Enemies of Missions
Acts 13:1-12
Our text this morning is the account of the very beginning of Paul’s missionary travels.
We have accounts of three missionary journeys in the book of Acts along with his perilous journey to Rome.
Some Bible scholars think that he may have made another journey or two between the close of the book of Acts and his execution by Nero.
The story begins in Antioch and that wonderful church there – it must be counted among the greatest churches of the New Testament and history.
I want to point out a few things about it that make it such a great example for us today.
First, Jew and Gentile both came together there to worship the risen Christ.
A strong church should strive to reach all with the Gospel and neglect none.
Second, they were led by some of the greatest Christian leaders, men like Paul and Barnabas.
A strong church should be led by not just a single man, but should have a team of leaders.
Third, they actively ministered, prayed, and fasted.
In vs. 2 they were not looking to send Barnabas and Paul, it was a natural outgrowth of what they were already doing.
A strong church should not be great just during a program or an emphasis
A strong church serves faithfully, consistently, day-to-day and moment-by-moment.
Fifth, they were sensitive to the leading of the Spirit.
A strong church is rooted deeply in the foundation of God’s word by nimble enough to move when directed by God.
Sixth, God called some of its members to greater service.
A strong church should see its members called out from their number to further advance the greater Kingdom of God.
Paul and Barnabas leave Antioch and sail to Barnabas’s home area – the island of Cyprus.
They land on the east side at Salamis and work their way to the west side at Paphos, all the time proclaiming the Gospel of Christ.
There at Paphos they encounter the first opposition to their ministry.
There is a Jewish man there named Elymas Barjesus (son of Joshua).
He is accounted as something of a sorcerer, which was not uncommon in those days.
The strangeness of the Jewish religion to the Greek and Roman minds led them to believe they had some secret powers or abilities, such as fortunetelling.
Some Jews took advantage of that and played the part to make some extra money.
Our two missionaries have an audience with the Roman governor of the island, Sergius Paulus.
By the way, archaeologists have discovered inscriptions with his name on them.
Elymas interjects himself into the conversation to try to sway Sergius from hearing the Gospel.
Paul – here called that for the first time.
It is his Roman name that is a mark of his citizenship, his Jewish name is Saul.
Paul rebukes Elymas and God strikes him with a temporary blindness.
It is fitting – the blindness of his eyes now matched the blindness of his heart.
In the wake of this, Sergius believes the Gospel and, in one of my favorite phrases in the Book of Acts, was “astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.”
It was not just a miracle that swayed him.
It was a deeper understanding of the truth that he latched his faith onto.
Again, this is the first missionary journey of Paul.
It is the first place they visit – Cyprus.
It is the first time Paul is called that name and the first time he takes the lead from Barnabas.
But it is also the first time he faced opposition.
It certainly will not be the last!
Just look at the list he gives in II Corinthians:
2Co 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2Co 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2Co 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
2Co 11:28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
Opposition to the cause of Christ was not just limited to back then.
Nor is it limited to giants of the faith like Paul.
Friends, any time you attempt something for Christ there will be opposition.
I am to the point if I don’t feel opposition I wonder if I am doing anything worthwhile!
If there is one things I guarantee you that Satan will fight it is the work of Mission.
Any time you are trying to get the Gospel to a lost and dying soul he will do all that he can to stop you.
I am so glad to remind you that we do not work in our power in this.
Truly as John said in I John 4:4 – “greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
What are some of the enemies we face today in the work of missions?
What keeps someone from surrendering to God’s call and carrying the light to the darkest corners of the world?
What keeps the average Christian from being involved, whether it be praying, giving, or going?
I want to discuss a few of the enemies we must overcome if we are to be faithful to our Lord’s command to carry the Gospel to all the world.
I. Building our own Kingdom instead of the Kingdom of God
One of the chief reasons why many churches today are not sufficiently invested and active in missions work is because they are too focused on building themselves up.
One of the chief reasons why many Christians today are not sufficiently invested and active in missions work is because they are too focused on building their own treasures up.
We can frame it in many ways to make it sound like it is noble or even spiritual.
But the bottom line is we are too worried about ourselves and our own desires.
We want bigger and better.
God never really said to seek after those things.
You will recall the words of our Lord in the sermon on the mount.
He did not say, “seek ye first the biggest church in town.”
He did not say, “Seek ye first a 401K.”
No, He said, “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God.”
His kingdom, not ours.
I am not being extreme here and saying we shouldn’t take care of or better ourselves.
But I am saying that to put God first puts things in their proper order.
Look at the Lord’s prayer – “THY name be hallowed! THY kingdom come! THY will be done!”
It continues – “Give us this day our daily bread.”
God first, then us!
Oh, that our lives, our pocketbooks, our calendars – every aspect of ourselves, would have God first and foremost!
II. Being discouraged because of failures and frauds
We read the Old Testament and our hearts are stirred to read of the great prophets of old, like Elijah and Elisha.
We love their boldness and their stands for truth.
But have you ever considered that their voices were not alone.
They were usually outnumbered by false prophets.
Elijah faced off against 450 prophets of Baal
Micaiah in I Kings 22 was the lone faithful prophet against 400 false prophets
Go read about Jeremiah – he was in the minority as he preached the harsh and honest truth.
Those men had to get discouraged – we now Elijah did!
We can get discouraged today because there are so many misguided and frankly fraudulent forms of missions.
You can give money to some organizations and mere pennies on the dollar make it to the field.
There are also a lot of organizations that do a lot of good in the name of Christ but are not very good at proclaiming the name of Christ.
I am all for helping people, but the greatest need every of man, woman, and child on this earth is that they are sinners and they need Christ.
Too many of substituted philanthropy for evangelism.
Again, I am not against helping others – I am proud that our church supports some fantastic organizations, especially here locally.
What I am saying is that the commands to help our neighbors, be hospitable, and show kindness are not fulfilling the Great Commission in themselves.
People need Christ more than they need clean water.
Now, if clean water opens the door to present Christ, I am all for it.
If missions work does not present the Gospel and wrestle with lost souls, then it is not truly Missions.
III. Missions-less Theology and Preaching
I think it would be a curious experiment to survey the topics covered this morning in every sermon across every church across every denomination across this nation.
Some will be continuing a topical series or many an ongoing exposition of a book of the Bible.
Some will be pastoral, gently encouraging and comforting.
Some will hellfire and damnation – we could honestly use more of those.
Some will rehearse political talking points, some right but mostly left.
I see the clips online
It is scary how many churches try to align themselves to politics and not the Bible.
Some will be full of promises that God loves you and wants to bless you and prosper you and please scan the QR code and make a seed offering…
A very few will be fully evangelistic, laying out the Gospel in order and pressing for sinners to come to Christ.
It scares me to think of how few times the work of missions will be spoken of in the pulpit this morning.
My Bible says that God so loved the WORLD.
My Bible says that Christ said to God and teach all nations.
My Bible shows examples of missions work and how to do it.
Paul was sent out by the church at Antioch.
Many churches cooperated in supporting him and others.
I think every Christian, every preacher, every church ought to take a good look at themselves sometimes and ask:
What am I doing to reach the whole world with the whole Gospel of Christ?
Most of us would need to answer that – “not enough”
Every one of us could go more, could give more, could pray more, and could encourage more.
IV. The Spirit of Felix
In Acts 24, Paul the prisoner preached the Gospel to Felix the governor.
Act 24:25 And as he [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
One of the most dangerous tendencies we have regarding serving God in any manner is procrastination.
I will call it “the Spirit of Felix”
We convince ourselves that “mean to” is as good as “to do”.
“I’ll give to missions when I am financial stable”
No, you won’t. You will find another excuse.
“I will go myself once I get some things settled here”
No, you won’t. You will find another excuse.
“I will pray for missionaries when I get more time”
No, you won’t. You will find another excuse.
Do not delay entering fray and be a part of missions today!
Do not delay in coming to Christ!