The Essential Question (Part 6): The First Mission TripSample

Pioneering Ministry

Prepare: Spend a few minutes asking God to speak to you from his Word today. Begin your prayer by saying, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:9).

Read: Acts 13:13-52

Reflect: The most effective sermon I ever heard was also the shortest. It was at a mission conference and the preacher was Eric Frykenberg, a distant relative of mine. The speaker before him had gone way over time, so when Eric took the pulpit, he held up his notes and said, "There's no time for this now." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. "But there's one thing I want to say," he continued. "The worst thing that's happened in my missionary career is when this old heart has gotten calloused. Don't let that happen to you." With that he bowed his head, overcome by emotion, and closed in prayer.

So far in Acts, we've heard sermons from some of the greatest preachers in the early church: Peter in chapter 2, and Stephen in chapter 7. Now it's Paul's turn in the pulpit (13:16-41). We've already discovered what a powerful speaker he was, but the reaction to Paul's message at Pisidian Antioch was mixed. Some were drawn to it (13:42-43), while others opposed it (13:45, 50). But anyone who takes on the difficult task of pioneering ministry–that is, taking the good news where it has never been before–must be willing to persevere when ministry outcomes aren't easy to see or measure.

Our passage reveals another challenge of pioneering ministry, one that would intensify throughout Paul's missionary travels: jealousy. The religious officials were threatened by the growing popularity of the Christian movement, so they began mobilizing to stop it. Jesus had warned his followers this would happen (John 15:18-25). How ironic that Peter, John, Stephen, and now Paul were all hated for spreading the good news. That's why Paul wrote to the Ephesian Christians, "I pray that… he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being" (Ephesians 3:16). Paul knew from experience that it takes a strong inner game to make a difference for God.

There's one more challenge Paul faced at this early stage of the journey, and it would be easy to overlook: a team member quit (13:13). Maybe John, whose full name was John Mark (Acts 15:37-38), was too young, or maybe he just couldn't handle the hardships of pioneering ministry. Some have speculated he was offended that his cousin, Barnabas, was no longer getting top billing. At the beginning of the mission, Luke referred to "Barnabas and Saul" (13:2), but by the time they reached Pisidian Antioch, it had changed to "Paul and his companions" (13:13). We can't know for sure, but we do know that dissension within a mission team is as debilitating as opposition from without.

Our passage ends with a change in the strategic plan; Paul turned his attention to the Gentiles, who proved to be a much more receptive audience (13:46-48). It was an example of what contemporary Christian author Henry Blackaby wrote, "When God reveals to you what He is doing around you, that is your invitation to join Him."

Apply: Where would you say God is most at work in your life and ministry efforts? How could you more fully get involved in these opportunities?