Counterattack

If we are going to experience success in missions, we must be faithful to the Biblical model of missionary action.

Faithful mission begins with bold proclamation of the Gospel.

Acts 14:1 HCSB

The same thing happened in Iconium; they entered the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

The same thing look back to the end of chapter 13 where Lt. Amanda left off last week. We see this basic pattern - Preach, Reach, Engage

Preach the Gospel

People are reached by the message.

Engage with opponents.

This is the pattern that we will follow through much of chapter 14.

These disciples are in Iconium now, which is about 90 miles from Antioch (insert map picture).

Iconium was located on a plateau and its culture more reflected the Greek city-state model, including the temperament and flavor of the Greeks. Despite this difference, Paul and Barnabas found themselves in a bit of deja vu.

Despite their previous encounters with the Jews and their rejection of the Gospel message, Paul and Barnabas continue the pattern by beginning with the bold proclamation of the Gospel.

There’s an important lesson in just one verse:

Paul had not given up on the Jews

and for us,

We must never give up in our bold proclamation of the Gospel.

There may be people who have rejected it, people who have scoffed at us, people who have dismissed us. In fact, this group were those close to Paul’s heart.

Do we follow the first step in the pattern? Do we find ourselves in situations and circumstances where we might want to temper our message or strategy? Maybe it’s with those who are in our closest circle, and we forsake the proclamation of the Gospel.

The apostles did their part - they preached the Gospel. Then God steps in. We see in the second half of verse 1 that the Spirit of God was clearly moving and growing the apostles’ ministry.

It says

Acts 14:1 (HCSB)

...that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

Ladies and gentlemen - this is what we call bipartisan support!

I’ll say this - if you want real bipartisan support it is possible only through the unity of the Holy Spirit.

This goes farther than just the words on the page or the idea of unity -

Without this first step, without this planting of the flag so to speak, why would we be opposed? If we don’t say “this is where we stand,” if we don’t stake our missions on the Gospel, what do we stand for? What are we preaching? Proclaiming the Gospel indicates our unity with Christ, but it will bring opposition.

Faithful missions require us to endure opposition in order to grow.

In verse 2, we see the response of some of the listeners.

Acts 14:2 HCSB

But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against the brothers.

Based on historical timelines, this stirring up and poisoning of minds probably lasted into the 6 month range. Luke’s language is direct -

Notice, that the opposition wasn’t just against Paul and Barnabas, but against the brothers.

In 2 Corinthians 2:11 Paul says to the Corinthians:

2 Corinthians 2:11 HCSB

I have done this so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan. For we are not ignorant of his schemes.

We know of Satan’s schemes, we seem them across the Scriptures, but can we discern them? Here, Satan’s scheme is subtle and quiet, almost like a muted disagreement among the people, unlike what the apostles faced in Antioch, where Paul’s teaching was contradicted and they heaped abuse on him. God isn’t beyond subtlety.

Success in faithful missions means countering the enemy’s attacks using spiritual weapons of war.

One of the weapons of war is the sword, that is the Word of God.

In verse 3, we see a perfect example of this counterattack on the enemy. But play close attention to how the weapon is wielded.

Acts 14:3 (HCSB)

So they stayed there for some time and spoke boldly in reliance on the Lord, who testified to the message of His grace by granting that signs and wonders be performed through them.

It’s tempting in opposition to look inward and become self-reliant. Like, if I just look deeper or longer, the answer will come. False. It’s not what happens in our text today. The fight back against opposition is fought from a posture of humility.

These men were confident in God’s Holy Spirit, that He would take over.

Humility and confidence seem as though they are on two opposite ends of a spectrum. What we see here is they are perfect balance that is required in times of opposition - in humility, I’m not fully equipped for this battle. In confidence, Lord, I turn this over to you! This is how we allow opposition to work in our favor.

This is the growth stage of missions work.

Acts 14:4–5 HCSB

But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to assault and stone them,

In some translations, the word plot appears in verse 5 where my translation say “when an attempt was made.” The word plot indicates a spontaneous reaction uncontrolled by reason and planning.

In opposition, it can be easy to vacate plans. In the space between opposition and growth lies the Holy Spirit.

This opposition didn’t stifle their plans, it didn’t detract from their view of their commission by Jesus, and it shouldn’t us either. In fact, the power of this opposition is found in this: that they continued to move forward.

Acts 14:6–7 HCSB

they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns called Lystra and Derbe, and to the surrounding countryside. And there they kept evangelizing.

In fact,

Opposition should deepen our reliance on the Holy Spirit and direct growth towards God’s priorities.

The apostles found out about the plot and they fled forward. But, the new believers in Iconium could not be totally silenced, and they headed to the next communities, and they kept evangelizing. Growth by opposition.

Opposition brings focus to the co-purpose of evangelism and discipleship.

In verses 8-20, a lot happens. There is a miraculous healing through Paul, Paul and Barnabas are mistaken as gods, they preached again about the One True God, and Paul is stoned by some Jews from Antioch and Iconium. Keep him down, think again.

Acts 14:20 (HCSB)

The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

This pattern of preach, reach, and engage is amplified in this chapter, and once again in this transition to 21-22.

Acts 14:21–22 HCSB

After they had evangelized that town and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, to Iconium, and to Antioch, strengthening the disciples by encouraging them to continue in the faith and by telling them, “It is necessary to pass through many troubles on our way into the kingdom of God.”

First, there is a clear picture in these verses of shared experience, shared, responsibility, and shared faith.

The apostles retraced their steps all the way back to Antioch. Why would you do this? Why would someone knowingly step back into cities where there were plots to kill you, to persecute you and reject your message?

Because discipling and growing leaders are necessary for Kingdom growth.

The new believers needed support so that they could follow the pattern of Paul and Barnabas- preach, reach, and engage. Ultimately, grow from the opposition they would inevitably face.

Church growth and successful missions can be measured a lot of ways. One of the common ways is with a single adjective: bigger.

Buildings. Budgets. Programs. Numbers of people. Some of which matter. Seeing people in seats and engaging people regularly matters. If the church doesn’t grow it dies. But,

Faithful missions is measured with a different adjective: deeper.

Opposition required them to go deeper, not wider. These new believers had a responsibility in their church, which is given in more detail in verses 23-28. But, individually, Paul and Barnabas give these new disciples the responsibility of continuing in the faith - growing more deeply their relationship with God so that His principles become their principles.

The path of growth will go through troubles, but it is never a path alone.

We don’t see renewed opposition in these cities. We could conclude that on the return trip in 21-22, Paul and Barnabas confined their ministry to the small groups they had left behind. It is more likely that Luke is focusing his attention the model of Jesus Christ - who suffered the pain of ultimate opposition and in whose likeness His followers would walk.

If the church is going to grow, it must proclaim boldly the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We will meet opposition. We must see the connection between evangelism and discipleship. Without evangelism, what’s the point of discipling?

Are you prepared to grow through opposition?

Are there opportunities in your life to follow the pattern of preach, reach, and engage?