Paul Notices a Man's Faith

Acts 14:8-18

Acts of the Apostles is a roadmap of danger and detour faced by early missionaries carrying the gospel into a multi-cultural, multi-religious world. The words and deeds of Jesus' disciples were often misunderstood. “Signs and wonders” without interpretation, ignited and incited danger and chaos.

The spread of the Gospel of Christ remains dangerous in our multi-cultural/religious world. 

Jim Elliot, was one of five missionaries killed while participating in Operation Auca, carrying the Gospel to the Huaorani people of Ecuador. At a later time, his wife Elisabeth established contact with the Huaornai’s, and brought many to faith in Christ.

There were times of great blessings and times of hardship for Paul and Barnabus, both inside and outside the church. John Mark deserted them at Perga, they were run out of two towns and threatened with stoning. Compelled by the love of Christ, they pressed on. As they entered the town of Lystra, everything was beginning to intensify.

Lystra was a foreign culture to Paul and Barnabas, exclusively Gentile and pantheistic. How would they find an inroad for the gospel in this town where their message would be easily misunderstood?

A miracle would open the door through a lame man, and God’s work in him. Luke,(the author of Acts) makes it clear that this man was lame; “he could not use his feet”, “he was crippled from birth” and “he had never walked. Acts 14:8

Along the way of Paul's mission of ministry, he is brutally stoned and thought to be dead. It was Perhaps at this time he was caught up into the third heaven.

“And I know how such a man, whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know. God knows, was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words which a man is not permitted to speak. On behalf of such a man I will boast; but on my own behalf I will not boast except in regard to my weaknesses.” 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Paul would return many times to “a stoning place” during his lifetime of love and service for the Lord Jesus.  

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." (Philip James Elliot, 1927-1956)