4/12/2026 On Proclaiming the Gospel

Acts Sermon 74

Title: On Proclaiming the Gospel

Date: April 12, 2026

Scripture: Acts 14:14-23

[Acts 14:14-23]

14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting:

15 "Friends, why are you doing this? We too are only human, like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heavens and the earth and the sea and everything in them.

16 In the past, he let all nations go their own way.

17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

18 Even with these words, they had difficulty keeping the crowd from sacrificing to them.

19 Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead.

20 But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe.

21 They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch,

22 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.

23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

Sermon Content

In Pisidian Antioch, there is a synagogue that is still quite well-preserved even today. Back then, it must have been considered a magnificent piece of architecture in that region. A grand cathedral building has a way of making one feel a sense of holiness just by itself.

The sight of that impressive synagogue and the Jewish people faithfully keeping their Sabbath meetings every week at the appointed time, dressed in clean and formal attire, must have been unique and very striking.

In the neighborhood where I live, over 30% of the residents are Jewish. Every Saturday, I see them walking toward the synagogue in reverent clothing, pushing strollers in large family units instead of driving cars.

Seeing their culture that has continued for thousands of years, I sometimes feel a bit of envy or even a sense of awe.

In Pisidian Antioch, and in Iconium—the setting of today’s passage—the Gentiles followed the Roman gods, who were selfish, cruel, and inconsistent. Consequently, their culture was no different from those gods.

In their eyes, the culture of the Jews—who lived faithfully and orderly with high moral standards and a special sense of belonging—was something to be admired.

However, even if these Gentiles converted to Judaism, they were still treated as outsiders. Inside the synagogue, their seats were placed separately in the corners against the walls.

Even if we look at the structure of the Temple at that time, those who were not ethnically Jewish were not treated the same, no matter how much they believed in God or became followers of Judaism.

If you look at the layout of the Temple back then, the area called the "Court of the Gentiles" was located on the very outskirts of the Temple grounds.

These Gentile converts endured all these slights, yet they still sat in the corners of the synagogue every week, seeking to receive even just crumbs of grace.

Perhaps they arrived at the synagogue earlier than anyone else each week, much like people who manage to book third-class tickets prepare more diligently than those with VIP seats. Simply because they weren't Jews.

But what is actually more pitiful is that even though they humbly and strictly obeyed the words of the Jewish rabbis and kept the laws of the Sabbath, those laws could never save them.

It was exactly as Jesus said: the blind were leading the blind.

Then one day, a rabbi who came like a wanderer began to expound the scriptures. He said that even the high priests in Jerusalem, whom they admired, had turned away from God’s will, failed to recognize the Messiah, and even put Him to death.

He preached that even the Jews, the people of God who had received such special grace, had actually lost God.

He was saying that they had ended up in the same position as the Gentiles. Aside from the fact that they possessed the Law, they now shared the same fate.

However, he then declared this amazing word: that God turned their evil into good, and now, anyone—regardless of whether they are Jew or Greek—can obtain salvation!

Salvation that could not be achieved through the Law is now found through the name of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and rose again.

The Jews were bewildered, their eyes wide with shock. Meanwhile, the moved Gentile converts flocked to Paul, pleading with him to please preach the word to them again the following week.

Then came the next Saturday, the Sabbath! From the morning, the synagogue was so packed there was no room to step, and people from the whole town swarmed around the building. What had happened?

The Gentile converts, who used to come to the synagogue seeking crumbs of grace, had now become Christians.

They had heard the news that anyone—Jew or Greek, regardless of lineage—who accepts Jesus Christ as their sacrifice gains the authority to become a child of God. That news was more joyful than any other news in the world, and they simply could not stay quiet.

They ran to their families, friends, and colleagues who used to ask, "You're not even Jewish, so why do you go there and endure such humiliation?"

With excited hearts and overwhelming joy, they shouted, "We are also God's people! We can also become children of God!"

This is true revival. It is a heart that is so full of joy and gratitude that one cannot endure without sharing it, even if no one tells them to. And that same thing happens again in Iconium.

However, while there were Jews who rejoiced and joined in, there were others who, out of jealousy, incited the powerful people of that region to try and stone the apostles to death.

The Gospel is "Good News," so why do they hate it? Why do they feel such rage, enough to stone a fellow Jewish rabbi for preaching that Gentiles can also receive salvation?

Is the life of someone on my side precious, while the lives of tens of thousands of others are worth less than insects? Can that be the image of people who know the Gospel?

That was not the image of Christians following Jesus; it was the image of the Jews of that time, who were called blind.

Even in this age, the faith of some Christians is almost consumed by a sense of being the "chosen people." Yet, they also treat the Law with such hostility that they aren't quite like the Jews either. What should we call them?

During the Reformation, people carried out incredibly bold reforms to leave behind nothing that was non-essential.

This was because the Catholic Church of that time had become so corrupt that it imprisoned people in religious chains through various stifling masses, ceremonies, and laws, not unlike Judaism in Jesus' time.

However, the purpose of reform was the restoration of the essence; it was not to create a state where there are no orders or rules at all.

When I graduated from seminary, the graduation ceremony was naturally held in a church like a worship service. There were many moving scenes. But there is one scene that, no matter how much I think about it, makes me frown.

It involves one of the professors, who was also a leader in the house church movement in New York. His father was a world-renowned theologian, but he himself was very critical of contemporary Christianity and the established church.

Nevertheless, I held a certain respect for him because he provided many opportunities to learn various new perspectives. But at that graduation ceremony, he was wearing a wrinkled graduation gown with shorts and slippers underneath.

I had never once complained about his very casual attire during regular classes. But on that day, that appearance felt so incredibly rude.

I thought about it many times, wondering if it was just my own prejudice. But unless those were the only shoes he owned, it was clearly a disrespectful attitude toward God, as well as toward the many graduates and their families.

Paul said that while meat used in idol sacrifices was not a problem in itself and could be eaten, he would not eat it because that freedom might cause other brothers to stumble.

Since that professor was in a position to teach future ministers, he should have shown the virtue and maturity of giving up his own freedom more than anyone else.

Recently, I have seen several news reports about young people in New York standing in long lines on Sunday mornings to enter certain Catholic churches.

In London, they say young people are flocking to Coptic churches in a similar way. Both are churches that have continued the exact same religious protocols, such as burning incense, for thousands of years without change.

Why are young people flocking to these old-fashioned styles of worship?

Analysts suggest that these young people—who have grown up amidst all kinds of uncertainty and are exhausted by the disorder labeled as "freedom"—are actually finding a sense of stability by participating in ceremonies that have remained unchanged for centuries.

I believe this is a phenomenon where the slight sense of respect I feel when I see Jews walking in groups in reverent attire every Saturday is being manifested to the extreme.

It is a sense of satisfaction that comes after completing demanding religious rituals in a building with a reverent atmosphere, a sense of relief that one has fulfilled a duty, and a sense of belonging shared with those who have passed through the same ancient rites.

What this shows is that, in the name of pursuing the essence, almost no procedures or etiquettes for approaching worship remain. But does that mean our churches have successfully restored the actual essence of worship?

Is it because we are in a state where even the essence is missing, so people are instead seeking peace in the Catholic Church—which was once the target of reform for having only the building and form left?

This is a situation that Protestant leaders like myself must look back on with deep reflection.

Since the Reformation, there have been many changes in Catholicism, and there are many saint-like figures who are truly worth emulating. However, many of the causes that made them targets for reform still remain.

We cannot look into everything today, but if I were to name one, it is the "priesthood." In Korean, we call them saje, but in English, the word is "priest," which means a sacrificial priest.

The fact that a priesthood system remains means they are moving away from the New Testament church established by Jesus and instead drawing closer to Judaism, where religious hierarchies were firmly established.

This is because once a priest exists, two classes are created: the priest and the laity.

However, our Jesus, while making His will known to His disciples, said, "If you know my will and do it, you are now my friends." He treated them as equals.

And He gave that Bible to us. What does that mean?

If I were to wear a sacred robe like a priest, hold the rank of a priest, and live a life set apart through celibacy, it would be much easier to appear holy.

However, it is truly difficult to fulfill a holy role and be respected while living a life similar to yours. It is much harder because one must truly become a person worthy of being an example, without any external devices to make them stand out.

But that is precisely the cross that not only pastors but all Christians must bear. It is the power that transforms us, and that life then flows powerfully as grace to those around us through us.

1 Peter 1:15-16: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

In fact, we as Protestants do not wear special clothing like the Jews, nor do we live according to special rules every Saturday, but we must live as holy saints every day.

It means we must be "set apart" while living in an environment that is not set apart, in a form that is not set apart. That is much more difficult than just wearing different clothes.

This is even true for our church. This space we use has no cross hanging, nor does it have stained glass. There is essentially nothing that could be called a "church" building.

But I am a pastor, and you are Christians. We were scattered in various places, but to worship the Lord we love, we woke up early on Sunday morning, got ready, left our homes, and gathered here together.

Even though there is no building or atmosphere that makes one feel reverent just by entering... this place becomes a church the moment we are gathered here.

This is because the One who called us here is with us right now, speaking through me, and a resonance is occurring in our hearts.

Do you remember what Jesus said as He overturned the tables in the Temple? He did not say, "My house is a place for ceremonies," or "My house is a place for worship."

He said, "My house is a house of prayer!"

Prayer is the most primitive and simple form of worship that requires no skill or religious device for a human to meet God. This is because the Jewish worship of that time was missing exactly that.

Despite many weaknesses, the environment we have is the best possible condition when you consider that we cannot "pretend" to be a church or "pretend" to be worshiping.

There is no reason to come here for fun, nor any reason to come for other purposes. If it is not a real church, if real worship does not take place... it is a church that cannot even exist without prayer.

Let’s look at Acts 14:16-17 in today's text.

16 "In the past, he let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy."

He is saying that even before the Gospel reached them, He sent rain from heaven so the land would not become a desert, allowed them to bear fruit, and gave them the joy of eating and enjoying delicious food.

Some people ask, "If God exists, why is there such evil in the world?" But in fact, a more legitimate question is this:

"How can God still allow the sun to shine and grant blessed days to a world that is so evil, where people oppose God and where there are endless wars of humans killing humans?"

The passage speaks of good weather, a safe life, and food as evidence that God exists. It says all of that is God's grace. God is bestowing that grace even upon all those who do not know Him and are not worshiping Him.

Therefore, when this God is worshiped correctly and faith is restored, that society becomes one where the weak are happy.

But when that faith weakens and only the shell remains, it becomes a world where the powerful are happy—a world of animals where the strong prey on the weak.

Even people who do not know God have a sense of justice and a conscience. These very things are evidence that God is already at work.

This manifests as a longing for God or as anger toward an unjust world.

Because that existed, the Gentiles of Pisidian Antioch and Iconium tried to become Jews even while enduring discrimination and worshiping in the corners. It was a longing for the source of the satisfaction and joy they enjoyed.

When we live without knowing God, chasing success in the world, there are moments when such a thought suddenly hits us. "Am I really living for this? Is this everything? This isn't right, is it?"

At that moment, we are searching for a Savior in the depths of our abyss.

To such people, the news of Jesus Christ's cross and resurrection becomes the news of joy that fills all those things to the brim.

That joy manifested in the Gentile converts of Pisidian Antioch as they went around the whole town inviting people to come and hear this news.

And for Paul and Barnabas, that joy became the power that allowed them to travel the whole world, face threats of death, and return to that same town to preach the news even after being beaten nearly to death.

Last Wednesday, we began a Bible study on the Gospel of John in a special way. Whenever possible, I intend to do a "mini-visitation" first, followed by Bible study both online and in person.

Unlike before, everyone in our church lives scattered, and commutes are often long, so it was difficult to gather in one place on a weekday evening. Also, returning home after the meeting was too late and dangerous, so weekday meetings were mostly held via Zoom.

Nevertheless, there were opinions that we should restart the Wednesday service, and there were also longings to read the Bible more while we were doing our book club.

Naturally, I also had those desires and had been contemplating and praying about it for quite a while. That is how we came to try this hybrid method this time.

There were many things that were burdensome or worrying. I lost sleep, and I would wake up in the early morning. Doing nothing would probably have been the most peaceful and easiest choice.

However, when I thought about this meeting, I realized that the tension inside me was closer to excitement and being thrilled, and that did not come from myself.

And as those who participated last Wednesday—either in person or online—saw, I was enjoying that very joy. It is the joy of obedience.

There were many legitimate reasons not to do it, but I am still enjoying that joy that springs up only from the obedience of participating in what the Lord delights in!

And you have no idea how much I am looking forward to next Wednesday. That excitement surges up from that joy.

It is that joy that we so often miss the opportunity to experience.

Do we still have the joy of the Resurrection we enjoyed last Sunday fully remaining in us now?

Our problem is not a lack of ceremonies or strict laws. Our problem is precisely the lack of that joy.

In the world, there are many things that give us joy, making us happy and excited. Good weather, an outfit that fits perfectly, a tour of great restaurants with a lovely friend—all of these are also God's grace.

However, those are the joys that were given even in the age when God let the nations go their own way. Those joys stay for a moment and then disappear.

But there is an eternal joy. The Bible tells us about it constantly.

It is the joy that makes Paul and Barnabas return to that city, Iconium, after people threw stones at them and cast them outside the city thinking they were dead!

And that joy springs up from true love that wants to forgive and share, and from bearing one's own cross just like Jesus.

If we do not have that joy, the problem is not with God; it is likely because we are not sufficiently absorbing that Gospel and are not practicing it in our lives.

On that Thursday evening, Jesus emphasized so much: "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I emphasize this to you for your happiness!"

Is it not because we are not taking these earnest words of Jesus seriously?

But aren't we Christians believing and living as if the things that give sufficient satisfaction even to worldly people—these visible and tangible happinesses that God gave even when He let them go their own way—are our life's goals and the source of our joy?

Are you not still making those happinesses, which you wanted and thought were life's goals even before you accepted the Lord and knew Jesus, your ultimate goal?

And is it not because of that very reason that we are unable to fully enjoy that eternal joy, which the Lord especially wants to give us and which will never be lost?

If that joy were overflowing in every church, then even if there is no beautiful building, no stained glass, and no atmosphere that makes one feel holy just by entering...

Wouldn't young people and adults alike wait in line wanting to worship because of that joy, and wanting to belong to the people and the community there, and thus wouldn't true revival come upon that church?

Let us pray.