TURN TO THE LIVING GOD

Passage: Acts 14:8-20

Key verse: 15b

NIV

In Lystra and Derbe

8 In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth(A) and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed(B) 10 and called out, “Stand up on your feet!”(C) At that, the man jumped up and began to walk.(D)

11 When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!”(E) 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes because he was the chief speaker.(F) 13 The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought bulls and wreaths to the city gates because he and the crowd wanted to offer sacrifices to them.

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes(G) and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human,(H) like you. We are bringing you good news,(I) telling you to turn from these worthless things(J) to the living God,(K) who made the heavens and the earth(L) and the sea and everything in them.(M) 16 In the past, he let(N) all nations go their own way.(O) 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony:(P) He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;(Q) he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”(R) 18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

19 Then some Jews(S) came from Antioch and Iconium(T) and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul(U) and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples(V) had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was (A)crippled from birth and had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and (B)seeing that he had faith to be made well,[a] 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he (C)sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, (D)“The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called (E)Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of (F)Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and (G)wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they (H)tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, (I)why are you doing these things? We also are men, (J)of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that (K)you should turn from these (L)vain things to (M)a living God, (N)who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he (O)allowed all the nations (P)to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet (Q)he did not leave himself without witness, for he (R)did good by (S)giving you rains from heaven and (T)fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with (U)food and (V)gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Paul Stoned at Lystra

19 (W)But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, (X)they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

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Footnotes
  1. Acts 14:9 Or be saved
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. A lame man healed (8-13)

The people of Lystra lived in the darkness of superstition. They lived by their feelings. But as Paul preached the gospel to the inattentive crowd, he saw one man who was listening. He was a man crippled from birth. Paul saw that he had faith, and he healed him. His suddenly transformed life turned the crowd's indifference into intense excitement. Emotional excitement is not faith. They should have repented and believed the gospel, but they didn't. They called Paul and Barnabas Greek gods and tried to worship them.

2. Creation faith; resurrection faith (14-20)

The apostles refused their worship, tore their clothes in protest, and challenged the people to turn from worthless things and worship the Creator God. They tried to teach them Genesis. But the crowd, incited by some Jews, suddenly turned on Paul, stoned him, and left him for dead. By resurrection faith he got up and went back into the city.

Prayer: Lord, help me to preach Jesus and honor him only in every circumstance.

One Word: Worship the Creator God