Calvary Chapel Reston Station, Reston, Va

Message #320 "The Responses to the Gospel, Part II" - Acts 13:44-52 Sunday, April 22 2018 Here in the closing verses of Acts 13, we examine the rejection of the gospel by those with whom Paul and Barnabas shared Christ. We ask how should we respond when the word of God is rejected? When people reject the gospel, how do we stay encouraged? Opposition to the things of God that springs forth from envy - Matt 27:18; Mark 15:10; John 12:19 Responding to those who reject the gospel - Luke 6:22-23; Matt 5:11-12; We should expect to suffer for the name of Jesus - Acts 9:16; Acts 5:40-42 And yet as we abide in Christ (John 15), even when the gospel is rejected we can bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) Staying encouraged when the gospel we live and share with others is rejected, is the fruit of being rooted in Christ and having His word define our expectations and interpret our experiences. See Rom 5:1-5; 2 Cor 8:1-5; 1 Thes 1:6-10 We can be encouraged because we know the purpose of God in a