Why Are You Doing That?

Acts 14:19-23

How do you feel when a door to door salesman tries to talk you into buying his product? Have you ever sold something door to door? Did you find it hard to motivate yourself to go to the doors? Was that because you suspected the prospect felt the same way about you that you felt about the salesman at your door?

A great many Christians approach witnessing as a door to door selling job. They learn to use psychological and emotional pleas to overcome peoples resistance. As a result, a lot of their customers suffer buyers remorse as well, resenting having been talked into something they aren’t sure they want. It is the main reason why nearly half the people who make professions never get baptized or grow in the Lord, and resent people talking to them about religion.

Except for a few manipulative people who delight in getting others to do things they don’t want to do, most people find it hard to try to convince others to accept something they aren’t really interested in. It gets really hard to stay motivated to witness. Contrast that with the attitude of the unbelieving Jews from Iconium.

“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.” (Acts 14:19)

Most people view Santa as a charming tradition, but a few little children believe in Santa Claus. People just laugh indulgently at their naiveté and go on about their business. It’s not really a big deal. If people really believe there is no God, then it should not be a big deal either. Unfortunately, those who suspect there is and fear the consequences become virulently antagonistic. They do not hesitate to make their feelings known everywhere. The attitude or spirit motivating them will not allow them to be still. The unbelieving Jews from Iconium and Antioch incited an attack on Paul and Barnabas resulting in Paul being left for dead. Imagine the grief of the new believers as they observed his body.

“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.” (Acts 14:20)

Unlike Stephen, Paul survived the stoning. Whether we live or die is up to the Lord, not to people. They may try to kill, but only God has the power over life and death. An attempt to kill someone is an attempt to usurp God’s power. God did not allow Paul to die. The next morning Paul and Barnabas went on over to Derbe, and devoted their time to teaching the people there. The Holy Spirit in them motivated them to continue even after the attempt to kill Paul. They didn’t need some other motivator.

“And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:21-22)

The ill will caused by the Jews from Iconium and Antioch died down, and Paul and Barnabas were able to return to Lystra and even to Iconium and Antioch, completing teaching the people there. They focused on three areas of ministry on their return.

They confirmed the souls of the disciples. The word disciple means a follower or student. There are people in the church who have not been saved. Like Judas, they participate and appear to be believers but are not. Even they may think they are. Confirming them is not just a matter of reviewing what they have prayed or learned, but getting them to examine whether the Holy Spirit is in their life. As Romans 8:9 declares, “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Unless he is there, nothing else matters. All our good works are just like filthy rags.

The second thing Paul and Barnabas focused on was encouraging them to continue in the Word of God. Real Christians will be focused on what the Lord said. In John 8:31-32, Jesus told his disciples, “… If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; Joh 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Turning away from God’s word to something else implies they were never really his disciples.

Finally, they stressed that there will be problems for those who serve the Lord. To prevent Christians from giving up, Jesus warned his disciples that problems would come in John 16:33. “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Paul warned that every Christian will go through this in II Timothy 3:12. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” The problems and struggles are normal, and as I Corinthians 10:13 states, common to everyone. Victory should be expected, not viewed as something unusual.

“And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.” (Acts 14:23)

One of the hardest things for parents to do is allow their children to go out on their own, but they never attain their purpose until allowed to do so. Some may do like the Prodigal son and go into sin for a while, but if they’ve been properly taught, most will eventually get on track. Most missionaries have the same problem of letting go of their churches.

After earnest and deep prayer, Paul and Barnabas commended the churches at Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe to the Lord. They had taught what was needed, it was now up to the Holy Spirit to keep them on track. Until we learn to let the churches make it on their own, we prevent their long term development.

Denominations and mission groups retain control of many churches twenty or thirty years after the church was started. They simply don’t trust God to take care of the church. As Romans 14:23 says, “…for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.”