Encouraged. Strengthened.

Pete Kersker - Aug 28, 2026

Paul and Barnabas returned to their "home" church in Antioch after travelling and planting more churches. The unity of their home was threatened by a teacher from Judea, but they all sought God's will together in Jerusalem and came to a place of peace. Some men from Jerusalem came back with Paul and Barnabas to deliver the message that would give the believers in Antioch peace.

So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the believers (Acts 15:30-32 NIV).

The LORD God created everything, heavens and earth, including people who are made in the image of God. The LORD invites us all to see Him, join Him, and walk with Him. Those who do walk with God are holy (set apart) with Him. Those who choose to rebel (sin) instead will be punished with the second death. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, through whom all people can be saved. Through Jesus, we can be forgiven, reconciled, and walk with God again.

After spending some time there, they were sent off by the believers with the blessing of peace to return to those who had sent them (Acts 15:33 NIV).

We gather together as Christ's church to learn and remind ourselves of this message. We gather together to encourage and build one another up in this faith. We gather together because Jesus said whenever two or more are gathered together in his name, he is in our midst. We gather together to empower, equip, and encourage one another to walk together with God.

But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached the word of the Lord (Acts 15:35 NIV).

Do you gather together with other Christians? How often?
Are you encouraged and strengthened in the faith? How?