Stoned
Acts 14:1-23
At Iconium
14 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 Therefore they stayed there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.
4 But the multitude of the city was divided: part sided with the Jews, and part with the apostles. 5 And when a violent attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to abuse and stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding region. 7 And they were preaching the gospel there.
Idolatry at Lystra
8 And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked. 9 This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, 10 said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked. 11 Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out 15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, 16 who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” 18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
Stoning, Escape to Derbe
19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. 20 However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Strengthening the Converts
21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” 23 So when they had appointed elders in every church, and prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
SERMON NOTES
‘Adversity’ -- ‘Opposition’ -- ‘Difficulty’ -- ‘Resistance’
These are all experiences that we would choose to not have as we go along our life journey. Yet these were situations that were almost considered ‘normal’ in the life of the Apostle Paul. One would like to think that the mission upon which he was engaged, the message that he proclaimed and the passion by which he was engaged would be received well since it was God’s message of hope and healing to a hurting and broken world. But as we read the narrative of Paul’s life it was not the case.
Adversity, it can break you or make you if you let it, the choice is yours. Many are touched by adversity, they fall down and they never get back up, whereas some go through adversity and discover their true self.
The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.” - Aristotle
Hudson Taylor, Missionary to China in the 19th century said, “No one needs a call to go into missions, but only a call to stay. Everyone should be planning to go to the unreached peoples.”
John Piper comments, “Saul of Tarsus, once a terrible persecutor of the church, struck down on the road to Damascus, having a powerful conversion experience, realizing it was God that he was persecuting, had a quick immersion into the life and fellowship of Christ, was filled with the Holy Spirit and called of God into ministry of the Gospel.”
THIS WEEK
MONDAY, April 23
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 24
9:00 am Daybreak
6:45 pm Live Free
7:00 pm Youth Samll Groups
WEDNESDAY, April 25
9:45 am Keenagers Study
6:30 pm AWANA Awards Night
THURSDAY, April 26
7:00 pm Men’s Floor Hockey
FRIDAY, April 27
7:30 pm Youth - Grades 7-12 event "Youth Classic"
SATURDAY , April 28
SUNDAY, April 29
9:15 am & 11:15 am Worship Services
JOURNEY UPDATES
SINGIN' THE GOSPEL Sunday, April 22 at 6:00 pm The Singing Hills is 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.
FAMILY BADMINTON runs every Monday night at 7:00 pm. This is open to anyone age 13 and over. For more information contact Deneen at 780 960 0500.
AWANA AWARDS This Wednesday April 25, 6:30 pm. Come and congratulate all the Clubbers for completing their books and memorization. Bring AWANA dollars for Store Night after the ceremonies. Families - please bring snacks to share after.
WHAT'S YOUR EMOJI? free family event May 9 at 6:30 pm. Ventriloquism, puppets, blacklight and more with Donna and Laurie Boone. Please pick up your free ticket at the Check In kiosk or at the church office. Bring your loonies and toonies for snacks after the show.
SAVE the date: VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER May 15 at 6:00 pm. Have you volunteered at SGAC in the 2017-2018 ministry year? Then this event is for you! Contact the church office to sign up.
2 LITTLE 4 ME Toy & Clothing Sale Saturday, May 5 from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Free admission for all shoppers and a concession, run by AWANA, will be available on the day of the sale.
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 after service or by contacting the church office until May 6.
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! If you have any questions, please contact the church office or any member of the Board of Elders.
FINANCIAL UPDATE
Weekly Update April 15, 2018
General Fund giving Apr. 15 $ 23,079
42 week average $ 23,094
-- Budget requirement $ 24,327
Future Dev. Fund giving Apr. 15 $ 12,960
--Balance as of Apr. 15, 2018 $ 881,659
Monthly Update July1 to Mar. 31, 2018
-- Budget Shortfall $ 12,210
-- Year to date Surplus $ 87,838
Global Advance giving $109,488
Canadian Ministries giving $ 34,794
PRAYER
Please pray for:
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Our International Workers: Matthew & Charity Quick, Shaun & Iris Kelly, Charles & Angela Ibsen.
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Our Pastoral Team Staff Member: Pastor Art Quist. Art is married to Betty and they have 3 married children.
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Our Administrative Team Staff Member: Joanna Halliday. Joanna is married to Joel and they have 2 children ages 11 & 7.
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Our Elders Team Member: Mike Boldt. Mike is married to Natalie and they have three children ages 11, 9 and 6.
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43 women are at Women’s Retreat right now-- Pray that all would be refreshed and encouraged.
Family Matters
- WE REJOICE with Chad and Stephanie as they dedicate Paisley Hope this Sunday morning.