The scripture references in today’s story come from the New Living Translation of the Holy Bible as recorded in Acts 13:4-12
So, Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. …they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant. Acts 13:4 & 5 (NLT)
What did an encourager, a Roman Jew, and a deserter have in common?
Each carried the Holy Spirit of God, fully alive in their souls—a miracle story of redemption.
These men have backstories that would make great movies, but their story is about Jesus and His grace for all who believe, crafted by the Holy Spirit.
And that’s what brings them to Paul’s first missionary journey. The key verse tells us that the Spirit led them to Cyprus for what turns out to be a failure of a mission if you judge with human eyes.
But don’t do that or you will miss an amazing miracle.
I’m sure, that since the Spirit specifically sent the men to the Jewish synagogues to share the Gospel, they probably expected bigger numbers of converts than they found there. They found none.
But the mystery of the Spirit of God is His willingness to go to the ends of the earth to find even one lost soul. Because He is all-knowing you wonder why He does it this way. Especially when so few choose Him.
Paul’s first missionary journey may seem disappointing to some. Yet it proves that even one soul is worth the effort.
Light of the world
So, God introduced our faithful trio to a man named Sergius Paulus.
Let’s meet him.
Sergius Paulus was the first Roman official recorded in the Bible to be converted to the Christian faith.
But there was a sorcerer who was looking to interfere.
Afterward they…met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. 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. He was trying to keep the governor from believing. …
Now, it’s crucial to recognize that people don’t begin their search for God on their own. Sergius likely heard tales of the crucifixion and the early Church, and he might have also known about Jesus’ miracles. We’re unsure what specific event sparked his interest, but we do know that it is the Holy Spirit draws people to repent.
Some Jews in the synagogues were likely intrigued by the Spirit through these three men, but they still rejected the Gospel.
The sorcerer in our story already belonged to Satan.
But Sergius was empty in his heart, and he was beginning to realize it.
If you search for Me you will find Me
Jeremiah 29:13
Look at the courage and conviction of Paul when he came face to face with the sorcerer.
Paul, 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?
“The clouds swarm ’round
and darkness stuns
Christs’ brightest beam
-outshines the sun!”1
Do you see how Satan fights for every soul that he can win away from God?
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.
But do you know that the elect are safe in God’s grasp? Read John 10.
Look at God’s love displayed in the life of Sergius.
When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.
Even though we all have a choice, there are those who have been chosen for salvation called the elect. But God pursues all mankind for redemption. Here is a link to help you understand that. gotquestions.org/whoaretheelect2
Satan can never touch you if you belong to Jesus. But you play a very dangerous and foolish game when you read your horoscope, watch demonic shows, consult mediums or fool with any other thing associated with Satan. We are strictly forbidden to do that. True believers will not pursue Satan.
How beautiful are the feet of those who share the Good News!
Isaiah 52:7 (Paraphrased)
- The Brightest Day
Anonymous
Ca. 1945 ↩︎ - https://www.gotquestions.org/elect-of-God.html
Who are the Elect ↩︎
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 