Get Close To The Lord

THE HIGH COST OF LIVING # 5

Acts 14:4-20
“But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles. And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles, and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and to stone them, They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about: And there they preached the gospel. And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people. Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them. And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead. Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”

Some results. vs. 11-18

Now the people are ready to worship them as gods. By allowing such adoration these men could have gained power with the people. They could have abandoned the road of persecution. They could have said, “Perhaps we should go along with them, and by fellowshipping with them we can reach them for Christ.”

Listen, preachers today face that same peril. Why not go along and maybe I can reach them. There are also instances today where people offer adoration that amounts to worship of Pastors and preachers. Oh, men would not offer oxen as a sacrifice to a pastor today, but it is not uncommon for people to get their eyes so fixed on the pastor that they miss giving the Lord the worship and praise that is due Him.
Paul and Barnabas took no personal credit for anything that was accomplished. Paul stoned. vs. 19,20...See how quickly the people change. In one moment this fickle people would worship them as gods then they are ready to stone them to death. This seems to be the end of Paul’s ministry. They literally stoned him to death. Then they dragged him out of the city and left his body for the vultures and wild animals. They were through with Paul - but not God. II Cor. 12:2-4 - “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” Glory to God, the commanding General just called him into headquarters to renew his fighting orders. Gal. 6:9 - “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

Russell Stolp
Chaplain, CFO

Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."
Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy
ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.