Zambia Hunt

A Sermon by Lazarus Chanda
Missionary Church-Planting Appointee, Kitwe Church

Acts 14:19-23 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 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. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

Introduction: Understanding Our Journey

I hope that at one point in time, you were involved in a journey, moving from one place to another. I believe something was involved in that journey. As you are moving on a particular journey, there are specific questions that you must answer:

• Where are you coming from?
• Where are you?
• Where are you going?
• What is your responsibility in that journey?
• What is going on in that journey?

As you answer those questions, it gives a clear picture and a good understanding of your journey. For example, when someone asks you, “Where are you going?” you know exactly how to answer. “Why are you going?” You know exactly what to answer because you have those questions and answers as you travel from one place to another. 

I want to propose to you, brethren, from this text that believers must understand and know the facts about their journey. Believers, Christians, and the disciples of Jesus Christ must understand and know the facts about their journey.

But the question still stands: what are those facts? We are going to see from verses 19 – 23, only two facts about this journey:

1. Its cost
2. Its responsibility

Fact One: The Cost of the Christian Journey

This first fact comes from verse 19. Turn with me there and read with me:

“But the Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowd, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.”

The question is: what is its cost? Believers must be persecuted. The minister of the gospel must go under persecution. This is what we see in verse 19.

Understanding the Opposition

The question that we need to ask is: why Antioch and Iconium? When we examine the text and the book of Acts, we can clearly see that in chapter 11:21, Antioch is the place where the disciples of Jesus Christ were first called Christians. Not only that, but Antioch was also the sending church of Paul and Barnabas. That is where these Jews came from to attack Paul.

In Iconium, it was there that Paul preached the gospel, as recorded in Acts 14:1, and many people believed. But let’s read verse 2 in chapter 14: “But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.”

We see clearly that even when Paul trusted God and trusted Jesus Christ as his own personal Savior, he wanted to preach the gospel by saying that salvation comes through Jesus. The unbelieving Jews were not happy about that. They came to him and stoned him. These people warned him not to preach in this name.

You can agree with me that if you read the book of Acts, chapter 4, verses 17-18, we see that these Jews came to Peter. They said: “But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.”

They warned Peter. Not only that, but also we see in Chapter 17, verses 5-6. They were not happy to hear the name Jesus crossing their minds. They were not happy.

I’m sure this is true even in Zambia. Some are not so happy to hear the name Jesus, even though they claim we are Christians. They don’t want that.

Biblical Examples of Persecution

Maybe you’re asking the question: “But Lazarus, it’s only Paul. Can you please show us that other people experienced it?” Well, we have many examples:

• Joseph – You can refer to the book of Genesis, chapters 37-39. You find that Joseph was in trouble because of trusting in God. He was sold, and at one particular point, he was put in prison.
• The Israelites – In Exodus chapter 1, verses 8-14, we see clearly that when a new Pharaoh came to power, the Israelites became slaves.
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego – In the book of Daniel, chapter 3, verses 8 to 20, they were thrown into the fiery furnace. Why? Because of trusting in God. That’s where we see Nebuchadnezzar asking them, “Who is the god who will rescue you from my hand?”
• Daniel – Daniel chapter 6, verses 10 to 17. He refused to worship the idol, and at one particular point, he was put in the den of lions.
• The prophets – They went through it. Jesus Christ is saying in Matthew chapter 5, verses 11 to 12: “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
• John the Baptist – Because he trusted in God and spoke the truth, at one particular time, Herod put him in prison. And at that specific time, his head was cut off.

You can agree with me that Jesus pronounced that his disciples would go through it. One of the texts is John 16:1-4. Jesus said, “I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.”

Not only his disciples, but Jesus himself went through it. If you read the book of Mark, chapter 10, verse 45, Jesus came to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.

Peter and James, in Acts chapter 4 and in Acts chapter 12, we see James, whose head was cut off. Do you remember what happened to Stephen in Acts 7:54 – 60? He was stoned by the agreement of Saul.

All the early church missionaries went through these troubles.

Our Response to Persecution

So, having understood this fact—that Paul was stoned, dragged out of the city, supposed to be dead—what should we do as ministers of the gospel? As church planters, as missionaries, as pastors, as we face those troubles, should we quit? Should we run away because the ministry is so tough? No, we shouldn’t. We shouldn’t fear being mocked, insulted, tortured, and killed. Let’s keep on going.

This is the reality that the disciples of Jesus Christ must experience this suffering. What’s the point? Believers, we must continue to persevere. We must continue to endure suffering. Let’s be strong and courageous in Christ Jesus. Let’s be strong, because the one who is persecuted is not only you, but also Jesus Christ.

Do you agree with me? When Saul was persecuting the church, he met Jesus and Jesus told him, “Why are you persecuting me?” Jesus didn’t say, “Why are you persecuting my people?” He said, “Why are you persecuting me?” Because the believers and Christ Jesus are inseparable. You can’t separate them. If you are in Christ, Christ is with you.

Many believers find it easy to run away. Why? Because you don’t have the one who endured unto the cross. You don’t have him. You don’t have the one who can provide comfort to you. Therefore, for you to stand, you need this Jesus who provides comfort, who provides strength. This is Jesus.

Fact Two: The Responsibility of the Christian Journey

What is another fact, as we have looked at its cost? Let’s look at another fact from this text: its responsibility. We see this from 14:20-23. Let’s read together:

“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. When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

We will see two responsibilities from this text:

Responsibility One: Making Disciples Through Preaching God’s Word

Where do we get that? In verses 20 – 21, we see: “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. When they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch.”

Paul was beaten. Paul was stoned. And the people who were stoning him thought he was dead. Let’s go. But when he rose, he went to another place. The question is: where did he go? He went to Derbe. For what purpose?

Perhaps some of you are thinking that he went to Derbe to visit his family. Some of you may think he went to Derbe because he was stoned; therefore, he needed to call the police. Maybe he went to Derbe to rest a bit because he was so tired. No way. He went to Derbe to preach the gospel.

This is the gospel—the very reason why the people stoned him—but he rose up on the next day to go and continue preaching the gospel. We can see that he was bold enough to go because of the gospel.

In chapter 14, verse 7, “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 Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country, and there they continued to preach the gospel.”

This is the reality. Even when Paul was passing through those persecutions, the aim was to preach the gospel. His passion was to make Christ known. The purpose of his life was to go and tell people about this Christ who was crucified.

That’s the point. The ministry can be tough, but what’s the point? Let’s tell people who Christ is. You can be killed—that’s okay. Many people have died for the sake of Christ. Some people have been killed for various reasons: drunkenness, adultery, and other things. But it would be much better to be killed because of Christ.

Brethren, gospel proclamation was the art and passion of Paul. You can agree with me that his aim, after his conversion, was when Jesus told him, “I have chosen him to be my instrument.” Even though he will endure this suffering, the aim is that he will go on to preach the gospel.

You will find he was preaching so boldly because he knew what he was talking about. He knew exactly. That’s the reason when you read Romans, chapter 1, verse 16, he says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation.” That’s why he’s saying that, because that was his aim.

Paul is saying in Romans chapter 15:18 – 20: “For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God—so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ, and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation.”

Paul’s ambition is to bring the gospel, to tell people this is Jesus Christ. Once you believe in Him, you have eternal life. That’s what Paul—that’s the reason why even when he was stoned, supposing that he was dead, he rose up and went so that people would know Jesus Christ.

Brethren, there is a nice book written by Dr. Chopo Mwanza. He gives us six reasons for evangelism in that book:

1. The glory of God
2. Obedience to the Great Commission
3. The doctrine of election
4. The passion for the lost
5. The reality of hell
6. The imminent return of Christ

And then he said these things must motivate us to preach the gospel.

Why are we relaxing? Why are we sitting as people who have not experienced salvation? If you have been saved, let’s go and tell people about Christ.

Do you know one thing? People will not come to faith until you share the message of Christ with them. That’s why he’s saying in Romans chapter 10, verse 13: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?”

That’s what we say. Let’s rise and go tell people about Christ. What do you talk about most? At your workplace? At your school? As you are moving around? At your home? With your family? Are you talking about soccer? Politics? About Sata? About Lungu? About HH? What are you talking about as you are in that house? Are you talking about Christ?

Remember, some of our children have not yet come to believe in Jesus Christ. What do you watch in your house? The world. And the children, they don’t know Christ Jesus. What about the neighbors? What do you talk about most with them? The landlord?

The gospel must be our primary duty.

Responsibility Two: Discipling Other Believers

But there’s another responsibility—not only making disciples. In verses 21-23, we see the practice of discipling others.

In verse 21: “They returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”

We see the cost. We see one of the responsibilities. Now let’s see another responsibility: discipling other believers. Those people who believe in Jesus Christ must be discipled. They need something.

According to this text, we see only four things the disciples need:

1. Soul Strengthening

They need strength (20-21). So when we make them disciples, when they become disciples of Jesus Christ, they need strength. This strength, remember, comes from God. Therefore, the people you are discipling need biblical and sound teaching where they will find the source of strength. The strength comes from God through His word.

2. Encouragement to Continue in Faith

Not only that, but they also need encouragement to continue in faith (22).

3. Preparation for Tribulation

We are told that Paul prepared them to understand that through many tribulations, we will enter the kingdom of God. Do we have time to prepare those who are being saved? Do we prepare them in that manner? That’s the question. Well, people must be prepared as we are discipling them.

Paul says this to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:10-12. As you are discipling them, your words must match your actions. People must know that what this person is saying is true because this is who this person is. That’s very important. That’s discipleship.

By telling them, you know exactly who I am. My life, my conduct, my persecution—you know exactly.

I recall when I came to CABU, and Pastor Phil, who is here now, taught us four core values: honesty, obedience, wisdom, and service. And then he emphasized servanthood. He talked about it a lot. And guess what? This is the vice-chancellor. I saw him, and he started serving me, serving with kapenta. And then I asked myself, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.” And that was the first thing. I realized what was going on. Why? Because after teaching us about servanthood, it was displayed in actions. And then I realized this is true, and I need to be like this. I need to match my words to my actions.

It doesn’t make sense if the action contradicts the words. People see who you are, and then they can hear what you are saying. If not, you end up making noise.

4. Eldership

Lastly, they need elders. We see in verse 23 that Paul appointed elders in that city, in that church. Why is it important? Because after teaching, when they come, Paul will go from that church. And then, when false teaching comes, it will come to destroy the church. Therefore, eldership must be implemented. And that’s wonderful, and that’s a brilliant thing.

Application and Conclusion

What is the point to the believers? What do you talk about most with your neighbor or workmate? Let’s keep on preaching the gospel. Paul says in 2 Timothy, chapter 4, verses 1-2: “I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus… preach the word; be ready in season and out of season.”

Things will become tough, but let’s continue to preach the gospel. And I believe, you know, as the church, what’s going on in previous times is challenging. However, we pray that we will continue to preach the gospel, even when circumstances become so intense and challenging.

Let’s hold onto the hope that we are not alone. Christian, Christ is with us. That’s what he said in Matthew chapter 28, verse 19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Jesus is with us. Let us have compassion for those who have not yet come to believe in Jesus Christ. That’s why I decided to go to the northern part of Kasama. Why? The people there are syncretic in nature. They want the gospel, but they’re inclined to other things that don’t even please God. 

And what is needed for their souls? The true sound teaching, the true gospel, for them to believe. Let’s have compassion on them.

To the Non-Believer

What is the point to the non-believer? You cannot make disciples or disciple others if you are not yet a disciple of Jesus Christ. You can’t. How? That can’t work. You need to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. You need to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Then you can disciple others. You can preach the gospel.

Jesus—that’s what he did. First of all, he called them. They became his followers. Then he sent them. It’s very important for you and me to understand that if we have not yet believed in Jesus Christ, then faith itself is not in us. And it’s difficult—this is a true statement—you cannot enter into the kingdom of God if you don’t have the King of kings in your life, unless this King of kings is in you.

Final Charge

Brethren, let us understand that God called us and saved us to follow him, which comes with its cost and its responsibility. It comes like that. Let us be aware that persecution is our portion. Gospel proclamation is mandatory, and discipling others is necessary. You can’t separate these.