Exhortint Them to Continue

Acts 14:21-28

I: “They Returned.”
1. Before them lay the shortest route home.
Behind them were miles of dangerous roads.
2. Before them were friendly cities.
Behind them lay hostile cities.
3. Before them was Christians of Maturity and proven faith.
Behind them were small bands of immature Christians surrounded by hostile neighbors.
4. Before them was the Home Church.
Behind them were Christians who must be organized into churches.
5. Only the Love of God turned them back to the path that nature rebelled against.

“They became fools for Christ’s sake!”
II: Comfirming the Souls of the Disciples.
1. Confirm “To make firm, add strength to settle, to bind, strengthen in habit, to make certain, strengthen the recipient in Christian faith.”
2. Exhortint them to continue in faith. Exhore: “To urge, advise or caution, admention as to conduct.”
3. Tribulation: Paul didn’t paint a lovely picture of ease for these New Christians.
4. They were challenged to fight like good soldiers.
5. The Kingdom of God is worth sacrificing for.

III: Elders Ordained:
1. This means organization.
2. Men who were proven under fire.
3. Given special work to lead the Church.
4. They prayed and commanded them to the Lord.

IV: Reports to the Home Church.
1. They called a meeting of the Church.
2. “They rehearsed all that God had done with them.”
3. Churches established by the opening of doors to the Gentiles.
4. It could have been a report filled with discouragement, but it rang with the Joy of Triumph.