Highs and Lows

Aim: To fulfill our gospel ministries—as members of Christ's church.

Doctrine: The church's gospel preaching is always attended with salvation ''highs'' and resistance ''lows.'' Believers get filled with joy and the Holy Spirit; unbelievers get infected with ''poison'' and evil passion.

Exegesis: The dynamics of the ministry's highs and lows: everyone is affected, positively or negatively (13:49-52); everyone is indoctrinated, truly or falsely (14:1-3); everyone takes sides, with Christ or His foes (14:4-7).

Further application: How the church is to manage the ministry's highs and lows: with a constant eye to Christ, not man; and with a commitment to faithfulness to Jesus, not popularity with the world.

Key verses: 13:49-50 ''And the word of the Lord was being spread throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, raised up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.''