20221027 Act 13:16-20
Testify to Goodness of God
We can impact eternity when we testify to the goodness of God
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Read Act 13:16-20
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Act 13:16 (ESV) So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.
Paul was talking to people who recognized God
Testify to Goodness of God
Act 13:17 (ESV) The God of this people Israel chose our fathers and made the people great during their stay in the land of Egypt, and with uplifted arm he led them out of it.
Paul is speaking of God’s gracious and powerful acting for the Israelites
Testify to Goodness of God
Act 13:18 (ESV) And for about forty years he put up with them in the wilderness.
Paul testifies to God’s patience
Testify to Goodness of God
Act 13:19 (ESV) And after destroying seven nations in the land of Canaan, he gave them their land as an inheritance.
Paul testifies to the Sovereignty of God
Testify to Goodness of God
Act 13:20 (ESV) All this took about 450 years. And after that he gave them judges until Samuel the prophet.
Paul testifies to the grace and providence of God
Testify to Goodness of God
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Paul summarizes for his listeners how God selected the Israelites, and increased them in Egypt then led them out.
He phrases it that God “put up with them” ( v 18)
God was doing the “doing“… “… He gave them… “, He destroyed.
God was proactively working to position the Israelites where he wanted them.
God is laying the ground from work for the Israelites and Paul is laying the groundwork for his hearers to understand how astonishing the gospel is.
Testify to Goodness of God
The gospel is not a fix to a problem that God did not see coming.
God set this whole process in motion for the express purpose of glorifying His name.
Testify to Goodness of God
History is part of God’s story. God set us within the bounds of time and we should use that for His glory by looking backward and seeing and reviewing what He has done and share it with others.
Our testimony is the most powerful thing we can bring when sharing the gospel.
How has God impacted your life’s?
Rev 12:10-11 (ESV)
10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
What are they testifying of?
2Co 12:9 (ESV)
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Jas 4:10 (ESV)
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Testify to the greatness and the mercy and the grace of God! Glorify and honor Him!
Exo 33:18 (ESV)
18 Moses said, “Please show me your glory.”
Exo 34:6 (ESV)
6 The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,
Can you share how God has worked in your life to show you His character?
Mercy
Grace
Patience
Love
Faithfulness
