The religious leaders in Pisidian Antioch and Iconium had succeeded in getting Paul and Barnabas expelled from their cities (Acts 13:50; 14:2). But the apostles continued their missionary work in Lystra. However, word travelled back to Antioch and Iconium where militant religionists decided that Paul, as the main gospel speaker, should be killed. They came to Lystra and they stirred up a crowd to stone him to death.

Their plan was almost successful and after Paul's unconscious and limp body showed no more signs of life, they dragged him outside of the city gates. But God's servant belonged to God; he was not under the final authority of the anti-Christ crowd. As believers surrounded Paul's body, doubtless praying for him, he revived, stood up and walked back into the city. After some rest and nourishment that night, and having his wounds tended by other disciples, Paul and Barnabas walked out of the city the next day. They continued on the military road some 30 miles to Derbe where they preached the gospel, a feat of strength for someone who had been stoned unconscious the previous day.

This is a most remarkable account of faith, courage, endurance and the determination that the agenda for gospel ministry is set by the Lord - and not by the world, flesh or devil. God had commissioned Paul to preach the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 26:16-18) and no other authority could defy it.

Today's church is treated differently depending on the country and culture. Some believers are honoured and respected for their faith; others are persecuted. But both situations pose the same challenge: to give up speaking about Jesus. Under persecution, fear may silence believers; but when life is easy, the desire for self-advancement and other priorities crowd out the urgency of the gospel. But the message today is the same to both: never stop speaking about Jesus. However virtuous your life, without a verbal proclamation of the gospel nobody will know how to be saved. If you have stopped speaking about Jesus, start today.