Sermon – Who’s Got My Back? Somebody Cover me!
Text: Acts 14:19-24 “Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. 21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22 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. 23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders[a] for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. 24 After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia,”
Introduction: I want to begin by reading a short Facebook post.… “It has dawned on me that I have quite a few fb friends and family that are in the ministry. My husband is even a Pastor. People don't understand the weight that is placed on these men and women's shoulders. After praying with you for your breakthrough, visiting the sick, delivering the word, counseling a couple that is about to be wed or on the brink of divorce, baptizing folk, visiting the prisons, and dealing with members that are about to lose it all, they still have to have a smile on their face and a pep in their step. Well guess what, they are human too and have their own homes to run, jobs to work, and relationships to mend/maintain. Pray for our Clergy EVERYWHERE!!!”
After reading the post, I thought, that’s someone who seem to get it! Every leaders wonders, “Who’s got my back?” Is anyone in my corner? It is almost impossible to understand how God could use one man like Apostle Paul to such a great level. The miles he traveled, the hostile environments, his body was frail, his eyes were weak, and his speaking gift was limited. Yet, it is almost impossible to discuss the function of the Christian Church without mentioning Paul’s contribution. Not only did Paul give us glimpses of the influence of the church in his personal ministry, but he also gave us instructions on how the faith community was to operate. Paul’s teachings are so thorough and beneficial that at times his personal life and sacrifice can be somewhat overlooked. Then again Paul’s life shines so brightly, that often his partners in ministry are often overlooked. There is a long list of ministry partners that played a vital role in the success of Paul’s ministry.
The writer of Acts, Dr. Luke writes this text like a modern-day headline, he mentions enough names to keep the readers interested. Luke mentions Barnabas, young Timothy and a few more companions of Paul who witnessed this powerful ordeal. There may be only one or two names mentioned in the headline, yet others help complete the story. Every superstar needs a supporting cast. Moses needed Joshua, and they both needed Aaron and Hur who held up their arms in ministry. We brag about Moses on the mountain with rod of God and Joshua leading the charge on the field of battle, but seldom talked the work of Aaron and Hur who made valuable contributions to the ministry. Without the support cast, the battle would have prolonged and possibly lost. Never underestimate the value of your supporting role. Leadership is a lonely road at best, it is better when you know who’s got your back!
Our lesson today tells a moving, action-packed story from the life and ministry of Paul and the dangers he encountered at Antioch and Iconium. Paul and his team experienced great success as God working with them confirming their message with many signs and wonders. As the multitudes witnessed the miracles wrought through them, many were convinced that Paul and his team were gods walking among them. Many people in Antioch and Iconium were converted and added to their company. At one point, their ministry success was so great the multitude assumed they were the gods Jupiter and Mercury walking among them. Paul and Barnabas had to restrain the people from worshiping them by refusing to receive their worship and sacrifices. Satan tried to sidetrack these servants of God through vain worship and the praise of men. Anyone doing the work of God should expect opposition from Satan. Two of his favorite tools seem to be flattery and persecution.
When flattery failed, Satan intensified the persecution. Many leading Jews in Antioch and Iconium became angry and jealous because of the influence of Paul and his team. These Jews became arch enemies of Paul and his gospel message. They decided to incite the crowd into violence. They convinced the crowd that Paul and Barnabas were great deceivers, who had just made fools of them all. Although Paul and his companions were forced to leave the area, these enraged Jews followed them, traveling more a hundred miles on foot, over rugged terrain for a chance to stone Paul.
At Lystra, the angry crowd caught up with Paul’s team; then the angry Jews created a stir and proceeded to enflame the passion of the Jews in Lystra. Remember this was the same crowd of people who were willing to worship Paul and Barnabas as gods one day early, but now were out for blood. Like the crowd in Jerusalem who cried “hosanna” but soon were crying, “Crucify Him.” The bitter vindictiveness of these enemies of the gospel can be seen in the fact that they were willing to travel over 100 miles at their own expense for a chance to destroy Paul and stop His gospel message.
Paul had stood by approving the stoning of Stephen, so now God allowed him to suffer the same fate. In all probably, he was stoned nearly to death. This murderous, misguided mob decided to stone Paul to death. After stoning Paul, they stood around and observing him at length and when they were sure he was dead, they decided to drag him outside the city to be ravished by wild beasts. This is quite possibly the event Paul refers to as receiving the marks of the Lord Jesus in his own body; being caught up to third heaven and granted marvelous revelations of paradise that He could not put into words. This experience was undoubtedly witnessed by Barnabas, Timothy and several other nameless traveling companions of Paul.
The miracle in this text was nothing short of a resurrection. Notice the tools God used to preserve the life and ministry of His servant. Let’s look at how Paul’s life was spared, and ministry restored. Consider how his life was restored and revived. Contrary to what we are taught as Christians, standing tall and fiercely resisting every opposition might not be the only way. In this case, Paul neither able stand tall nor put up any resistance, Paul needed help. God gave Paul the ability to play dead. Just as Jesus submit himself, holding peace and responded in humility, Christians at times, maybe call upon to do the same.
1. When you cannot fight or flee, learn to play dead. V.19 “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”
These men only stopped stoning Paul when they thought their purpose was accomplished. If there was any movement or reaction from Paul, the enemy kept violently attacking. Paul’s reaction encouraged their pursuit. The enemy is motivated by the reaction of their victim. Sometimes the best reaction is no reaction at all, just lay still.
Isa 30:7, 15“For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still…15 For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”
1Pe 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
We must not react to everything the enemy says and does. We do not need to respond to every comment or have the last word. It is hard to argue alone. Remember this lesson, when you cannot fight or flee, learn to play dead!
2. When you cannot fight or flee, Trust God and Count on Your Team. This was certainly a miracle, very likely a miracle of restoration of life out death. Only God, God alone can raise the dead. Believers must continue to trust God in every situation. Yet, believers must also count on your team. Recently, I was criticized on Facebook, for saying we must learn to trust others. We are serving with others in the Body of Christ that we can count on. Yes, people may disappoint you, criticize you, and even false accuse you sometimes. Yet, God has given us supporters in ministry. Your partners in ministry or team in service can be counted on to assist you with comfort, care, concern and covering when you cannot look out for yourself. Acts 14: “But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.”
Notice that Paul’s team covered Paul while he was most vulnerable. Believers must learn to count on others when they are hurting and unable to help themselves. They kept Paul from bleeding out, kept wild dogs from attacking Paul, and they protected Paul from the natural elements. There is no telling what would have happened in this story had Paul been alone.
Ec 4:9 -12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Paul needed the threefold cord: he trusted God, count on his teammates and summoned his inner strength to get up. We all need a threefold cord: God, others, and our own inner strength. When you cannot fight or flee, learn to play dead sometimes, trust God and count on your teammates, and finally, Have faith in the future, You Will Rise Up Again!
3. When you cannot fight or flee, Have faith in the future, You Will Rise Up Again! Ac 14:20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
This is a testimony to God’s goodness, the loyalty of others and Paul’s courage and faith. Paul seemed to know that his assignment was not complete. This miracle is not just about Paul’s near-death experience, it’s about God’s mission being completed. New converts must be confirmed, in-depth teaching must be completed, and these young saints must be exhorted to continue in the faith regardless of the possibility of much tribulation. Paul’s love for the church motivated him to rise again. If you trust God, Count on others, you will find new strength and courage not only to go on but go back and finish the assignment.
It is almost unbelievable that without a single day’s rest or even a few moments of refreshment, Paul traveled on foot the next day. Paul realized that, if these new converts were to continue in the faith, they needed to be organized into local churches and taught more concerning their place in God’s plan. This includes teaching them to recognize that all true believers will be opposed by Satan and ungodly men. All believers will suffer persecution and endure tribulations. Paul recounts his ordeal in 2Ti 3:11-12 “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
This text encourages me that God will allow us, as believers, to finish our assignment. Our God can deliver us out of them all. Ministry leaders need to be covered with prayer, that God will give them patience to endure, the support to rise up again and the faith to finish. In 2Ti 4:7,8 Paul gives us a glowing testimony, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Lu 22:31,32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Jesus was saying to His disciples in general, and to Peter in particular, that Satan has brought accusation against ministry leaders before God, desiring to sift them as wheat in the wind. With Satan’s winnowing winds of temptation and persecution, He plans to shake your faith and weaken your confidence. But Jesus said, “I have prayed for you.” Jesus prayed for all, but particularly for Peter, who was under the greatest attack and in the greatest danger of falling. Why? Because Peter was so confident of his own strength and standing. Jesus knew as the leader of the group, Peter’s faith would be severely shaken, but he prayed that his faith may not utterly fail; and when by repentance thou art recovered from thy fall, be careful to confirm and strengthen others, that they may not fall in like manner. Jesus covered the disciples with prayer. All leaders need to be covered with prayer, support, comfort, and care. Some common synonyms for cover are to protect, defend, guard, safeguard, or shield. These things every leader needs.
This text encourages me that God will provide the support we need to finish our assignment and finish strong. Our God can deliver us from many trials, but when He does not, God can bring us out of every temptation and trial. The text gives us a glimpse into one of the many ways God uses to take care of His own. Believers must always be ready to give our ministry leaders the proper support and care. Like Paul, believers must care enough to cover them with pray, protection, and comfort, praying that God will give them the patience to faithfully endure, the healing for full recovery, the strength to rise up again and the faith to finish strong. Every leader in the ministry needs this covering even if they never ask for it. Why don’t they ask for help? Maybe they see it as a sign of weakness. Maybe they are ashamed. Maybe they feel too vulnerable. May be the struggle is too great. I only know that at one time or another, every leader needs covering. If they get it, they can get back up again. Choose to be a covering for your leader. Amen.
