Monday, September 9, 2013

Using Evil for Good

Using Evil for Good (Acts 13:1-12)
8-14-13


Hook
Does God create evil?
“No, some say.”  Well didn’t God create everything?
What about the age-old question “Why do bad things happen to good people?”  Why do bad things still happen to Christians?  In Acts 13, we get a great example of God using evil for good.

Introduction
Last week we remembered how Barnabus and Paul went to Antioch to see how God’s people were growing.  While that was going on, the scriptures took a chapter to note the capture and miraculous release of Peter, and how God responded to their prayers!
Today we return to the church at Antioch.  Until this time, most of the book of Acts has talked about the spread of the gospel to the nearby regions around Jerusalem.  This is the first noted missionary journey outside of that area.
o   *Map

Let’s read Acts 13:1-3 (NIV)
1 In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Ma-naen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. 2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

Right away, in the church of Antioch, we are introduced to some of the believers there that had taken up God’s call to serve Him in amazing ways.  Ephesians 4:11 tells us how God gave “gifts” to the church of prophets, teachers, etc.  God had honored their faith and certainly blessed this church with these five men.
The order of these five men listed might be by age, Barnabus being the eldest, and interestingly Saul is last—probably the youngest.  Some think that Lucious, is actually Luke who wrote this book.  Manaen apparently grew up in the same upper class groups as Herod Antipas (one of three sons of the previous ruler Herod the Great).  Perhaps Manaen was in the same education as Herod Antipas. (Note that Herod was a Tetrarch – a governor or subordinate ruler under the Roman Emperor. 

Vs. 2 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting…”
The word there, and used commonly elsewhere, is “ministering to the Lord.”  “Worshipping” is an appropriate translation, as that what it was.  However from the text we see the leaders clearly serving the Lord by teaching about Him, helping others, praying, etc.  This is what God’s people, especially leaders, should be doing.
This seemed like it was a normal practice for them.  They were Fasting – this is avoiding something distracting from God for a while to show your devotion to him and focus on Him.  It was a sign of humility as well as self-discipline.  Often when we are forced to go without something, we gain better perspective about it.  Fasting is scripture is almost always food.  The pangs of hunger is definitely an effective and constant reminder to focus on God during that time.
Would you consider fasting from time to time?  Gluttony defines our culture—thus fasting is very rare.  In our culture, fasting is thought of like holding our breath—we think “why would we do it?”  We can do it for a short while, but then we “put in our time.”
The early Church often fasted corporately.  Perhaps they were invited to skip dinner every once in a while and worship as a body of believers.  I think they wanted to know God so badly, that they were ready to fast.

God honored their praise and, through the Holy Spirit, spoke to them.  We don’t know if this was by strong impulse, or by an actual voice from heaven, but it was plain to them.
The Holy Spirit asked them to set apart Barnabas and Saul specifically for a task. The “work” or “task” was not given in detail, but they knew they needed to leave that place to minister to people elsewhere.

Why Barnabus and Saul?  Well, Saul already knew that he would be sent “to the Gentiles”  the day his sight was restored in Damascus.  Paul even refers to this calling later when he wrote:
Galatians 2:7-9 - 7 On the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James, Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews.

Note, this is the first time Saul will be called Paul in Acts.  Paul is his Greek name.  It makes sense that he is referred to his Hebrew name up to this point in Acts, and from here on out, usually by his Roman name.
Barnabus was native of Cyprus, so clearly that played some benefit to the mission.

Also concerning sending Barnabus and Saul, some think it is good and natural to send your most highly trained people to the mission field.  This also forces other believers to step up and take on other roles in ministry.  When positions open up in the church, God calls people to take their place.

Later, the believers there ‘placed their hands on them’ and sent them off.  They did this after they had eaten together and prepared the men for trip.  Note they were sent as a team—commissioned together.  Today, this can be a friend or even our spouse, but clearly someone else with the same heart and calling by God.

Let’s finish reading our passage with Acts 13:4-12 (NIV).
4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. 6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? 11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

In vs. 4, it notes they “went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.”
o   *Map

The scriptures note they were led by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit guided where they were to go, protected them, strengthen them, told them what to say, whom to talk to, etc.  He is the one who granted them success, not necessarily told in number of converts, but in opportunities to share the gospel.
They publically “proclaimed” the word of God.  At that time, it was not uncommon to hear people proclaim things in the streets.  That was the way to get out news and announcements.

How do we “proclaim” things today?”  How do we “proclaim the Word of God”?

The text notes that “John was their helper.”  Somewhere along the line, John started working with them, ministering to the people, preaching the word.  He didn’t actually end up staying there for long, for reasons we won’t get into.

Then Barnabas and Saul came to the city of Paphos.  They met a Jewish Sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus.  His name means “Elymas the sorcerer.”  Elymas was the attendant of the Proconsul, thus pretty important himself. 
The text suggested they met Elymas first, probably in the public.  Elymas, being the assistant, would be making his business whatever went on in the area.  Most likely he reported back to Sergius generally what Barnabus and Saul were preaching. 
The scripture is clear to note the proconsul by name: Sergius Paulus. A proconsul was a governor of the country under the Roman Emperor.  Sergius was an intelligent man; he was educated and considered wise.  And a wise person wants to hear and understand even more.  When he heard about what Barnabas and Saul were preaching, and sent for them to, so he too could “hear the Word of God.”
But Elymas the sorcerer opposed them.  Of course, not only did he have a heart that was turned towards evil, but his abilities, and most likely position, would be rejected if the proconsul accepted this God—this Jesus Christ
The Holy Spirit then moved in Saul as a response to ElymasSaul did not respond from personal resentment or frustrationRather the Spirit guided his words as a Prophet:
10    "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!...”

Anyone that keeps people from Jesus is like a “child of the devil” (not that we need to go around saying that to people.)  Similar to the Devil, Elymas was being crafty, as well as an adversary to Jesus.  “…You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery…” (just like the devil).  In other words ‘your powers and what you proclaim are not real, but just deceit and trickery—they are fake.’  Elymas deceived people away from the Word of God in opposing the message of Christ.

This situation with Paul was definitely extreme, but we probably work with people who oppose the gospel.  Whether direct or indirect, they deceive people from what is real
What do we do with people like that?

Then Saul asked an important question: 
“…Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?...”

(Some translations note this as a statement, and others a question).  Through the Holy Spirit, Saul was able to see his heart, and he saw the very obvious evil.  The Holy Spirit led him to proclaim judgment against him:
“…11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun."

Just like he was spiritually blinded, now he would be physically blinded.
Paul note this in 2 Cor. 4:4 - The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Instantly Elymas went blind.  The judgment was immediate.  Right away this would have destroyed his ability to do his trickery and deceive people, especially as he would be considered condemned by GodHe started “groping about”—desperately feeling for his way.  I picture him calling out “Please…someone help me!”  Probably people stood back, as if thinking his punishment might be contagious.

It is Interesting to note that the punishment was not permanent.  This is one of the reasons I feel vs. 10 was a question.  Why was the punishment just not made permanent?  This was a case of grace of God!  It suggests that it was at least giving Elymas another chance to turn to Christ.

·         12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord
o   God used this temporary judgment on Elymas to convince the Proconsul of the truth they preached about the Lord!
·         Church historical tradition has it that Sergius Paulus became the bishop of Narbon in France, after Paul’s journey to Spain years later
o   It really shows that much more happened that is recorded in scripture
o   Paul and Barnabus would have preached to many more people and done many more amazing things through the power of the Holy Spirit!

Does God use bad people to accomplish good things?  Look at the Examples in Scripture:
·         God was glorified through the sufferings and response of faith from Job
·         Because of the evil intentions of Jacobs other 11 sons, the younger brother Joseph was carried off to Egypt—who they saved the entire people of God by giving them a home and food, and save them from the drought of the land.  Incredibly wise is Joseph’s response to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”
·         The OT book of Habakkuk shows that God raised up Babylon to achieve His purpose.  They punished God’s people because they had become so evil, corrupt, prostituting themselves to the pagan Gods and rituals.
·         Even the evil of those who put Jesus on the cross, was used for good

There is a distinction to be had about God controlling evil and God creating Evil.  God is good, and from Him comes only good.  Bad could NOT exist without good, because bad is just a perversion of good, a perversion of what God has madeGod is perfect and Just (Deut. 32:4)God cannot be tempted and does not temp others (James 1:13)

But God USES evil.
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

“All things” includes the good and bad.  God uses our struggles, disappointments, heartbreaks, accidents, even tragedies ending in death, to bring about good.  Bad things happen due his permissive will, but God’s perfect will is what he WANTS us to do.  He allows bad to happen because he wants us to have free will.  But the free will of even evil people cannot stop His plan and good from happening

Knowing this, we can respond as Paul does:
2 Corinthians 4:8-10 - 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

What About Evil in Our Lives?
Paul understood bad things (happening to good people):
2 Corinthians 11:24-27 - 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

Nevertheless Paul persevered through the power of the Holy Spirit.  And he even responds by saying:
Romans 8:18 - I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Think about the struggles in your life (or apparent evil) right now.  List them.  (And more specifics than “busyness” and “lack of time.”)
Often we see them as something that God is ignoring, vs. something God is actively using.  Sometimes it is the little things:
·         The lack of a job that is giving us more opportunities with our family or to serve Him
·         A frustration with a coworker that gives us the opportunity not only to learn patience, but also to show God’s love and compassion.

Often we will not understand it. Pray and ask God for perspective on the difficult situation

How do we respond to these people we work with?
Romans 12:16-21 - 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


Pray:  “Lord, I pray you use this evil for good in my life!”

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