“The Journey Ends”
Acts 14:24-27
12-14-2025 AM
Paul's First Missionary Journey is a major event spreading the Gospel, as recorded in the Acts.
This journey, by Paul and Barnabas, was essential in establishing churches among the Gentiles and Paul’s never ending quest to take the Gospel message to his people, the Jews.
The journey began in Acts 13:1 and ends in Acts 14:28 around the years of AD 46-48.
So 2 years Paul and Barnabas traveled.
Review of their travels:
Sending Forth From Antioch Syria:
The journey began in Antioch of Syria, a hub for early Christianity.
The church at Antioch, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, set apart Barnabas and Saul for the work to which they were called. Acts 13:2-3
Cyprus:
The first stopover was the island of Cyprus, the homeland of Barnabas.
They traveled from Salamis to Paphos, preaching in Jewish synagogues.
In Paphos, they encountered a sorcerer which opposed them, but Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, struck him with temporary blindness.
Witnessing this, Sergius Paulus believed the teaching about the Lord and was saved. Acts 13:6-12
Following all that action John-Mark left and returned to Jerusalem.
Pisidian Antioch:
From Cyprus, Saul now called; Paul and Barnabas sailed to Perga in Pamphylia and then traveled to Pisidian Antioch.
Paul preached a sermon in the synagogue, recounting Israel's history and proclaiming Jesus as the promised Saviour. Acts 13:38-39
The message was well-received, but the devil sure made a mess with some Jewish leaders, Acts 13:45, causing Paul and Barnabas to preach with authority until they “shook off the dust of their feet against them.”
Iconium:
In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas once again preached in the synagogue, and in Acts 14:1 “…a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.”
The city became divided, and facing a plot to mistreat and stone them, they fled to the cities of Lystra and Derbe in Lycaonia Acts 14:1-6.
Lystra and Derbe:
In Lystra, Paul healed a man crippled from birth, causing the crowd to believe that Paul and Barnabas were gods.
They called Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes."
Also, Jews from Antioch and Iconium, set in motion a riot against Paul where he was stoned and left for dead.
After he rose up Paul returned to the job of preaching and confirming (helping to grow into leaders) many disciples Acts 14:8-21.
Return to Antioch:
Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Pisidian Antioch, helping with the establishment of leaders in each church.
They encouraged the believers to remain steadfast in the faith, Acts 14:22.
Returning Home:
Finally returning to Antioch in Syria is where we are in this 2 year journey.
Importance:
I believe without Paul and Barnabas the New Testament Churches would look much different today.
It was their walk, testimony and preaching that set in motion the Gospel message that would be taken to the world today.
So let’s finish the first Missionary Journey today with Paul and Barnabas.
I. A Time Of Preaching
Acts 14:24-25 “And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia:”
I see a message worth repeating!
Preached - The most used definition of this word would be to herald or speak boldly.
In this time Preached is defined as speak, or emit a sound.
This leads me to believe that Paul was spending some very personal time with those who believed.
We often think that the Gospel must be spoken during every message, and I am not against the Gospel, but in this case Paul was speaking or articulating a thought.
A great picture of Paul ad Barnabas helping the believers of each town, to strengthen their faith; to prepare them for hardships that will not doubt happen.
II. A Time Of Passage
Acts 14:26 “And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.”
Sailed - travel by ship
Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch.
There is nothing said about the time of travel but I would like to suggest that this was not an overnight travel; giving them time to reminisce about their journey; perhaps prepare for the report that would be spoken.
My thoughts: we, who are in the jet set age, miss a great opportunity of rest that can help in our worship, fellowship, and service to the LORD.
III. A Time Of Praising
Acts 14:27 “And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.”
Rehearsed - to announce, make known, to report, bring back tidings
All that God had done with them – God’s protection, God’s Directing, God’s intervention (raising Paul who was presumed dead). God did it all!
How he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. - furnished an opportunity of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles
Paul was not bragging about what they accomplished, but rather what the LORD allowed them to accomplish.
We are in such a generation today that often will brag about what THEY accomplished, when we should be praising the Lord for what God has accomplished.
IV. A Time of Peace
Acts 14:28 “And there they abode long time with the disciples.”
Abode - tarry, continue, to pass time.
Long time - How long is not mentioned; but we hear no more of them until the council at Jerusalem, mentioned in the next chapter.
If the transactions recorded in this chapter occurred, as is supposed, about 45 a.d. or 46 a.d., and the council at Jerusalem assembled 51 a.d. or 53 a.d., it could be concluded that around five to eight years in which we hear nothing from Paul or Barnabas.
Conclusion:
In the age of INSTANT I find it refreshing to hear that the Lord allowed a time of rest and fellowship before sending them on the next journey.
I am not advising to do nothing, but those who serve the LORD should also, from time to time, be willing to step aside and rest in the LORD.
Paul had some healing from the physical attacks and a time to prepare for his next assignment.
Don't Quit
By Edgar Albert Guest
Published around 1948
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is odd with its twists and turns.
As everyone of us sometimes learns.
And many a fellow turns about when he
Might have won had he stuck it out.
Don't give up though the pace seems slow -
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than it seems
To a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up when he
Might have captured the victor's cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out -
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And when you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit -
It's when things seem worst,
You must not quit.
Paul said it best:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 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.”
