Quitting is Not an Option

Tom McCormick

Acts

Sermon Only Sermon Audio

Oct 25, 2026

Acts 9:26-31

In this sermon, Pastor Tom preaches from Acts 9:26–31.

In this passage, we see how Saul faced discouragement in his walk with God as he experienced hate from Jewish leaders and rejection from other Christians. But God provided Barnabas, a fellow Jesus follower who defended him. Rather than giving up, Saul continued to walk in the faith and remain active in sharing the gospel.

At some point, every Jesus follower will experience discouragement from another Jesus follower. This may tempt us to quit our faith, but we must not let the discouragement of others derail our walk with God. He is able to heal and restore what discouragement brings. Pastor Tom also challenges us to be encouragers and defenders of those who’ve been discouraged in the church.

If you’re facing discouragement in your walk with God, check out this message.

Sermon Notes

Acts

“And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” Acts 9:26-31

“And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple.” Acts 9:26

“For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it.” Galatians 1:13

“Saul must have seemed to them to be the quintessential wolf in sheep’s clothing, now trying to destroy them from within what he had previously tried to destroy them from without” John MacArthur

Truth 1: At some point, every Jesus Follower will experience discouragement from another Jesus Follower in the church.

“But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.” Acts 9:27

Truth 2: God has supplied the church with encouragers to restore those who have been hurt.

“So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.” Acts 9:28-30

Truth 3: Jesus Followers must not quit or even become dormant in their faith.

Truth 4: Being a part of a church means you should be loved and protected by others in the church, but it also means you too should love and protect others in the church as well

“So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.” Acts 9:31

“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” John 10:10

“And He said to all, ‘if anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me” Luke 9:23

“He is no fool who what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose” Jim Elliot

Truth 5: As they deny and die to themselves, every Jesus Follower will be a part of affecting the world as He lives His life through them.

1. Don’t let discouragement from imperfect people derail your faith.
2. Be an encourager like Barnabas to encourage the one who has been discouraged.
3. Thinking about quitting your faith and quitting Jesus are two different things.
4. Stay active in your faith by serving others and giving sacrificially.
5. Know that God has placed you in a family who will love and protect you.

Sermon Notes

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