Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind
Episode: Paul’s Sermon at Antioch
Date: August 31, 2025
Host: Ligonier Ministries (Nathan W. Bingham)
Speaker: R.C. Sproul

Main Theme

This episode of Renewing Your Mind features R.C. Sproul’s exposition of Paul’s first recorded sermon (Acts 13), delivered in Antioch of Pisidia. Dr. Sproul explores the significance of Paul’s approach to preaching the Gospel by rooting it firmly in redemptive history. Sproul emphasizes the importance of understanding the Gospel as a proclamation of God’s historical work in Christ, rather than merely a personal experience or invitation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Paul’s Preaching: Historical Proclamation Over Personal Experience

• Dr. Sproul repeatedly stresses that Paul’s Gospel focuses on the historic acts of God, not on appealing to personal feelings or experiences.
  • “When Paul preaches the Gospel, he doesn't say, let me tell you how you can have a wonderful personal relationship with Jesus. The Gospel has to do with a proclamation of what happened really in history, in the person and work of Jesus.” (R.C. Sproul, 00:00)

2. Setting the Scene: The Missionary Journey

• After ministry success in Cyprus, Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark travel from Paphos to Perga and then to Antioch.
• Sproul highlights the significance of a seemingly minor detail: John Mark’s return to Jerusalem.
  • It perhaps hints at the dangers of their journey, with the path between Perga and Antioch known for bandits and hardship. (03:18)

3. The Synagogue Context and Paul’s Reputation

• Paul, recognized as a rabbinical scholar (student of Gamaliel), is invited to speak at the synagogue in Antioch—a privilege afforded due to his reputation.
• Sproul draws parallels with Jesus being invited to speak at the synagogue in Capernaum. (05:12)

4. Paul’s Sermon: A Capsule of Redemptive History

• Paul addresses both Jews and “God-fearers” (Gentiles who respected the God of Israel).
• He provides a concise yet sweeping overview of Israel’s history:
  • The patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph)
  • Enslavement in Egypt and the Exodus
  • The wilderness wanderings
  • The conquest and allotment of Canaan
  • The era of the Judges
  • The people’s demand for a king, the reign of Saul
  • God’s raising up of David, the “man after God’s own heart”
• Sproul highlights Paul’s emphasis on the doctrine of election:
  • “He starts with the doctrine that every other minister flees from—the doctrine of election. The God of this people chose our fathers...” (R.C. Sproul, 09:47)

5. David: The Heart of the Sermon

• Paul moves the spotlight to David, underscoring God’s criteria for kingship: the heart.
  • Sproul engages listeners: “What God loves are believers who don’t just give a casual interest in the things of God...David would not be satisfied with anything less than the heart of God...That should be what inflames our own souls.” (R.C. Sproul, 16:33)
• David’s significance is set as a bridge to the Messiah, the promised descendant.

6. Christ: Fulfillment of Promise

• The sermon transitions from Israel’s history to the fulfillment of God’s promise in Jesus Christ, the “Savior” from David’s seed.
• John the Baptist’s role is clarified—not as the Messiah but the herald. Paul, quoting John, states:
  • “Who do you think I am? I’m not he. But behold, there comes one after me, the sandals of whose feet I am not worthy to loose.” (R.C. Sproul quoting Acts via Paul, 18:10)
• Sproul explains the cultural weight of this—a slave’s task being too honorable for John to presume to do for Jesus.

7. Proclaiming the Gospel: Not About ‘Changed Lives’ but Jesus’ Work

• Sproul critiques contemporary “canned” Gospel presentations focused on personal testimony or feeling.
• He recounts experiences with “diagnostic questions” frequently used in evangelism, emphasizing that justification is not by works or ‘just by dying’ but by faith alone in Christ.
  • “Eighty percent of them gave a works righteousness answer...Everything except putting their trust in Christ and in Christ alone. I was almost in despair...” (R.C. Sproul, 20:53)
• Sproul insists that Paul’s Gospel is a declaration of historic events regarding Christ, not “let me tell you who changed my life.”
  • “Here’s where he starts every time he preaches the gospel: that Christ was born according to the Scripture and being the seed of David. The Gospel has to do with a proclamation of what happened really in history, in the person and work of Jesus.” (R.C. Sproul, 22:50)

8. Application and Reflection: Hungering for God’s Heart

• Sproul directly exhorts Christians to desire the heart of God, not mere outward religion.
  • “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. Those are the people who are people after God’s own heart. Do you want his heart?” (R.C. Sproul, 16:51)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the True Nature of the Gospel:

  • “The Gospel has to do with a proclamation of what happened really in history, in the person and work of Jesus.”
    (R.C. Sproul, 00:03 & 22:55)

• On Election and God’s Sovereignty:

  • “He starts with the doctrine that every other minister flees from—the doctrine of election.”
    (R.C. Sproul, 09:50)

• On David’s Heart:

  • “I’m not choosing David because of his talent. I’m choosing him because he’s a man after my own heart.”
    (R.C. Sproul, 16:41)

• On Personal Faith vs. Historical Faith:

  • “All you have to do to go to heaven is to die. I watched this and I came back…and 80% of them gave a works righteousness answer…Everything except putting their trust in Christ and in Christ alone. I was almost in despair.”
    (R.C. Sproul, 20:53)

• On the Role of John the Baptist:

  • “In antiquity, the lowest task of a menial slave was to untie and loosen the sandals of the noble...John said, I’m not even worthy to help Jesus with his sandals, because the Gospel is Jesus.”
    (R.C. Sproul, 23:40)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:00 – Sproul introduces Paul’s preaching focus on history, not personal experience.
• 01:14 – 07:30 – Background: Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark travel to Antioch; context for the sermon in the synagogue.
• 07:31 – 12:20 – Sproul explains why the historical summary in Paul’s sermon matters.
• 12:30 – 19:10 – Exposition on David's importance, the theme of God’s heart and election.
• 19:11 – 22:35 – Transition to Christ as the fulfillment; John the Baptist’s testimony.
• 22:36 – 24:21 – Sproul critiques evangelistic shortcuts; reaffirms Paul’s focus on Christ’s historic work.
• 16:33 & 16:51 – Personal challenge: “Do you want his heart?” and the example of David and righteousness.

Summary Flow & Tone

Sproul’s teaching is rich with pastoral warmth and theological rigor. He moves from the details of Paul’s missionary path to big-picture biblical theology, urging listeners to understand and share a Gospel rooted in God’s redemptive acts. The call to hunger for God’s heart and avoid “works righteousness” is delivered with fatherly concern, making this episode both educational and devotional.

Final Note:
This episode takes listeners through Paul’s sermon in Acts 13 as a model for Gospel proclamation—anchored in what God has done in history, fulfilled in Christ, and calling believers not just to knowledge, but to passionate pursuit of God’s heart. Perfect for anyone seeking a deeper grasp of both biblical history and the essence of Christian faith.