Unstoppable Courage

We will often face opposition in this life. If you decide to follow Jesus and actively participate in the mission He’s given you to spread the Gospel and make disciples, you will become Satan’s public enemy number one.

The question is, will you continue on advancing God’s kingdom in the face of hardship, difficulty, apathy, and possibly open opposition.

There are many stories of those who have simply done what it took to accomplish the mission.

During World War II one night in 1945 Captain Terry Simeral brought his crippled B-29 in for a safe landing amidst waiting fire engines and red flares, unloaded the plane, and entered the group headquarters tent.

His face was white. He seemed to be in a state of shock, and it was several minutes before he could talk.

An incredible feat had been accomplished as Captain Simeral piloted his plane toward the enemy coast in order to drop phosphorus smoke to mark the mission’s target.

On B-29’s it was the radio operator’s job to release the bomb through a narrow tube. On this particular flight Sgt. Henry Erwin received the routine order, triggered the flare, and dropped it down the tube.

But there was a malfunction, and the bomb exploded and bounded back into Erwin’s face, blinding both eyes and searing off an ear.

Burning phosphorus melts metal like butter, and the bomb was now at Sgt. Erwin’s feet and eating rapidly through the deck of the plane toward a full load of bombs.

He was alone because the navigator had gone to the transparent dome atop the plane to make some celestial computations.

Not having the luxury of time to analyze his situation, Erwin picked up the white-hot bomb in his bare hands and stumbled forward toward the cockpit, groping along with elbows and feet.

The navigator’s folding table was down and latched, blocking the way.

Sgt. Erwin hugged the blazing bomb under one arm as it burned the flesh over his ribs, unfastened the latch, and lifted the table.

He stumbled on, a walking torch. Dense smoke filled the plane, and Simeral had opened the window beside him to clear the air.

Simeral said, “I could not see Erwin, but I heard his voice right at my elbow. He said, ‘Pardon me, sir,’ and reached across the window and tossed the bomb out. Then he collapsed on the flight deck.

Amazingly, Sgt. Erwin survived and went on to regain the use of his hands and partial vision in one eye.

Sgt. Henry Erwin is one of our country’s Congressional Medal of Honor winners, receiving it from General Curtis LeMay while still in a Pacific Hospital.

That was an amazing account of heroism. Sgt. Erwin risked life and limb to defend his country!

The Bible gives us an even greater account of heroism in Paul and Barnabas risking life and limb to declare Christ to those who had never heard the gospel!

When we serve Jesus and make Him known in this world we can expect nothing less than what the apostles went through!

In the face of opposition, God's power and our calling empower us to proclaim the gospel with unstoppable courage.

Let’s take a look at Paul and Barnabas as they pushed on to get the message of Jesus out to those who needed to hear it.

Read Acts 14:1-7.

We will sometimes be…

Proclaiming the Gospel in Hostile Environments (1-3)

The same thing that happened in Pisidian Antioch happens in Iconium. Iconium was sixty miles east. It was located in the Roman province of Galatia, even though it was predominately populated by Greeks.

But there were enough Jews there to have a synagogue.

Paul and Barnabas enter Iconium, a new city with new challenges, but they bring with them an unchanging message of hope—the gospel. They start at the synagogue, the heart of Jewish religious life, but their audience is mixed, made up of both Jews and Greeks.

Their approach is direct and persuasive, and they communicate in such a way that "a great number of Jews and Greeks believed."

Paul and Barnabas weren’t interested in just “fitting in.” They were willing to “stand out” because the message they carried was vital to their listeners’ eternity.

Just like Paul and Barnabas, our effectiveness in sharing our faith often begins with how deeply we're rooted in it.

When you truly believe in the impact of what you're sharing, your passion and conviction can touch hearts, even in less-than-ideal conditions.

Here's how you can apply this in your daily life:

Know Your Message: Just as Paul and Barnabas were well-versed in the teachings of Christ, take time to really understand the core of your faith. What does Christianity mean to you? How has it changed your life?

Speak with Conviction: When you talk about your faith, let your genuine conviction shine through. People are drawn to authenticity. It's not just about reciting facts; it's about sharing something real and transformative.

Adapt to Your Audience: Paul and Barnabas knew how to reach both Jews and Greeks, speaking in ways that were relevant to each group. In the same way, think about who you're talking to. What might they relate to? How can you connect the message of the gospel to their life experiences?

Expect Impact: When you are rooted in your faith and speak from that foundation, your words can have a powerful effect on those around you. Believe that the H.S. can use your speech to open hearts and minds, even if the environment seems unfriendly or indifferent. Remember, it’s not about you. If you’re surrendered to Him, the Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

There were mixed reactions to the gospel.

The response was polarized—some were persuaded, and others wanted to stir up trouble.

Like a two-edged sword, the truth of the gospel can either open hearts or harden them.

Expect mixed reactions but stay committed to truth.

Paul and Barnabas showed persistence in the midst of opposition.

Now, what about the signs and wonders in verse 3?

The Role of Signs and Wonders (3)

It tells us that Jesus was bearing witness through His word and to His word.

God granted that signs and wonders be worked through the hands of these men.

The workers did not have power in themselves to doing any work, but it was God granting to them signs for His purpose and His glory.

Signs and wonders were granted to the apostles and through the apostles as a testimony of God who was working through the apostles and the apostles were working for God.

The Gospel was making inroads into places it had never been. God allowed signs and wonders through these early workers to give indisputable evidence of God’s word of grace through His workers.

Warren W. Wiersbe wrote, “Faith is not based on miracles, but faith can be bolstered by miracles.”

While we might not perform miracles, our lives transformed by grace are a testament to God's power.

What does this mean for us today? Live in such a way that your life points unmistakably to God’s transformative work.

As we’re carrying out our mission to make disciples today we need to learn how to…

Navigate Division and Persecution (4-6)

The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles.

The gospel is divisive. It divides homes, communities, towns, cities, even nations.

The gospel divided the people in the city of Iconium.

We have to make a choice about what we will do with Jesus Christ. We will either be for Him or against Him! There is no middle ground!

Today's society is marked by sharp divisions—politically, socially, and even spiritually. Differences in opinion can quickly escalate into conflict, making any discussion about faith potentially contentious.

Yet, in Acts 14, we see a similar landscape of societal division. Paul and Barnabas faced a community split in their views toward them and their message. Despite these challenges, they continued their mission, focusing on what united them with their followers: faith in Christ.

As followers of Christ, here are practical ways we can maintain unity in the midst of division:

Focus on Common Ground: Just like finding shared values at a family dinner, in conversations about faith, emphasize the core beliefs that unify all Christians—love, grace, and redemption through Christ alone. Even when peripherals differ, these foundational truths are unifying.

Listen More Than You Speak: Unity starts with understanding. Make a genuine effort to listen to others' perspectives without immediately planning your rebuttal. This doesn’t mean compromising your beliefs but respecting others’ right to hold different views as long as Scripture is not crystal clear. Because, if we’re intellectually honest, for some positions we hold, we can’t point to chapter and verse. And very often there is just as much Scriptural support for another position. And, there are times we will doggedly hold to the much weaker position no matter what, simply because that’s what we’ve been taught.

Respond with Grace and Love: When discussions about faith become heated, choose to respond with the grace and love that Jesus showed, even to those who opposed him. This can de-escalate tension and open doors for more productive and respectful dialogue later.

Promote Peace Over Winning Arguments: It’s easy to get caught up in the need to 'win' a debate. However, as Christians, our goal should be to promote peace and understanding, reflecting Christ's peacemaker spirit. Sometimes, this means agreeing to disagree, but still moving forward.

Engage in Prayer: When divisions seem insurmountable, turn to prayer. Pray for unity within the church and society, and for your heart to remain open and compassionate towards those with differing views. God’s Holy Spirit can use a gracious spirit to penetrate hard hearts.

But sometimes you have to escape to continue the mission.

I’ve heard of some workplaces that have become so anti-Jesus that it’s simply unbearable to remain and still obey God.

V. 5-6. God want us to be “living sacrifices.” Not dead ones. For Paul and Barnabas, they had to be “alive” to continue spreading the gospel.

God made known to the apostles of the plot to harm them so they used their common sense and did what God led them to do. They fled!

John G. Butler wrote, “Divine intervention does not eliminate human responsibility.”

Matthew 10:16 Jesus said, “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

If God wanted them to stay further at Iconium he would have told them.

Paul and Barnabas were in immediate danger so they fled. They didn’t flee out of cowardice, but out of prudence.

David Jeremiah wrote, “Leaving Iconium was not cowardice on their part but prudence. They wouldn’t be able to minister anywhere if they were badly injured or killed in a stoning, so they took the path of safety and left before the serious trouble started.”

They used their common sense and they also obeyed the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sometimes it’s right to stand firm, and other times it’s right to move on for safety and continued ministry. They moved on to Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding region.

And lastly we see…

The Unstoppable Spread of the Gospel (7)

Despite the persecution, the gospel was preached in new regions.

Encouragement: Our efforts for the Kingdom are never in vain. God’s word continues to spread, regardless of opposition.

Application: Where can you extend your reach this week? How can you impact your community for Christ?

Recap: Today, we’ve seen how Paul and Barnabas faced immense challenges but were empowered by God to boldly proclaim the gospel.

Call to Action: This week, let's be courageous in our faith. Identify one opportunity where you can boldly share the love and truth of Jesus.

Takeaway: Live boldly for Christ, knowing that God is with you, empowering and using your faithfulness for His glory.