Acts 14:1-20 | Justin Reed | March 30, 2025

  • Following Jesus often means going against the cultural flow—choosing faithfulness over comfort. Acts 14 gives a powerful example of perseverance in the face of opposition. Paul and Barnabas boldly preached the Gospel, even as opposition grew. They faced slander, division, and even violence, yet they continued proclaiming Christ. When a miraculous healing led people to worship them as gods, they humbly redirected the glory to God. Despite rejection and persecution, Paul endured and kept advancing the Gospel. This passage challenges believers to remain steadfast, speak truth with grace, and point all glory to Christ, even when following Jesus means standing alone.

  • 1. Keep Preaching, Even When It Gets Messy (Acts 14:1-7)

    • Paul and Barnabas spoke with clarity, grace, and Spirit-empowered boldness.

    • Opposition arose as people spread lies and stirred division.

    • Sharing truth in love isn’t always well received—but we obey anyway.

    • Key Challenge: Are you tempted to quit when things get hard?

    2. Point to God, Not Yourself (Acts 14:8-18)

    • Paul healed a crippled man, and the crowd tried to worship them.

    • Instead of taking credit, Paul and Barnabas directed all glory to God.

    • Key Truth: Your strength is a platform to reflect Christ, not boost yourself.

    • Challenge: Are you stealing credit for what only God could have done?

    3. Don’t Live for People’s Praise—It’s Fickle (Acts 14:19-20)

    • The same crowd that praised Paul soon turned against him, stoning him.

    • Paul got back up and kept going—because his faith wasn’t in people’s approval.

    • Key Truth: Faithfulness matters more than popularity.

    • Challenge: Are you living for God’s approval or people’s applause?

    Final Encouragement:

    Persevere in faith, no matter the opposition. Stay bold in truth, humble in spirit, and faithful to Christ’s mission—because the Gospel moves forward through those who keep going.

Self Reflection Guide

What’s something in your life that took a lot of effort and patience to get through—whether it was learning a new skill, finishing a tough project, or pushing through a personal challenge?

1. Keep Preaching, Even When It Gets Messy (Acts 14:1-7)

• When have I faced opposition for standing firm in my faith? How did I respond?

• Do I tend to withdraw or stay quiet when sharing truth gets difficult? Why?

• In what area of my life is God calling me to speak truth with both boldness and grace?

• What practical step can I take this week to obey God, even if it’s uncomfortable?

2. Point to God, Not Yourself (Acts 14:8-18)

• Where in my life do I see success, influence, or gifts that could tempt me to seek recognition instead of pointing people to God?

• How can I intentionally redirect praise and honor back to God in my daily life?

• Have I ever taken credit for something that was clearly God’s work? How can I grow in humility?

• Who in my life needs to see more of Christ through me? How can I be more intentional in reflecting Him?

3. Don’t Live for People’s Praise—It’s Fickle (Acts 14:19-20)

• Do I find myself craving approval from others? In what ways?

• When I experience rejection or criticism, do I let it discourage me or do I stay faithful to what God has called me to do?

• How would my decisions and actions change if I truly lived for God’s approval alone?

• What’s one way I can practice faithfulness this week, regardless of how people respond?

Final Reflection & Prayer

• What is one area of my faith where I need more perseverance?

• How can I ask God for boldness, humility, and faithfulness in my daily walk?

• Lord, where are You calling me to be faithful, even when it’s hard?