Nothing Can Be Taken from Me that Touches My Holy Portion!

June 19, 2020

Nothing Can Be Taken from Me that Touches My Holy Portion!

Acts 14:19-28

Callie Summers

Central Truth

Our suffering is not in vain. It produces an eternal hope and fuels our gospel-driven dreams to see God's kingdom come and the redemption and renewal of all things.

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Paul Stoned at Lystra

19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, 22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. 23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.

Paul and Barnabas Return to Antioch in Syria

24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia, 26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.

A year ago today, I lost my dog Gunner to a sudden illness. I work from home and have a great affection for dogs; so he was my constant companion and best bud. Losing him was a huge blow, and it was only the start of two of the worst months of my life. If it wasn't my health, it was my family. If it wasn't my finances, it was my living situation. In my grief and loss, I was asking the question: "What else could possibly be taken from me?" Dramatic, maybe, but not uncharted territory for my brothers Paul and Barnabas.

They endured far worse, even in these short ten verses. Paul is nearly stoned to death, they are despised and rejected, and yet they "strengthen[ed] the souls of the disciples." The priority was always the gospel, the kingdom. They saw their pain as a platform to share in God's new mercies and unfailing love. Are you suffering? We, too, can be "encouraging [others and ourselves] to continue in the faith."

One of my favorite Bible commentators, Matthew Henry, says of this passage: "God's faithful servants, though they may be brought within a step of death, and may be looked upon as dead both by friends and enemies, shall not die as long as he has work for them to do. They are cast down, but not destroyed," citing 2 Corinthians 4:9).

One thing that 2019 showed me beyond a shadow of a doubt: nothing can ever be taken from me that touches or even comes close to the portion that God has gifted me: Himself. "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:25-26)

Paul shares this conviction: take heart, brothers and sisters, and do not lose hope. "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33b)

1. Read 1 Peter 4:12-19. What is the purpose of suffering? What should you do in response to suffering? Whom do you trust while in the middle of hardship and trial?

2. Read Romans 5:1-11. Study what suffering produces. What do you have to celebrate in the midst of your suffering?

3. Read James 1:2-4, 12. What would it look like to "count it all joy" in your life? What does God promise for those who endure trials?

4. Reach out to friends you know are suffering today. Call them or send them a voice text of you praying aloud for them. James 5:16 tells us why this is vital: "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." God may want to use you to draw near to and comfort the broken-hearted. Why not you? Why not today?