The Light of Christ Journey

Encouraging people on their journey with Christ

Freedom in Christ

Tom Graves

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September 6, 2026

Freedom in Christ is the reason Paul wrote the book of Galatians, because the people in the churches of Galatia were going backward in their faith.Galatians 5:1So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.[1] Scholars have called the letter to the Galatians the “charter of Christian freedom.”[2] It was born out of a crisis.

Paul had brought the Gospel to the churches in Galatia and watched men and women experience the life-changing freedom that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Yet after Paul left, false teachers called Judaizers entered the churches with a different message. They insisted that faith in Christ alone was not enough. The Judaizers taught that Gentile believers also had to obey Jewish laws and traditions to be truly saved and accepted by God.

The Freedom Paul Discovered

Paul knew this teaching was dangerous because it threatened the very heart of the Gospel. He understood what was at stake because he had experienced slavery firsthand. Before Paul met Jesus, he was a slave, though not in the traditional sense. Religious zeal, legalism, and the belief that righteousness could be earned through performance enslaved Paul. He lived under the pressure to prove himself worthy before God.

Many people today know that kind of slavery. Destructive habits such as drugs or alcohol trap some in slavery. Or guilt, fear, bitterness, anger, pride, or a constant need for approval trap others. Some live under the exhausting pressure to be “good enough” for God. The truth is that slavery takes many forms, yet every form carries the same burden; it controls, confines, and robs us of freedom.

Everything changed for Paul on the road to Damascus, where he would be freed from the slavery of religion. There he encountered Jesus Christ, his Liberator. Paul discovered that works, rules, or religious effort did not earn salvation. It was received by grace through faith. For the first time, Paul experienced true freedom, not freedom to do whatever he wanted, but freedom from sin, guilt, and the impossible burden of trying to save himself. After meeting Christ, Paul devoted his life to sharing that message of freedom with others. He wanted people to know that Jesus came not merely to improve lives but to rescue them.

The Warning Paul Could Not Ignore

What troubled Paul was seeing believers who had already experienced freedom being pressured back into bondage. They were trading grace for rules and relationship for religion. Paul’s message was direct and urgent: Jesus did not die to free us only to place us under another form of slavery. Christ came to set us free completely.

The question for us is, “Am I relying on God’s grace, or am I trying to earn what Christ has already given?” Freedom in Christ remains God’s invitation today. We do not live to earn acceptance; we live because we are already accepted through Christ. To learn more, listen here:

https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-gospel-of-grace-alone

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ga 5:1). Tyndale House Publishers.

[2] Barton, B. B. (1994). Galatians (pp. x – xi). Tyndale House.

Saved by Grace Through Faith

Paula K. Graves

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September 5, 2026

The apostles understood that through Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection, they were now saved by grace through faith. These were new times for the Jews, especially for the Pharisees, who focused on the law. Thus, the reason they were debating was whether Gentiles must first become Jews to be saved.

Peter had received Jesus’ grace on the shores of Galilee, as he was reinstated to ministry after denying Jesus. As Peter considered the history of his people, all he could see was their failure to fully follow God’s law.

Acts 15: 10 “So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? 11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.” [1]

Paul Received Grace

Paul had persecuted believers before he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He, like Peter, had received Jesus’ grace and forgiveness and realized the law could not save us.

Galatians 2: 15 “You and I are Jews by birth, not ‘sinners’ like the Gentiles. 16 Yet we know that a person is made right with God by faith in Jesus Christ, not by obeying the law. And we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we might be made right with God because of our faith in Christ, not because we have obeyed the law. For no one will ever be made right with God by obeying the law.”[2]

So, if we are saved by faith, why did God give the law? Paul explained that, too. Galatians 3: 23 Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed. 24 Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. 25 And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian. [3]

Jesus Did Something New

Even Jesus gave His followers a heads-up about something new in one of His parables. Luke 5: 36 Then Jesus gave them this illustration: “No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn’t even match the old garment.

37 “And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. 38 New wine must be stored in new wineskins. 39 But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. ‘The old is just fine,’ they say.” [4]

Jesus’ work on the cross and His resurrection gave us a way to renew our relationship with God. This grace is like the new wine; it won’t fit into the old wineskins. Yet, Jesus knew that there would be resistance to change, and some would continue to desire the old. But that did not change the fact that we are saved by grace through faith. Thankfully, this remains true for us today. Put your faith in Jesus and be assured of your salvation.

To learn more, 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.

Searching Scripture for Answers

Paula K. Graves

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September 4, 2026

During the debate over the need for circumcision for Gentile believers, James began searching the Scriptures for answers. “James was a brother to Jesus (Matt. 13:55; Gal. 1:19) and the writer of the Epistle of James.[1] During Jesus’ lifetime, we don’t think he believed that his half-brother was the Messiah (John 7:5). He seems to become a believer after Jesus’ resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15: 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.[2] The Letter of James contains at least ten references to Jewish law, so he would likely have been sympathetic to Jewish hardliners.

Our Opinion or God’s?

Even though James may have been legalistic, he also knew Scripture. He looked there for guidance as he led the Jerusalem church through this dispute over circumcision. As he considered the scripture, he could see that God had a plan for all nations from the beginning.

Even 700 years prior to the birth of Jesus, God was speaking through His prophets. Isaiah 45:21b For there is no other God but me, a righteous God and Savior. There is none but me. 22 Let all the world look to me for salvation! For I am God; there is no other. 23 I have sworn by my own name; I have spoken the truth, and I will never go back on my word: Every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to me.” [3]

Amos was a contemporary of Isaiah and also had words for the Gentiles: Amos 9: 11 “In that day I will restore the fallen house of David. I will repair its damaged walls. From the ruins I will rebuild it and restore its former glory. 12 And Israel will possess what is left of Edom and all the nations I have called to be mine.” The Lord has spoken, and he will do these things. [4]

Follow God’s Plan

James was willing to set aside his thoughts to follow God’s plan. He put the prophetic Scripture into his own words as he explained his reasoning. This allowed him to describe what he sees as God’s plan for the Gentiles.

Acts 15: 13 When they had finished, James stood and said, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Peter has told you about the time God first visited the Gentiles to take from them a people for himself. 15 And this conversion of Gentiles is exactly what the prophets predicted. As it is written: 16 ‘Afterward I will return and restore the fallen house of David. I will rebuild its ruins and restore it, 17 so that the rest of humanity might seek the Lord, including the Gentiles—    all those I have called to be mine. The Lord has spoken—18 he who made these things known so long ago.’

After James quotes the prophets, he then makes a statement: Acts 15: 19 And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.[5] This, in effect, was a rejection of the circumcision for the Gentile believers. When we are making difficult decisions, we, too, want to search the Scriptures for answers. God’s wisdom is always far better than ours. To learn more, listen here:

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

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 463). Victor Books.

[2-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.

Remembering What God Has Done

Paula K. Graves

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September 3, 2026

In the dispute over circumcision, Peter, Barnabas, and Paul began by remembering what God has done. Acts 10 tells the story of Peter meeting and preaching to Cornelius, a Roman centurion. The Holy Spirit fell on the Gentiles just as He had on the disciples earlier.

When Peter returned to Jerusalem after this incident, hardliners had criticized him. But when they heard the story, they agreed with Peter. Acts 11: 18 When the others heard this, they stopped objecting and began praising God. They said, “We can see that God has also given the Gentiles the privilege of repenting of their sins and receiving eternal life.[1]

Now, as the debate continues over the issue of the need for Gentile believers to receive circumcision, Peter reminded them of this event. Acts 15: 7 At the meeting, after a long discussion, Peter stood and addressed them as follows: “Brothers, you all know that God chose me from among you some time ago to preach to the Gentiles so that they could hear the Good News and believe. 8 God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith.[2]

Paul and Barnabas’ Mission Trip

Part of the reason for the Jerusalem Council was that many Gentiles had become believers during Paul and Barnabas’s first mission trip. They had preached how the death and resurrection of Jesus had changed things. Through Jesus’ work on the cross, God’s long-awaited plan has been put in place, and God is building a new family without racial divisions. Anyone can find salvation through faith in Jesus.

We think Paul had just written the letter to the Galatian churches to counter hardliners who had gone to the churches of Galatia and claimed Paul hadn’t told them the whole truth. They must become Jews first before becoming believers. That meant getting circumcised and following Mosaic law. Now, at the council, the two apostles begin remembering what God has done.

Acts 15: 12 Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. [3] “The Greek word for “signs” (semeia) suggests “miracles that point to a divine truth.” “Wonders” (teras) are divine acts that produce awe. The clear implication is that these supernatural events signified God’s endorsement and blessing of their ministry to non-Jews.”[4]

Remembering God during a Conflict

Emotions may run high during conflicts, making it difficult to think clearly. But when we take time to remember God, He can give us wisdom to deal with the situation at hand. Peter, Paul, and Barnabas give us models.

When we remember what God has done in the past, we begin to consider His character. Then we will respond with worship and gratitude for what has happened in the past. Not only that, but remembering helps build faith for what God will do in the future. As we remember God’s works, we will gain a new perspective. To learn more, 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] Barton, B. B., & Osborne, G. R. (1999). Acts (p. 255). Tyndale House.

Resolving Conflict God’s Way

Tom Graves

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September 2, 2026

Resolving conflict God’s way was instrumental when the early church faced a crisis. This can teach us much today. Acts 15:1While Paul and Barnabas were at Antioch of Syria, some men from Judea arrived and began to teach the believers: “Unless you are circumcised as required by the law of Moses, you cannot be saved.”[1] 

This was not a minor disagreement over preferences or traditions. The very heart of the Gospel was at stake. Acts 15 tells us that Paul and Barnabas engaged in a “sharp dispute and debate” over the matter. If mishandled, this conflict could have fractured the church and divided believers at a crucial moment in its mission.

Yet Scripture reminds us that not all conflict is destructive. Some conflict clarifies truth. Disagreements can expose confusion, reveal assumptions, and prompt us to ask, “What does God actually say?” The issue in Acts 15 brought a vital question into focus: Is salvation by God’s grace through faith, or must people earn acceptance through rules and religious requirements?

There is something of a Pharisee in each of us. Structures, customs, and practices can be helpful, but they become dangerous when they begin carrying the weight that belongs to Christ alone. The Gospel is not Jesus plus. It is Jesus alone.

Godly Resolution Seeks Wise Counsel

Paul and Barnabas could have gathered supporters and created factions. Instead, they chose another path. They brought the matter to the church leaders in Jerusalem. Rather than escalating division, they sought wisdom collectively and respectfully.

This teaches us something essential about resolving conflict God’s way. We live in a culture that often rewards quick reactions, public arguments, and personal victories. Churches today face disagreements over worship styles, traditions, ministry approaches, social issues, and theology. The temptation is to defend our position at all costs or to assume our perspective is the only faithful one.

The believers in Acts demonstrate a better way. They listened, gathered together and sought discernment under God’s authority. They neither avoided the issue nor weaponized it. Jesus modeled the same Spirit. He consistently balanced truth with grace and called His followers to reconciliation. Unity does not mean avoiding difficult conversations; it means pursuing them with humility and love. Godly conflict resolution asks, “How can we honor Christ and build up His body?”

Keep the Gospel at the Center

The church eventually affirmed that salvation comes through the grace of Jesus Christ, not through ceremonial requirements. Freedom, not legalism, prevailed. That remains an important reminder today. Make sure the Gospel brings freedom and life to those you are trying to reach. Rules and ceremonies may have their place, but they cannot replace the transforming grace of Christ.

When conflict arises, ask, “Am I protecting the Gospel, or merely protecting my preferences?” A Christ-centered resolution keeps Jesus at the center, allowing truth and love to walk together. To learn more about resolving conflict God’s way, listen here:

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

[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Ac 15:1). Tyndale House Publishers.

God Opens Doors

Tom Graves

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September 1, 2026

God opens doors spiritually, as Paul and Barnabas experienced on their mission trip. Paul and Barnabas, led by the Holy Spirit, retraced their steps to strengthen those they had discipled. Acts 14:24 Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. 25 They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia. 26 Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun.[1]

Their previous journey had not been marked by comfort and applause but by rejection and suffering. In Lystra, Paul had been stoned and left for dead; in Iconium, a violent plot had formed against them. In Antioch of Pisidia, opposition had arisen from jealousy and manipulation. Returning meant stepping back into places of pain. Yet they followed the Lord’s guidance.

 They understood that faithfulness often means walking through difficult doors rather than avoiding them. God sometimes opens doors that lead us into uncomfortable places. We naturally expect open doors to feel safe, easy, and exciting. But God’s opportunities often require courage. He may open a door to forgive someone who hurt us, to serve where we feel inadequate, to speak the truth when silence seems easier, or to continue ministering after disappointment. An open door from God is not always marked by ease; sometimes it is marked by obedience.

God Opens Doors Through His Power

When Paul and Barnabas returned to their sending church, they gathered the believers and shared what had happened on their journey. Their report could easily have become a story of their perseverance, bravery, and endurance. Humanly speaking, they had accomplished extraordinary things.

But that was not how they told the story. Luke gives us this insight. Acts 14: 27 Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. [2]  Paul and Barnabas understood they were instruments, not the source of power. Though they traveled, preached, suffered, and encouraged, God Himself was doing the work. How often do we reverse that order? Yet God’s kingdom advances because He moves hearts and changes lives.

God Opens Doors for All People

Perhaps the most beautiful part of their report was this: Acts 14:27how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too.[3]  Paul and Barnabas watched in amazement as people once considered outsiders were welcomed into God’s family. The grace of God was reaching farther than many expected.

The same truth holds today. God continues to open doors that human barriers try to shut. No background is too broken, no history too painful, and no person too far away. The God who opened the door of faith then still opens doors now. He invites us to trust Him, walk in obedience, and watch Him do what only He can do.

To learn more about how God opens doors, 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.

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

no comments

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

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