1. Preaching, Persecution and Perseverance

2. Paul’s First Preaching Journey
Acts 13:2-14:28 10 4 9 5 7 6 8 11 1 13 12 3 2

3. Places in Acts 14 Iconium: ~80 miles SE of Antioch, 1-5
Lystra: 18 miles SSW of Iconium, 6-20
Derbe: About 40 miles E of Lystra, 21
Returned to Lystra, Iconium & Antioch, 21-24
Perga, 25
Attalia, 25
Antioch of Syria, 26-28

4. Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3
Purposes of gospel preaching
Produce faith unto salvation, 14:1; Rom. 10:13-15; 2 Ths. 2:13-14
Oppose faithlessness, 14:13-18
Strengthen the souls of the disciples, 14:22
Use the teaching opportunities God gives, 14:27; Eph. 6:19-20

5. Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3
Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:
Careful reasoning from the Scriptures, 14:1 (13:16-41)
Reasoning and explaining, Acts 17:2-3
Speaking true and reason, Acts 26:24-25
Reason and result: Faith in the power of God, not men, 1 Cor. 2:1-5

6. Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3
Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:
Miraculous validation, 14:3; Mk. 16:20
It is revelation from God, Gal. 1:11-12
Miraculous validation of God’s power and approval, 14:8-10
Irrefutable evidence, 1 Cor. 2:4-5; Heb. 2:3-4

7. Speaking Boldly in the Lord, Acts 14:3
Persuasive gospel preaching is built upon:
Faithfulness of the Lord, 14:22; 1 Cor. 1:9
Result: Boldness in preaching the gospel! 14:3; 2 Tim. 1:7-8

8. Facing Persecution
Gospel naturally produces conflict and persecution, Lk. 12: :26, 22-23; 2 Tim. 3:10-12; Phil. 1:27-30
Opportunities, 1 Cor. 16:9; Phil. 1:12-14
Resist the temptation to shrink back
Commitment to the work, Acts 14:3

9. Perseverance of the Faithful Acts 14:21-27
We enter the kingdom of God through many tribulations
Persecution endured through patient faith, 14:22
Paul and Barnabas are a pattern of perseverance, Acts 14:5-7, 19-21; 2 Tim. 3:11
Faith comforts and sustains the persecuted, 14:22; Heb. 11:35-39
Faith in God’s grace and strength, 2 Cor. 12:9-10
Conscience toward God, 1 Pet. 2:19-23

10. Perseverance of the Faithful Acts 14:21-27
Keep doing God’s work, 14:22-23; Cor. 15:58
Strengthen the brethren to continue in the faith (11:23)
Develop leaders in the churches: Appoint elders
Elders help us continue in the faith, Heb. 13:17
Qualified and made elders by the Holy Spirit (Acts 20:28)

11. Perseverance of the Faithful Acts 14:21-27
Be assured that God is doing His work through you, 14:26-27
Gospel work is God’s work, not the work of men
God is working in us to accomplish His purpose when we faithfully obey, Phil. 2:12-13
God is making you complete, Heb. 13:20-21
Blessed assurance!

12. Commended to the Grace of God Acts 14:26-27
Does not mean Christians will live free of trials, trouble and trauma (26)
Does mean God will use you to do His work (27)