What personal sacrifices are necessary to prioritize gospel preaching as seen in Acts 14:7? Setting the Scene Paul and Barnabas had just escaped a violent attempt to stone them in Iconium (Acts 14:5–6). Instead of retreating into silence, they traveled to “the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and into the surrounding region, and there they continued to preach the gospel” (Acts 14:6-7). Personal Sacrifices Highlighted in Acts 14:7 Acts 14:7 itself is brief, but its context reveals several costly choices the missionaries made so the gospel would stay front-and-center: • Safety – They willingly entered another potentially hostile area right after facing deadly opposition. • Comfort – Travel in the ancient world meant long walks, basic lodging, and uncertain provisions. • Stability – They left behind any sense of routine or permanent home life. • Reputation – The same message that saves also offends; they accepted being misunderstood and slandered. • Personal Agenda – Their own preferences, dreams, and leisure took a backseat to Christ’s call. Reinforcement from the Rest of Scripture • Luke 9:23 – “If anyone desires to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” • 2 Timothy 4:5 – “As for you, be sober-minded, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” • 1 Corinthians 9:23 – “I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.” • Philippians 3:7-8 – “But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” These passages confirm that costly, voluntary self-denial is the normal path for believers who make gospel proclamation their top priority. What Those Sacrifices May Look Like for Us Today • Time – Re-ordering schedules to engage neighbors, train for missions, or serve in outreach. • Finances – Investing generously in church planting, Bible translation, or short-term trips instead of accumulating luxuries. • Social Capital – Speaking openly about Christ, knowing it may strain friendships or affect career prospects. • Geographic Relocation – Moving for missionary service or church revitalization rather than career advancement. • Personal Comfort – Embracing simpler living so resources and attention stay focused on gospel work. • Emotional Energy – Persisting after rejection or apathy, remembering Paul and Barnabas “continued.” Why the Sacrifice Is Worth It • Souls Saved – Romans 10:14-15 reminds us that people cannot believe without hearing. • Eternal Reward – 2 Corinthians 4:17 calls present troubles “momentary” compared with eternal glory. • Joy in Obedience – Acts 20:24: “I consider my life of no value to myself; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.” In Acts 14:7, Paul and Barnabas model a life where every barrier is treated as expendable for the sake of proclaiming Christ. Their example invites believers today to weigh comfort, security, and reputation against the surpassing worth of making Jesus known—and to choose, gladly, whatever personal sacrifice that gospel priority demands. |
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