Don't Give Up on the Assignment

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Introductory information

Paul and Barnabas were on their first missionary journey (map)

They had preached across Cyprus and sailed to modern-day southern Turkey

Paul and Barnabas had been expelled from Pisidian Antioch (modern-day Yalvac, Turkey) by the Jews, after they had become jealous of all the Gentiles hearing the message

We have seen that Paul and Barnabas were operating on what they knew were clear directions from God

Their assignment: travel the world and share the Gospel with the Gentiles

In the last lesson, we saw them head for Iconium (modern-day Konya, Turkey)

And that is where we pick up...

READ

Question to consider as we read:

How do you handle resistance to the Gospel?

Acts 14:1–7 CSB

1 In Iconium they entered the Jewish synagogue, as usual, and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3 So they stayed there a long time and spoke boldly for the Lord, who testified to the message of his grace by enabling them to do signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the city were divided, some siding with the Jews and others with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside. 7 There they continued preaching the gospel.

EXAMINE

What are the key points in this passage?

#1 | Once again, Paul and Barnabas encounter resistance from the Jews

At first, people believe, but unbelieving Jews stirred up resistance to them

Acts 14:1–2 ...a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

#2 | Paul and Barnabas don’t give up on the Gentiles

They stay for a long time and continue to press the message

Acts 14:3 So they stayed there a long time and spoke boldly for the Lord...

They seemed to fight harder to persuade the Gentiles, than they had for the Jews in Pisidian Antioch

This is clearly because of their faithfulness to the assignment God had given them

They have a hard time persuading everyone, even despite performing miracles

Acts 14:3–4 … [the Lord] testified to the message of his grace by enabling them to do signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the city were divided...

The unbelieving Jews were so effective, they still managed to discourage people from accepting the clear evidence of God’s power and truth

Paul and Barnabas only leave when their lives are threatened

Acts 14:5–6 When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat and stone them, 6 they found out about it and fled...

This shows their strong devotion to the work God had given them

Also, their larger assignment meant that they couldn’t die here, yet

#3 | Paul and Barnabas keep traveling and keep preaching

The resistance didn’t stop them

Acts 14:6–7 they... fled to the Lycaonian towns of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding countryside. 7 There they continued preaching the gospel.

There were more cities and more people waiting to here the Gospel

This is a lesson to us in persistence and faithfulness to the Gospel

Opposition, struggle, and apparent failure did not stop Paul and Barnabas

They were faithful to their assignment - no doubt motivated by their love for God and their desire to see people saved

APPLY

Explore and apply the passage with these questions:

[These questions must be focused, yet very open-ended. Allow the conversation to go where people take it - we want to encourage everyone to share and explore the topics of the passage. You don’t have to ask all these questions. Sometimes a group may only get through one or two questions. Select the questions you think are right for the conversation. Then, as it comes time to wrap up, refocus the conversation to “land the plane.”]

What stood out to you in this story?

What is the difference between “letting people go” and “giving up on people”?

What does it mean to be faithful? Why is faithfulness difficult?

Where we want to “land the plane”

Do not give up easily on the people God has given you to reach.

REFLECT

Prayer Points for Today

Ask the Lord to teach us faithfulness and empower us to be persistent

Devotional Question for the Week

Reflect on 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9. How can finding a deeper love for people, empower greater endurance, persistence, and faithfulness in your life?

FOOTNOTES