The Gospel Spreads to Asia Minor

I was reading in my devotional reading yesterday in Revelation 7 and my heart was warmed afresh with the diversity in Heaven.

Revelation 7:9 ESV:2016

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands,

But the beautiful reality of Revelation 7 will not happen until the practice of Acts 13 is valued and pursued passionately.

Global Missions is NOT an attempt to erase the cultural identities of people groups around the world as critics of proselytizing allege! Evangelizing is NOT about minimizing culture, it is about proclaiming hope to people of ALL cultures. This hope is NOT that they can be like the West, it is a hope that they can fully participate in God’s eternal Kingdom.

I am very pleased with the decision of our Missions Team to partner with Wycliffe Bible Translators this year, because making the Bible accessible in the heart languages of the world is one way we can avoid the subtle mistaken idea that people must be like us if they are to be godly.

The relationships between sending church and sent missionary are integral to a wholesome missions strategy!

1. Near missionsfrequently crosses cultural boundaries

2. Far missionscrosses geo-political boundaries.

Transition: Let us look to the example of the first church to see if there is a model for our participation in the Gospel Endeavor.

The Gospel is Linked to Global Missions.

concern for home is important, whether you think America needs to be rebuilt better or made great again, there is value to wanting one’s homeland to flourish.

Economics and Politics recognizes importance of EC, OPEC countries, Russia, and China influences upon our way of life. Do we realize the need and have a passion for the Gospel to go to these places?

As the world becomes flatter and more interconnected toward the end of this age, the need for global missions is greater than ever. We aren’t creating something new, we are simply continuing the values of the earliest church in Jerusalem.

Missions is not either/or (as if God is limited); it is BOTH local AND global.

The 1st Missionary journey from Antioch (in Syria) went through Cyprus then a loop through Asia Minor before returning to Antioch.

The cities discussed on this journey have been renamed, but are still existent in a Google Map this week.

Source of Missionaries (Acts 13:1-3)

1. Worship, Fasting & Prayer is the seedbed of Missions [not travel envy or “Missionary Tourism”]

I have told some of you that I have a bucket list item to proclaim Jesus on the 6 inhabited continents (witnessing to Penguins in Antartica would be a bonus!). I In the last 30 years I have checked off half of them, so maybe if I remain healthy until 87, I’ll be able to evangelize in Africa, South America and Australia.

2. To be honest, this “bucket list” did not arise out of Worship, Fasting& Prayer (godly disciplines). It came out of listening, studying and dreaming (human endeavors). These goals are not foolish or malicious, but like most bucket lists, they just don’t measure up to the example of Early Church mission.

3. Romans 15 mentions that Paul had a dream to go to Spain. But there is no indication that God ever permitted or enabled that trip. It wasn’t an evil plan, it just wasn’t part of the work of God using His Church to send missionaries according to His timing and design.

4. I love how our missions team prayerfully considers many different opportunities, and I have yet to hear a foolish or malicious request, it is just that if God wants FHCC to participate with a particular partner, He is able to impress that upon the heart of the team as a whole.

Need for Missionaries

1. False Religion is a greater foe to Missions than Atheism or Paganism (Acts 13:4-12)

There are many places in the world where people groups have no witness beyond natural revelation of creation and conscience. When these peoples are introduced to the truth of a God who personally loves them and seeks to redeem them, they frequently are led by a tribal leader and the whole village responds favorably.

The greater threat is when wrong worship of the True God or worship of false gods has convinced locals that they do not need the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. Effective Missions involves Cooperation and Cultural Sensitivity.

a. Barnabas and Saul (v.2) transitions into Paul and his companions (v.13) [v.9 (see cf to v.7) is indication of a change in identity—it was NOT his conversion, but his ministry to Antioch in Pisidia]

New Testament (Second Edition) Acts 13:9

This is not a name change; now that Paul is moving in a predominantly Roman environment, he begins to go by his Roman name.

I have a friend who was a missionary in Costa Rica and is now serving in Honduras. Since “J” is hard to pronounce for native Spanish speaker, Julie’s name became Hooley when she is on the field. If an American named Larry were sent to China, I’m sure a name change would be easier for locals to pronounce.

b. Notice the “pairs”: Windshield time is prime discipleship time!

Cooperation prevents discouragement or burnout

Cooperation permits discipleship to occur within the team.

Transition: Today’s text not only talks about the source of missionaries, it also describes the message of missionaries.

The Gospel liberated Jews from dead Judaism (Acts 13:38, 43)

To the Jews (people of the Book), Paul used their book to explain the work of God.

New Testament (Second Edition) 13:13–52: Sermon in Pisidian Antioch

Paul’s Scripture-laced exposition in 13:16–43 contrasts plainly with 14:15–17 and 17:22–31, showing that Paul adapted to different audiences in his speeches, as he did in his letters

50 years ago Gospel presentations began with “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life”.

In our post-modern culture Gospel presentations often must begin with “There is a God who knows you personally”.

Transition: Paul did not limit his missionary activity to the informed with a similar background to his own. He also aggressively reached out to those different from him.

The Gospel liberated Gentiles from dead Paganism (Acts 13:46-49, 14:15-17)

To the uniformed Gentiles, Paul leveraged their experience to expose the work of God.

Opposition prompted Gospel Spread (Acts 14:4-7) Iconium to Lystra & Derbe

Don’t give up! Look for the “open window”

Honored as gods and stoned nearly to death in Lystra (Acts 14:8-23)

A problem of experience is that the same experience can be interpreted VERY differently

One group saw the miracle and thought Paul needs to die. Others saw the miracle and thought they were being visited by someone greater than human.

I know I’ve told this story before, but I also know that all of us have slept since then so we may or may not remember the story and the application. 2 boys were put in a room each with a shovel and 1 large pile of manure that needed to be moved. One boy complained endlessly about the stench, the discomfort and the hard work. The other boy eagerly shoveled as quick as his little arms could muster. When the first boy asked the 2nd boy why he was working so hard, the boy replied, “with all this manure, there has to be a pony nearby!”

Transition: Remaining centered on the Gospel, not only liberates converts from their past, it also frees immature believers.

The Gospel liberates the Church from unnecessary regulations (Acts 15)

Sometimes discipleship doesn’t look like what you think a disciple is (Acts 14:24-15:19)

Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch with good reports.

Unnamed men descended upon Antioch with extra expectations.

We are often too quick to make another believer’s obedience look like our obedience.

Amish claim that any vehicle other than black is an indication of pride.

Some Pentecostals claim that any jewelry (sometimes a plain gold wedding band is permitted) is a sign of worldliness.

I’ve been in some settings where children at the beginning of the line for the Potluck is seen as bad parenting, in other places it is seen as compassionate parenting.

In 3 weeks, you will determine if costumes and candy are a means of fun, generosity to your neighbors, or the first step toward Satan worship and the Occult.

I’ve intentionally not even hinted at issues of clothing, music or methods of education.

Because I have sung a Capella foreign chants and current radio hits. I have worn a 3-piece suit to church, and I’ve worn shorts with no socks. I have attended public, private and magnet schools and have siblings who choose to homeschool.

In my opinion these are all areas where my obedience may look different than yours, but we each must exercise liberty with responsibility.

The characters of the Congregational Meeting in Acts 15 will also speak elsewhere about the legalism, liberty & license tensions.

Paul will expand on this in Galatians

Peter will address jewelry in chapter 3 of 1 Peter.

Paul will talk to Corinth about Diet/Days or Meat/Memorials.

3 principles regarding obedience

1. Do not over burden others

Acts 15:28 ESV:2016

28 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements:

2. Christ is your only Master

1 Corinthians 6:12 ESV:2016

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything.

3. Always Act in Faith

Romans 14:23 (ESV:2016)

... For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.

Conclusion:

Today’s longer passage begins with the importance of us taking the Gospel to people who are far from us.

It ends with a warning that we refrain from intimidating others to act like us.

May our involvement in mission increase in compassion and generosity. May your involvement in mission flow from God’s grace at work in you!

I left time for a longer response song today. If you listen to Christian radio you may have heard this song by Steve Green. I chose it because it calls each of us to remember our motivation across the street or across the world.

Song of Response ............... “The Mission”

Benediction: Hebrews 13:20–21 (ESV:2016) —20 Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.