June 18, 2020

Neither Sticks nor Stones

Acts 14:1-18

Jacob Gallo
Thursday's Devo

June 18, 2020

Thursday's Devo

June 18, 2020

Central Truth

Everything about Paul's effectiveness flows out of his foundational conviction that Christ is who He said He is, very God of very God. This conviction fueled Paul's ability to preach to anyone he encountered, even if it cost him his own life.

Key Verse | Acts 14:15

"Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them."

Acts 14:1-18

Paul and Barnabas at Iconium

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 1 14:2 Or brothers and sisters So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.

Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking. And Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 2 14:9 Or be saved 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and began walking. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, 15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 Even with these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.

Footnotes

[1] 14:2 Or brothers and sisters
[2] 14:9 Or be saved

Dive Deeper | Acts 14:1-18

I have a friend here in Dallas who just told me the story of a dream she had several nights ago in which she had gotten a giant tattoo of the word "HOPE" across her stomach. Certain that the dream was real, she freaked out and ran to the bathroom mirror in the middle of the night just to check if it were in fact true. She quickly realized that, thankfully, it was a dream.

The conviction my friend had about the "HOPE" tattoo even though it lasted only a moment was the kind of conviction Paul had about his new-found life in Christ. And it didn't last just a moment for Paul. It lasted until he was put to death for the cause of the gospel. His conviction wasn't based on a dream either. It was founded upon a transformational encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-6). From then on, Paul immediately started preaching Christ to anyone who would listen.

In Acts 14, we see Paul and Barnabas preaching the gospel on their first missionary journey. In Iconium, they begin at a Jewish synagogue where "a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed" (Acts 14:1). Then fighting ensues, and some there try to stone Paul and Barnabas to death. Paul and Barnabas move onto Lystra and Derbe to continue preaching the gospel (Acts 14:7). At Lystra Paul heals a lame man; is worshiped as a god himself; and calls these men to repent, put away their false gods, and redirect their worship to a living God—Jesus. We see later in Acts that many put their trust in Christ that day because of Paul’s faithfulness, including young Timothy (Acts 16:1).

The miraculous works of the Spirit nearly get Paul killed by stoning later on. Yet Paul continues to preach Christ wherever he goes with great conviction and supernatural perseverance. This was not of his own doing, but by the mighty work of the indwelling Spirit of God. Take heart, the same Spirit has been given to you and me today so that we might work out our salvation with fear and trembling.

Discussion Questions

1. What false and weak gods or idols do you need to put away in order to shift your worship and your repentance to the living God of the Bible?

2. When you face persecution, do you shrink back from your faith or do you press on and tell others of the hope that is in you?

3. Where is your missionary journey taking you this week (your workplace, your family, your campus, the sidelines of your kid's sports teams)?