Introduction

Last week's study titled: "Missionaries to the Gentiles" we saw the encounters of two of the Apostles (Barnabas and Paul) and their special mission and transforming journey led by the Holy Spirit. This week we shall continue in this journey and pick up learning points "Useful Tips" as we journey together. Reading through the passage we can pick up the useful tips from nearly every verse. Come, let's journey together:

LEARNING POINTS

1.      They developed the habit of fellowshipping: verse 1a "At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue" Heb 10:25

2.      They were effective: verse 1b "There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed."Eccl 9:10

3.      They were wise to know that "there is a time for everything": - a time to stay Verses 2-3 "But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.  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.", and a time to run!  Verses  4-6 "The people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, others with the apostles. There was a plot afoot among both Gentiles and Jews, together with their leaders, to mistreat them and stone them. But they found out about it and fled to the Lycaonian cities of Lystra and Derbe and to the surrounding country" Eccl 3:1-8

4.      They were diligent and consistent: verse 7 "where they continued to preach the gospel". One of the virtues the church seem to lack. Either we start and don't finish or we seem to lose the zest after a while. But see verses 15-17, 21, 24-25& 26. Proverbs 22:29

5.      They were spiritually alert and sensitive: verse 9b "Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed"1 Peter 5:8a                                                                                                                                                                  

6.       They acted in faith: verse 10 "and called out, "Stand up on your feet!"Luke 17:16

7.      They were humble; verses 14 - 15a "But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting: ¹⁵ "Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you." James 4:10

8.      They capitalized on the opportunity to preach: verses 15b - 17 "We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them. ¹⁶ In the past, he let all nations go their own way. ¹⁷ Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy." 1 Peter 3:15

9.      They were a source of help and support for each other: verse 20 "But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe." Heb 10:24

10.  They were focused and relentless: verse 21a "They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples." 2 Tim 4:2, Luke 9:62

11.  Their follow up strategy was complete and noticeably honest: verse 21b - 22 "Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said." They visited and strengthened the people and told them the honest truth about what to expect. Eph 4:15, Matt 5:37

12.  They communicated openly and collaborated by their actions: "Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust."

13.  They were consistent and continuously active doing what they were called to do: "After going through Pisidia, they came into Pamphylia, ²⁵ and when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia."

14.  They finished the project assigned to them: [because they were focused] verse 26 "From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed." Disciples like their Master. 1Thess 5:24

15.  They were direct, honest and accountable: verse 27 "On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles."

CONCLUSION

So much to learn, so much to adopt and adapt. So very many useful tips that we should fashion our lives after. Virtues that will not only keep us focused and effective but able to keep us ready for the coming of the Lord. These same virtues are capable if adopted by the church universal to prepare the bride for the coming Groom. Lord help us not to be forgetful hearers or hearers alone but to be doers of your Word!