Saul Confronts a Sorcerer | Acts 13:1-12

Takeaway Verse: Acts 13:12

When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

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Transcription:

Welcome to The Bible for Busy People. I’m Erica Parkerson. This is the place where we meet up to read half a chapter of God’s word together and remember how loved we are. Jesus extends an amazing invitation to us in the Bible. He says, “Come to me and I WILL give you rest.” This is us RSVPing: Yes!! to that invitation. So take a deep breath, and let’s get started.

Today’s episode is called, “Saul Confronts a Sorcerer”. Join me in a word of prayer before you and I dive into Acts chapter 13. Father, we just come to you in the name of Jesus. And we are so grateful that you gave us a map that we can live by, we can open it up and read it, and study it, and know which way to think and which way to go in this life. Thank you for Luke, the doctor who wrote these words down. Thank you for the stories that he left behind for so many generations to read and learn from. Lord Jesus, open our minds and our hearts to what you want us to understand today. It’s in Jesus name we pray. Amen. 

Okay, here we go. Acts chapter 13, beginning in verse one. “Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabus, Simeon called the Black Man, Lucius from Cyrene, Manan, the Childhood Companion of King Herod Antipas, and Saul, also known as the Apostle Paul. One day, as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Appoint Barnabus and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.’ So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.” This is Paul’s first missionary journey. “So Barnabus and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. There in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. Afterward, they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus.” And this is an interesting phrase now. “He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him for, he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas, the sorcerer as his name means in Greek, interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said.” Very dangerous tactic there. “He was trying to keep the governor from believing. Saul, also known as Paul the Apostle, was filled with the Holy Spirit and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. Then he said, ‘You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good. Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.’. Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.” Here’s our takeaway verse. “When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer.” I’ve got the good chills again today, two days in a row! “For, he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.”

I, I wanna read that again because it just so deeply touches me. “When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.” The reason why that touches me is that so often becoming a believer, and I love it, he became a believer, it’s a powerful sentence, is often a process. Oftentimes it’s seed after seed that’s planted and watered, and that’s how usually it happens, right? We slowly and gradually come to the Lord. And my father, I wanna tell you about a seed that was planted in his journey to Christ. It was a 20-year journey to Christ for him, but his father, my grandpa Herbie, got very, very sick when he was visiting once and we took him to the hospital. The doctors were pretty sure it was the end for him. I believe that his gallbladder had ruptured, it was very dangerous. And the old family story is that he says he saw Sylvester Stallone, you know, he was really out of it. And I started to pray, and I got my friends praying and grandpa Herbie pulled out of. He was healed, and he went to live on for another 20 years or so, I think it was. And I remember driving to the hospital with my dad. We were on a highway called 485, and he looked at me as he was driving and he said, “I know it was the prayer. I know it was the prayer that saved my father’s life.” Now my dad would not come to Christ for years after that, but it was a seed planted. And here was this governor who heard the word, even though somebody was trying to keep him from hearing it, and he saw everything that happened! I, I’m a believer! Isn’t that amazing? So maybe if you’re watching today and you’re in the middle of the process, Trust it. It’s okay. Take the Lord’s hand, he’s gonna guide you all the way to him. All right, until next time, please know you are loved. 

Thank you so much for listening to the Bible for Busy People. If you need prayer or you’re ready to go a little deeper in your faith, we’ve posted some resources for you in our show notes. We’d love for you to share this podcast with a friend and leave us a review. It helps us reach even more people with the hope of Jesus. This podcast is part of Purposely, a podcast network designed with practical podcasts to help you find and live in God’s purpose for your life. Find more podcasts that will recharge you at onpurposely.com.