Bold Witness

Leviticus 4-6; Acts 14 

“But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. So Paul and Barnabus spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord who confirmed the message of his grace…They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city…they returned to Lystra…”

Acts 14:2, 3, 19, 21

Would we return to a city where weeks before we had been stoned to the brink of death for preaching the gospel?

When opposition arose to the preaching of the gospel, it seemed to stiffen Paul’s resolve to keep preaching. When minds were poisoned against Paul and Barnabus, they boldly preached the message of God’s grace, and God graciously confirmed this gospel with miracles and wonders. In our western society, tolerance, compromise, and pluralism have been more effective at silencing our witness to the gospel than direct opposition. Paul returned to Lystra after they stoned him because he believed that strengthening new disciples was more valuable than his own life. They preached a ‘high-cost gospel’ which included ‘many hardships’ to enter the Kingdom of God.

Are we boldly proclaiming and living the same gospel?

“Lord Jesus, fill me with love and boldness this day, for your glory.”