February 7, 2023 -- Acts 14:4-7 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Know the Opposition and Stand Strong in Jesus

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, 7 and there they continued to preach the gospel.
Acts 14:4-7 ESV

The Gospel divides. It separates the people who belong to the Father of love, from those who serve the Devil, a.k.a. the father of lies. Those who follow wickedness are united in their hate. Look how people who normally are enemies are joined together. Jews and non-Jews, that is the Gentiles, do not get along. Jewish customs and religious practices forbid it. Yet the Gentiles and the Jews and their rulers all get together to mistreat and attempt to kill Paul and Barnabas. The most important work any Christian can engage in is to live the Gospel. Walking as a Christian is the most radical thing you can do in this world.

Notice that Paul and Barnabas, having escaped from the plans of the people to mistreat them and hurl stones at them until they died, continued to preach the Gospel. What a simple expression and what a weight of glory it contains. They were not deterred by the strength of the opposition. They cannot help but speak the Name of Jesus. Those Christians which were left behind in Iconium continued to live for Jesus as well, no matter how much opposition is rising up against them. This, fellow believers, gives you a sense of the great value and blessing of knowing Jesus.

Read the word. Study it. Come to know Jesus as fairer and more precious than all that the world can offer. Living in that glorious knowledge, make Him known.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. What a great price Jesus paid so that Christians could be taken from the kingdom of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Light, where Your love shines Father through the grace of Jesus and the powerful, preserving work of the Spirit. Forgive us for the times we are too timid to speak the Name of Jesus. Forgive us for hoarding our faith and not speaking to family members and friends. Spirit of the Living God, embolden us so that wherever You send us and whomever we meet we will speak of Jesus as we live for Him. Amen.

https://youtu.be/BppKOFLig2w
Shane and Shane "Only There"
 

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.