Paul and Barnabas in Iconium and Lystra

Acts 14:1-18

- First missionary journey recorded (chapters 13-14)

- The journey included one city trying to stone the apostles, the other trying to worship them like gods. Such amazing contrast in their responses - to one and the same message!

- Now we should ask why this story is accounted in the Bible:

a. It progresses the story in an important way

b. It is giving introduction and accreditation to Paul as an apostle who preaches the gospel of God.

c. We see challenges and triumphs that we will continue to see in the future and so be encouraged.

Challenges and the apostles' responses:

* The apostles' response to the opposition

- In the previous city, they were attacking their preaching, in this city they attack their person and character.

It is our character that people look at. The way we live our lives also shares the Gospel. This is something that every Christian should remember.

Paul knew about this. Hence, we find Paul at times defending his self, giving himself credibility because he knew there's a connection between character and the message.

- "...So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands." (Acts 14:3)

It isn't necessarily the case that a struggling ministry is a failing ministry. The essence of success in mission and ministry is faithfulness.

- "...they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country" (Acts 14:6)

Even fleeing or leaving doesn't always mean failure too. It can mean redirection and blessing.

* The apostles' response to the people trying to worship them as gods.

"And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker." (Acts 14:11‭-‬12)

Paul and Barnabas were horrified and frustrated at the people's worship of them because their highest ambition was to glorify God and their greatest fear was that they might steal some of that glory for themselves.

We wonder how many of preachers can say that nowadays?

* They didn't try to accommodate the people's worldview. There is not a compromise nor change in their preaching of the Word.

“Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. (Acts 14:15)

All of creation screams of the goodness of God. When we speak to people about God, we wouldn't even need to share the most intricate of apologetics but to lead them into acknowledging God and their sinfulness and need of Him.

The Gospel is powerful and sufficient and we ought to put our confidence in it.