Paul the Missionary

(Part 2)

 

Introduction

People with religious backgrounds can be reached when we help them by using the scripture to reveal Christ more fully.  Paul possessed certain characteristics that made him effective on the mission field.  Barnabas also demonstrated these same qualities.  Paul possessed certain gifts that empowered him as an effective missionary.  What were those gifts and characteristics and how where they employed by Paul?

 

Lesson

A.     Spiritual Gifts

1.      For our purposes, there are two categories of spiritual gifts – temporary and permanent

a.       Temporary gifts are the miraculous “sign” gifts.  (Examples)  (1 Cor. 12:7-10)

b.      Permanent gifts are the non-miraculous “church edification” gifts,  (Examples)

§      What does edification mean?

§      Are these gifts still needed today?

2.      In what areas do you think Paul was spiritually gifted to be a missionary?  (Rom. 12:6-8)

a.       Prophecy

b.      Teaching

c.       Exhortation (encouragement)

d.      Administration

3.      Can you be effective in serving if you are not gifted in serving?  (Yes)

4.      Will a person who is gifted in serving be more successful than one who is not?

Conclusion

 

B.     What was it about Paul’s preaching in Iconium that really stood out?  Acts 14:1-7

1.      How did they speak?  (adverbs in v. 1 and 3)  (Frank, confident, and with assurance)

2.      How was the message confirmed to the hearers?  V. 3

3.      What was behind the Jewish opposition?  2

4.      What happened when the persecution started?  V. 4-7   (Courage)

Conclusion:  Boldness and courage makes the message

 

C.     What was the power behind Paul’s message?  Acts 14:8-10

1.      Was the power to heal a typical gift of an apostle?  2 Cor. 12:12

2.      What was it that Paul saw in this man?  V. 9  (Jesus Matt. 9:2)

 

D.     What was the effect of the miracles?  Acts 14:11-18

1.      How did the people in Lystra react?  11-13

a.       What made them respond this way?  (Did they understand Paul’s message?)

b.      What is the reason Luke makes the point that the people shouted out “in the Lyconian language”?

§      Do you think there could have been a communication problem? 11

§      Were these people responding in ways that were familiar?

c.       Do people often try to fit new information into an old familiar framework?

d.      What did Jesus say about new wine in old wineskins?

2.      Once they understood, how did Paul and Barnabas respond?  14-17

a.       Why didn’t they just go along with the Lystra folks and sort things out later?

b.      Did they demonstrate humility?

§      Would there have been a temptation to accept their worship? 

§      What do you think was the purpose of tearing their clothes?

§      What did they call their ceremony?  15

c.       Did they give God the glory?

d.      Were their efforts successful?  18

3.      Can you think of anything they could have done to head off this response to the miracles of God?

a.       Could Paul and Barnabas have said anything before the miracles took place to make sure there were no misunderstandings?

b.      Are miracles alone an adequate substitute for the Word of God?

c.       Are there sometimes communication problems when we preach to people of other faiths?

d.      What can we do to minimize misunderstandings?

Conclusion:  The people misunderstood the purpose and source of the miracles God did through Paul.  Paul did not let the false worship continue.

 

E.       Was the mission work in Lystra successful?  Acts 14:19-20

1.      What caused the people to change their minds about Paul and Barnabas?  19

a.       What sort of a threat was Paul to the Jews?  (The gospel?)

b.      Is this type of opposition typical for Paul?

c.       Do missionaries face this type of persecution today?  (resistance to change)

2.      Do you think Paul was so weakened by the stoning that he died?  19

3.      Who came to his aid?  20

4.      Where did these disciples come from?

5.      Would you call Paul’s getting up and going back into the town a miracle?

a.       If Paul was really dead then he was brought back to life (2 Cor. 12:2-4)

b.      Even if life had not completely left his body, this was a great demonstration of the power of God!

c.       What did Paul see as the power that enabled him to keep on working?  2 Cor. 12:9-10

6.      Do you think Paul was discouraged?  Do you think he was tempted to quit?

7.      How do you think the Lyconians reacted when he returned to their town?

8.      Does verse 20 indicate that Paul took time off to rest and heal up from the stoning?

Conclusion:  The missions work was successful because there was fruit (disciples) and a demonstration of God’s power in Paul’s persistence

 

F.      How did these missionaries manage their time, opportunities, and resources?  Acts 14:12-28

1.      Ephesians 5:15-16 -- "See, then, that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time...." Wise people know how to maximize time.

2.      Colossians 4:5 -- "Walk in wisdom toward them that are outside, redeeming the time."

3.       Psalm 90:12 -- "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

4.      How are we maximizing the time we have?

Conclusion:  Paul made the most of the time, resources and opportunities he had

 

C. H. Chapin said, "Not armies, not nations have advanced the race; but here and there, in the course of the ages, an individual has stood up and cast his shadow over the world."

 

Conclusion:  What are the qualities and gifts that made Paul such an effective missionary?

§      Boldness and courageous preaching

§      Divine power

§      Humility

§      Persistence

§      Making the most of time

 

 

The Life of Robert Morrison

 

Robert Morrison of England set his heart on going to China as a missionary. He studied Chinese in London. In 1807 he came to New York to get a ship around the cape to China. But he couldn't book passage on a ship because China didn't accept foreigners, and nobody wanted to haul him around since they couldn't unload him in China. Finally, he did book passage and landed in China. He stayed in a French warehouse in the city of Canton, near the docks, for six months. During those six months he learned to cook Chinese food, to dress in Chinese clothes, and to adapt himself to the culture. He spent that time studying the Cantonese dialect. Preaching was illegal, but over the next months and years he gathered a little group of people around him, but never more than ten. In hiding and behind closed doors he endeavored to instruct them. Seven years after he landed in Canton he baptized his first convert. Now that's persistence. Finally working all day and all night, day after day and month after month, he finished translating the book of Acts into Cantonese and succeeded in having it printed. But an argument arose among the Christian craftsmen. Their fight was so blatant that the authorities found out about it and put a stop to all the printing. All of the effort of those months was halted. Morrison was forbidden from all future printing and preaching.