Paul travels to Iconium. Some embrace Paul while others do not. Acts teaches us to avoid Polarized thinking "Us" and "Them" because followers of Jesus are not always outsiders. Acts teaches us to be selective who we engage and look for opportunities for the gospel.

1. Paul in Lystra
Acts 14:1-23

2. Jerusalem
Judea
Samaria
Ends of Earth
Acts 1:8

3. Book of Acts
Acts 1 - 12 Mission to the Jewish People
Acts 12 - 28 Mission to the Nations

4. Paul’s Procedure
1. Paul goes to a town
2. Paul speaks in the synagogue
3. Paul is expelled from the synagogue
4. Some Jews & Gentiles accept the gospel
5. Some Jews & Gentiles reject the gospel

5. In Iconium they entered…the synagogue and
spoke …[and] a great number of Jews and
Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews
stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their
minds against the brothers. So they
remained for a long time…But the people of
[Iconium] were divided; some sided with the
Jews and some with the apostles.
(Acts 14:1–4 ESV)

6. When an attempt was made…to
stone them, they learned of it and fled
to Lystra and Derbe, cities of
Lycaonia, and to the surrounding
country, and there they continued to
preach the gospel.
(Acts 14:5–7 ESV)

8. Part 1 (Acts 14:1-7)
1. Resist “Us” & “Them” mentality
2. Be strategic not steam roller
3. Be selective not scatterbrain

9. Part 2
Acts 14:7 - 23

10. In Lystra there was a man [who]…was
crippled from birth…He listened to Paul
speaking. Paul…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.
(Acts 14:8–10 ESV)

11. 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.
(Acts 14:11–12 ESV)

12. 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.
(Acts 14:13–14 ESV)

13. [They cried 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 vain
things to a living God, who made the
heaven and the earth and the sea and all
that is in them.
(Acts 14:14–15 ESV)

14. 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.
(Acts 14:16–18 ESV)

16. Asia Minor (Modern Turkey)
• Iconium
Lystra •

17. Paul in Lystra (Heiss, 1678)

18. Philemon & Baucus
Ovid’s Metamorphosis (8 AD)
Venice edition 1497

20. Sedasa Inscription
Lystra (1910)
Dedication to Zeus & Hermes
Sir William Calder (1881-1960)

21. Lessons
1. Sometimes gospel is misunderstood

22. Lessons
1. Sometimes gospel is misunderstood

23. Lessons
1. Sometimes gospel is misunderstood
• We use words only Christians understand

24. Christianese for Dummies

25. Lessons
1. Sometimes gospel is misunderstood
• We use words only Christians understand
• Others think your describing their religion

26. Christ & Krishna
The Jesus of Hinduism

27. Christ & Krishna
Jesus went to India (13 - 33)
Jesus is the reincarnation of Krishna
Born Again = Reincarnation

28. Jesus Buddha Krishna

29. How do you clarify the gospel?

30. Lessons
1. Sometimes gospel is misunderstood
2. Resist elevating Christian leaders

31. Was Paul tempted to embrace
their mistake?

32. The Man Who
Would be King
Rudyard Kipling (1888)

33. The Man Who Would be King (1975)

34. “Are you gods?” The Man Who Would be King (1975)

35. Personality Centered Ministries
a. Collapse when leader leaves (dies, retires, fails, sins, quits…)

36. Personality Centered Ministries
a. Collapse when leader is gone
b. Elevate the leader instead of the Lord

37. Paul the Apostle (Acts 14) Herod Antipas (Acts 12)

38. On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes,
took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an
oration to them. And the people were shouting,
“The voice of a god, and not of a man!”
Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down,
because he did not give God the glory,
(Acts 12:21–23 ESV)
Herod Antipas

39. There is arguing among you, my brothers. What I
mean is that each one of you are saying, “I follow
Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I
follow the Messiah.” Is the Messiah divided? Was
Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the
name of Paul?
(1 Cor 1:11–13 ESV)
Paul the Apostle

40. Godly leaders point to the Lord,
not to themselves
They do not allow themselves to be elevated

41. Personality Centered Ministries
• Collapse when leader leaves
• Elevate the leader instead of the Lord
• End in disillusionment of God’s people

42. “Paradise Syndrome” Star Trek (1968)

43. Personality Centered Ministry
a. Collapses when leader leaves
b. Elevates the leader instead of the Lord
c. Ends in disillusionment of God’s people

44. Lessons
1. Sometimes gospel is misunderstood
2. Resist elevating Christian leaders
3. Resist elevating yourself

45. You are NOT the Holy Spirit

46. I will send [The Holly Spirit] to you. And when
He comes, He will convict the world
concerning sin and righteousness and
judgment:
(John 16:7–8 ESV)

47. One of the hardest lessons to learn comes from our stubborn
refusal to refrain from interfering in other people’s lives. It
takes a long time to realize the danger of being an amateur
Holy Spirit to someone, that is, interfering with God’s plan for
other people. [When you do that] you put your hand right in
front of God’s will for their life…You are interfering in the life of
another— proposing things you have no right to propose.
(Chambers, Oswald. 2010, My Utmost for His Highest)

48. Review
Acts 14

49. Lessons
1. Sometimes gospel is misunderstood
• Let’s not help it be misunderstood
• Let’s clarify the difference
2. Resist elevating Christian leaders
3. Resist elevating yourself