In the Shadow of the Apostles: Paul’s First Missionary Journey - Part 2, Through Many Tribulations (AM)

Acts 14:1-28

Introduction:

1. Being expelled from Pisidian Antioch, Paul and Barnabas traveled to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe before circling back to Syrian Antioch.

2. As in Antioch, the reactions were mixed, but in Iconium and Lystra, things turned violent, but these soldiers of the cross soldiered on for their King.

3. They revisited the disciples and encouraged them to soldier on as well.

Discussion:

I. Conversions and Opposition at Iconium (14:1-7)

A. Once again, their efforts began in the Jewish synagogue, and it was effective among Jews and Gentiles alike (14:1).

B. Again, faithless Jews opposed them, poisoning the Gentiles’ minds (14:2), so they kept preaching boldly, God bearing witness to their word (14:3).

C. After an attempted stoning, they fled to Lystra (14:4-7; cf. Matthew 10:23).

II. From Attempted Worship to Attempted Murder (14:8-20)

A. As in Acts 3, Paul healed a lame man, but the result was quite different.

B. The observers neither glorified God nor tried to silence them, but they tried to worship Paul and Barnabas (14:8-13).

C. Paul used their misguided beliefs to teach the true God (14:14-18).

D. Jews from Iconium and Antioch came and turned the crowd against them; they stoned Paul, drug him out of town, and left him for dead (14:19).

E. He got up, went back to Lystra, and left for Derbe the next day (14:20).

III. Strengthening the Souls of the Disciples (14:21-23)

A. They fared much better in Derbe, making many disciples and no enemies.

B. How much courage is required to go back, strengthen disciples, and establish leaders in places where you faced violent opposition? (14:21-23)

C. They had to know the cost and reward of discipleship (14:22).

IV. Return and Report to Syrian Antioch (14:24-28)

A. After stopping to preach at a few more places, they returned to Antioch.

B. Having completed the Lord’s work, they gathered the church to report all He had done in them (14:26; cf. 1 Corinthians 3:6; 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3).

Conclusion:

1. Paul’s missionary activities offer the paradigm for successful evangelism.

2. He extended the gospel to every person, refused to be silenced, saw that new converts/congregations were solidified, and commended them to the Lord.

3. We must remember that entry into the kingdom may entail “many tribulations,” but heaven is surely worth it all!