Structure:

1. The Message Proclaimed

2. The Message Opposed

3. The Message Empowered

Other texts:

- Romans 10:14-17

- 2 Cor. 10:4-5

1. The Message Proclaimed: The Heart of the Mission was the Proclamation of the Word of God.

v.5. "Arriving in Salamis they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues".

v. 7. Paulus wanted to "hear the word of God"

v. 12 he believed "because he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord"

Romans 10:14-17 - 14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news.16 But not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, Lord, who has believed our message?17 So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.

II. The Message Opposed: The opposition by deceit to prevent faith

A Proconsul - was a governor of a Roman province.

Emperor Augustus divided the Roman provinces into senatorial and imperial areas.

So the senate would point governors by lot every year to those provinces.

Sergius Paulus is appointed to be governor over the island of Cyprus.

He is called a sorcerer, a Jewish false prophet by the name of Bar-Jesus, also referred to as Elymas.

Elymas will use everything in his tool box to prevent the proconsul from believing.

2 Cor. 10:4-5 "since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ."

III. The Message Empowered: The Spirit of God breaks all barriers

Paul seeing what was happening is filled with the Holy Spirit

In the CS Lewis's Narnia story, Lucy asks Mr. Beaver about Aslan, the lion (who is depicted as Jesus), asking "is he safe", Mr. Beaver responds by saying "Who said anything about safe? Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you"

Application:

- We are called to be witnesses to the reality of Jesus.

- We need to fight against lies and distorted views of the gospel.

- We need to be saturated by the gospel (Knowing it and Living it)

- THIS WEEK: Intentionally pray for the Message of Jesus to be proclaimed in Whatcom County