Acts 13:9-11. 46-48
Paul and Barnabas worked together as missionaries, traveling to different cities to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon reaching the first city of Cyprus, they experienced pushback from a false prophet and later from the Jews. In both instances, they boldly stood up for the truth and did not cower in fear. We see right away the opportunity they have to share the gospel with the proconsul, an intelligent man. It even says earlier in the chapter that this man WANTED to hear the word of God and sent for Paul and Barnabas! Wow! An amazing gospel opportunity that landed in their laps upon their arrival. However, Elymasthe, the sorcerer/false prophet, gets in the way and tries to turn the proconsul from the faith. Paul boldly declares that this man is full of deceit and trickery, and that he is from the devil himself! Not only that, but we also see Paul say the Lord is against this man and he will soon be blind, and then it happens! What a moment for the proconsul to see the power of God through Paul! Not only in word, but in deed. There was a stumbling block to this opportunity, and they instantly addressed it with confidence in the Holy Spirit. Later, they were verbally attacked by the Jews who contradicted their teachings. Paul and Barnabas defend the Lord and the gospel right away, explaining that the Lord commanded them to be a light to the Jews first, then to the Gentiles! Since the Jews wouldn’t listen to them, they preached to the Gentiles, which confused and angered the Jews of that day. Their courage to stand up to them and preach to the Gentiles anyway resulted in many having eternal life! In both instances, Paul and Barnabas stop those getting in the way of their gospel impact!
So I ask you, who is getting in your way when it comes to the opportunities you have? Do not let others stop you from reaching that person God has called you to impact. Stand up to those (in love and in truth) getting in the way of you reaching that family member, neighbor, or friend for Jesus. Maybe it’s not someone else, but it’s yourself. YOU are getting in your own way of telling others about Jesus. As I write this, I am writing it as much for myself as I am for you. Being bold is scary! Think of the missed opportunity Paul and Barnabas would have had if they hadn’t spoken up in Cyprus. Many of the Gentiles wouldn’t have heard the good news and received salvation. I think too often the first thought that pops into our head when we have an opportunity is “what if they won’t listen or they make fun of me”? When really, we should be asking ourselves, “What if they DO listen and come to know Jesus”? Someone's eternity is at risk when we fail to act on the opportunities God gives us. Someone could receive salvation on account of your boldness! Let's take that to heart and be ready!
Paul and Barnabas worked together as missionaries, traveling to different cities to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Upon reaching the first city of Cyprus, they experienced pushback from a false prophet and later from the Jews. In both instances, they boldly stood up for the truth and did not cower in fear. We see right away the opportunity they have to share the gospel with the proconsul, an intelligent man. It even says earlier in the chapter that this man WANTED to hear the word of God and sent for Paul and Barnabas! Wow! An amazing gospel opportunity that landed in their laps upon their arrival. However, Elymasthe, the sorcerer/false prophet, gets in the way and tries to turn the proconsul from the faith. Paul boldly declares that this man is full of deceit and trickery, and that he is from the devil himself! Not only that, but we also see Paul say the Lord is against this man and he will soon be blind, and then it happens! What a moment for the proconsul to see the power of God through Paul! Not only in word, but in deed. There was a stumbling block to this opportunity, and they instantly addressed it with confidence in the Holy Spirit. Later, they were verbally attacked by the Jews who contradicted their teachings. Paul and Barnabas defend the Lord and the gospel right away, explaining that the Lord commanded them to be a light to the Jews first, then to the Gentiles! Since the Jews wouldn’t listen to them, they preached to the Gentiles, which confused and angered the Jews of that day. Their courage to stand up to them and preach to the Gentiles anyway resulted in many having eternal life! In both instances, Paul and Barnabas stop those getting in the way of their gospel impact!
So I ask you, who is getting in your way when it comes to the opportunities you have? Do not let others stop you from reaching that person God has called you to impact. Stand up to those (in love and in truth) getting in the way of you reaching that family member, neighbor, or friend for Jesus. Maybe it’s not someone else, but it’s yourself. YOU are getting in your own way of telling others about Jesus. As I write this, I am writing it as much for myself as I am for you. Being bold is scary! Think of the missed opportunity Paul and Barnabas would have had if they hadn’t spoken up in Cyprus. Many of the Gentiles wouldn’t have heard the good news and received salvation. I think too often the first thought that pops into our head when we have an opportunity is “what if they won’t listen or they make fun of me”? When really, we should be asking ourselves, “What if they DO listen and come to know Jesus”? Someone's eternity is at risk when we fail to act on the opportunities God gives us. Someone could receive salvation on account of your boldness! Let's take that to heart and be ready!
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