SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON 5 (Acts 14) → Pastor H. Biakson
Paul and Barnabas had set out from their base at Antioch in Syria, travelling south-west to Salamis and Paphos in Cyprus and onward north-west to Perga and Pisidian Antioch. From Pisidian Antioch, they went south-east to Iconium, Lystra and Derbe cities in Galatia (present day Turkey).
A. The missionary journey to Iconium (Acts 14:1-7):
Iconium was a major business hub in Galatia. Though majority of the inhabitants were Gentiles, a number of Jews also lived in the city. It was in the synagogue of the Jews that Paul preached the Gospel where a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. However, there was a sharp difference between those that believed and those that despised the preaching. Trouble brewed and the non-believing Gentiles and Jews tried to attack Paul and Barnabas. The apostles had to flee to Lystra.
B. The journey to Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:8-21):
In Lystra, a lame man who had never walked in his life came to be healed after listening to the preaching of Paul. Paul had seen through the man and thought that ‘the man had faith worthy of healing’! At this, the people of Lystra took Paul and Barnabas as gods and thronged about them worshipping. The apostles struggled to make the people understand that they were only human and that there is only one true god – the Lord God. Non-believing Jews from Pisidian Antioch and Iconium came down to Lystra, incited the people, and had the people stone Paul. Taking for dead, they dragged Paul’s body outside the city. Paul regained consciousness and strength and went back into the city.
C. The return to Syrian Antioch (Acts 14:21-28):
Paul and Barnabas, on their return journey, left Derbe and passed through Lystra, Iconium, Pisidian Antioch, Pamphylia, Perga, Attalia, and finally by sea to Antioch in Syria. All along the way, they preached the Word, encouraging and strengthening the believers. They appointed elders in each church with prayer and fasting. At Antioch, they gave accounts to the church of all the works that God had done, without so much as a mention of the physical ordeals that they had gone through.
LESSONS FROM ACTS 14
We shall get to heaven by overcoming obstacles and tribulations that exist all along the way. The path to heaven is narrow and difficult to tread (Matthew 7:13-14). If we allow ourselves to be used by God, then we also allow ourselves to be tried, tested, and moulded by obstacles and tribulations. Persecution strengthens the faith of others. Beyond tribulations, there exist blessings. Only God is worthy of praise and worship. Glory is to be given to God alone – not to be taken by individuals, families and nations. There is wholeness of well-being only in Christ!
For more information, please open links below:
Order of Service :: DEW | March 03, 2019
Pictures :: Gallery
