How can we cultivate perseverance in ministry despite opposition, as seen in Acts 14:3? Acts 14:3—Perseverance on Display “So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.” What Stands Out in the Verse • “They spent considerable time” – they refused to quit. • “Speaking boldly” – truth delivered without apology. • “For the Lord” – ministry centered on Him, not themselves. • “The message of His grace” – gospel content never shifted. • “Confirmed…by signs and wonders” – God actively reassured both messengers and listeners. Five Anchors for Perseverance Today • Stay where God places you until He moves you. Paul and Barnabas remained “considerable time”; obedience outruns convenience (1 Corinthians 15:58). • Keep proclaiming truth with courage. Ask God to “enable Your servants to speak Your word with complete boldness” (Acts 4:29). • Lean on divine grace, not personal stamina. “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). • Expect God to back up His Word. “The Lord worked with them and confirmed His word by the signs that accompanied it” (Mark 16:20). • Persevere together. “Two are better than one… if either of them falls, the one can help the other up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Scriptures That Feed Endurance • “You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.” (Hebrews 10:36) • “And let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9) • “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds… so that you may be mature and complete.” (James 1:2-4) • “For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison.” (2 Corinthians 4:17) • “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (2 Timothy 4:5) Practical Rhythms for the Week • Begin each morning with Acts 14:3; thank God for the grace that confirms His Word. • Memorize Hebrews 10:36 and recite it whenever opposition surfaces. • Share the gospel with at least one person; trust the Lord to confirm it in His way. • Meet once with a ministry partner for mutual encouragement and prayer. • End each day by recording any “sign and wonder”–big or small–that reminded you God is actively at work. Perseverance is cultivated by remaining, speaking boldly, depending on grace, watching for God’s confirmation, and walking with others, just as Paul and Barnabas modeled in Iconium. |
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