Somewhere between the time of Gideon- 1200 BC and Elisha- 800 BC, great epic poems, Iliad and odyssey were written by Homer.

LEARNED MEN REGARDED HIGHLY THE ODYSSEY OF ULYSSES ON HIS WAY HOME FROM BATTLE OF TROY

• Little is known about Homer, or Ulysses, but the epic- though great- is not truthful!

THE GREATER ODYSSEY WAS WRITTEN BY LUKE, ABOUT APOSTLE PAUL ON HIS WAY SERVING THE LORD

• His story has been measured by science- is accurate, truthful, and even more adventurous!
• You can try adventure, intellectualism, or fairy tales- but Christ is better- AND TRUE!

PAUL'S FIRST JOURNEY- short- by sea, Cypress and bottom of Turkey- mark it in your Bible!

13: 2-3 the Holy Spirit called, and the church ordained them to the task- Barnabas and Saul

CYPRESS- THE TRIAL BY BATTLE, AND SAUL BECOMES PAUL Today's island of trouble was then too.

• Saul faced the evil magician- Bar-Jesus, called Elymas- smote him blind by God's power!
• Like Jacob of old, he received a new name- have you earned one- God gives it to redeemed-

TO PERGA AND UP TO ANTIOCH IN PISIDIA into Asia minor- bottom of Turkey

• Paul's great sermon- 13:16-41 in synagogue- rejected by Jews and 46- 48 went to gentiles.
• The Jews stirred up the citizens-Paul was chased out- don't you expect any better! (50a)

TO DERBE AND LYSTRA AND FROM BEING WORSHIPPED TO BEING STONED IN ONE JUMP

• Moving inland to Iconium God showed his power, but the enemy lead in riot-
• In Lystra Paul healed- and the crowd would have worshipped them- but Cf.19
• There is need today for men who can stand popularity or stoning and not be turned.

SO BACK THROUGH DERBE- ICONIUM AND ANTIOCH TOWARD HOME BASE but with a purpose

• Through the cities they had just suffered in- they (14:22) confirmed souls and appointed elders.
• They rehearsed all that God had done (14:27) like missionaries will do here next week

PAUL'S SECOND JOURNEY- longer- by land through Turkey- to Greece, down east side of Greece

• We will skip chapter 15- quick trip to Jerusalem and council- Magna Carta of Christian freedom

PAUL SAID "LET'S GO VISIT"- Barnabas wanted Mark, Paul wanted Silas (15:39-40)

CONFIRMING THE CHURCHES- (41) in Lystra Paul found Timothy 16:1 - on north

SPIRIT STOPPED THEM (7) AND LUKE JOINED THEM AS THEY WENT TO EUROPE (16:10) They & We

• In Philippi they sought a prayer meeting - the eastern end of the great Roman Road.
• Lydia was saved (14), demon girl healed, jail, salvation- (30-31) victory (37)
• In Thessalonica- Paul's message in synagogue (17:3) Jesus as Christ.- then trouble
• In Berea- (11) many believed- searched scriptures daily- then (13) Jews and riots
• In Athens- the Epicureans- pleasure, the Stoics- self sufficient reason- listened
• The great discourse on Mars hill- (17:22-31) if they needed repentance- so do you!
• To Corinth- (18:2) Aquila and Priscilla- tentmakers
• Paul preached to Jews and Greeks- Jews argued among themselves (6), so to Gentiles!
• Here for 18 months (11) and Paul wrote I and II Thess. Then- riots again
• To Ephesus quickly to Jerusalem (18:21-22) and back to Ephesus (19:1) two years teaching
• (19:10) I and II Corinthians were written and again- riot in Ephesus (19:23)

PAUL'S THIRD JOURNEY- from Ephesus by sea, about the same as second but takes in western Greece

• (20:2,3) he wrote Galatians and Romans and heads home from hurrying to Jerusalem
• In Troas- Paul's long winded sermons- boy fell asleep- Luke said he was dead (9b)
• In Miletus- bypassing Ephesus, but the elders came down- great farewell address (20:19-37)
  • You never know when your last sermon will be, or your last chance to do right.
  • (20:21) to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward Lord Jesus Christ
• To Tyre (21:3) Luke's account, unlike Homers, is accurate, measured, and scientific.
  • Don't fail to read of Paul's later journey to Rome, sent in chains- more on that later

PAUL'S ADVENTURES ON HIS GREATER ODYSSEY ACTUALLY HAPPENED
WILL YOU HAVE A GREATER ADVENTURE FOR MERE LIFE, OR JUST EXIST?
IF YOU WANT THESE GREAT ADVENTURES YOU MUST:

1. Face the Damascus road experience- accept Christ
2. Open your eyes to your blindness- be baptized
3. Train yourself for service- (took Paul three years in Arabia)
4. Testify of Christ wherever you go-
5. Don't be afraid to go into great adventure for Christ-

I would like to see our young men and women aim for the highest calling and take the time to go on a mission before launching a family, or right after retirement- and try the great adventure for the Lord.