Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed. 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 bore witness to the word of his grace - Acts 14:1-3, ESV
Should We Be Afraid of Opposition in Ministry?
By God's grace, I am enjoying a wonderfully blessed time in ministry at this point in my life. I serve a loving and supportive church that is growing and is very much united and positive in outlook right now. I have wonderful elders to labor in shepherding with me. In additon to preaching each Sunday, I am able to write these devotions daily and preach and teach regularly, to a variety of groups, from preschool kids to nursing home residents. I am thankful, but I know that my experience is not that of everyone in ministry. I remember times in my life when I wrestled with opposition, division, conflict, dissatisfaction, a lack of growth, a lack of focus and strong doubts.
How should we respond to opposition and division is ministry? Should we take opposition as a sign that we're doing something wrong or maybe that we're not called to ministry at all? I know those deep struggles well. Today's passage is very encouraging and helpful.
Paul and Barnabas have now come to Iconium, about 85 miles to the east of Pisidian Antioch. Iconium had another important Jewish synagogue in the area, which is probably what drew Paul and Barnabas here. They entered the synagogue on the Sabbath and began speaking "in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed." This is the kind of ministry many of us dream of having: preaching the Gospel to a large crowd of unbelievers and seeing many people - a great number - come to faith in Jesus.
But the Gospel never goes forth in power without some kind of opposition, does it? Sometimes the opposition is open and bold and unmistakable. At other times, it is subtle, crafty and no less serious. Our friends, Jacob and Carol Lee, who are taking the Gospel to unreached peoples in the West Nile Region of Northern Uganda, have seen great fruit from their ministry and have also seen great opposition. When I speak to a group of high school students, the same dynamic of fruitfulness and opposition is also present, although it is not quite as obvious. Even our most recent time of ministry at a nursing home was marked by fruitfulness and opposition.
Eventually, the enemies of the Gospel sought to kill Paul and Barnabas, which they took as their cue to exit the scene and move on to Lystra and Derbe. Paul would eventually lay down his life for the Gospel, but this was not yet the time for that. God had more work for him to do, so he moved on and continued to preach, continuing to see both fruit and hostility everywhere he went.
Paul and Barnabas never entered a city with the goal of creating hostility and opposition. They came to preach Jesus Christ. But they were not surprised or discouraged or derailed by the opposition the Gospel produced in the hearts of those who were enemies of God. They continued to preach, speaking the truth boldly and lovingly. May the Lord give us the grace to do the same, always!
Heavenly Father, we have no greater priviledge in life than to proclaim the Gospel, exalting Christ and bring used by You to bring people to eternal life. Thank You for the ways You use each of Your children to advance the Gospel and glorify Your Son. Give us the courage and the clarity to be faithful and bold Gospel ambassadors, no matter the opposition which may come. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Prayer Based on Proverbs 16:28-33:
A dishonest man spreads strife,
and a whisperer separates close friends.
A man of violence entices his neighbor
and leads him in a way that is not good.
Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things;
he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.
Heavenly Father, we live in a world full of dishonest and violent men.
Give us the discernment to know how to walk in such a world.
Keep us from deceitful behavior, from planning dishonest and self-serving things.
And let us be those who make peace and bless others in Your name.
Gray hair is a crown of glory;
it is gained in a righteous life.
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
Father, we thank You for the gift of many years of life to serve You,
and we look forward to whatever You may have in store for us in the years ahead.
Lord, give us control over our spirits,
that we may always be slow to anger and quick to love and forgive.
Give us the faith to trust You to direct our lives according to Your purpose,
to see Your hand working and to follow Your lead in everything.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
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