A New Antioch
Notes
Transcript
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch. 23 When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
The earthquakes in Southeast Turkey and Northern Syria in February.. one city called Antakya in Turkey was reduced to rubble and the buildings that remain standing have been deemed unsafe.
Antakya in modern day Turkey = Antioch of Ancient Syria
Map of Antioch here.
Antioch - an interesting place, it was the missionary hub of the Apostle Paul for his missionary journeys.
Today is mission Sunday, and today we will explore the importance of modern-day Antiochs.
Title of the message today: A New Antioch
First, what was the significance of the city of Antioch in the Bible?
Antioch - A place of refuge
19 Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. 20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
for people fleeing persecution (arose over Stephen)
pressure they felt, what would you have done in your Jerusalem?
thing about being persecuted for the Name of Christ is not a circumstance,it is a choice
people could have escaped, how? Just don’t identify as a Christian
What do you identify as?
Keep the status quo, I have a business, I have a nice job, I have a young family
family issues to deal with first
Are you so identified with Jesus that when persecution comes, you will be ready to make a change?
We pray that we want to be a modern day Antioch, where those facing persecution around the world find relief.
Antioch became the center of Evangelism - they were not inactive.
the Jews came “preaching the word to no one but the Jews only”. but the Lord changed their approach to evangelism.
verse 20: “some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.”
We are not meant to just reach our own kind - Christians are to bless the community where God has placed them. (Filipino Diaspora, intercultural, reach your neighbors)
verse 21:
21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
2. Antioch was a source of relief.
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
Things you notice here:
a. They did not despise prophecy
Foretelling and forthtelling
We need to understand the times based on the word of God
Support missionaries
b. They responded by sending relief
They sent financial aid, according to their abilities - there was a display of generosity
They leveraged their position as “exiles” - Antioch was on the crossroads of major trade routes. They had means of earning a good living, they were better off than the brethren in Judea as exiles.
We can likewise, go there to bring relief
In many ways, in today’s culture, Christians are now in the minority - we live like exiles.
We want Crosswind to be a modern-day Antioch.
3. Antioch - A Headquarters for Rescue:
2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Antioch became a launchpad of organized missionary work to the unreached Gentile nations.
Paul’s missionary journeys started and ended in Antioch.
That is why we are a sending church. The grace of God to the nations. May we be a present-day Antioch.
In these chapters from the Bible we see the grace of God in display.
Christians fled Judea because of the...
19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
… because of the persecution that arose over Stephen..
--- Tell the story of Stephen’s martyrdom. (Acts 7) —
58 Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.
Something amazing, this same man Saul ...
22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
Those who identified with Christ were first called Christians in Antioch.
We want Crosswind to be known as a group of people whose identity is in Christ — not religion.
But this is not the only amazing thing.. when the church in Antioch was flourishing.. and they sent out Barnabas to help strengthen the work (describe Barnabas)..
When they sent Barnabas, who did he seek out to help him with the work --- Saul, the same man who started this persecution of Christians in Judea.
This seem to not make sense, but here lies the power of the Grace of God.
We need grace, but the actual spiritual need is forgiveness.
The message of “Forgiveness” and its universal appeal. Forgiveness is a universal need.
This is a lost message:
38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;
18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’
You have a sin issue. Your sins can be forgiven.
If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
But since our greatest need was forgiveness, God sent us a Savior!
Lord’s Supper