Introduction

Good morning, beloved family in Christ. It is indeed a joy and a privilege to stand before you today, not as a solitary voice, but as a fellow traveler in this grand adventure of faith. We are all here, gathered under the banner of Christ's love, to share in the nourishment of His Word.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Acts, specifically chapter 14, verses 21 through 28. This passage, my dear friends, is a treasure trove of wisdom and guidance. It speaks to us about the perseverance in proclamation, the plurality of leadership, and the promotion of faithfulness.

In the words of the great Christian preacher Charles Spurgeon, “By perseverance, the snail reached the ark.” This, I believe, encapsulates the essence of our first point. It is not the speed or the grandeur of our actions that matter, but the steadfastness of our hearts as we proclaim the Gospel. Now, let us read the Scripture together:

"They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. 'We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,' they said. Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed. On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they stayed there a long time with the disciples."

Perseverance in Proclamation

As we reflect on the actions of Paul and Barnabas in this passage, we see a clear demonstration of their unwavering commitment to spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. They faced many hardships, yet they did not falter. They continued to preach the gospel, winning many disciples for the Lord. This steadfastness, this refusal to be deterred by obstacles, is a shining example for us all.

In our own lives, we may face challenges and difficulties. We may encounter resistance or even hostility. But like Paul and Barnabas, we are called to persevere. We are called to keep sharing the gospel, to keep reaching out to those around us with the love of Christ, no matter what. This requires courage, determination, and a deep-rooted faith. But it is what we are called to do.

Now, let's look at how Paul and Barnabas went about their mission. They didn't just preach the gospel and move on. They took the time to strengthen the disciples, to encourage them to remain true to the faith. It's about helping others to grow in their faith, to become strong and mature believers.

We are not just called to share the gospel, but to help others grow in their faith. We are called to encourage, to support, to guide. This requires a willingness to invest time and energy in others. But it is a vital part of our calling.

Paul and Barnabas also understood the importance of community in the life of faith. They appointed elders for the new believers, ensuring that they would have leaders to guide them and a community to support them. We need each other. We need the support, the encouragement, the accountability that comes from being part of a community of believers.

Finally, we see in this passage a clear demonstration of trust in God. Paul and Barnabas committed the new believers to the Lord, trusting Him to guide and protect them. They understood that ultimately, it is God who is in control. It is God who gives the growth. It is God who opens the door of faith.