Two Workers in Three Cities – Audio

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Text: Acts 14:21-23

Jesus expects His disciples to be workers.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15),” Jesus commanded His disciples. They listened and became workers! They went everywhere, and many souls heard, believed, and were baptized. One good pair of workers was Paul and Barnabas. They performed good works in the cities of Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch:

• Strengthened the souls of the disciples (Acts 14:22).
  – Jesus prayed for His disciples, that they would strengthen their brethren (Luke 22:32).
  – Paul said it is Christ that strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
• Exhorted them to continue in the faith (Acts 14:22).
  – Jude wrote a letter, encouraging Christians to “contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3).”
  – Paul encouraged the Philippians to “strive together for the faith of the gospel (Philippians 1:27).”
• Reminded them that they must endure tribulations to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22).
  – Paul reminded Timothy of a faithful saying, “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:12).”
  – Paul also reminded Timothy that those desiring to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
• Appointed elders in every church (Acts 14:23).
  – Paul left Titus in Crete to set in order the things that were lacking, and to “appoint elders in every city (Titus 1:5)…”
  – Elders were to meet certain qualifications (1 Timothy 3:1-7).
• Prayed with fasting (Acts 14:23).
  – Jesus’ disciples learned that the epileptic son could not be healed “except by prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:14-21).” There must have been some special connection between prayer and fasting.
  – Paul told the Corinthian spouses to consent to deprive one another so that they may give themselves to “fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt” them for lack of self-control (1 Corinthians 7:5).
• Commended them to the Lord (Acts 14:23).
  – It is commendable before God to do good and suffer (1 Peter 2:20).

Paul and Barnabas did much in three cities while they were there. Wherever we are, we can be a worker for the Lord and do the good work He has given us!