The Pilgrim Path---Acts 14: 19 – 23 

But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city, and on the next day he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the LORD in whom they had believed.

THEY STONED PAUL…

---"Supposing he was dead”--- These were hard words to read. The Law reserved this method of execution for the most serious blasphemers and heretics. Shows you what these Jews thought of the Apostle Paul and his proclamation of Jesus. Normally, the Jews would be sure the “criminal” was dead---done---gone. They drag Paul’s seemingly lifeless body outside the city. The gesture is a visual demonstration of the utter repulsion that they felt toward him and his message. How brutal. They were probably only sad that they could “stone” him once. Yet, the Living Christ had said at Paul’s conversion that he was a chosen instrument who must suffer for the sake of His Name (Acts 9: 15, 16). It was all too real now. But when the disciples “gathered” around Paul---the LORD raised him up. Well, that was the power of God! The next day---on they go to the city of Derbe to preach the Gospel pf Jesus Christ! You would not do this---unless the LORD had called you to do this. This is not simply a vocational choice that you make. This is a compulsion from the Spirit of the Holy One…

---“Strengthening souls”--- Wow---you go through things as a Follower of Jesus, so that you might help other saints “go” through things (Second Corinthians 1: 3 – 11). Paul and Barnabas go back to the supporting churches and let the brothers and sisters know that it is through a fair amount of tribulation---that you finally get into the Kingdom of God---but you get there! Imagine seeing some of the “scars” on the Apostle Paul. Don’t you figure he had some from that stoning at Lystra? He could give a life-size, full-scale “word” about “how” suffering is working for us---perseverance---and proven faith and enhanced Hope in the Glory of God. It would be hard not to listen to his testimony---right? AND---it would be hard to fade or faint, in the face of such devotion to King Jesus. Such commitment would “add” fabric to your soul! Be quick to “tell” the story of how the LORD has used the Word to carry you and make you stand. This will bless others and bring the Savior great praise!

---“Set elders in every church---with prayer and fasting”--- Wow---leadership by elders (Presbuterion---in the Greek). This is a New Testament idea. Deacons “lead” by serving---and elders serve by leading---the key is “service”---and service unto King Jesus. What we “see” in this passage is that leadership is often a call to “suffer” for Jesus’ sake---that His cause might advance---and His Name might be great among men. Service is costly. It costs to love people in Jesus’ Name. Some are hard to love (we are at times---not easy for others to love). Then, we pray Amy Carmichael’s prayer: “Love through me---love of God.” The Blessed Holy Spirit will aid us!

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Trials are a part of our lot; they were predestined for us in God’s solemn decrees and bequeathed us in Christ’s last legacy. So surely as the stars are fashioned by his hands, and their orbits fixed by Him, so surely are our trials allotted to us: He has ordained their season and their place, their intensity, and the effect they shall have upon us. Good men must never expect to escape troubles; if they do, they will be disappointed, for none of their predecessors have been without them. Mark the patience of Job; remember Abraham, for he had his trials, and by his faith under them, he became the “Father of the faithful.” Note well the biographies of all the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and you shall discover none of those whom God made vessels of mercy, who were not made to pass through the fire of affliction. It is ordained of old that the cross of trouble should be engraved on every vessel of mercy, as the royal mark whereby the King’s vessels of honor are distinguished. But although tribulation is thus the path of God’s children, they have the comfort of knowing that their Master has traversed it before them; they have His presence and sympathy to cheer them; His grace to support them, and His example to teach them how to endure; and when they reach “the kingdom,” it will more than make amends for the “much tribulation” through which they passed to enter it.

From Thomas Brooks: Here God gives his people some taste, that they may not faint; and he gives them but a taste, that they may long to be at home, that they may keep humble, that they may sit loose from things below, that they may not break and despise bruised reeds, and that heaven may be more sweet to them at last.

From John Duncan: Love is a self-renouncing, not a self-exalting principle---a self-denying, not a self-aggrandizing principle.

HYMN

Take thou our minds, dear LORD, we humbly pray;

Give us the mind of Christ each passing day;

Teach us to know the truth that sets us free;

Grant us in all our thoughts to honor thee.

Take thou our hearts, O Christ, they are thine own;

Come thou within our souls and claim thy throne;

Help us to shed abroad thy deathless love;

Use us to make the earth like heaven above.

William Hiram Foulkes, 1918

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason