Through Hardship to Glory

Paul & Barnabas preaching in Lystra

The people supposed that they were Greek gods in the flesh.

Zeus (the elder and more powerful) and Hermes (the messenger of the gods)

They feared judgment, so they were intent on sacrificing to them: both animals and children.

A local legend told of gods who had visited in subterfuge, but they were not shown hospitality by the people, except one couple, who were shown favor, but the rest were condemned.

What the Apostles said made no sense to them.

That they were simply humans… humans that brought new functioning to a man’s body.

The lame man had always been that way… until that day.

Their words seemed to have little effect.

There was no talk of Jesus as the Messiah, because they didn’t know the prophesies of Jewish Scriptures.

That’s when the haters showed up, to have them stoned.

They made it seem like Christians turned against the god of their ancestors.

Look how fickle the crowd is, they were going to sacrifice to them, now, they are going to sacrifice them.

Paul was stoned nearly to death.

Sometimes, we experience hardship that keep us from fully perceiving God’s grace.

But, Paul was not dead.

When someone is stoned, the largest stones are thrown first by the one most offended.

With the disciples gathered, Paul was able to get up and walk back into the city and the next day to travel.

Just as the lame man was able to get up and walk away.

They stoned him so intently, they left him for dead.

But, Paul was still alive, and he was determined to re-enter the city.

God not only gave Paul the strength to endure but also a heart determined to love beyond hate.

Their message to the church of Antioch, “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God”

This was a battle of hearts and minds.

god’s malevolence vs. God’s benevolence

Blessings bestowed because you are good to a wrathful god, or Blessings bestowed because God is good.

The Creator God does not need sacrifices, God desires to show kindness, fill their bellies with food ad their hearts with joy.

Zeus was not a benevolent god but a manipulative and vengeful one.

Hardly our kind and loving God

Hermes was a messenger for all the gods, whether malevolent or benevolent.

Hardly like the Spirit of truth and love.

Jesus (being fully God and fully man) could hardly be understood at all in this context.

The concept of the Trinitarian God could not have naturally evolved from either monotheistic Judaism or polytheistic Greek religion.

It was the message of the good God of Creation that appealed to the Greeks.

God’s grace allowed for the people to worship as they pleased, AND God provided many ways for people to know him.

Later this good God of Creation could be understood in Trinitarian terms.

Good God comes to humanity, amidst the troubles of life, and makes a way for everyone to live a live of abundant joy.

They fled Lystra to Derbe and other places they had first made disciples to establish leadership and teaching to sustain each one.

And when they returned to Antioch, they shared all they learned about the Spirit who went before them.

They lead and ordained with prayer and fasting

Barnabas and Paul were ordinary guys sent on a mission to tell other people about their Good God.

It was this mission into which they were initiated, and the mission for which they were empowered. This is what they were meant for.

It is the Grace or Favor of God that was given them for their mission, and we need the same.

God’s grace is revealed through ordinary kindnesses and ordinary people.

Let God’s grace be revealed through you today.