1. God's blessing and jealous men (42-45)

Many Jews and Gentile converts to Judaism received the message of the gospel gladly and wanted to hear more. When the apostles spoke the next Sabbath, almost the whole city turned out to hear them. How thirsty they were for God! But the Jewish leaders were filled with jealousy and began to talk abusively against Paul and what he was saying. Paul was sorry that these jealous Jews did not consider themselves worthy of eternal life. They lost the opportunity. God's history must pass them by.

2. Now we turn to the Gentiles (46-52)

Paul was not daunted by the Jewish rejection; he saw a wider door. He turned to the Gentiles. Isaiah's prophecy about Jesus was fulfilled: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth' (Isa 49:6). The Gentiles were glad, and they honored the word of God. Jewish persecution became more severe, and Paul and Barnabas had to leave, but the word of God spread.

Application: Lord, let the light of Jesus shine through me to the ends of the earth. Help me not be discouraged by rejection, but to see your broader purpose.
One Word: A light for the Gentiles