How can Paul's example in Galatians 1:21 inspire our own ministry efforts? Setting the Scene “Later I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.” (Galatians 1:21) What Paul Did • Obeyed the Spirit’s leading to go where the gospel was still fresh ground. • Returned to his home territory (Cilicia contains Tarsus) yet made Christ, not family ties, the focus. • Accepted years of relative obscurity—no spotlight, no headline revivals—simply steady ministry. • Strengthened existing believers and evangelized unreached neighbors (cf. Acts 9:30; 11:25-26). What Paul Didn’t Do • He did not demand a Jerusalem platform or apostolic title before working. • He did not compare his assignment with Peter’s or James’s. • He did not rush ahead of God’s timing; he served about a decade in these regions before broader recognition. Lessons for Our Ministry • Go where God sends, even if the place seems small or unnoticed. Faithfulness, not fame, measures fruit (Luke 16:10). • Begin at home. Evangelism often starts with the people and culture we already understand (Mark 5:19). • Let character precede credentials. Reputation for integrity develops quietly, then God opens greater doors (1 Timothy 3:7). • Accept hidden seasons as divine preparation (1 Peter 5:6). • Focus on building believers and reaching outsiders simultaneously—Paul discipled (“strengthening the churches,” Acts 15:41) while preaching to the lost. Supporting Passages • Acts 11:25-26—Barnabas finds Paul in Tarsus; the unseen work was already fruitful. • 2 Corinthians 11:32-33—Paul recalls dangers faced in Damascus, proof his low-profile years were not idle. • 1 Thessalonians 2:9—“For you remember our labor and hardship…we preached the gospel of God to you.” Manual labor plus ministry mirrors the humble pattern of Syria-Cilicia. Practical Takeaways 1. Identify the “Syria and Cilicia” around you—neighborhoods, workplaces, online spaces still untouched by clear gospel witness. 2. Serve faithfully without public applause. God records unseen obedience (Matthew 6:4). 3. Invest in both evangelism and discipleship; healthy ministry always holds these together. 4. Stay teachable; Paul later returned to Jerusalem for fellowship and confirmation (Galatians 2:1-2). Balance independence with accountability. 5. Measure success by God’s glory, not human notice—“And they glorified God because of me.” (Galatians 1:24). |
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