Staying Focused (Acts 14)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Persistence In the Face of Opposition (Acts 14:1-7)

1)Great Number Believed (Acts 14:1)

2)Refused to Believe (Acts 14:2)

3)No Distraction (Acts 14:3)

4)The Evil Alliance (Acts 14:4-7)

5)Principle

Opposition is often an indication of effective work.

6)Applications

In what way are you facing opposition because of your testimony for Jesus Christ? Will you ask for continued boldness?

Faith, Folly, and Firearms (Acts 14:8-20)

1)The Crippled Man With Faith (Acts 14:8-10)

2)A Strange Conclusion (Acts 14:11-13)

3)Worthless Vs Living God (Acts 14:14-17)

We're Only Men (Acts 14:14-15)

Why Are You Doing This? (Acts 14:14-15)

From Vanity to Reality (Acts 14:15)

No Grandfather Clause (Acts 14:16-17) 5

Premeditated Attempted Murder (Acts 14:19-20)

4)Principle

Commitment to the cause of Christ provides endurance in good times and in bad.

5)Applications

What has God asked you to endure for Him and who else is aware of it?

Who do you have that is praying for you on a regular basis? Are they aware of your spiritual needs? Your physical needs? Your emotional needs?

Courage and Encouragement (Acts 14:21-28)

1)Strengthen and Encourage (Acts 14:21-23)

2)The Mission Report (Acts 14:24-28)

3)Principle

Our struggles are best used as illustrations of God's goodness.

4)Applications

What new believer has God put in your path that could use some encouragement?

What challenges has God brought you through that you can use to encourage someone else?

Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever had to do something that requires a great deal of concentration but for one reason or another, you were distracted? Not only does a distraction hinder your ability to do what you are supposed to be doing, but it can cause frustration as well. And depending on the nature and importance of the activity, the frustration might be enough to cause one to quit altogether.

Concentrate (v): to bring all efforts, faculties, activities, etc. to bear on one thing or activity; to come toward a common center; single purpose or aim

Aside from the fact that Tiger Woods is very a talented golfer, much of his ability to be consistent is credited to his ability to stay focused on the course. To put his energy into the hole he is currently working on and not let other things distract from trying to reach the hole in the minimum number of strokes.

Paul is the Tiger Woods of evangelism. I mean that in a good way. His focus is on the goal of his calling and that is to remain true to the One who called him from the “kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of the his beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13)

Persistence In the Face of Opposition (Acts 14:1-7)

1)Great Number Believed (Acts 14:1)

...went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. They made a habit of going where they knew they would have an audience. And where they knew people who worshiped God would be.

But they also always presented the whole Gospel, never assuming the audience was already familiar with its message.

Luke points out that they spoke so effectively that many Jews and Gentiles believed. In other words, what they spoke was made effective by the work of the Holy Spirit on those that heard them.

2)Refused to Believe (Acts 14:2)

The affect of the Gospel causes divisions. The reason being is that those who believe are transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. From the kingdom of death to the kingdom of life.

Are here we see the Jews who refused to believe (we are not told the reason), but they are not satisfied with their own disbelief, but now they want to influence others. Luke says that they poisoned the minds of the Gentiles.

I don't know what they said. But the effect was deadly as poison. It caused them to be against the brothers. There was now a split, those who disbelieved against those who believed.

3)No Distraction (Acts 14:3)

Paul and Barnabas were so in tune with their mission for Christ, they recognized what was going on. They saw that this type of opposition was an indication that they were making inroads into the enemies territory. And he didn't want to make it easy for them.

But they also recognized that they were committed to the course that was set for them. And they had no intention of turning back.

In fact, they pressed on and spent considerable time there, spoke boldly for the Lord, and performed signs and wonders to confirm the message.

Not only did they not leave due to opposition, they were emboldened in their determination to carry on for the cause of Christ. They didn't allow this poisoning of minds to distract them from their real mission.

What distractions are you facing in your work for the Lord? What effect is it having on that work?

NOTE: Those who are committed to results will leave when they face opposition such as this because it is a hindrance to their goal. But those who are committed to the cause of Christ will be enabled to persevere and withstand that opposition.

4)The Evil Alliance (Acts 14:4-7)

Sometimes people who normally would not give each other the time of day find themselves teaming up to fight a common enemy. That is what we see here. The Jews had no companionship with these Gentiles other than they now had them fully against Paul and Barnabas. Even to the extent that they are plotting to silence them once and for all. And this was not just a group of fringe personalities, this included the leaders.

Their intent was to mistreat and stone them.

Isn't it interesting that the only creatures God designed to have fellowship with Him are so hateful of the only message that can restore that fellowship.

What could cause such animosity toward people who showed them nothing but consideration?

It wasn't so much that they hated the messengers as much as they hated the message. The gospel exposes what is in the heart. It sheds light into dark places. And most of humanity would rather think well of themselves than deal with the stark reality of their own need of a Savior.

Luke tells us (Acts 14:6) when they heard of the plot they fled. They realized it was time to move on. It was not time to stand and face what might be their own death.

Sometimes God's will is that we flee. Later, Paul would head into Jerusalem knowing that death 'awaited him' but not this time.

Illustration: Jim Elliot, Nate Saint, etc. Were called by God to become pioneer missionaries to the Auca Indians of Ecuador. They made contact slowly by flying over and giving gifts from a basket they lowered from their plane. They landed and even took one of the curious tribesmen on a ride. But before they were even able to begin working with this tribe, they were attacked by a group of warriors and brutally slaughtered. Seems like a waste of young, able, willing Christian missionaries. And I am not here to tell you I understand all of what God's purpose was in allowing this tragedy. But I do know that this did not stop God's work with the Aucas. Jim's wife, Elizabeth, and some of the relatives of the other killed missionaries, continued the work and many of them became believers.

In order to carry on the work of God's calling, they needed to move to Lystra and Derbe.

5)Principle

Opposition is often an indication of effective work.

6)Applications

In what way are you facing opposition because of your testimony for Jesus Christ? Will you ask for continued boldness?

Faith, Folly, and Firearms (Acts 14:8-20)

Verse 6 and 7 end with Paul and Barnabas going on to Lystra and continuing to preach the good news (gospel). This is their occupation wherever they go and it has nothing to do with the positive or negative response of the hearers. They know that responses are not up to them, they are just responsible for disseminating the message. They know their calling and they stick to it.

1)The Crippled Man With Faith (Acts 14:8-10)

Even though Luke does not specifically talk about the words Paul is using in Lystra, we see that he is preaching the gospel. This is the same message we have seen over and over through the first 13 chapters of Acts: All men are sinners and separated from God, Man us under God's judgment due to sin, God provided His perfect Son, Jesus, to bear sin for sinners, Men crucified him according to the plan of God, God raised Him from the dead, He is ascended to the 'right-hand of the Father'.

During his message, Paul is made aware of a man in the audience and his faith to be made well (Acts 14:9). Paul's ability to recognize this must have been a prompting by the Holy Spirit.

I am not sure how this man went from hearing the gospel message to believing he could be healed. Perhaps it was the events of Jesus' life that the apostle spoke about. Or maybe he just realized that a God able to save a sinner, such as himself, certainly was able to heal a man crippled from birth.

Whatever the case may be, Paul shouts at the man to get up. “On your feet!” And he sprang to his feet and began walking. Something he had never done. Very similar to the first healing Peter had done at the Beautiful Gate early in the book of Acts.

2)A Strange Conclusion (Acts 14:11-13)

I'm not sure if you've ever traveled to a different country or not. Maybe you are in a different country. If you are unfamiliar with the culture and local customs, sometimes you are caught off guard. Sometimes there's commotion in the street and you don't know if you should move toward the commotion to see what is happening or if you should run for your life. You don't know what the norms are, so you have nothing to gauge your reaction to other than your own familiar culture.

Just because you articulate the gospel message very clearly, that is no guarantee that the hearers will respond in the way you hope they will. The town's response to Paul's message was not an indication that Paul needed to modify his message.

In fact, the response was very similar in many ways to the Jews' response in Iconium. It's interesting how much a person's world view impacts the way they filter information.

The Jews practicing their false religion at synagogue (false in that it was works-based, law-based righteousness rather than faith) saw this message as either blaspheme or a threat to their power over the people. Their religious duty was to silence the heretics.

These pagans saw these me as gods to be appeased. Their religious duty was to make sacrifices to them.

Natural man will always misappropriate the message of God's word without the aid of the Holy Spirit.

So Paul and Barnabas see all this commotion and don't realize what is happening. They didn't recognize what these people were saying was actually targeting them as being two of their pagan gods.

3)Worthless Vs Living God (Acts 14:14-17)

We're Only Men (Acts 14:14-15)

They tore their clothes indicating that they were appalled at the idea these people saw them as anything other than what they were: common ordinary men, created beings.

In fact, despite all of Paul's personal qualities: zeal, drive, training, etc.; he would be the first to tell anyone that the results of his work were not to his credit but were a work of God through him. Don't get me wrong, he knew he would be rewarded for his labors, but he also knew that Jesus is the vine, we are the branches, he who abides in him will bear much fruit...but apart from the vine, you can do nothing.

I wonder how many of us have a favorite Bible teacher. Maybe it's your own pastor or priest. It's easy to get caught up in the personality cult and put more stock in the person than in purpose that person is where they are.

And any teacher worth his salt will avoid building a church upon their own charisma.

Paul and Barnabas want nothing to do with receiving praise for this man's healing or the faith that made it happen. So tearing their clothes was a demonstration of their repulsion to the idea that they would be given credit for what only God can do.

Why Are You Doing This? (Acts 14:14-15)

Why not? This is what we do. This is what we have always done.

Without God's work in a life, this is the way all of humanity goes. To do whatever they believe is right in order to make themselves right with God. They have a false view of God which leads to a false view of what God requires which leads to a false collection of man-made practices in an effort to compensate for what man knows to be lacking in his own moral character.

But any view, no matter how well intentioned it is, if it does not correspond to reality, it is in fact a vain and futile effort.

From Vanity to Reality (Acts 14:15)

And so Paul calls these worshipers of Zeus and Hermes away from what is vain. These practices of yours gain you nothing.

He calls them to turn from the vain (NIV: worthless) to the living God. This is a God who is responsible for all that is alive and everything that supports life.

In fact, the knowledge of this God and language to describe Him transcends language barriers. As psalmist put it in Psalm 19:

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.

No Grandfather Clause (Acts 14:16-17)

Just because this is the way we have always done it doesn't make it right. Just because nations in the past practiced these vain practices doesn't mean it was acceptable to God.

God allowed the nations to remain nations even when they were practicing things that were contrary to His nature. He mercifully allowed people to go on while all the time providing a witness to reality. He was the one who sustained your ancestors with food from the earth and water from the clouds and enjoyment of life.

Premeditated Attempted Murder (Acts 14:19-20)

The Jews from Antioch and Iconium were not satisfied with the fact that Paul and Barnabas were out of town. They must have felt quite threatened to do what they were doing.

Their intention was to apply the Old Testament form of capital punishment, stoning. And notice how they have been employing the Gentiles all along the way. Here again, they draw from the crowd to assist in this act. And we saw from the preceding verse that Paul and Barnabas' message did not resonate with all of the people.

So they stone him. I don't think we have any idea what that must be like. These were not pebbles being thrown. No, they were large rocks that broke bones, tore flesh, rendered a person unconscious. And that's what Paul underwent.

Those performing the execution thought they had completed the job. So they dragged him outside the city walls to leave him for the wild animals.

But the brothers gathered around him, revived him and brought him back inside the city walls. What a bold move that was. Right under the noses of those who had taken part in the act.

There's no way that a person would go on from here were it not for a heart set on following through with your commitment to the Lord. The Holy Spirit gave Paul and Barnabas a singleness of mind in completing the work set before them.

This was no time for a furlough or a break from ministry, there was work yet to be done – there were lost souls needing the Gospel in Derbe.

4)Principle

Commitment to the cause of Christ provides endurance in good times and in bad.

5)Applications

What has God asked you to endure for Him and who else is aware of it?

God never leaves us alone. We all need others to come along side and to pray for us.

Who do you have that is praying for you on a regular basis? Are they aware of your spiritual needs? Your physical needs? Your emotional needs?

Courage and Encouragement (Acts 14:21-28)

Encourage (v): To give courage to; to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope; to raise, or to increase, the confidence of;

Paul and Barnabas understood the challenges that faced (and perhaps had already arrive) for these new believers. They had not promised them an easy life, just eternal life.

1)Strengthen and Encourage (Acts 14:21-23)

It seems like Paul and Barnabas would need some strengthening and encouragement, doesn't it? It's hard to imagine the strain on they have endured for the past 3 years.

But they understood the importance of ensuring these new believers were firmly grounded in the faith. They understood that if the enemy could not defeat them through physical injury, he would try to pollute their doctrine and lead them astray. And cause them to become discouraged in the faith. Anything to make them ineffective witnesses for the cause of Christ.

And so the team travels back through the same route, only in reverse. Yes, they even go through Lystra, the site of Paul's stoning. Their goal is to establish strong pockets of believers who will be able to reproduce. And so they return to visit, encourage, strengthen, and establish those who will be responsible for the spiritual development of these new churches.

2)The Mission Report (Acts 14:24-28)

One of the things I have really enjoyed in the past is being a part of missions work in various churches. It is exciting to read the news from the field and to be kept up to date on the needs of the missionaries and to have a part in praying for them regularly.

It is also a great time to have them back from their mission field and hear what God is doing in other parts of the world.

In the first century, news didn't travel too fast. Most likely, the Antioch church was unaware of where Paul was and how things were going. So when they return, there must have been great excitement to see them again and great anticipation to hear what God had done.

This is one of the joys Paul and Barnabas and the sending church in Antioch experience. They are able to share in the joy of what God has done by opening the door to the Gentiles.

3)Principle

Our struggles are best used as illustrations of God's goodness.

4)Applications

What new believer has God put in your path that could use some encouragement?

What challenges has God brought you through that you can use to encourage someone else?

Conclusion

What hole in life's 18-hole course are you on? Is your focus too far ahead? Is it thinking about the mistakes you made on previous holes? Or are you just focusing your attention on the next stroke? The place where God has you right now?