false prophet…a man of intelligence… Acts 13:6,7 ESV

2.4 We can discover who is willing to listen to the Word of God.
…sought to hear the word of God. Acts 13:7 ESV

8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?” Acts 13:8-10 ESV

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3. Attacks are MAKING CROOKED the path for people to follow God.

3.1 We can expect an attack on our faith.
…away from the faith. Acts 13:8 ESV

3.2 We can receive help from the Holy Spirit during an attack.
…filled with the Holy Spirit… Acts 13:9 ESV

3.3 We can identify the source of the attack is the Devil.
“You son of the devil…” Acts 13:10 ESV

3.4 We can boldly call those who attack to repent of their sin.
“…will you not stop…” Acts 13:10 ESV

3.5 We can understand the attack is ultimately against God, not us.
“…the straight paths of the Lord…” Acts 13:10 ESV

11 “And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:11-12 ESV

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With the Holy Spirit of God
and the Word of God,
we can do the work of God.