Acts 14 is a lesson in church planting. It is a lesson on how God's people are called to call others into a relationship with Jesus, and to build congregations in homes, in unusual places, underground in some parts of the world, wherever the Spirit of God is moving. God gives to His people strength, guidance, direction and power to carry out the mission Jesus has given us in making disciples of the nations. The story pics up in Acts 14:1 in Iconium and there Paul and Barnabas teach both Jews and Greeks the Good News of Jesus and many came to faith. But a group of Jews who refused to believe in Jesus stirred up opposition. Paul and Barnabas however, were not intimidated and continued to preach and perform signs and wonders. Then there began a plot to stone them, so they fled and head to Lystra where they see a man that was lame. As Paul spoke the Good News of Christ, he saw the man had the faith to be healed and Paul tells the man to "stand up and walk." Following this miracle the crowds, in their own language, spoke of Paul and Barnabas being gods; Zeus and Hermes. As Paul and Barnabas figure out what is being said and see people wanting to offer sacrifices to them, they tear their clothes and tell them they are human just like them and refuse to receive anything from the crowd. They tell them they are bringing them the Good News of a Living God. As the story continues Paul is being stoned, the angry leaders of the church and others, left him outside the town as dead, but the disciples gather around Paul and then he gets up and heads to Derbe where he and Barnabas again won a large number of disciples for Christ. (See 2 Timothy 3:10-11) But then, Paul and Barnabas return to those cities where they had been persecuted and they encourage the disciples to remain true to the faith. They tell them that as believers we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God. Salvation is free but living the christian life is hard. THEN + NOW - Spreading the Kingdom - church planting When we are around people who have a confused notion of what is real and what is true we are to do as Paul did: Bring them the Good News of Jesus - tell them Jesus' story. One God - tell them there is One god, not many like they had Creator - that the One God is Creator of all Good - That God is good Strengthen one another - We are to be grounded in the Word of God, the word of truth, and to take the narrow road. The word gives direction and understanding, and exposes what is false, evil and deadly. Encourage believers - we are to encourage believers going through tragedy and loss, reminding them of God's promises, building them up in confidence and hope in Christ. Commissioning - As believers we are commissioned. Our purpose is to reach the world for Christ. We are called to being committed to carrying out the commission of Jesus. We are not called to be comfortable, we are called to be comforters. We are not called to be contented with the status quo, we are called to be committed to carrying out the commission of Jesus. This is needed in every age, every generation and in every land. Pastor shares a personal family story… Pastor concludes with: How dangerous it is to embrace religion without embracing Christ. It's a danger to be comfortable with the status quo rather than to have hearts that grieve for those who don't yet know the Lord. How dangerous it is to simply want to maintain what we have rather than follow what Jesus has commanded us to do to winning the world to faith in Him. We are to answer the Lord's call, "Send me! Send me!" This week's READING ASSIGNMENT: Acts chapter 14-15. Now What? Learn about God at https://www.awakeusnow.com EVERYTHING we offer is FREE. Check out this video series from our website: https://www.awakeusnow.com/god-acts-then-now Or watch from our Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AwakeUsNow/videos Join us Sundays live or on demand from our website https://www.awakeusnow.com/sunday-service
