Week of February 9

John Stott once said, “How did Jesus expect His disciples to react under persecution? In Matthew 5:12 He said, ‘Rejoice and be glad!’” Good News is, after all, joyful news for which the early Christians were willing to suffer and die. As Spurgeon once said, “Never did the church so much prosper and so truly thrive as when she was baptized in blood.”

News flash! Most of you will never suffer physical persecution or become martyrs for the faith; however, I do believe there is a moral message for our lives today. Let’s see today how God uses our lives to advance His Gospel.

Acts 14 concludes Luke’s account of the first missionary journey. The coming chapters of the book will demonstrate the Holy Spirit’s guidance in taking the Gospel to the Gentiles. We must keep in mind that God was fulfilling His promise to the Jews by taking the Good News to these people (see 13:47). He did so by a Gospel witness, the express means that He has determined. This missional background begs a question in my mind: How may we endure hardship as we seek to spread the Good News?

Embody the Gospel message. We will see a developing pattern in Paul’s ministry: acceptance by the Gentiles, opposition by the Jews and some Gentiles, then some level of persecution. I admit that I have often wondered if Paul ever paused and said to himself, “Why does this always have to happen to me?” I conclude that he did not (Acts 9:15-16; cf. Philippians 4:10-14)! I believe that he labored in his weakness because this meant God would become stronger in his frailty (Acts 9:16; cf. 2 Corinthians 11:23-30). Such is the life of a person who had literally become one with the Gospel message he was taking to the Gentiles.

Eyes on the needs of others. Therefore, Paul knew weakness by the things he, himself, had suffered, so it comes as no surprise to me that he noticed others who walked a similar path. A man who had been lame from birth, was crippled in both of his feet, and had never been able to walk was seated in the Apostle’s view (14:8; cf. 3:2-10). He represents what all sinners must look like to God. Whatever the circumstances, this man showed a glimmer of faith (14:9), and Paul commanded him to stand up on his feet, which he did! He literally leapt to his feet, so it was obvious that a miracle had taken place. God erased in a moment the misery that man had carried for a lifetime. You know, God does the same for you and me.

The miracle took place in a small, backwater, country town. Lystra’s only claim to fame was that it served as a Roman outpost and had a city relationship with Pisidian Antioch about 100 miles to the northwest. The folks did what any good pagan would do and attributed the mighty work to the gods whom, they believed, had come down in human form! In a short while, and before Paul and Barnabas even understood fully what was being said in the Lycaonian language, a priest of Zeus showed up to offer a sacrifice to these “gods,” Paul and Barnabas (14:13).

Engage others with the Good News. Paul had to get his sermon together because these folks needed to clue in to what God was doing. Paul’s message was the first sermon in Acts to a purely pagan audience (EBC). They were polytheistic, so Paul begins with good theology—God is one (Deuteronomy 6:4; cf. Acts 17:22-31). He also addresses the vanity of worshiping human non-gods by assuring them that he and Barnabas were not divine (Jeremiah 2:5; Romans 1:21-23). He then shares his main message about God in three clear statements: 1) He is Creator of all life (14:15); 2) He shows forbearance and mercy toward humanity (14:16); and 3) He had revealed Himself in His works of natural providence (14:17). 

Enter a relationship with those to whom we witness. Life sermon begins! Paul spends further time living and witnessing among the Lystrans until some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium, stirred up the crowd, and stoned Paul, leaving him for dead (14:19). Even so, God’s hand of protection was on Paul, and he recovers to continue His work. David Dickson has said, “When by the malice of enemies God’s people are brought to greatest straits there is deliverance near to be sent from God unto them.”

I know of some precious brothers and sisters in Cuba who know what persecution and suffering feel like. They have experienced the daily reality of being watched by representatives of the Cuban regime. They know what it is like to suffer the seizure of their property, the loss of their jobs and income, and even imprisonment. Their joy amid suffering comes through seeing God move mightily to advance His Gospel in a hostile environment. We love them, pray for them, and encourage them this day! 

Here is a spiritual point. It’s quite a challenge to drive home a point about suffering when the vast numbers of us have only suffered the difficulty of not being able to find a close parking place on a Sunday. The point in Acts 14 is simple: Go and joyfully tell the Gospel and trust God to give you strength to endure the hardships that will come.

1. John Wesley once said, “If we suffer persecution and affliction in a right manner, we attain a larger measure of conformity to Christ . . . than we could have done merely by imitating his mercy, in abundance of good works.” Should suffering come your way, thank God that He has seen fit to mold further your life into the image of Christ.

2. God’s church in the larger part of the world needs to hear our cries in their behalf. Add the persecuted church to your church prayer lists and pray daily for our suffering brothers and sisters around the world.

3. For Families: Luke gives us a good reminder about being a good witness, noticing people who need Christ, and remembering to pray for the persecuted church around the world.

Be sure to add the persecuted Christians in so many other countries to your daily and evening prayers. We at the Center use a great website that keeps us up to date on the countries and people who need our solidarity, support, and prayer. Won’t you join us? Click here: Voice of the Martyrs.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock