The Power of Perseverance

Have you ever felt like giving up when things got tough? Maybe it was at work, in a relationship, or even in your faith journey. Today, we’re going to look at Acts 14 that shows us how to persevere, no matter the obstacles.

Context: Paul and Barnabas have been on a mission, spreading the gospel (“evangelize”) despite facing severe opposition. They’ve been threatened, attacked, and driven out of cities, yet they keep moving forward. Paul and Barnabas had an effective ministry in Derbe.

I. Strengthening the Disciples (Acts 14:21-22)

Explanation: After preaching the gospel in Derbe and winning many disciples, Paul and Barnabas return to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.

Whoa! Wait a minute. Did I read that right? Do you see the significance of where they returned? In all three places they had intense opposition. From being slandered, surviving a murder plot, and actually being stoned, their return to these cities shows the fearlessness of these servants of God.

They didn’t come back because it was fun or enjoyable, they came back because they had a mission to accomplish. The same mission given to each one of us by Jesus. Make disciples.

Strengthening the Souls: They didn’t just make converts; they built up believers. This wasn’t a one-time event but an ongoing process.

John MacArthur wrote, “When they had completed their work in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas revisited the three cities they had just come from. Such visits were fraught with danger … Paul and Barnabas knew, however, that it was far more dangerous to the gospel cause for those new flocks not to be strengthened.”

Encouraging to Continue in the Faith: They knew that new believers needed encouragement to stay strong, especially in the face of persecution.

Continue: emmeno, em-men’-o; to stay in the same place, i.e. (figurative) to persevere-continue.

The Lord Jesus called the missionaries to go and preach and when people were saved they were to seek to teach (disciple) them so that they in turn can grow and win others to Jesus Christ.

David Jeremiah makes a good point here. He wrote, “Paul was not seeking converts only, but disciples … And that should be our goal in the church today as well. We are not about baptizing new Christians as if they were notches on the handle of our Gospel gun, statistics to make us look good in the year-end accounting. Instead, we are about seeing lives transformed.”

"Through Many Tribulations": They didn’t sugarcoat the Christian journey. They were honest about the challenges.

￫NOTE: Followers of Jesus do not go through tribulations to get to heaven, but go through tribulations because they are going to heaven.

When we are filled with the Holy Spirit we can be fearless before men. When we have a proper fear of God we have nothing to fear from men.

In his book “The Power of the Holy Spirit,” David Howard tells about a fearless pastor he ministered with in Columbia named Lupercio Taba.

One Sunday Taba was preaching from his pulpit when a man appeared at a side window of the church, aimed a pistol at him, and ordered him to stop preaching.

The congregation, seeing the danger dove to the floor and hid under the pews.

Taba, however, went right on preaching the gospel. The man then fired four shots at him.

Two shots went past the preacher’s head, one on one side and the other on the other side, and lodged in the wall behind him. Two shots went past his body, one under one arm, one under the other, and also lodged in the wall.

The would-be assassin then dropped his gun and fled.

Taba, still unmoved, continued his sermon.

He went right on preaching! I don’t think I could have done that. But I think we have some folks here would have been prepared to return fire.

We have to be prepared for opposition. Even from those within the church sometimes.

Illustration: Think about how athletes train for a marathon. They know it’s going to be tough, but they keep going because they’ve been strengthened and encouraged by their coaches. And they’re on a mission. The goal makes the pain of preparation bearable.

Application:

Strengthen Your Faith: Regularly engage with Scripture, prayer, and community.

Encourage Each Other: Share your struggles and victories with fellow believers. Be a source of strength to one another.

Realistic Expectations: Understand that challenges are part of the Christian journey. Don’t be discouraged by them.

Are we committed to the work of Jesus Christ no matter what’s going on around us? Don’t let the naysayers or the clueless keep you from doing the work of the Lord right now. Are we truly continuing the work of the Lord? Are we on mission for Jesus?

II. Appointing Elders (Acts 14:23)

Explanation: Paul and Barnabas appointed elders in every church with prayer and fasting.

khi-rot-on-eh’-o - to select or appoint-choose, ordain. We’ve turned the word “ordain” into a religious rite. But the word ordain simply means to choose or appoint. We say sometimes, “that was ordained to be.” Or, that event was God-ordained. It means that was God’s sovereign choice.

presbuteros - not simply physical age, but of spiritual maturity. It speaks of leadership and the word is interchangeable with pastor, or shepherd.

Paul and Barnabas gave elders/overseers the responsibility of caring for and leading the flock.

Leadership Matters: They understood the importance of solid leadership in the church to guide and support the community.

The church today needs visionary leaders who are willing to adapt to an ever-changing cultural landscape in order to maintain our effectiveness in this god-less world.

Millennials and Gen-Zrs are not responding to the same methods and expectations we used in the 1970’s and 80’s.

The answer is not complaining and trying to get them to come fit our mold, but finding new ways that reach them at their core and help them find Jesus and a cause greater than themselves. That’s the true missionary mindset.

Millennials and Gen-Zrs don’t inherently trust institutions or titles implicitly any more. You have to earn their respect. But they will follow you to the ends of the earth if you’ve been real and earned their respect.

The next generation wants real leaders, not simply managers.

With Prayer and Fasting: Their decisions were made thoughtfully and spiritually, not hastily or carelessly.

Illustration: Consider a ship’s crew. Without a capable captain and officers, the ship would be lost at sea. Similarly, the church needs dedicated visionary leaders to navigate challenges.

Application:

Value Church Leadership: Respect and support your church leaders. Pray for them and their guidance.

Seek God’s Guidance: Make decisions in your life with prayer and intentionality, seeking God’s will.

III. The Journey Continues (Acts 14:24-25)

Explanation: Paul and Barnabas travel through Pisidia and Pamphylia, preaching in Perga before heading to Attalia.

They were committed to the Mission: Despite the hardships, they didn’t stop. Their mission was too important.

Preaching the Word: They kept their focus on spreading the gospel wherever they went.

Illustration: Think about a firefighter. They don’t stop when the flames get intense; they push through because saving lives is their mission.

Attalia was a sea-port town where they would eventually board a ship heading for home.

Paul and Barnabas were finishing up their 1st missionary journey. They had completed the work that the Lord Jesus had called them to do at this point.

They were fearless, faithful, and focused! Does that describe us in serving our Lord Jesus Christ?

Application:

Stay Committed: Don’t give up on your faith journey, even when it’s tough. Your mission to live out and share the gospel is vital.

Focus on the Word: Let the gospel be at the center of your life and actions. Share it with others through your words and deeds.

Conclusion:

Summary: Paul and Barnabas exemplify perseverance in ministry through strengthening believers, appointing leaders, and remaining committed to their mission despite challenges.

Challenge: Reflect on your own life. Where do you need to persevere? How can you strengthen your faith, support your leaders, and stay committed to your mission?

Encouragement: Remember, you’re not alone. Just as Paul and Barnabas had each other and their communities, you have a church family and the Holy Spirit to guide and empower you.

Closing Prayer: