The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Raising Reliable Leaders

Tom Graves

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August 31, 2026

Raising reliable leaders in the church that Paul and Barnabas planted was strategically and structurally important for their sustainability. Acts 4:23Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. [1]

After a fruitful evangelistic campaign in Derbe, Paul and Barnabas did not simply move on to new opportunities. Instead, they retraced their steps through the cities they had already visited. Their work was not complete when people responded to the Gospel; it continued by strengthening those new believers. They understood that spiritual growth requires intentional care and ongoing encouragement.

 Reliable leaders can’t be developed overnight. Strong leadership grows from strong discipleship and listening to the Holy Spirit. Paul and Barnabas knew this as they looked to the Lord while appointing elders. This principle aligns with the wisdom of Scripture. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. [2]  Leaders who depend on God rather than personal ability become dependable because their foundation is secure. Leadership begins with surrender before it becomes service.

Appointing Leaders Through Prayer

Acts 14:23 tells us that the Apostles appointed elders through prayer and fasting. Reliable leadership is not primarily about ability but about character shaped through communion with God. James 4:8Come close to God, and God will come close to you.[3]

Spiritual leaders are raised when they pursue intimacy with God. Those who spend time in God’s presence develop wisdom, humility, and discernment. The strongest leaders are often not those who stand highest before people but those who kneel longest before God. The Lord raises reliable leaders when hearts are willing to seek Him and submit to His direction.

Trusting God for the Future

 Paul and Barnabas ultimately committed these elders “to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.” They recognized that human effort alone could not sustain the work. The future of the church rested in God’s hands. Scripture gives this promise. Isaiah 58: 11 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. [4]

It is God’s continual guidance that sustains reliable leaders. God nourishes, strengthens, and directs those who rely on Him. As we pray for the church, we should ask God not only to send workers into the harvest but also to raise reliable leaders, formed by the Spirit, shaped by prayer, and committed to strengthening souls for the glory of Christ.

To learn more about raising reliable leaders, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/revisiting-to-encourage

[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

Returning to Strengthen Souls

Tom Graves

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August 30, 2026

Returning to strengthen souls is part of Paul and Barnabas’s first missionary journey. This reveals that God’s mission includes returning to strengthen what He has begun. Acts 14:21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia.[1]

After facing persecution, rejection, and danger, Paul and Barnabas, led by the Holy Spirit, did something surprising. Rather than taking an easier route home, they retraced their steps and returned to the very cities where they had faced opposition. Their purpose was to return as God’s instruments to strengthen new believers in the faith and in the spiritual battle they faced.

New believers are like tender plants that require care, and without it are easily uprooted by the enemy. Believers need to be nurtured so they can mature in the faith. We often think that moving forward means leaving everything behind. Yet sometimes God calls us to revisit our own faith journey. We remember prayers He answered, trials He carried us through, and promises that sustained us.

Strengthening Souls for the Journey

Luke tells us that as Paul and Barnabas returned to the churches they had planted, “they strengthened the believers and encouraged them to continue in the faith.”[2] Acts 14:22. They understood the ministry of presence, and there is no substitute for personal contact to encourage and pray over new believers.

The Spirit still does this work today. The Gospel on the move is not merely advancing across lands and cultures; it is moving deeply into hearts. The Spirit strengthens us through God’s Word, through fellow believers, and through reminders of grace. Many believers know what it feels like to be spiritually tired. Life brings disappointments, unanswered questions, spiritual battles, and seasons when faith feels fragile. In those moments, God often sends encouragement through the Holy Spirit and His children. Who in your life is the Lord calling you to nurture in the faith? 

Persevering Through Tribulation

Paul’s encouragement contained a difficult truth. Acts 14:22They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.[3] Suffering is not a sign that the Gospel has stalled; it is often proof that it is on the move. The Greek word for “must” implies divine necessity.[4]

Hardship is not a detour on the road of faith, but part of its journey. What hardship are you currently facing that you’ve been viewing as an obstacle, and how might the Holy Spirit be using it to deepen your trust? Remember His work in your life. Receive His encouragement. Then continue forward, knowing that through many trials, the Spirit is still leading His people toward the Kingdom of God.

To learn more about returning to strengthen souls, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/revisiting-to-encourage

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

[4] Logos Exegetical guide Acts 14:22 for the word must

The Mission Moves Forward

Paula K. Graves

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August 29, 2026

The mission moves forward despite the persecution of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14: 19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day, he left with Barnabas for Derbe. [1]

We aren’t sure how the Jews in Antioch and Iconium heard that Paul was preaching in Lystra. Perhaps the news of the healed cripple spread quickly. The miracle may have intensified the Jews’ jealousy. While Iconium was fairly close, only 18 miles away, Pisidian Antioch was 100 miles away. Yet, there were Jews who were willing to travel on their own time and expense to stop Paul and the Gospel.

An Easily Manipulated Audience

The people of Lystra seemed to be easily manipulated. While some became true believers, more were easily swayed. They had been willing to declare Paul and Barnabas to be gods only a short time before they turned and wanted to kill them.

For us, this demonstrates the importance of learning Scripture and continued discipleship. The people of Lystra had difficulty discerning the truth about the apostles. Our enemy loves to use deceived people to deceive others. The angry Jews influenced the local people, and they all decided to stone Paul. Scripture doesn’t say if anything happened to Barnabas. But the rioters thought Paul was dead and dragged him outside the town.

A God-Sent Reprieve to a Crisis

There were only a few believers in Lystra, and now their leader appeared to be dead. But even though these believers had just come to faith, they gathered around Paul. Scripture doesn’t say, but I think they were praying for Paul. Was he dead or just knocked out? We can’t tell, but either way, he had to be bloodied and bruised. This is the only stoning Paul writes about (2 Corinthians 11:25).

God seems to do a healing, and Paul can get up. He bravely goes back into town, probably to gather his things so they can go on to Derbe. Others would have quit, but not Paul. Even though their stay in Lystra was short, it was influential, and the mission moves forward to Derbe.

Timothy Was From Lystra

We never know how the seeds we plant now will affect those in the future. There was a young man in Lystra named Timothy. A few years later, when Paul revisited the church of Lystra, he chose Timothy as an assistant to help him on his second mission trip (Acts 16:1-3). Perhaps Timothy was one of the new believers who had prayed for Paul.

Years later, after Timothy had become a partner in the ministry, Paul wrote him a letter reminiscing about the difficult times. 2 Timothy 3: 11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra—but the Lord rescued me from all of it.[2]

Unbeknownst to Paul at the time, his persistence in preaching the Gospel had brought a young man to faith. This one would continue God’s mission after Paul had gone to heaven. Where do you need to persist in spreading the Gospel? Who can you mentor to raise up the next generation of leaders? To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/strength-in-the-midst-of-suffering

[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

God’s Witness in Everyday Blessings

Paula K. Graves

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August 28, 2026

Paul tried to show God’s witness in everyday blessings to the people of Lystra. God had healed a cripple, and the Gentiles there assumed their gods, Zeus and Hermes, had come to visit. Paul tried to explain that they were only human beings bringing the Good News about the living God. To do this, Paul began speaking about God as the creator.

Acts 14: 16 In the past he (God) permitted all the nations to go their own ways, 17 but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.”[1]

General Revelation

As Paul preached a God of creation, he was using what we call general revelation. “ God’s existence and power can be clearly seen through observing the universe. The order, intricacy, and wonder of creation speak to the existence of a powerful and glorious Creator.”[2]

Paul used this same reasoning in a later letter. Romans 1: 20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.[3]

In Pisidian Antioch, Paul had used Jewish history in his sermon at the synagogue (Acts 13:26-41). But this would mean nothing to the Gentile people in Lystra. So, in haste and under pressure, Paul had to adapt his message.

God’s Patient Grace

Paul began his sermon by noting that God had permitted the nations to go their own way. God had a plan to set the world right after the fall into sin. From the beginning, God wanted to partner with humans to bring about His plan. God’s patience is not indifference. God gave space for repentance while continuing to reveal Himself through creation.

It had taken time to do this, but now that Jesus had come, it was time for the world to be renewed. Unfortunately, Paul didn’t get a chance to bring Jesus into the picture before the persecution and stoning began.

Our Everyday Blessings

We often overlook the quiet ways God reveals Himself daily. Everything in creation is an invitation to recognize our Creator and His patient grace. David wrote a Psalm that invites us to meditate on God’s witness in everyday blessings.

Psalm 19: 1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.

2 Day after day, they continue to speak; night after night, they make him known.

3 They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.

4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. [4]

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/strength-in-the-midst-of-suffering

[1,2,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] https://www.gotquestions.org/general-special-revelation.html, accessed May 6, 2026

The Living God vs. Lifeless Idols

Tom Graves

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August 27, 2026

The living God versus lifeless idols is a stark contrast! When Eve sinned, she told God she had been deceived. Throughout human history, the enemy has worked to lead people away from God. The scene in Lystra is a startling reminder of this spiritual battle that has left people blind. After witnessing a miracle, the crowd rushed to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods, prepared sacrifices, and celebrated the apostles as divine beings.

 Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, 15 “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God.[1]

The people of Lystra were passionate, devoted, and eager to worship, yet they were giving their affection to “worthless things.” Paul lovingly redirected them to the living God. Idols are not always carved statues. Success, money, relationships, reputation, comfort, or even spiritual leaders can quietly take God’s place in our hearts. Paul’s message still calls to us today. Acts 14:15turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God. [2] God does not merely ask us to abandon idols; He invites us to something infinitely better, the living God.

The God Who Is Alive and Active

 Paul describes God to the people of Lystra. Acts 14:15 Turn to the living God who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.[3]  God is active, powerful, and sustaining every moment of existence. This changes how we view Him. He is not distant but Immanuel, God with us. He is alive and engaged in His world. The God who created humanity still knows every detail of our lives.

Creation itself points to Him. Rain falls, crops grow, seasons change, and life continues because God is at work. Paul later explained that nature bears witness to God’s existence and goodness. Everywhere we look, we see evidence of His care and power. He has never left Himself without a witness.

Most importantly, the living God is personally involved with us. He hears prayers, convicts hearts, comforts the broken, and saves sinners. Our faith rests in a God who acts.

Worship the One Who Gives Life

The people of Lystra were ready to spend time, money, and effort on gods that did not exist. Paul redirected their attention to the only One worthy of worship. We become like what we worship. Lifeless idols leave hearts empty, anxious, and restless. But worshiping the living God brings life, joy, and peace. He alone can satisfy the deepest needs of the human soul.

Today, God still calls us to redirect our affection and attention toward Him. So, ask yourself: what has captured my trust and devotion? Then turn again to the living God, the One who creates, sustains, saves, and remains actively present in your life every day.

To learn more about the living God vs. lifeless idols, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/strength-in-the-midst-of-suffering

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

God’s Mercy Pursues Misguided People

Tom Graves

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August 26, 2026

God’s mercy pursues misguided people, a theme that begins in Genesis with Adam and Eve and continues throughout the Bible. When Paul and Barnabas are on their mission trip, they minister to the people of Iconium, where, again, a merciful God pursues the lost. When the people of Lystra witness the miraculous healing through Paul and Barnabas, they completely misunderstand what God is doing.

Acts 14:11“These men are gods in human form!” 12 They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. 13 Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles. [1]

 Yet what stands out in this passage is not only human confusion but also divine mercy. God did not walk away from these people because they misunderstood Him. He pursued them with truth, patience, and grace. The crowd in Lystra was spiritually blind, interpreting God’s miracle through the lens of their pagan beliefs. Yet God continued to pursue them. Through His messengers, He interrupted their error and redirected them to the living God.

This reveals something beautiful about the heart of God. He pursues people who are confused, wounded, deceived, and spiritually lost.

Jesus Pursues the Misguided With Compassion

We see this same mercy in Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4. She was spiritually thirsty yet searching for satisfaction in broken places. Her understanding of worship was incomplete, and sin and disappointment marked her life. Yet Jesus intentionally traveled through Samaria to meet her.

 Rather than condemning her confusion, Jesus patiently led her to the truth. He exposed her heart, revealed Himself as the Messiah, and transformed her life. The woman who once came to the well ashamed became a witness to her entire town.

God’s pursuit is deeply personal. He seeks people who feel far from Him, even when they do not fully understand who He is. Like the woman at the well, many people today are searching for meaning while misunderstanding the source of true life. Jesus still pursues them with living water.

God’s Mercy Calls Us to Keep Reaching Others

God’s pursuit of the misguided is also evident in the story of Jonah. The people of Nineveh were rebellious and violent, yet God sent Jonah to warn them and call them to repentance. God’s desire was not destruction but mercy.

God specializes in pursuing wandering hearts. He can break through confusion and reveal the truth. The people of Lystra misunderstood the miracle, but God did not abandon them. He kept reaching for them, and He continues to pursue people today with the same relentless mercy.

To learn more about how God’s mercy pursues misguided people, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/strength-in-the-midst-of-suffering

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 14:11–13). Tyndale House Publishers.

Miracles Confirm the Message

Paula K. Graves

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August 25, 2026

Miracles confirm the message that Paul and Barnabas preached on their mission trip. These signs served as credentials demonstrating they were the servants of the true God. In Iconium, some, both Jew and Gentile, believed the message, and others did not.

Miracles can’t produce conviction or faith on their own. The Gospel message must accompany them. And that is exactly what we see happening in Iconium. Acts 14: 3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.[1]

The Healing of a Cripple

After persecution forced Paul and Barnabas to leave Iconium, they continued to Lystra. There doesn’t seem to be a synagogue in Lystra, so it seems Paul just preached in the street to these Gentiles.

Acts 14: 8 While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting 9 and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. 10 So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking. [2]

It was significant that the healed man had been crippled from birth. Everyone would have known his story and now realized the magnitude of the miracle. Somehow, God showed Paul that the man had the faith to be healed. Paul obeyed the command to heal, and the man had faith to stand up. It is interesting that God performed a creative miracle, and a few minutes later Paul preached a sermon on God’s creation of the world.

The Gift of Healing

The healing of the cripple authenticated the truth of Paul’s sermon and drew attention to God’s reality and power. Hebrews 2: 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.[3] But the greater miracle is what can happen in those who witness such acts and come to faith. Physical healing is temporary; spiritual awakening has an eternal impact.

The performance of miracles is a gift from God, given at His choosing. Just as Paul did not invent the message of the Gospel, he could not create miraculous signs. All believers are dependent on the power of the Holy Spirit to initiate the miracle. Even the townspeople realized no human could do such a thing and attributed the miracle to their idol gods.

For miracles to confirm the message, the message first must be preached. Paul preached, and the Holy Spirit opened hearts. God often uses visible acts to awaken invisible transformation. As believers, we must be faithful to preach the Word and leave the results to God. Then, we want to let God work in His own way and in His own time.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/strength-in-the-midst-of-suffering

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

The Reality of Spiritual Opposition

Tom Graves

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August 24, 2026

The reality of spiritual warfare began in the Garden of Eden and continues to this day. We observe another chapter of this spiritual warfare when Barnabas and Paul were on a mission trip proclaiming the Gospel. Acts 14:5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. 6 When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. [1]

This is not a casual disagreement but an organized resistance to the Gospel. This moment exposes a deeper reality: gospel work unfolds amid spiritual conflict. The resistance they encounter is not merely human; it reflects a clash between truth and the forces that oppose it.

For believers today, this reframes how we interpret difficulty. When we face pushback, such as rejection, misunderstanding, or adversity, it doesn’t always mean we’re off track. Instead, it may mean the truth is pressing into places where darkness resists. Opposition, then, is not always an obstacle to God’s work; sometimes it is evidence of it. Recognizing this helps us avoid discouragement and see challenges through a spiritual lens.

Standing Firm in Spiritual Strength

The words of Ephesians 6:10–13 remind us that our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against unseen spiritual forces. Paul’s later teaching sheds light on what he himself experienced in Acts 14. The attempt on their lives was not just about angry crowds; it was part of a larger spiritual battle. Because of this, human strength alone is insufficient.

Paul later writes: Ephesians 6:10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.[2]   Spiritual opposition requires spiritual readiness. The armor of God, including truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer, is not symbolic; it is essential protection. Without it, we are vulnerable to discouragement, fear, and compromise. With it, we can stand firm even when circumstances feel overwhelming.

Notice the promise. Ephesians 6:13Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.[3] God does not promise a life free from opposition; He promises the strength to endure it.

Moving Forward with Discernment and Courage

Acts 14:6–7 shows Paul and Barnabas responding wisely. When they become aware of the plot against them, they flee to other regions and continue preaching the Gospel. Their response is not a fear-driven retreat but a mission-driven redirection. They do not stop; they adapt.

The key is that the mission continues. Opposition did not silence them—it redirected them. For us, the call is the same: remain spiritually alert, grounded in prayer, and anchored in God’s strength. When resistance comes, we do not give up. We press on, trusting that God is at work even amid conflict. Opposition is real, but so is God’s power. And in Him, we are not only able to endure—He enables us to keep advancing.

To learn more about the reality of spiritual opposition, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/strength-in-the-midst-of-suffering

[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.

The Encouragement of Genuine Faith

Tom Graves

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August 23, 2026

 The encouragement of genuine faith is critical for every believer, especially during difficult seasons of ministry, as we see in the story of Paul and Barnabas. Acts 14:1At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed.[1] This moment reminds us that God’s Word is never wasted. Even when conditions seem uncertain, soil is always ready to receive the truth. The success in Iconium was not accidental; it was evidence of God’s ongoing work.

For anyone who has shared their faith and felt discouraged, this is a powerful encouragement. You may not always see immediate results, and rejection can feel louder than acceptance. Yet, as people came to faith, as described in Acts 14, this assures us that God is always at work beneath the surface. Even a few who believe represent a miracle of grace. 

Paul and Barnabas also remind us of the importance of partnership. They went together, strengthening one another in their mission. When discouragement comes, having someone alongside you can make the difference between pressing on and giving up.

Opposition Does Not Stop God’s Work

As the story of Paul and Barnabas’ ministry in Iconium unfolds, opposition quickly arises. Acts 14:2 Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas.[2] This pattern is familiar! Wherever God’s truth advances, resistance often follows. The presence of conflict does not mean failure; in fact, it often confirms that something significant is happening.

It can be disheartening when others twist your message. Yet Paul and Barnabas did not retreat. Instead, they stayed and continued to speak boldly. This challenges us to reconsider how we interpret resistance. The same message that some accept, others may oppose. Our responsibility is not to control the response but to remain faithful in sharing.

Boldness Bears Witness to Grace

Instead of leaving immediately, Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time in Iconium, boldly proclaiming the Lord. God confirmed their message with signs and wonders, demonstrating His power and grace. Yet despite such clear evidence, the city remained divided.

This teaches an important truth: not everyone will be convinced, even when the evidence seems undeniable. Faith is ultimately a work of the Holy Spirit, not the result of perfect arguments or dramatic displays. Our role is to speak boldly and live faithfully, trusting God to do the rest.

The division in Iconium reveals both the reality of human choice and the persistence of God’s work. Some believed, while others rejected it; yet, the Gospel still advanced. That is the encouragement of genuine faith. We don’t measure success by universal acceptance but by faithful witness and transformed lives, however few they may be. And wherever we find faith, God is at work.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/strength-in-the-midst-of-suffering

[1] The Holy Bible: New International Version (Ac 14:1). (1984). Zondervan.

[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 14:2). Tyndale House Publishers.

A Light to the Gentiles

Paula K. Graves

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August 22, 2026

Even though the Jews resisted the Gospel message, Paul and Barnabas continued to be a light to the Gentiles. Acts 13: 46 Then Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and declared, “It was necessary that we first preach the word of God to you Jews. But since you have rejected it and judged yourselves unworthy of eternal life, we will offer it to the Gentiles. 47 For the Lord gave us this command when he said, ‘I have made you a light to the Gentiles, to bring salvation to the farthest corners of the earth.’” [1]

Paul quoted Isaiah 49:6 here. From this, we can see that God’s desire was for the nation of Israel to include the Gentiles in the faith. They had refused, and it took a remnant of one, Jesus, to begin to reach out beyond the Jewish nation. Now His followers, Paul and Barnabas, are continuing His mission.

Rejection to Redirection

Often, closed doors can lead to new, unexpected opportunities for ministry. The Jews pushed back against Paul’s message, but the Gentiles received it with joy. Acts 13: 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were very glad and thanked the Lord for his message; and all who were chosen for eternal life became believers. 49 So the Lord’s message spread throughout that region…52 And the believers were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. [2]

This shows that as we share the Gospel with those around us, we must be open to God’s leading. Paul, as a zealous Jew, desired that other Jews come to know Jesus. But when they refused to listen, Paul took the message to those who would listen. Even in adversity, Paul found courage and hope to continue to preach the Gospel. But he had to preach to a different audience. We, too, must be willing to adapt our sharing of Jesus to those who are open to receive His message.

A Joyful Community

The Gospel’s transforming power left a group of Gentile believers filled with joy, empowered by the Holy Spirit. After Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the Jewish believers in the upper room, the Book of Acts gives us other examples of the Spirit falling on believers. The Samaritan believers received the Holy Spirit when the apostles laid hands on them (Acts 8:17). Cornelius and friends, Gentiles, received the Holy Spirit (Acts 10:44).

The Gospel doesn’t leave things the same; it is a message that both divides and delivers. The Jews who refused to believe became angry and aggressive. But the message is a light to the Gentiles in Pisidian Antioch, and they become a community of joyful, Spirit-filled people. Paul and Barnabas escaped the persecution and hurried on to the next town.

We should expect both acceptance and rejection when we share the message of Christ. Our joy is to be rooted in the Holy Spirit and not our circumstances. Even when our initial efforts seem to fall short, God can redirect us to more fruitful areas. There is fulfillment and joy in witnessing lives changed by Jesus.

To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-message-that-divides-and-delivers

[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

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