Summary: Between a rock and a hard, your options are limited. Candid advise: When you cannot fight or flee, learn to play dead; learn to trust God, yourself and count on your comrades and finally, keep hope alive. A cover for recovery!

Sermon – Between a Rock and A Hard Place

Text: Acts 14:19-24

“Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers[a] gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 23 Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”

Introduction: Since the 1950’s, most of us have heard the phrase, Between a Rock and A Hard Place! What about “Cover Me, until I Can Get back on my feet. Theses common expressions are used by cowboys, policemen, gangsters or even a friend who forgot his wallet. The idea of “Cover me” was to attract the attention away from me, so I can reposition myself. Or remove this pressure, so I can get free. In the movies, the cops meant: “Point your weapons at the house, ready to fire if a threat appears.” But to the Marines, this two-word command apparently meant: Open fire on the stronghold, give me some rapid fire, covering fire or suppressive fire, to keep everyone's heads down while I make a move. Or for a friend, you pay the bill now, and I will pay you back later. Today’s lesson finds Apostle Paul is between a rock and a hard place, in desperate need of cover. Almost everyone can get up from life’s blows with a little help. Covering gives people time to recover, regroup, to get up and begin again! What do you do when you are between a rock and a hard place? How do you get up when life knocks you down?

It is almost impossible to understand how God could use Apostle Paul to such a great level. Biblical scholars report that Paul’s body was frail, his eyes were weak, and his speaking gift was limited. Yet, it is almost impossible to discuss the function of the Christian Church without mentioning Paul’s contribution. Paul gives us glimpse of the Holy Spirit’s power on display in the church and in his personal ministry, sometimes in trouble and sometimes in triumphs. Paul’s writings, gives us instructions on the function of the faith community in a hostile world. Paul’s teachings are so bright and thorough, his life and personal challenges are at times overlooked. Acts 19 highlights the difficult struggles of Paul and the importance of having partners in ministry. His partners in ministry are often overlooked, yet they played a vital role in the success of his ministry.

Luke writes this event as a news reporter writes modern-day breaking news story, just mentioning enough names to keep us interested. This small band of brothers, probably, Barnabas, young Timothy and a few more companions were eyewitnesses to this powerful ordeal. There may be only one or two names mentioned in the story, yet others help complete the story. Every super star needs a supporting cast. Moses needed Joshua, and they both need Aaron and Hur who held up Moses arms on the mountain while Joshua was leading the charge. People brag about Moses on the mountain with rod of God and the bravery of Joshua leading the charge on the field of battle, but seldom talked the work of Aaron and Hur who made valuable contributions to the ministry. Without the support cast, the battle would have prolonged and possibly lost. Never underestimate the value of your supporting role.

Our lesson today tells a moving, action-packed thriller from the life and ministry of Paul at Antioch and Iconium. The Ministry team had experienced great success, as God worked with them confirming His word with many signs and wonders. As the multitudes witnessed the miracles wrought through the team, they considered Barnabas and Paul as gods from above. The cities were moved, and many converts were at added to their company. At one point, their success was so great the multitude assuming they were the gods Jupiter and Mercury walking among them wanted to worship them. Paul and Barnabas had to restrain the people from worshiping them. They refuse to receive their worship and ritual sacrifice, rather pointed the crowd to Jesus Christ and God, His father. Satan tried to sidetrack these servants of God through vain worship and the praise of men. Anyone doing the work of God should expect opposition from Satan. Two of his favorite tools seem to be flattery, self-glorification and persecution, harassment to hinder. The Jewish leaders became angry and jealous of the influence of Paul and his company in their city. These Jewish leaders became arch enemies of Paul and the gospel message. They incited the crowd to violence against Paul and Barnabas, by accusing them of being great deceivers, who have just made fools of them all.

This unjust persecution forced Paul and his companions to leave the area in fear of their lives. These enraged Jews followed them, traveling more than a hundred miles, over rugged terrain for a chance to stone Paul. At Lystra, they caught up with Paul’s band and precede to enflame the passion of a mob in that city too. The people were willing to worship them as gods one day, and the next, they were seeking blood. Like the crowd in Jerusalem who cried “Hosanna” but soon cried, “Crucify Him.” The bitter vindictiveness of the enemies of the gospel is seen in the fact that these Jews spared no expense for a chance to destroy Paul and His gospel message. Paul had stood by approving the stoning of Stephen, so now God allowed him to suffer the same fate.

Probably, Paul was stoned nearly to death. This murderous mob, after stoning Paul, stood around and observed him at length before they decided to drag him outside the city to be ravished by wild animals. This is quite possible the event Paul refers to as he talked about: receiving the marks of the Lord Jesus in his own body; being caught up to third heaven and granted marvelous revelations of paradise that He could not put into words. This experience was undoubtedly witnessed by Barnabas, Timothy, and several other nameless traveling companions.

The miracle in this text was nothing short of a resurrection. Notice the tools God used to pull this off. Let’s look at how Paul’s life was spared, and ministry restored. I believe in the heart of every Christian is the desire to courageous for Christ, always stand tall and faithfully resist the opposition, and every attack from Satan. In this case, Paul was not able stand tall nor put up any resistance. First, when you find yourself between a rock and hard place don't give up. Notice that God gave Paul the ability to play dead.

1. When you cannot fight or flee, Learn to Play Dead. V.19 “And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.”

These men stopped stoning Paul only when they thought their purpose was accomplished. As long as there movement or reaction, the enemy is encouraged to pursue. The adversary is motivated by the reaction of their prey. Sometimes the best reaction is no reaction, lay still. 1Pe 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:” We must not react to everything the enemy does and speaks. A valuable lesson to learn is this: When you cannot fight or flee, Learn to Play Dead!

2. When you cannot fight or flee, Learn to Trust God and Count on Your Comrades. This was certainly a miracle, very likely a miracle of restoration of life out death. Only God, God alone can raise the dead. You must continue to trust God. Not only must you trust God, You must learn to count on your comrades. Yes, people can disappoint you, criticize you, and even false accuse you. God has given you supporters in ministry. Your partners in ministry or comrades in arms can be counted on to assist you with comfort, care, concern and covering when you cannot look out for yourself. “Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, they covered Paul while he was vulnerable to bleeding out, attacks of wild dogs or other wild beast and the natural elements.

There is no telling what would have happened in this story had Paul been alone.

Ec 4:9-12 “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevails against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

Paul needed the threefold cord: He had to count on God, his comrades, and his inner strength. We all need that same threefold cord: God, others, and our own inner strength. When you cannot fight or flee, learn to play dead; when you cannot fight or flee, learn to trust God and count on your comrades and finally, keep hope alive.

3. When you cannot fight or flee, Learn to Keep Hope Alive.

Acts 14:20 “Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.”

This is a testimony to Paul’s courage and faith. Paul seemed to know that his assignment was not complete. Believing you can rise up again is important for all of us. This miracle is not just about Paul’s near-death experience, it’s about God’s mission and completing our assignment. Our recent new reports of mass shootings at an all-time high, inflation woes, pandemic resurgence and personal losses are enough to knock us down. Without hope, we would stay down. Like Paul, we can get by remembering that there are new seekers looking for salvation, new converts must be confirmed and baptized, discipleship teaching must be completed, and young saints must be exhorted to continue in the faith regardless of the possibility and probability of tribulation and trials.

No wonder, Paul often wrote about faith, hope and love. Paul’s love for God, the ministry and the church motivated him to rise again. When you feel boxed in, there is a way ouy! If you learn to play dead when you cannot fight or flee, learn to count God, yourself and your comrades, you will find new strength and courage not only to get up and go on, but go back to the harvest field and finish your assignment.

It is almost unbelievable that with the right cover, a single day’s rest and a little care, Paul was refreshed and revived enough to travel the next day. Paul realized that these new disciples needed to be encouraged, organized into local churches and taught more fully their place in God’s plan. If they were to continue in the faith, they must realize that all true believers will be opposed by Satan and ungodly men, and so they must undergo tribulations.

2Ti 3:11,12 “Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

This text encourages us that God will allow us to finish our assignment. Our God is able to deliver us out of it all. Yet at times, I need to be covered with prayer and care, kindness and comfort, by friends and finances. With the right cover, God will give the patience, endurance, stamina to rise and finish well. In 2Ti 4:7,8 Paul gives us a glowing testimony,

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”

Lu 22:31,32 “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Jesus saw a moment in Simon’s future where Simon could not make it without cover. Jesus was saying to every disciples in general, and to Peter in particular, that Satan has accused them all before God, and desires that he may sift them all by his winnowing winds of temptation and persecution, that he may shake your faith, and weaken your confidence; but Jesus said, “I have prayed for you all.” Jesus prayed particularly for Peter, who was under the greatest attack and in the greatest danger of falling. Why? Because Peter so confident of his own strength and standing. Jesus knew as the leader of the group, Peter’s faith would be severely shaken, but he prayed that Peter’s faith may not fail. Jesus covered Peter with prayer, holding back the forces of Satan until Peter recovered. After repentance and recovery, Peter was able to care for and strengthen the other disciples. The other disciples may experience a fall in like manner. Jesus covered the disciples with prayer. All leaders need to be covered with prayer, support, comfort, and care.

I want to close the message with a reading from a short Facebook post, she writes:

“It has dawned on me that I have quite a few fb friends and family that are in the ministry. My husband is even a Pastor. People don't understand the weight that is placed on these men and women's shoulders. After praying with you for your breakthrough, visiting the sick, delivering the word, counseling a couple that is about to be wed or on the brink of divorce, baptizing folk, visiting the prisons, and dealing with members that are about to lose it all, they still have to have a smile on their face and a pep in their step. Well guess what, they are human too and have their own homes to run, jobs to work, and relationships to mend/maintain. Pray for our Clergy EVERYWHERE!!!

This text encourages me that God will allow us to finish our assignment. Our God is able to deliver us out of every temptation and trial. When we give our leaders the proper support and covering, God will give them the patience to faithfully endure, the strength and support to rise up and faith to finish well. This miracle is not just about Paul’s near-death experience, it’s about God’s mission and completing our assignment. I know the recent bad news reports of mass shootings, inflation woes, pandemic resurgence, baby formular shortage and personal losses are enough to keep us down. Without hope, we would stay down. Because of the right covering, we can get up. We all need a threefold covering. With God, the help of others, and our own inner strength, we can get up. When you cannot fight or flee, learn to play dead; When you cannot fight or flee, learn to trust God and count on your comrades and keep hope alive. Les brown has a saying, “if you get knocked down, try to fall on your back. Because if you can look up, you can get up.”