Acts 14:8-18: God's Power To Make Us Walk In A New Way: Jail Ministry 10/17/24

Acts 14:8-18,

“8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 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!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 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. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “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. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 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.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.”

Historical Fact about Lystra #1:

This passage is a remarkable story about an event that takes place in a small city of no great reputation. It appears that this town was not even big enough to have a Jewish Synagogue like Iconium had enjoyed. (14:1)

Application: This ought to be encouraging because it reminds us that God cares about the people in insignificant towns and villages. We live in northern Wisconsin and it is so rare that any popular preacher/teacher will ever come up to our area. Paul and Barnabas were called by the Holy Spirit to go on this first missionary journey where they would see God do amazing things. (14:3, 9-10) The Lord cares about the least, the forgotten, the poor, the insignificant, etc.

Historical Fact about Lystra #2: (11-13)

Another remarkable thing about this town is that it is clearly a very pagan town. There was little to no Jewish influence in this town and so paganism was rampant and entrenched in this town. We see this when Paul is used by the Holy Spirit to perform a great miracle and the town immediately begins to try to worship Paul and Barnabas. They believe this miracle was evidence that Paul and Barnabas are really the gods who have come as men and they call them Zeus and Hermes. This is the only mindset and worldview through which these people had to understand these things.

Question: What mindset do we have to understand our world? (scientific, atheistic, post-christian, agnostic, relativistic, religious, etc.)

Historical Fact about Lystra #3:

This town was so entrenched to paganism that even after Paul and Barnabas speak the truth to them (12-17) we read these last words in verse 18, “Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.” This town was hardly moved by the actions and testimony of Paul and Barnabas. This shows us that the people in this town are enslaved to paganism and idolatry and they are unable to see this problem and free themselves. The only reason they are not successful at worshiping Paul and Barnabas and offering sacrifices to gods is because Paul and Barnabas will not allow this to happen.

Observation: A faithful minister will have to be steadfast and faithful to stop paganism and any other form of false religion from being done. Paul and Barnabas would not allow this to happen! I wonder how good the church is today in not allowing paganism and idolatry from being done in the church by either pagan minded people or by immature believers.

Facts Regarding A Particular Man in Lystra: (8-10)

Historical Fact #1: As Paul preached there was a man who was sitting down and listening. Verse 8a says, “Now at Lystra there was a man sitting…”

Observation: We live in a busy world. We are busy people. We are a very distracted people. (Lk 10:38-42) It is hard to listen and learn from the LORD when we are so busy doing our own thing all the time. If our priorities are not the LORD’s then we will not receive the benefits of receiving God’s grace.

Historical Fact #2: (8b)

This man was forced to sit where he was because of a physical problem. We read, “...there was a man sitting who could not use his feet.” If this man did not want to listen to Paul speak he could not have left on his own. If He wanted to hear a man like Paul speak he could not travel to go hear him speak. This man was immobile and unable to transport himself to hear the Word of God. Because of this God bring the Paul and Barnabas to him so that he can listen to Paul speak. In fact, as far as we know, from this text, this man may be the only reason that Paul and Barnabas came to this city. Although we know that a man named Timothy may have also been saved at this time. Timothy became Paul’s trusted and faithful companion. Timothy’s mom and grandmother were Jewish but his father was Greek. Perhaps his father was one of those who tried to worship Paul and Barnabas?

Historical Fact #3: (8c)

We are told that this man had been this way since his birth, “He was crippled from birth and had never walked.” This man’s infirmity was permanent, progressive and incurable. This man had never walked, would never walk, and his muscles in his legs were never used. Therefore they were atrophying.

This man could have been so depressed and despondent with his condition that he did not want to listen to a thing that Paul would say. We have been, or have known someone, like this at times in our lives. Even worse than not being able to walk would be if this man could not hear what Paul was saying.

Application: Spiritually we are like this man. We are born dead in our trespasses and sins. (Eph 2:1-10). Like this man, our sinful condition is permanent, progressive and incurable apart from the intervention of God. We are dead to righteousness but alive to iniquity. Left to ourselves we do not even have ears to hear the good news (gospel). We are in a terrible place!

Historical Fact #4: (9a)

This man listened to Paul and Barnabas, “He listened to Paul speaking.”

Application: Lot’s of people heard Jesus and never believed. Lot’s of people hear the gospel and never respond. (Isaiah 6:9) Apart from the effectual call of God by His Living Word through ordinary men like Paul and Barnabas none of us would hear and respond in faith. (14: 15; Hebrews 4:12) The Word of God can not be discerned apart from the work of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 2:1-16)

Facts Regarding Paul and This Miracle: (9b)

Fact #1: We read in 14:9b, “And Paul, looking intently at him…”. Paul could have been distracted by the crowd. Paul could have just been in cruise control with regard to his message and his ministry. That, however, is not what we find here. Paul looks intently at those who he is ministering to.

Observation#1: This man was a cripple and one of the least noticeable men in this crowd. God sees and saves these types of people. (1 Corinthians 1:26-31) This is not the case with carnal men. (James 1:1-7)

Fact #2: We read in 14:9b, “...and seeing that he had faith to be made well”

Observation #1: Paul sees beyond this man’s infirmity to his faith.

What drew Paul’s attention to this man? It is not this man’s infirmity that drew his attention to this man. No, it was this man’s faith!? How do you see a man’s faith? Surely this is not seen with our fleshly eyes. No, this also is revealed to Paul by the Holy Spirit.

This man is listening, hearing, receiving, and responding to the Word of God. When this happens every area of our lives begin to change.

• Proverbs 3:5-8 (How the Word can effect every area of our lives from the inside out.)

• Proverbs 4:20-27(How the Word can effect every area of our lives from the inside out.)

• Ephesians 1:15-21 (What power is at work to do these things?)

Observation #2: Doubt and faithlessness concerning the Word of God do not make us well. Faith, belief and trust always lead to wellness of soul and spirit. (Galatians 5:19-26)

Fact #3: “Paul...said in a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’”

Question#1: Why did Paul speak in a loud voice?

• Not so that God could hear and respond.

• Not so this man could hear, he had heard and had faith already.

• He spoke for the benefit of everyone!

Question#2: Why was this done for everyone?

• Not everyone was crippled but we are all walking according to our own faithless ways (14:16)

• Not everyone had ears to hear and Paul still does his part to get them to hear.

• Everyone needs the miracle of regeneration, salvation, justification, adoption, sanctification to walk in a new manner of life!

Historical Fact About The Man Who Was Healed: (10:b)

Fact #1: He obeyed in faith

Fact #2: He responded quickly

Fact #3: He did more than commanded- he walked

Big Application For Everyone: Everyone walks according to their own ways. However when we receive Christ it happens in the same way this man was physically healed.

• God brings a messenger (Romans 10:11-15)

• God uses that minster to preach the Word of God- the Gospel

• God uses the Word and the Spirit to effectually call people to salvation

• When this happens they no longer walk in their sins but in newness of life.

• We are made to spring up and walk in a totally new way by the grace of God!

Question:

• Do you have ears to hear?

• Is the Word producing faith in you?

• Do you have the faith to walk in a new way by the Spirit?

• Do you have the grace to abandon all sin and idolatry?

This crippled man did but those other pagans did not and the story ends with these words, “Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.” Doesn’t appear to be much faith in them. But to those who believe God gives the right to become sons of God and they then walk in the light. (John 1)