ROAD TO DAMASCUS

Paul's 1st Missionary Journey
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
7:22 PM

Acts 13: 44-52
Significant Experience:
Preached and were criticized
How Paul handled the situation:
Preaches louder and more bold
The Gentiles heard and grew
Paul recognized when to 'fold 'em'
Principals:
It is not us that wins the souls - we are servants.
When you run into a wall you don't give up you move on

Acts 14: 1-20
Significant Experience:
Dealing with praise
Stoning and returning
How Paul handled the situation:
He was disgusted and even treated it like blasphemy - tore their clothes
Goes back for another stoning - though not his intent he was bold and did return. He goes in for Barnabus.
Principals:
Must be humble, recognize that the glory belongs to God.
Don't fear persecution, in fact embrace it.
Accepting praise is a matter of grace and humility
Grace and humility do not equal weakness or shyness
Persecution goes beyond the sense of self-preservation

Acts 14: 21-28
Significant Experience:
Returned to the cities he was previously run out of or stoned in
Returned to so follow-up with those churches they had started to begin with
How Paul handled the situation:
Paul reports or debriefs his missionary journey to his home church
Paul is praising that he got to reach the gentiles but makes fairly clear that he was focused on the Jews. Notice he did not show regret for how the Jews responded
Principals:
To keep focus on the purpose of life, our gifts, and how we are to use them. Then when the tough things come you can keep depending on God and get through it.