“Spirit-Filled Strength”
Acts 14:1-28

Then the Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. [Acts 14:19]

“In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” [John 16:33] These were the words of Jesus to his disciples before the Cross. “I will not leave you as orphans,” He said, “I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever – the 
Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.” [John 14:16-18]

It is the “with you” and “in you” that makes all the difference! The promised Holy Spirit is the Personal Key to the life of faith. Little, if anything, can truly be done in our strength. It is the work of the Spirit that changes us; it is He that gives us strength; it is He that sows peace. The Holy Spirit in us is the Key to the authority of heaven; and it is that authority that is vital in this life of faith.

Thus far in Acts we have seen the fulfillment of the Spirit upon the church, on both Jew and Gentile. Nothing can stop His expansion. Amid trials and tribulation from within and without, the kingdom of God continues to expand through His church.

This morning, we will continue to chronicle Paul’s first missionary journey. He will travel in and around Galatia [modern day Turkey], probing further into Gentile terrain, thus following our Lord’s directive to preach to the ends of the earth. However, the further into enemy territory meant greater attack.
Our text this morning is the record of a hostile crowd in Lystra that picked up stones and stoned Paul. And supposing he was dead they dragged his body out of the city [ref. Acts 14:19]. But when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went right back into that same city [ref. Acts 14:20].

How’s that for resoluteness? It is only by the Spirit of God!

It underscores the prophesy of Zechariah in bold letters, “‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts.” [Zechariah 4:6]

Make no mistake about it, our strength in this life is from the Lord.