The Pilgrim Path---Acts 14: 1 – 7 

Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the LORD, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews and some sided with the apostles. When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.

THEY CONTINUED…

Paul and Barnabas kept up the pace at Iconium. They had a somewhat standard method of operation that they followed when they came into a new city. If there was a synagogue there---right into it, they went ---with the Gospel of Jesus Christ the LORD. It would not be uncommon for Jews that denied that Jesus was the Christ ---to create some ardent opposition to them. It is interesting that Dr. Luke notes that the Jews, “poisoned the mind” of the Gentiles in the area. They really wanted Paul and Barnabas “out” of there! Yet, this tenacious resistance on behalf of unbelieving Jews did not thwart Paul and Barnabas. Note verse 3, “they remained a long time.” The LORD’S servants just stayed at their labors. And the LORD heightened their witness by “adding” signs and wonders to the clear preaching of the Gospel of Jesus. The separation to Lystra and Derbe only came---when the LORD made it apparent to them that their lives were in danger. Otherwise, these Gospel agents simply pressed on most zealously. When the time came, they would change venue---and press on for the Master!

We need to pray that “hearers” of the Gospel will take soul-moments very seriously. Hearers must decide if they want to please God or Man? Always a serious decision---their soul is at stake. Vocational Christian workers and “all” Christians---need a considerable amount of zeal to continue in consistent service for the LORD Jesus Christ. We all must fight mediocrity, monotony, man-pleasing, bouts of malaise, and lukewarmness--- in the things of God. Help Us Holy Spirit---to continue hour by hour---for the Savior (Colossians 3: 17). We grow weary---Lift Us up and carry Us on for the glory of God.

From Samuel Ward: Zeal is guided by the Word, and not one’s own fancy. It receives praise from God and not men. Such a man’s worth cannot be set forth with the tongues of men and angels. Zeal leaps over obstacles as fire passes from house to house. Before it, all God’s enemies fall. Peter was like a man made of fire walking in stubble. Difficulties are but sharpening stones to strengthen it. The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the way,” but a David will go out and meet it. Tell Nehemiah of Sanballat, and he will answer, “Shall such a man as I flee?” Tell Caleb there are giants in the land, and he will say, “Let us go up at once!” Let Agabus bind Paul and tell him that bonds await him, but Paul says, “I am not only ready for bonds, but for death.” Tell Luther of his enemies at Worms, and yet he will go though all the tiles of the houses were devils. Zeal will pass through fire and say to carnal counsellors and friendly enemies, “Get behind me Satan!” It is as strong as death, and hot as the coals of a juniper. What honorable rewards God confers upon it! The devil and the world hate it. Where true zeal is, there will be opposition. Christ calls and urges us to it. Let your milk boil over. True zeal will not fade; it is perpetual. He that has an ear, be zealous (Revelation 3: 19).

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: A deep sense of gratitude will nourish Christian zeal. Looking to the hole of the pit whence we were digged, we find abundant reason why we should spend and be spent for God. And zeal is also stimulated by the thought of the eternal future. It looks with tearful eyes down to the flames of hell, and it cannot slumber: it looks up with anxious gaze to the glories of heaven, and it cannot but bestir itself. It feels that time is short compared with the work to be done, and therefore it devotes all that it has to the cause of its LORD. And it is ever strengthened by the remembrance of Christ’s example. He was clothed with zeal as with a cloak. How swift the chariot-wheels of duty went with Him! He knew no loitering by the way. Let us prove that we are His disciples by manifesting the same spirit of zeal.

HYMN

Stand up, my soul; shake off your fears, and gird the gospel armor on;

March to the gates of endless joy, where your great Captain Savior’s gone.

Hell and your sins resist your course; but hell and sin are vanquished foes:

Jesus nailed them to the cross and sang the triumph when he rose.

Then let my soul march boldly on, press forward to the heavenly gate;

There peace and joy eternal reign, and glittering robes for conquerors wait.

Isaac Watts, 1707

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