“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.” (Acts 14:21b-22)

It had been some difficult days for Paul and Barnabas. While the message of the Gospel had been received, there had been threats and attacks upon them. Then they went back to the churches which they had seen begin and grow. They knew the difficulties which these churches would face. They returned with three goals.

Their first goal was to be used by God to strengthen the disciples which were in the churches. We see this goal as a part of Paul’s continuing ministry as He writes to the churches and their leaders. It is demonstrated through his prayer life. “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:14-19)

The second goal was to encourage the churches to remain true to the faith. There are always many temptations to draw people away from their faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s goal was to encourage believers to stay true to the faith. He sends this type of encouragement to Timothy to pass on to the churches. “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” (2 Timothy 4:2-4) He would also tell the church in Thessalonica, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” (1 Thessalonia 5:11)

The third goal was to remind the churches that this would not be easy. The task is done in the power of Christ. Jesus would tell the disciples, as He was preparing for His crucifixion. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Paul also knew the difficulties firsthand. “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again.” (2 Corinthians 11:23) He also knew that the greatest challenges are not with flesh and blood. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12)

As we walk with Christ, we need each other to help us be strengthened and encouraged. The is the task set forth to churches both the local churches and the entire church across the world. This is because we join with each other through our connection to the Living Word, Jesus Christ. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Let us seek to be used to strengthen each other and be available to encourage each other through the struggles of living in this world following Jesus Christ.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block