Preaching, Persecution and Perseverance

Paul’s First Preaching JourneyActs 13:2-14:28

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Places in Acts 14

• Iconium: ~80 miles SE of Antioch, 1-5• Lystra: 18 miles SSW of Iconium, 6-20• Derbe: About 40 miles E of Lystra, 21– Returned to Lystra, Iconium & Antioch,

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• Perga, 25• Attalia, 25• Antioch of Syria, 26-28 3

SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD, Acts 14:3

• Purposes of gospel preaching– Produce faith unto salvation, 14:1;

Rom. 10:13-15; 2 Ths. 2:13-14– Oppose faithlessness, 14:13-18– Strengthen the souls of the disciples,

14:22–Use the teaching opportunities God

gives, 14:27; Eph. 6:19-20

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SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD, Acts 14:3

• Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:– Careful reasoning from the Scriptures,

14:1 (13:16-41)• Reasoning and explaining, Acts 17:2-3• Speaking true and reason, Acts 26:24-25• Reason and result: Faith in the power of

God, not men, 1 Cor. 2:1-5

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SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD, Acts 14:3

• Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:–Miraculous validation, 14:3; Mk. 16:20• It is revelation from God, Gal. 1:11-12• Miraculous validation of God’s power and

approval, 14:8-10• Irrefutable evidence, 1 Cor. 2:4-5; Heb.

2:3-4

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SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD, Acts 14:3

• Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:– Faithfulness of the Lord, 14:22; 1 Cor.

1:9– Result: Boldness in preaching the

gospel! 14:3; 2 Tim. 1:7-8

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FACINGPERSECUTION

• Gospel naturally produces conflict and persecution, Lk. 12:49-51 6:26, 22-23; 2 Tim. 3:10-12; Phil. 1:27-30

• Opportunities, 1 Cor. 16:9; Phil. 1:12-14– Resist the temptation to shrink back– Commitment to the work, Acts 14:3

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• We enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations– Persecution endured through patient faith,

14:22• Paul and Barnabas are a pattern of perseverance,

Acts 14:5-7, 19-21; 2 Tim. 3:11• Faith comforts and sustains the persecuted,

14:22; Heb. 11:35-39• Faith in God’s grace and strength, 2 Cor. 12:9-10• Conscience toward God, 1 Pet. 2:19-23

PERSEVERANCE OF THE FAITHFUL Acts 14:21-27

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• Keep doing God’s work, 14:22-23; 1 Cor. 15:58– Strengthen the brethren to continue in the

faith (11:23)–Develop leaders in the churches: Appoint

elders• Elders help us continue in the faith, Heb.

13:17• Qualified and made elders by the Holy Spirit

(Acts 20:28)

PERSEVERANCE OF THE FAITHFUL Acts 14:21-27

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• Be assured that God is doing His work through you, 14:26-27– Gospel work is God’s work, not the work of

men– God is working in us to accomplish His

purpose when we faithfully obey, Phil. 2:12-13

– God is making you complete, Heb. 13:20-21

– Blessed assurance!

PERSEVERANCE OF THE FAITHFUL Acts 14:21-27

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COMMENDED TO THE GRACE

OF GODActs 14:26-27

•Does not mean Christians will live free of trials, trouble and trauma (26)•Does mean God will use you to do His work (27)

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