So I'm gonna join Dave to say thank you to the worship team, especially for the last song.

And All of my life you have been faithful.

And all of my life you have been so, so good.

Coincidentally, anyway, there's no coincidence when it comes to God.

So if you bump into her, she's putting on, probably the only lady putting on a small hat, red hat.

All right, good morning to our online worshippers as well.

All right, let me ask this question quickly.

How many have been blessed so far with a series in the book of Acts?

All right, I believe we've been stirred up, encouraged, challenged, and probably motivated at the same time.

I personally have been really blessed and I've been really encouraged.

Not just encouraged, during the series I personally got a mandate you know which I will be sharing with us and encouraging the church even extending it to the church or inviting the church to come along to work together on this mandate.

So the series on the Book of Acts was kicked off by our dear brother Ibrahim back in April on the 16th to be precise.

So the big idea, let me just quickly go through that.

So King Jesus establishes his kingdom, that was after his restoration when he was resurrected, right, And there was a mandate, just like we read in the book of Acts chapter 1, from verse 4.

And while staying with them, he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which he said, you heard from me.

Verse 5 now says, for John baptized with water, that you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.

Verse 8, Acts chapter 1, verse 8, that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth.

So Mark put it this way, Mark, John Mark, just like we know, Mark 16, 15 to

And he said to them, go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the all creation, hallelujah.

So that's exactly the mandate that Christ gave to his disciples, to his followers, to do what, to evangelize, to testify, you know, to non-Jews, to Jews, right from Jerusalem, and they were mandated to extend that beyond their base, Jerusalem, Samaria, and other places, Hallelujah.

So that was the mandate that they got given.

So my focus point today will be mainly on evangelism.

Or you can put it that evangelism is our supreme task as believers.

Father, we bless you once again for bringing us together in your presence this morning, we are so grateful.

We pray that we'll be encouraged, we'll be blessed with your word this morning.

And we pray that our heart will be receptive to hear what you've got to tell us this morning.

And at the end we shall have the cost to return all the glory back unto you.

actually concludes the first missionary journey of Paul.

Before we get to chapter 13, end of chapter 13.

So basically Paul went to 3 main cities in

So he went to Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe, right.

So these 3 cities back in the days, they were located in the southern part of Galatia.

So the book of Galatia that Paul wrote was probably written to the churches that it planted when it went to those cities then.

So they are probably planted during those times.

So In the modern day Turkey, so these cities are located somewhere around Turkey.

If you are interested, you can check the Google map later on, that's in central Turkey.

And Listra is in somewhere called Kilistra, and Derby is somewhere called Katioyuk.

So those cities still exist today, but with different names.

So we're gonna be looking into mission to Iconium, then mission to, they call them the Iconium series, Lystra and Derby, and then discipleship, then applications and actions.

All right, going to the first mission, which is mission to Iconium.

Before we read the passage, is a long, we've got a long passage overall, but I'm gonna split them into 3 or 4 parts, I believe.

All right, before I start reading Acts chapter 14 from verse 1, There was something that happened prior to that in the book of Acts chapter 13 from verse 49, I will read.

And the word of the Lord was spreading through the whole region.

This was when they were in Antioch in chapter 13, Paul and Barnabas.

So the word of the law was spreading throughout the whole region, but the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas.

They shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium.

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

They might have thought, the people in Antioch might have thought, oh, they've shut the door to the gospel.

They've stopped them from preaching the gospel.

They went straight to Akonium, another city.

I believe it's all part of the plan of God, right?

the entire nation, the entire world, as the mandate was given.

Now let's read from verse 1 of Acts chapter 14.

And this is what happened when they moved to Iconium.

Now at Iconium, they entered together into Jews' synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.

But the unbelieving Jews teared up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.

So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs of wonders to be done by their hands.

Some sided with the Jews and some with the apostles.

When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews with their rulers to mistreat them and to stone them.

They learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lyconia, and to the surrounding country.

So there are some key events that happen while they are at Iconium.

Again, emphasis is gonna be on evangelism.

So as you can see in verse 1 of that chapter, The first thing they did when they go to Iconium, they went straight into the synagogue.

They spoke in such way that great number of Jews and Greek believed.

Despite the opposition that they faced in Antioch, that didn't stop them from continuing with the mandate which they got given.

You would have thought, oh, that would be a stop to spreading the gospel because of their encounter in Nantio, but no.

continue to preach, they continue to teach, they continue to make disciples, And the Bible say great number were added unto them.

So making disciples is 1 of their key assignment.

Now again, There's another key thing that happened in verse 3.

It says, so they remained for a long time.

There was an opposition against them between Jews and Gentiles, which is quite weird.

Ordinarily, Jews and Gentiles, they don't get along.

But on this particular matter, they were united.

And they're able to, you know, work against the brothers.

However, they remained for a long time, in verse 3.

Still encouraging, probably, the young believers.

The new converts, they didn't leave them alone.

Despite the opposition they are facing right in Aquinium,

that didn't stop them from continuing with their assignment.

And God, to his glory, he used them to perform signs and wonders.

But sometimes, signs and wonders are needed so that people can believe.

And this is what Jesus said about it in John chapter 4, verse 48, John 4, 48.

So Jesus said to them, unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.

However, and ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit who will

But sometimes that's needed for people to believe.

Opposition came, as we read in verse 2, but they remained.

In verse 4 as well, the people were divided.

1 sided, the Jews, and some with the opposers, but they still remained.

But when they got to know that there was a plan, a plot to stone them, they applied wisdom, and they fled, they left the city.

But even by the time there was an opposition from Gentiles and Jews, they still remained and they were teaching them, they were encouraging the young converts, they didn't allow whatever danger that may be around them to stop them from preaching the gospel.

And we could see that total commitment to that mandate.

Now, when they heard about what the persecutors are about to do, They fled and they went to Lystra.

Now going on to Lystra, again, let's please take note of the key events that happened when they moved to Lystra as well.

So the first thing they did when they got to Lystra from Verse 7,

And verse 8 says, now it's getting more interesting, verse 8 from chapter 14 of Acts.

Now at Lystra, there was a man sitting who could not use his feet.

He was crippled from birth and had never walked.

He listened to Paul speaking and Paul looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well.

Firstly, we can see that they pursue their primary assignment when they go to a new city, Lystra, which is evangelism.

Now again, signs and wonders happen there.

But Luke was so specific about the miracle that happened there There was a man

who was looking at Paul and Paul noticed that this man had faith to be made whole.

So there's something unique about this miracle.

So faith is a prerequisite for healing, for miracle.

Sometimes, even not most times, or all the times.

Faith, or we can say, is the vehicle, or the fuel, the gas, for miracle, or for signs and wonders.

Remember, when Andrew preached a couple of weeks back, this is what he said about faith.

The size of a mustard seed is sufficient for us to see the incomparable power of our King.

And I remember we got given, I still have my mustache somewhere.

Faith for us to receive the transformation that we are expecting.

He could see it that yes, he had faith to be made well.

And to God be the glory, it was made well, that very day.

And this is what Jesus had to say in the book of Matthew chapter 17, verse 20 about faith.

Matthew 17, 20, and Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief, for I verily say unto you, this was when the apostles, his disciples, when they couldn't cast out the

And they went to him, why can't we do it?

He said to them, because of their unbelief, for verily I say unto you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, that mustard seed is coming back again, you shall say unto this mountain, remove ends to yonder place, and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Faith to remove mountains, faith to conquer wherever challenges or opposition that we might be faced with.

Going further, something unique also happened, right?

So when the cross saw what Paul had done, the lifted up their voices, saying in Laconian, the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men.

So Barnabas they call Zeus and Paul Hermes

They are mistaken for gods, Jupiter and Mercury.

In that particular city, back in the days, I think there was a myth, there was a legend, that the gods, Zeus and Amos, came to that city looking for hospitality.

However, there was no 1 ready to show them love, show them hospitality, except for a couple, for a hood couple.

Those couple took them in, and guess what?

The entire city of Lystra was destroyed except for this couple.

So they now thought, oh, the gods are back.

So this time around, we need to treat them nicely.

They went to apostles, okay, sorry, it's verse 30 now.

And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance of the city, brought oxen and garland to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the clouds.

Remember, they were talking in like Konya language.

So Paul and Barnabas didn't know what they are talking about, not until when they started making sacrifice.

Verse 14, but when the apostles and Barnabas, but when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out, men, why are you doing these things?

We are also men of like nature with you and we bring your goodness that you should turn from these vain things to a living God.

Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them?

you are just mere mortals, just like you.

And he told them, throw away from these vain things, this worthless thing.

what can you fit in on that worthless thing that you are probably focusing on or that is distracting you from maintaining your relationship with God?

Or what have you turned into gods, into idols,

that's taking priority over God or over seeking the kingdom of God?

I will encourage you this morning to turn away from those things.

It's up to you to search your heart, search your life.

What are the worthless things that you should do away with?

So Paul told them, in past generations from verse 16, he allowed, he was telling them about God, he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways.

Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving us rains from heaven and fast food seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.

Even with these words, they scarcely restrained

the people from offering sacrifice to them.

So they still went ahead to offer this sacrifice.

Despite Paul's attempt to stop them, no, they couldn't stop them.

It seems everywhere they turn to, they are facing opposition, persecution, tribulations, verse 19.

So Jews, some Jews, they walked all the way from Antioch.

From Antioch and Iconium where they already planned to stone them.

So some Jews came together and they came over to, they tried to meet them, having persuaded the crowds.

But verse 20, this is what verse 20 says.

But when the disciples gathered about him, he rose up and entered the city.

And on the next day, he went on with Barnabas to Derbe.

Back in those days, if they stone, they stone to death.

You know about Stephen, they are not throwing pebbles, they are throwing stones.

So they might have probably stoned Paul to death.

So we don't know really and truly if Paul died, but when the apostles gathered around, and maybe they prayed and there was a miracle, but to the glory of God, he got up, and what did he do?

He went straight back into that same city.

My child to you again this morning, how dogged can you be for the Lord or for the things of the Lord?

Can you persevere in the midst of challenges?

It could be personal challenges, difficulties.

How persistent can you be as well when it comes to seeking God's kingdom and

his righteousness, just like Matthew told us, Matthew 6, 33, seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto it.

But Unfortunately, do you know what we do?

And the Bible says, seek ye first the kingdom of God.

At What length can you go when it comes to seeking the kingdom of God

Not be lukewarm today and be hot tomorrow.

As Christians, we no longer belong to ourselves, but to our Lord, for whom we are called to serve and to suffer sometimes.

And if you are here 2 weeks ago, I think Dr.

there will be oppositions, there will be tribulations.

Anyway, so Once the Jews came and Paul was torn, and he was left for dead, the disciples gathered around him, they prayed and they went back into the city.

Verse 21, when they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many

disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium.

They went to Derbe, they preached as well.

They didn't talk much about what happened in Derby, but the key thing again, you could say that they went to Derby, they also evangelized.

They preached, they taught, and they made disciples.

They kept winning souls into God's kingdom.

When they ended the first missionary journey, right at Derbe, the Bible says in verse 21, they preached the gospel in Derbe and they made many disciples, right?

Now they return to Lystra, back to that city where he was torn, led for dead, and return again.

You might be saying, oh, I'm not Paul Apposu.

They've prepared the ground, and they've now passed the baton on to us to continue, because we are told to take the gospel to the whole world.

It's 1 thing to evangelize, to preach the gospel, but it's another thing to disciple the new convert.

So Paul and Barnabas, They know that they had a responsibility to inquire the new believers, to support the new churches they planted in all those 3 cities.

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