Imagine what it was like to carry the Gospel of Jesus Christ into foreign territory for the very first time.

That was Paul's mission in the first century, and it was no walk in the park.

With tireless determination, Paul put on his sandals and stepped into unfamiliar places,

where he was beaten, imprisoned, shipwrecked, and constantly criticized. Today, on Insight for Living, Chuck Swindall recounts these moments in a way that helps us understand the timeless application for us today.

Chuck titled this biographical series, Paul, a man of grace and grit.

We are traveling with Paul through his life and times, and that journey has taken us to this second and the third missionary journeys of this man.

Turn to Acts chapter 15.

Let me read for you the last two verses of the 15th chapter of Acts, beginning at verse 40, and then the first 12

of the 16th chapter of Acts. Look at Acts 15 and verse 40, where the second journey begins.

But Paul chose Silas and left, being committed by the brethren to the grace of the Lord.

And he was traveling through Syria and Silesia, strengthening the churches.

Paul came also to Derby and to Listra.

Remember last time we were at Lister, it's where they stone Paul? So he's

returning to this place of opposition. Notice whom he meets there. And a disciple was there named

Timothy, a son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. And he was well spoken of by the

brethren who were in Listra and Iconium. Paul wanted this man to go with him. And he took him

and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those parts, for they all knew

that his father was a Greek. Now, while they were passing through the cities, they were delivering

the decrees which had been decided upon by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem

for them to observe.

So the churches were being strengthened in the faith and were increasing in number daily.

They passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit,

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