Acts 13:1-16
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician for that is the meaning of his name opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the Sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.” So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.
The reason that we are here today is because God set us apart for a work to which He called us.
What happens if/when your Mark deserts you? It's not an end but a beginning.
What if Paul said it's over at that point? His first, second and third missionary journeys would not have taken place. Acts 13-28 would not be a reality and the Western march of the gospel that has impacted the entire known world for centuries would not have been a reality.
Meet Jesus in your Second Half Life
Second half of the book of Acts - the gospel to the Gentiles
Abraham until 75, childless with barren wife Sarah. At 100 has Isaac and the nation of Israel begins.
Moses - first half in Pharoah's court until age 40, age 40-80 on the backside of a desert as a shepherd. Age 80-120 leading the Israelites in their historic exodus out of Egypt with signs and wonders to the precipice of the promised land, modern day Israel.
Joseph - rejected by brothers and imprisoned until age 30. At 30, ruled as second to Pharoah and saved the known world from starvation by God's wisdom.
King David - rejected by family and on the run from King Saul until age 30, Age 30 - King in Hebron; 37-death, King of all Israel extending its borders.
Elizabeth and Zechariah - barren until older age and birth of John the Baptist.
Jesus - until age 30 being prepared in obscurity. Age 30-crucifixion and resurrection saved the world from its rebellion against God, triumphing over sin, death and hell.
The enemy tries to feed you the lie that the best is behind after a trial. However, it was after Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross for our sins that He experienced His life saving resurrection from the dead through which the Holy Spirit was poured out, the church was built, the world was turned upside down and we now have access to eternal life. Meet Jesus in your second mile life today!
Second City Church: Chicago Fire Sermon Series 2017