Facing Rejection

Introduction |

Focus Passage | Acts 14:1-7

Acts 14:1–7 NASB 2020

1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a way that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brothers. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be performed by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, while others, with the apostles. 5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to treat them abusively and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Outline |

Do Not Give Up (v. 1)

Acts 14:1 NASB 2020

1 In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a way that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.

1. Do not give up on the gospel

Acts 13:46 NASB 2020

46 Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first. Since you repudiate it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles.

The Jews of Pisidia Antioch had refused to hear the gospel. Paul and Barnabas knew that God declared the Jews were to hear the gospel first, It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first (Ac 14:46a). Jesus emphasized this truth in His own plan of ministry when he went to His own first, but they, like the Jews with Paul and Barnabas, rejected Him.

John 1:11 NASB 2020

11 He came to His own, and His own people did not accept Him.

We are to keep moving forward despite one rejecting the gospel. We often take rejection personal, but in this case, their rejection is not a rejection of you and I, as Paul and Barnabas told the Jews as they rejected it. We find Paul states, Since you repudiate it and consider yourselves unworthy of eternal life. Ultimately those who reject the gospel, do not reject the herald, but rather reject Christ Jesus. They reject His free gift of salvation and invite judgement rather than forgiveness.

John 3:17 NASB 2020

17 For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

Despite this rejection, we keep sharing the gospel. Why? Because in the midst of those rejecting the free gift of salvation found alone in Christ, there will be those that accept the free gift of salvation found only in Christ. This is what Paul and Barnabas state they will do, keep moving forward with the gospel, behold, we are turning to the Gentiles. He knew the truth, that those who accept Christ, find themselves apart of a new family, the family of God.

John 1:12 NASB 2020

12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name,

2. Do not give up on those who reject the gospel

Paul and Barnabas did as the Lord had commanded His disciples to do when a community rejected the gospel, they left.

Matthew 10:14 NASB 2020

14 And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet.

However, what they did not do was give up on those who rejected the gospel. They did not give up on the Jewish people just because a group in Pisidia rejected the gospel. What we find within our text, is that Paul and Barnabas stood the course and did as they routinely did, entered the synagogue of the Jews together. Just because the Jews of Pisidia rejected the gospel, did not mean that the Jews of Iconium would. They continued to do as God had called them to do and shared with the Jews first and also the Greeks.

3. Do not give up for God will provide a harvest

Paul and Barnabas continued to share the gospel despite being rejected in the previous city. They knew that God had called them to be faithful no matter the cost. They knew that the Lord was being rejected and not them. They knew that God was faithful and honors those who faithfully serve. This is exactly what God did, a large number of people believed, both Jews and Greeks. We are called to share, simply share. May we never give up. May we understand that we plant and water, but God does and will supply the growth.

1 Corinthians 3:6–7 NASB 2020

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. 7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

Remain Faithful (vv. 2-4)

Acts 14:2–4 NASB 2020

2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the minds of the Gentiles and embittered them against the brothers. 3 Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly with reliance upon the Lord, who was testifying to the word of His grace, granting that signs and wonders be performed by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; and some sided with the Jews, while others, with the apostles.

1. Opposition will always come against the gospel

Just as in the 1st Century, the church today is surrounded by an unbelieving populous, But the unbelieving Jews. Within this unbelieving populous, there will be those that will do everything in their power to oppose the gospel. How did this opposition come? It was an attack on the mind of the crowds, stirred up the minds of the Gentiles. The idea before us is that they poisoned the crowds mind. They circled the wagons against the apostles. They were doing their best to intimidate, incriminate, and exasperate the crowds into turning on Paul and Barnabas, much like the enemy still does today, embittered them against the brothers. How do these two apostles respond? Do they pack it up and go home? They run for the hills in fear. No! They counted in all joy to suffer for the Lord and dig in their heels.

2. Remain faithful despite opposition

Paul knew first hand what it was like to grow weary in well doing. This is why he writes…

Galatians 6:9 NASB 2020

9 Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary.

It was during this mission journey that he would be ministering to the churches of Galatia. He would later write to the believers of Thessalonica, But as for you brothers and sisters, do not grow weary of doing good (2 Thess 3:13). Despite continued opposition, we find recorded of Paul and Barnabas, Therefore they spent a long time there speaking boldly. How were they able to do this? How were they able to remain faithful?

3. Remain faithful in the power of God

Luke writes, with reliance upon the Lord. You and I are nothing without the power of God. No matter the gifts, talents, charisma, if God is not in it, it will not succeed. God is the source of all good things. God provides the abilities and fruit of our labor. Once again, as Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers, God supplies the growth. They held on and lived out in faith the word of Christ to the original eleven.

Acts 1:8 NASB 2020

8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.”

May we hold on to this same truth today. In this power and move of God, Paul and Barnabas did not rely on programs, rely on the newest and best technologies, they simply relied on one thing, the gospel, who was testifying to the word of His grace. May we remember why we are not ashamed of the gospel. For the gospel is the power of God unto salvation, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Rm 1:16).

4. Remain faithful despite division

We find that the city was divided, the people of the city were divided. Some were falling unto the influence of the poisonous rhetoric of the Jews, while others were being saved by the healing work of the gospel. This still happens today. The gospel is divisive. The Lord said it would be. We should not be surprised by this.

As we remain faithful and face opposition, let us be reminded that we remain where we are until it’s time, it’s time to move forward.

When It’s Time (vv. 5-7)

Acts 14:5–7 NASB 2020

5 And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to treat them abusively and to stone them, 6 they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.

1. Until it’s time, continue to share

Matthew 28:19–20 NASB 2020

19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to follow all that I commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

2. When it’s time, move forward

‘…When an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to treat them abusively and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled…’

3. When it’s time to move forward, share more as you move forward

‘…they they continued to preach the gospel…’

Conclusion |