BIG IDEA:
THE BOLD PREACHING OF THE WORD OF GOD AND THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST EXCITES NEW CONVERTS AND ANGERS JEALOUS TRADITIONALISTS
INTRODUCTION:
Same Big Idea and Outline from last week fits this passage as well; just the sequence of events are repeated in a new geographical region
3 STAGES OF THE RESPONSE TO PAUL’S PREACHING IN ICONIUM:
I. (:1) INITIAL POSITIVE RESPONSE – BOTH JEWS AND GENTILES
“And it came about that in Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a great multitude believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.”
II. (:2-4) HEATED DEBATE DUE TO OPPOSITION INSTIGATED BY JEALOUS JEWS
A. (:2) Jealous Jews Poisoning the Gentiles
“But the Jews who disbelieved stirred up the minds of the Gentiles, and embittered them against the brethren.”
B. (:3) Divine Corroboration
“Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was bearing witness to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be done by their hands.”
C. (:4) Division Over Allegiance
“But the multitude of the city was divided; and some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.”
III. (:5-7) LONG TERM IMPACT: PERSECUTED PREACHERS ADVANCE THE WORD OF GOD – DESPITE ORGANIZED OPPOSITION
A. (:5) Painful Persecution
“And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them,”
B. (:6) Expedient Departure and Resilient Resolve
“they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region;”
C. (:7) Impactful Preaching Ministry
“and there they continued to preach the gospel.”