Using
Evil for Good (
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 Elymas. Saul did not respond from personal
resentment or frustration. Rather 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 God. He 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 made. God
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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