TEXT: Acts 14:1-28

SUBJECT: Acts 16

Today, with the Lord's blessing, we'll continue our study of Acts. The Book is full of colorful men and exciting events. In reading it, we're tempted to concentrate on them. But we mustn't do that. For Acts is not about Peter or Paul, the Young Church or the Dying Empire. It's about what Jesus Christ is doing in the World from His Seat in Glory.

What's He up to? Let's see.

ICONIUM

The story begins in Iconium, a city in the south of Asia Minor. Paul and Barnabas have come there to escape the persecution they suffered in Antioch.

Are things any better in Iconium? No they're not. On their first Sabbath there, they go into the Synagogue, preach the Gospel, and see amazing results.

This is very good news, of course. But with the good comes plenty of bad. No sooner do thousands believe in Christ than those who don't become offended and begin a Smear Campaign to discredit the preachers.

At first, it doesn't do much. Paul and Barnabas stay there "Boldly preaching the Word". And God Himself confirms the message by "Granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands". They healed people, cast out demons, maybe even raised the dead. In any event, Christ was at work--in Word and Deed.

But so was Satan. A riot was incited and the people started calling for Paul to be stoned. When he heard that, he and Barnabas left town and went on to Lystra.

LYSTRA

When the got there, they started preaching again, this time in the outdoor market, townsquare or some other public place.

They see a man listening with great care. He's been crippled his whole life and never once took a step. But Paul sees something: "Faith to be healed". When he sees that, he turns to the man and shouts,

The man does just that. He stands up, walks around, and jumps for joy.

No one in Lystra had ever seen that before! They conclude that Paul and Barnabas must be gods--

Word soon reaches the temple and a Pagan priest comes out to offer sacrifice to the gods.

When Paul and Barnabas figure out what's going on, they're appalled and--tearing the clothes--they beg the men to do no such thing! They have not come to be worshiped, but to make men quit worshiping creatures and start worshiping the Creator through Jesus Christ.

Not long after this, the rabble-rousers from Antioch come to Lystra and stir up another riot--and this time have Paul stoned and left for dead.

But he isn't dead. He survived the stoning and the next day he and his partner leave for Derbe, a town about thirty miles away.

DERBE

There he also preached the Word and "made many disciples".

RETURN

But he doesn't stay long. With great courage, he goes back through the cities that had abused him so badly--"Lystra, Iconium, Antioch".

But this time, it seems, he doesn't do much evangelism. Rather, he stays with the churches, encourages them, prays with them, appoints elders, and says one thing over and over again--

From there, he and Barnabas make their way home to Antioch in Syria. They tell their old friends what Christ has done on their mission, and everyone rejoices,

And they stayed there quite a while, enjoying the fellowship of God's people.

THE MESSAGE

That's the story. Now, what does it tell us?

Let's review the story. What stands out in every place Paul goes? In Iconium, there's a riot and talk of stoning Paul. In Lystra, another riot--and a real stoning. In every city, Paul reminds the believers how heaven is only reached by way of the cross; it's through "Many tribulations".

You've got it now, don't you? The theme is Suffering. But what kind of suffering? Not the kind that is common to man--sickness, poverty, heartache, and bereavement. Job 5:7,

That's not the kind of suffering Paul endures on his missionary tour! It's a distinctly Christian suffering. It is Suffering for Christ's Sake.

All the Apostles suffered persecution for the Lord; most of them died for His Name's sake. But Christian suffering is not unique to the Apostles. Nor to the Early Church. Nor to the saints living under brutal governments. In fact, near the end of his life, Paul said--II Timothy 3:12,

Not a few, some, or even most. But "all". Nobody gets to heaven without suffering for Christ's sake. Not that "suffering" itself is Redemptive or makes us worthy of heaven. No, it's just the nature of things.

"Our citizenship is in heaven". That means we're foreigners in this world. We don't fit in. No matter how nice we are, we make those around us feel "funny".

If we're openly Christian, the world will hate us, despise us, and maybe even exterminate us. I John 3:1 is very clear,

So is I John 3:13,

Why does that surprise any Christian?. Look how they treated our Master! How do you expect them to treat His servants?

The suffering differs in kind and intensity, of course. But it's always there. One man goes to the stake; another is laughed at. And so on. Not everyone suffers in the same way or to the same degree. Hebrews 11 teaches that. "Some were sawn asunder; others endured trials of cruel mocking". But all suffer. By God's appointment, Philippians 1:29,

That's the bad news. And it's pretty bad. If you're at all sensitive to pain or rejection (as I am, keenly) it's not fun to think about the suffering that awaits you in the world.

The Bad News is bad--very bad. But it's more than offset by the Good News. Paul suffered a lot; much more than any of us have; or probably ever will. Yet his suffering, you notice:

WHAT TO DO

Firstly, Get serious. God never promised you an easy life in Christ. If that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere. But if you're looking for the real thing,

Secondly, Believe God's Promises. Our suffering for Christ's sake is good for us now and even better for us later. Romans 8:28; II Timothy 2:12.

Thirdly, Remember How Short the Sufferings of Life are. Sixty or eighty years to suffer is a long time--a very long time. Till you compare it to the eternal joys you'll have in glory. Do you think Paul is still "licking his wounds"? "The former things have passed away". And everyone who dies in Christ.

Lastly, Meditate on Jesus Christ. In light of His sufferings, our seem small. In light of His favor, they seem worth it all. And then some.

God bless you everyone one. For Christ's sake. Amen.