Rehearsing All that God Does
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Intro:
Paul and Barnabas, after a couple more stops, return to their sending church and report all that God has done in and through them.
23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24 And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia. 25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
A couple things strike me about the report that they give that show where the focus of Paul and Barnabas was.
Focus on the open doors
Focus on the open doors
27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
God opens doors of Faith
God opens doors of Faith
This refers to salvation being for all men.
Preach a bit on salvation if needed.
Doors of faith come all the time to the Christian. Fear will not recognize opportunities of faith. God opens doors to build and focus our faith on Him. He makes us dependent upon Him for the next step and that helps us to trust Him.
105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
God opens many doors of faith. You will rarely see the end of the path as you walk the trail.
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
God opens Doors of Opportunity
God opens Doors of Opportunity
Opportunity for ministry
7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit. 8 But I will tarry at Ephesus until Pentecost. 9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
Sometimes an opportunity to share the Gospel.
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord,
God opens Doors of Prayer
God opens Doors of Prayer
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
Focus on the people God has put in your path
Focus on the people God has put in your path
Something that never seems to happen to Paul and Barnabas is a loss of focus on those to whom they were ministering.
They were always looking for someone to help.
They always had time to help.
They always had something to tell that would help (the Gospel).
28 And there they abode long time with the disciples.
They could spend much time here because they loved these people and had a wonderful fellowship with them.
Focus on the Grace of God
Focus on the Grace of God
26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled.
The accomplishments came only because of the acknowledgement of God’s grace.
This was Paul’s mode of ministry.
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
One thing that will always distract from the grace of God? Pride
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Be careful, your knowledge can easily become arrogance and hinder your growth. Learn from others around you. Remember who you are both with Christ and without Him.
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord Are riches, and honour, and life.
We all desire to be someone who makes a difference. Just remember that you can only reach any sort of potential through the grace of God.
Focus on open doors
Focus on people around you
Focus on the grace of God