Main Idea: As the gospel is faithfully proclaimed there will be opposition, yet God will prevail and transform hearts through the gospel.
- The gospel proclaimed. (vs. 4-5)
[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.
- The gospel proposed. (vs. 6-8)
[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.
- The gospel prevailing. (vs. 9-11)
[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.
- The gospel transformed. (vs. 12)
[12] Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Application:
- There will be opposition
- Beware of false teachers
- Have confidence in the power of the gospel
Today’s Key Insight! If you were to share a key insight from today’s sermon with a friend, what would you say? In a sentence or two, what you would say?
Today’s Lunch Discussion: Who “sent out” Barnabas and Saul, and why is that significant? What was their primary task? Who is your “Sergius Paulus?” (Who is in your life that God might be drawing to Himself?) What opposition have you faced as you proclaim the gospel to others? How did the gospel prevail in your life? How does this text highlight the overcoming power of the gospel and the Spirit? How should Paul’s ministry to Sergius Paulus encourage us in our witness to others?