A City Gathers to Hear
Acts 13:13-53
Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia
13 Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” 16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said:
“Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen. 17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it. 18 And for about forty years he put up withthem in the wilderness. 19 And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance. 20 All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet. 21 Then they asked for a king, and God gave them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’ 23 Of this man's offspring God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, as he promised. 24 Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. 25 And as John was finishing his course, he said, ‘What do you suppose that I am? I am not he. No, but behold, after me one is coming, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to untie.’
26 “Brothers, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to us has been sent the message of this salvation. 27 For those who live in Jerusalem and their rulers, because they did not recognize him nor understand the utterances of the prophets, which are read every Sabbath, fulfilled them by condemning him. 28 And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. 30 But God raised him from the dead, 31 and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people. 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm,
“‘You are my Son,
today I have begotten you.’
34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way,
“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’
35 Therefore he says also in another psalm,
“‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’
36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses. 40 Beware, therefore, lest what is said in the Prophets should come about:
41 “‘Look, you scoffers,
be astounded and perish;
for I am doing a work in your days,
a work that you will not believe, even if one tells it to you.’”
42 As they went out, the people begged that these things might be told them the next Sabbath. 43 And after the meeting of the synagogue broke up, many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who, as they spoke with them, urged them to continue in the grace of God.
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him. 46 And Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken first to you. Since you thrust it aside and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. 47 For so the Lord has commanded us, saying,
“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was spreading throughout the whole region. 50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.51 But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.52 And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
SERMON NOTES
Henry Blackaby on Revival:
"When Holy God draws near in true revival, people come under terrible conviction of sin. The outstanding feature of spiritual awakening has been the profound consciousness of the presence and holiness of God.
All revival begins, and continues, in the prayer meeting. Some have also called prayer the “great fruit of revival.” In times of revival, thousands may be found on their knees for hours, lifting up their heartfelt cries, with thanksgiving, to heaven.
During true revival, thousands of lost people are suddenly swept into the Kingdom of God. Scenes of the lost coming to the Savior in great, and unprecedented numbers, are common."
Questions to Consider
1. Have you ever read about revivals? What have you learned in regards to
revivals?
2. Some have suggested that the Church is asleep. How can the church be awaken? How can we be used to stir the hearts of the people in our community to repent and turn to Christ?
Scriptures to Consider
1. Psalm 19:7
2. Psalm 80:19; 85:6
3. Isaiah 57:15
4. James 4:8
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, April 16
9:30 am Outreach Prayer
1:30 pm Women’s Prayertime
7:00 pm Family Badminton
7:30 pm Young Adults at Piska’s
7:30 pm Monday Knight Men
TUESDAY, April 17
9:00 am Daybreak
7:00 pm Youth Samll Groups
7:00 pm Elder's Meeting
WEDNESDAY, April 18
9:45 am Keenagers Study
4:00 & 6:30 pm AWANA
6:40 pm Worship & Prayer
6:40 pm Living the Will of God
6:40 pm Truth Project
THURSDAY, April 19
6:30 pm Deeper Life School of Theology
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
FRIDAY, April 20
6:30 pm Deeper Life School of Theology
7:30 pm Youth - Grades 10-12 event "Will It?"
SATURDAY , April 21
8:30 am Deeper Life School of Theology
SUNDAY, April 22
9:15 am & 11:15 am Worship Services
6:00 pm Singin' the Gospel
JOURNEY UPDATES
SGAC House of Prayer Sunday, April 15 at 6:00 pm. Join us for an evening of unbroken worship, praise and prayer.
FAMILY BADMINTON begins Monday night April 16 at 7:00 pm. This is open to anyone age 13 and over. For more information contact Deneen at 780 960 0500.
SINGIN' THE GOSPEL April 22 at 6:00 pm The Singing Hills are often referred to as ‘Canada’s first family of Gospel Music’. A music ministry that blesses and ministers to your heart and soul. You won’t want to miss their great family harmonies which now include the third generation.
SGAC is pleased to announce the formation of the SGAC Visitation Team, an Elder led initiative with the desire to serve, build, and strengthen our community within the body of Christ. They are seeking to do this by getting to know those who attend, or are newly attending, our church - starting this April! If you have any questions, please contact the church office or any member of the Board of Elders.
2 LITTLE 4 ME Chilren's Toy & Clothing Sale Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. There are still a few tables left. If you have gently used children’s spring/summer items, to sell, you can still purchase a table for $30. Otherwise, plan to join us on May 5. Free admission for all shoppers and a concession, run by AWANA, will be available on the day of the sale.
WOMEN'S RETREAT April 20-22. Last day to register is April 15. Last chance to Register online.
SAVE the date: Volunteer Appreciation Dinner May 15 at 6:00 pm Sign up at the church office.
GRANDPARENTING MATTERS CONFERENCE June 22-23. Visit our website for details or to register.
FLOWER BASKET FUNDRAISER for Future Development. We are partnering with Aspen Grove Nurseries to order 10” or 12” hanging baskets. Orders will be taken at the Welcome Centre until May 6. For more information call the church office.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
PRAYER
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Our International Workers: Camp Nakamun Staff, Tim & Julie Wiebe, Rae-Anna & Gordon Schutz.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Scott Buck - Scott is married to Lyn and they have 6 boys ages 10, 9, 7, 6, 3 and 2.
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Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Corina Langdon. Corina is married to Boyde and they have 3 children 20, 18 and 16.
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Our Elders Team Member: Del Dyck. Del is married to Carol and they have two married children.
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Women’s Retreat is next weekend. Pray that many would be refreshed through this event.
Family Matters
- CONTROLLING THE FIRE Anger Management from a Christian Perspective. Course at Immanuel Lutheran Church April 19 - May 17 (Thursdays) 7:00 pm to 9:30pm. Call 780-690-2375 to register. $175.00 per person or $300.00 per couple.
- We rejoice with those who are being baptized this weekend: Kathy Duncan and Lorell Doerksen.