Why did the crowd in Lystra think Paul and Barnabas were gods?

After Paul told a man who had never walked to stand, and he did (Acts 14:8-10), the crowd called Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes, and the priest of Zeus brought bulls and wreaths to offer sacrifices. Pastor Ken points out that the apostles tore their clothes, refused the worship, and pointed the crowd to the living God.

What does “post-secular” mean?

Pastor Ken uses the term for a culture that has pulled away from organized religion but is still hungry for spiritual things, such as crystals or talk of ghosts and UFOs. His claim is that people run toward spiritual things while running from Jesus, and that we all put something created, like success, comfort, or romance, on the throne.

What is incarnational ministry?

Pastor Ken defines it from John 1:14, “the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” It means showing up in someone’s life and meeting them where they are, as Paul did by calling the Lystra crowd “friends.” In his words, your neighbors may never read the Gospels, but they’re already reading you.

How do I tell the truth without it feeling like an attack?

The message gives three contrasts: truth without relationship feels like an attack, relationship without truth feels like abandonment, and truth within relationship feels like love. Pastor Ken uses Paul’s approach in Acts 14 and Jesus at the well with the Samaritan woman as examples of staying in the relationship and still speaking honestly.