Paul's Passing Thoughts

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Tonight’s Text – Acts 14:8-20

Brief review

1. Lame man of Lystra
2. Similarities with the lame man of Acts 3

Lame from birth

In a public place

His healing draws attention

1. A resident of Lystra
2. There to hear Paul and Barnabas teach
3. Perception of faith

1. The people misunderstand the miracle
2. Astonishment similar to the people in Jerusalem
3. Wrongly attribute the source of power
4. Gods in the form of men

Barnabas à Jupiter

Paul à Mercury

1. Rending of the clothes

Jewish tradition

– For mourning

– For deep regret or grief

1. Paul calls them to turn from “vanities”

ματαιως (ma-tai-ohs) – empty, without purpose

1. And turn to

– The Living God

– The Creator

– The One Who is Longsuffering

– The One Who has revealed Himself

1. Unable to get the people to stop.

The Jealous Jews

1. From Antioch and Iconium
2. Are these the same ones from the synagogues?

– Already looking for Paul and Barnabas.

– Discover the uproar.

– Provoke the crowd to action

1. Concluding thoughts for consideration

– Jews’ rejection of gospel

– Reaction in Lystra to the miracle

– Jews’ jealousy