The same thing occurred in Iconium, where Paul and Barnabas went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 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 testified to the word of his grace by granting signs and wonders to be done through them. But the residents of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. And when an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news. (Acts 14:1-7, NRSV)
Paul and Barnabas went about the region they were in preaching and teaching in the synagogues. They lived lives of examples and spoke of what God had done through Jesus and was doing through them, and will do through others who come to believe and follow the way.
But is wasn’t always smooth sailing…
Just like Jesus, the religious leaders sought to kill them.
Any time we speak a message that goes against the power structure or the way people were taught and raised, it will rub the wrong way.
But notice Paul and Barnabas didn’t stick around to be killed. They shared the message and then moved on.
Our job is to plant, or water, or nurture, not bring growth and change.
We need to share what God has done in us and for us, and God will bring the change in others.
aSacredRebel 