30th Mar 26 | 13:54
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02 Acts 14 08-20 THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA 52 Acts 14 19 The Jews have hindered the Gospel
📖 Acts 14:08-20
2/52 – Fri, 12 Dec 2025 – *The Jews have hindered the Gospel*- _Acts 14:08-20_ – THE MINISTRY AT LYSTRA – _I Thessalonians 02:14-16_
_Acts 14:19 Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead._
Barnabas and Paul were rescuing the people of Lystra from the folly of idolatry and turning them to worship the living God.
The Lord’s purpose was that the Jews were to be God’s light to the ends of the earth. On the contrary, we see in Antioch Pisidia, in Iconium and in Lystra, it was the Jews who were hindering the Gentiles to come to the light.
_Acts 13:45-48 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul. (46) Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, *"It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.* (47) For so the Lord has commanded us: *'I HAVE SET YOU AS A LIGHT TO THE GENTILES, THAT YOU SHOULD BE FOR SALVATION TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH.'* " (48) Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed._ / _Acts 14:1-2 Now it happened in Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed. (2) But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren._
The Jews were to be an unique people for God’s face would shine on them. It was because they worshipped the true God, they would cause His ways to be made known to the ends of the earth. Ultimately, the nations of the earth must worship God. _Psalms 67:1-3 To the Chief Musician. On Stringed Instruments. A Psalm. A Song. God be merciful to us and bless us, And *cause His face to shine upon us, Selah (2) That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. (3) Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You*._
The nations will seek God because of the life of the Jews. _Zechariah 8:21-23 The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, "Let us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also." (22) Yes, many peoples and strong nations Shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, And to pray before the LORD.' (23) "Thus says the LORD of hosts: *'In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you." '* "_
This was the prophesy for the Jews. _Isaiah 2:2-5 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD's house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. (3) Many people shall come and say, *"Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.* (4) He shall judge between the nations, And rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. (5) *O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the LORD.*_ The house of Jacob were to walk in the light of the Lord.
It was sad that the Jews hindered people of the nations from hearing the truth. Jealousy was one reason. _Acts 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy; and contradicting and blaspheming, they opposed the things spoken by Paul._
The Jews *refused to believe* the truth of the Gospel. This unbelief led them to act violently against the Gospel. _Acts 14:2 But *the unbelieving Jews* stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren._
This behaviour of the Jews was a historical pattern. God’s heart breaks over the Jews. _Matthew 23:37 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!_
Ultimately the Jews have been hindering the Gentiles from coming to the light of God. _I Thessalonians 2:14-16 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, (15) who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, (16) *forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost*._
God is longing for the Jews to turn to Him as a nation.