BC

The Hand of the Lord was with them

Acts 11:19–30 KJV 1900

19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. 27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Intro: Around 10 years since Pentecost.

around 9 since the murder of Stephen

Around 8 years since the conversion of Saul.

What is Gods will for you?

You may ask, can God use me? Yes God can and will use you.

For me as a pastor, will God use me? Yes he will. I may never speak at a big conference, or pastor a mega church. But God can and will use me.

Can God use First Black Creek? Yes He will can and will. .

Today we are going to look at a church, and people that God used in a mighty way.

The church at Antioch: (First Called Christians)

This church would become the focal point for the rest of the book of Acts. It would be become maybe to great churches ever. Why?

Saul (Paul) and Barnabas would leave from hear on their first mission trip.

They sent out missionaries all over the world. (They are the reason we have church today.)

This church would send others out too.

They would send money.

This church was the first church of Gentiles.

The church at Antioch was mission minded church. A giving Church.

But who started the church at Antioch? It wasn’t Peter, John, James, or Paul.

We don’t know.

God uses ordinary people. VS 19-21

Acts 11:19–21 NKJV

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.

VS 19 goes back to chapter 8.

After Stephen (the first church follow of Jesus to killed for his faith)

Then great persecution began.

Acts 8:1 (NKJV)

1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Phoenicia: in the area of present-day Lebanon

Cyprus: an island nation about a hundred miles off the coast

Antioch: Antioch, three hundred miles north of Jerusalem.

“preaching the word to no one but the Jews only.”

Elab on this.

Look at VS 20

Acts 11:20 KJV 1900

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

BUT some of them

Who were them? No names, none of the Apostles, just them. Ordinary people. That spoke to the Greeks (Gentiles)

What does it mean that they spoke to the Greeks? Preaching the Lord Jesus. They had gospel conversations with them. They told them how to be saved.

These people “Them” were doing something different. They didn’t know what Peter had done. Elab

They had a love for Jesus, a love for the gospel and a love for the lost. So they just spoke Jesus to the Gentiles and started a church.

Now remember, the was the first century. No bibles, many people had never even heard about Jesus.

All they had were their words. But they had something to go with it.

What they did, preach to the Gentiles, send out missionaries did more for the Lord then we will ever know. (Started by no names, ordinary people)

Acts 11:20 KJV 1900

20 And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus.

“And the hand of the Lord was with them”

The power of the Holy Spirit was with them.

If we want God to grow our church, if we want to see people saved, the hand of God is with us.

We are told that by this time through all of Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and all the place that the gospel was being shared, 100 of thousands of people had been saved.

What was started with a 120 people in the upper room.

Now we see Gentiles being saved. VS 21 And great number believed and turned to the Lord.

Antioch the city was a part of southern Rome. a place of pagan worship. The name of the Lord Jesus was preached it brought an instant response in their souls.

They didn’t have a program, or

The hand of the Lord was with His people (Them)

These people were ordinary ordinary, so how did they see such results? The hand of the Lord was with them

We need the hand of the Lord with us. Through the hand of the Lord, ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

I want people to say that about me.

You should want people to say that about you.

I want people say that about PGBC.

How do we have the Hand of the Lord with us?

Its starts with prayer.........

Prayer has to be intentional.

Encourage each other. VS 22-26

Acts 11:22–24 KJV 1900

22 Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came, and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

VS 22

The word got back to the church at Jerusalem.

“Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem”

When the news of what was happening at Antioch reached Jerusalem, they decided the thing needed investigation.

“and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.”

We now hear a name. Barnabas. (One who encourages)

Acts 11:23 NKJV

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.

Barnabas was—not a bit critical or jealous of someone else’s success, but thrilled and delighted.

To see all those Gentiles responding to the gospel, to hear them talking about Jesus, to listen to their testimonies—Barnabas rejoiced.

Acts 11:24 KJV 1900

24 For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

The New Testament: An Expanded Translation Chapter 11

for he was a good man and controlled by the Holy Spirit and full of faith

Barnabas called by name, still no names mentioned, just them.

Acts 11:25–26 KJV 1900

25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

The last we heard about Saul was after Barnabas brought him to Jerusalem and defended him.

The Church at Jerusalem did not trust him. So he went home.

Acts 9:30 (NKJV)

30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.

What was he doing? We don’t hear of any churches in Tarsus.

It was now time for him to start what God had called him to do.

Acts 11:26 KJV 1900

26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

Barnabas finds Paul (Saul). Paul was a Roman citizen.

They spent a year with them. Saul will become Paul, he will become the greatest Christian in history. He would write most of the N.T

He would start churches in many places. And it all started at the church of Antioch. The church started by people who’s names we do no know. Just ordinary people because the hand of the Lord was with them.

It not how big a church is. It’s not how well know a church is. It’s how faithful a church is.

"There may be a time when the church is not growing numerically, there should never be a time when the church is not growing spiritually" HB Charles.Jax Pastors Conference

A church can be small and strong or big and weak" HB Charles. Jax Pastors conference.

What if this start in Antioch was never started?

Barnabas would not have gone, there, he would not have gone to Tarsus to get Saul. Saul and Barnabas would not have been sent out on the mission field.

There would have been no Paul.........

“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

3 times in the Bible

Acts 26:28 KJV 1900

28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

1 Peter 4:16 NKJV

16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Christian: Christ like. Little Christ.

It was crated by non-Christians to identify as followers of Christ.

Elab people who say they are Christians.

Elab who Christians are.

“You don’t come to church to become a Christian, you come to Christ to become a Christian, “

Be a giving church VS 27-30

Acts 11:27–30 KJV 1900

27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28 And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world: which came to pass in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

More leaders come up from Jerusalem, they wanted to see what was going on.

Elab prophets in the new church age.

Agabus. VS 28

VS 29 is the verse I want to talk about.

They according to their on ability.

When it comes to giving. The tithe.

To give above that, you give as you can.

Gentile church giving to the Jews.

End:

How is God going to use me?

How is God going to use you?

How is God going to use BCBC?

First, the hand of God has to be with me.

The hand of God has to be with you.

The hand of God has to be with PGBC.

Ordinary people, with the Hand of God with us.

PRAYER.........