Acts 13:36-43 

³⁶ “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. ³⁷ But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

³⁸ “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. ⁴⁰ Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ⁴¹ “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’”

⁴² As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. ⁴³ When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

Introduction

Paul and his mission team travelled and went on to Pisidian Antioch.

There were two cities in the Bible named Antioch: 1) Antioch in Syria where Paul and Barnabas were commissioned; 2) Pisidian Antioch in Galatia.

The synagogue leaders at Pisidian Antioch in Galatia requested Paul and Barnabas to have a word of exhortation after they read the scriptures.

As Paul narrated the experiences of the Israelites with God, he described the unbelievable and unpredictable characters of God. H also explained that God has purpose in each generation, even with David.

1.  Unbelievable

³⁶ “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. ³⁷ But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

It was not common or popular event to hear someone comes back to life. The Lord Jesus raised the dead when He was still on earth. The same human Jesus who raised the dead was crucified, died, and buried. God’s plan did not end in Jesus’ death and burial; God resurrected Him.

In the eyes of man, it’s unbelievable because humans have no power to resurrect.

Christ Jesus went through human life process of being born and experiencing death like any human being because God has a special purpose for it.

 ³⁸ “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. ³⁹ Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.

The life, death, and resurrection of Christ were designed for anyone who believes.

To trust and have faith in Jesus is to be set free from the slavery of sin. Sin has no more power, influence, effect, or control on the believer’s life. Yet every believer might agree that the human sinful nature is still active.

Sin can still manipulate; sin finds its way even in the most mature Christian, why? Have you ever felt that way? Have you been helpless committing sin sometimes? Did you feel like you want to do the right thing but you are helpless?

Paul

Paul himself explained that he had similar trouble like us with regard to sin. In Romans 7:15-20, ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶ And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷ As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹ For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰ Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

Should we then ignore sin? Should we keep sin living in us, dictating our decisions?

In Roman 8:5 Paul continued to explain…⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 

We should seek the help of the Holy Spirit to have our minds on the will of God.

Yes! We know that if it is not the fruit of the Spirit, it’s the fruit of the flesh.

Truly, how can we be freed from sin; how can we escape the influence of sin?

In Roman 8:13b Paul says, ¹³…but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

Ask the Holy Spirit to stop and completely remove sin and its effect in our life.

There is an empty space when sin is removed from us; ask God to fill that vacuum with the fruit of the Spirit, to empower us with His Holy Spirit to resist sin. It is not enough that we declared that Jesus is our Lord; we should pray and ask the Lord like, “Lord, help me allow Your Spirit to dwell in me, please!”

When the Holy Spirit dwells in us, He prompts or urges us to witness about Jesus. If there’s no desire or yearning to witness, even when praying, worshipping or inside the church, it is possible that the Holy Spirit is ignored or disregarded.

Our passage is a practical picture of a person filled with the Holy Spirit. Paul was in a foreign land; he was not scared but had courage to preach the gospel.

2.  Unpredictable

 ⁴⁰ Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: ⁴¹ “‘Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.’” ⁴² As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. ⁴³ When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

When the Holy Spirit inspires us to witness, we do not mind about the outcome.

God is unpredictable; Paul preached but God converted the listeners He chose.

Sorry to say that many believers are disheartened; they stopped sharing the gospel because they cannot see result of their witnessing efforts. We need to keep in mind that witnessing is not of human desire or decision. Biblical witnessing is inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Conversion should not be our top priority concern because we cannot convert anyone to believe; transformation comes from the Lord. We should seek to be filled by the Holy Spirit to have enthusiasm in witnessing. No matter what happens, there’s excitement to witness when filled with the Spirit. The Holy Spirit gives us joy and peace whatever reaction our listeners have.

Have you observed that even inside the church premises the Holy Spirit is ignored?

The Corinthian Church

In 1 Corinthians 11:17-21 Paul wrote, ¹⁷ In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. ¹⁸ In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. ¹⁹ No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. ²⁰ So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, ²¹ for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.

The Corinthian church had rich and poor members; the rich members acted as if they deserved more than the poor members. They showed off their abundance.

It may not be the same as the Corinthian church problem but there are many church-goers who think they deserved to be treated better than others. Perhaps, they are not aware of it but there are also those who are acting as if they are more spiritual; they speak like they are more important than other members.

When one feels like he/she is more spiritual or desires better treatment than others the sinful nature is actively at work in the person; the Holy Spirit is ignored. When the Holy Spirit is ignored in the church family, there is confusion. May God deal with those who bring confusion in His church appropriately!

No one is exempted; everyone is vulnerable to ignoring the Holy Spirit. Let’s check our heart. Are there any indications of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, yet? Have you experienced the unbelievable and unpredictable God, these days?

What does the Holy Spirit wants you to testify about Him, recently?

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