Acts in 28 DaysSample

Acts 14: 1 - 19

In many parts of the world, believing in and following Jesus can be pretty comfortable. There is freedom of speech and freedom of religion. However, there are also a lot of places and countries where being a follower of Jesus can be dangerous. You probably know in which one of these setting you live.

In the beginning days of the church, it was dangerous all the time for followers of Jesus. That is actually how the gospel spread throughout the Roman Empire; the persecution made people move around. Interestingly, we see from Acts that we don’t have to stay in dangerous situations just for the sake of it. In the first few verses of chapter 14, we read that Paul and Barnabas find out about a plot to kill them. They flee the area and continue with their ministry elsewhere.

In the next city they arrive in, something incredible happens - a true miracle. A lame man is instantly healed as soon as Paul commands it! Lots of people see this amazing event and think Paul and Barnabas are gods themselves. The two apostles have great difficulty convincing the crowd that it is not them who performed the miracle, but Jesus. And once again, opponents of the Good News make use of the confusion and try to take them out. Paul is left for dead outside the city. However, it is not game over. With the help of other disciples, he gets up, goes back into the city, and leaves the next day with Barnabas.

How inspiring these incredible men of God are; the great miracles they do, the danger they face, the adventures they embark on! Sometimes it seems like they are superhuman or super followers of Jesus. According to their own account, though, they were mere human beings (verse 15), just like you and me: ordinary men, who did extraordinary things with God.

GO DEEP

What makes these two men so special? Why is it that they experience miracles and see people come to faith wherever they go? Obviously, there is no hidden formula. They have no special powers. They have listened to the calling on their lives and are doing what the Spirit tells them. They have a desire to see lives transformed by Jesus, just as their lives have been transformed. Talk to God about the dangers or risks you face because of your faith, and ask him to give you the courage to share with whoever the Spirit tells you to.

BE BOLD

Ask the Spirit for people you can connect and share with about Jesus. Write down the names that come up, and think about some of the potential risks or dangers this might bring with it. How will the example of Paul and Barnabas encourage you as you face those risks?

MEMORISE IT

“Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.” - Acts 14:15