Our Character Matters - Acts 14:8-28

Paul and Barnabas Stoned at Lystra and Return to Antioch(Acts 14:8-28)

There is a saying in the business world that I have heard many times now.

It is sometimes worded differently but the gist of it is this.

“Your character matters more than your skills.”

Why?

Because when the character is already present, the skills can be taught. Without the character, the skills often lead to conflict.

This reality is even more pronounced when we are talking about things in the spiritual realm.

Having skills is great, but having character is better.

History is filled with people who made an incredible impact on those around them not because they had amazing skills, but because they had great character.

What we see in the end of Acts 14 is the character of Paul and Barnabas.

They enter a new city, Lystra, and meet a man who born without the ability to walk.

As Paul is speaking, he sees this mans faith, and heals him.

The people of the city see this healing and think Paul and Barnabas are the Greek god’s Zeus and Hermes and begin the process of making sacrifices to them.

When Paul and Barnabas realize what is happening they explain that they are men just like everyone else and are trying to get the people to turn from false god’s to the true and living God who made all things.

Verse 18 tells us that they barely restrain the priests of Zeus from sacrificing to them.

When I read this, what stands out to me is the integrity of Paul and Barnabas.

They could have said, “If we are god’s to them maybe they will listen better.” We could command them to believe in Jesus.

They don’t do this because…

How we share the gospel matters.

Don’t use gimmicks or false pretenses.

Have integrity and preach the gospel.

As this passage goes on we see how easily swayed people are.

Those who chased Paul and Barnabas out of the last city follow them here and cause trouble.

The same people who were ready to sacrifice to them as god’s end up stoning Paul and leaving him for dead!

What does Paul do?

Get’s up and goes right back into the city in v. 20!

Then they go to Derbe and back to all the places they had been chased out of!

Why?

To strengthen the believers.

This is perseverance.

Look at verse 22.

Acts 14:22 ESV

22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Our attitude matters!

Expect persecution and preach the gospel anyway.

Paul and Barnabas then appoint elders for church leadership in these new congregations and with prayer and fasting commit them to the Lord.

After preaching the gospel in several more cities they return to the church in Antioch that had sent them out.

I love the commitment that we see here.

They were sent out to do a task and they completed it.

So they return to give a report.

Look at verse 27.

Acts 14:27 ESV

27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.

Our support network matters.

Paul and Barnabas had the support of the local church. They had been sent out by this body of believers and now they reported back to it.

I don’t know about you, but hearing what God has done through the faithfulness of those who have been sent out is always encouraging to me.

The character of Paul and Barnabas is what made the difference in this journey.

They had integrity and did not take advantage of people to share the gospel.

They showed perseverance as they faced opposition and violence and yet faithfully shared the gospel.

They showed commitment as they returned to their church and reported all that God had done in and through them.

What kind of character do you and I display?

This passage challenges me to not be discouraged in sharing the gospel.

Sometimes people will listen, sometimes they won’t.

God calls us to faithfully share about Jesus.

Who will you share with next?