• Leading with Resilience: Great leaders, like Paul and Barnabas, show resilience by staying anchored in their mission even through opposition and adapting to changing circumstances without losing sight of their mission.

Acts 14:1-7 (NLT) The same thing happened in Iconium.[a] Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. 2 Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. 3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. 4 But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.5 Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. 6 When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. 7 And there they preached the Good News.

• Spurned: To reject, to refuse, to decline, ignore or deny.
• Poisoned: Containing or contaminated with a substance capable of injuring or killing a living thing. Divided: As in split, disagreeing with each other.

KEY LESSONS FOR LEADERS

• “God’s Word makes life predictable” (Galatians 6:7-8), leaders reap what they sow through their actions and words.

Galatians 6:7-8 (NLT) Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. 8 Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.

• As a leader we should model integrity and good character in our decisions and interactions. If you don’t like what you’re reaping, then change what you’re sowing.
• For example: If you notice negative outcomes (distrust or conflict within your team, no drive or vision), reflect on the “seeds” you’ve planted—such as criticism or inconsistency, lack of vision—and replace them with encouragement and accountability. A leader’s consistent example shapes the culture and future success of their team.
• Question: Do you have enough love for your team to not accept their excuses?! Are we allowing our people to get soft? because we want to “people please” and are afraid of confrontation. We all remember the valuable moments when a leader was tough with us!
• Insight: You can speak into people’s lives with correction if you’ve been depositing into them. Never blame your team. Always look in the mirror.
• John C. Maxwell: “Great leaders look in the mirror to take responsibility for their actions, while poor leaders look out the window to blame others.”

• Paul and Barnabas saw both belief and rejection (John 5:24, Luke 10:16).

John 5:24(NLT) “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Luke 10:16 (NLT) Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”

• Understand that not everyone will embrace the vision.
• Celebrate those who align with the mission, but don’t be discouraged by the “haters”.
• Use rejection as an opportunity to refine your approach while staying true to your core values. “Don’t focus on the back door, focus on the front door”

• Be careful with minds being “poisoned” by doubt, offense, bitterness, hate, etc. This is a danger that can derail leaders and teams.

Romans 3:13-14 (NLT) – “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.

• Protect your mindset (what content do you consume? How does your team hear you speak? It’s not just WHAT you say, but HOW you say it)
• Protect your team’s mindset (what influences do you endorse in their life? whether people, media, or ideas)
• Surround yourself with wise counsel and oppose the “poison” with truth.
• Insight: A leader’s emotional and spiritual health sets the tone for the group.