Follow-up to July 24th teaching
Sunday follow-up
Acts 13:42 – Acts 14:28
I started yesterday’s teaching by sharing how following Jesus is easy when life is good. And how sharing the gospel is easy when people want to listen. But as we all know, life isn’t always easy, and many don’t want to hear about Jesus. So, what do we do? Press on no matter what.
We looked at 3 places Paul and Barnabas visited on Paul’s first missionary trip. Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra. Paul and Barnabas experienced the same 3 things in each place. It was acceptance of the gospel by many, rejection of the gospel by some, and threats upon their lives.
In each of these cities, the initial response is good. People were getting saved, and some were healed. In Antioch, those in the Synagogue who heard Paul speak begged him to speak again the following Sabbath and proceeded to follow him and Barnabas. Gentiles heard they could be saved and rejoiced. Many decided to follow Jesus. Paul and Barnabas could have been satisfied with the results and went back home, but they weren’t and so they continued their trip. No matter how well things in life are going. No matter how many people you are blessed to minister to. No matter how far you have come in your walk with Jesus. Never be satisfied. Never be content. Always desire to minister to more. Always desire to go deeper in your walk with God.
In each of these cities, though some received the gospel message, some rejected it. This is how it always is when it comes to sharing Jesus with others. I shared yesterday that it is estimated that Billy Graham was able to lead 3.2 million people to Jesus. We give praise to God for all those souls, but how many rejected the message that he shared. Let’s say for example for every person who responded to the invitation there were 5 who did not. That would mean 15 million did not. Does that mean Billy Graham was not successful in his ministry? No!
You see, we tend to measure success by how many people get saved or how many attend. I like to measure the faithfulness of God’s people instead. If you share Jesus with someone and they don’t respond by accepting Jesus as their Savior, does that mean you failed in your calling to make disciples? No! Can we learn from past experiences of how things went to see where we might improve? Sure! But in the end, it is still a work of the Holy Spirit. No matter how people respond to your ministry to them, never stop ministering. Are there those you have invite to church, but have not taken you up on your offer? Never stop inviting. Are you going through trying times right now? Feel like giving up? Don’t!
In each of these cities, not only were there those who rejected the gospel, but they actively opposed Paul and Barnabas’ efforts to reach others for Jesus. Their lives were threatened. In Lystra, they stoned Paul and left him for dead. As followers of Jesus, you can be sure that Satan and his minions will oppose your efforts to reach others for Jesus and to follow Him. You will come under spiritual attack. But you will also come under attack today for standing firm upon the truth of God’s work. You will come under attack for calling sin “sin”. You will be called out for salvation is found in Christ alone. So, no matter how hard things get as you follow Jesus, stand firm in your faith in Him. No matter how frequent the attacks are, never give up.
The bottom line is this. When your mindset is - “No Matter What”. No matter how good things are going or how bad things are going. You will keep pressing on and moving forward no matter what.
Have a blessed day!
Acts 13:42 – Acts 14:28
I started yesterday’s teaching by sharing how following Jesus is easy when life is good. And how sharing the gospel is easy when people want to listen. But as we all know, life isn’t always easy, and many don’t want to hear about Jesus. So, what do we do? Press on no matter what.
We looked at 3 places Paul and Barnabas visited on Paul’s first missionary trip. Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, and Lystra. Paul and Barnabas experienced the same 3 things in each place. It was acceptance of the gospel by many, rejection of the gospel by some, and threats upon their lives.
In each of these cities, the initial response is good. People were getting saved, and some were healed. In Antioch, those in the Synagogue who heard Paul speak begged him to speak again the following Sabbath and proceeded to follow him and Barnabas. Gentiles heard they could be saved and rejoiced. Many decided to follow Jesus. Paul and Barnabas could have been satisfied with the results and went back home, but they weren’t and so they continued their trip. No matter how well things in life are going. No matter how many people you are blessed to minister to. No matter how far you have come in your walk with Jesus. Never be satisfied. Never be content. Always desire to minister to more. Always desire to go deeper in your walk with God.
In each of these cities, though some received the gospel message, some rejected it. This is how it always is when it comes to sharing Jesus with others. I shared yesterday that it is estimated that Billy Graham was able to lead 3.2 million people to Jesus. We give praise to God for all those souls, but how many rejected the message that he shared. Let’s say for example for every person who responded to the invitation there were 5 who did not. That would mean 15 million did not. Does that mean Billy Graham was not successful in his ministry? No!
You see, we tend to measure success by how many people get saved or how many attend. I like to measure the faithfulness of God’s people instead. If you share Jesus with someone and they don’t respond by accepting Jesus as their Savior, does that mean you failed in your calling to make disciples? No! Can we learn from past experiences of how things went to see where we might improve? Sure! But in the end, it is still a work of the Holy Spirit. No matter how people respond to your ministry to them, never stop ministering. Are there those you have invite to church, but have not taken you up on your offer? Never stop inviting. Are you going through trying times right now? Feel like giving up? Don’t!
In each of these cities, not only were there those who rejected the gospel, but they actively opposed Paul and Barnabas’ efforts to reach others for Jesus. Their lives were threatened. In Lystra, they stoned Paul and left him for dead. As followers of Jesus, you can be sure that Satan and his minions will oppose your efforts to reach others for Jesus and to follow Him. You will come under spiritual attack. But you will also come under attack today for standing firm upon the truth of God’s work. You will come under attack for calling sin “sin”. You will be called out for salvation is found in Christ alone. So, no matter how hard things get as you follow Jesus, stand firm in your faith in Him. No matter how frequent the attacks are, never give up.
The bottom line is this. When your mindset is - “No Matter What”. No matter how good things are going or how bad things are going. You will keep pressing on and moving forward no matter what.
Have a blessed day!
Posted in Sunday Follow-up
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