Are We a Show-and-Tell Church?

Pastor Ben Curfman
Foundation: The Acts of the Apostles  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented
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Are We a Show-and-Tell Church? Acts 11:19-26
(35m)
Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire at this time. It was famous for its hippodrome (chariot racing). Some historians called it “the cradle of Christianity.”
Stephen’s death began a movement of persecution against the Christians in Acts 8.

1. The Church Has Something to Say

Acts 11:19–20 NASB95
So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
The Church at large was still unsure of whether it was OK to preach to Gentiles.
Luke uses three physical examples to represent the spiritual process of evangelism.

a. The Hand of the Lord

Acts 11:21 NASB95
And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
The Divinity of Jesus
The first “Lord” is the Father:
Deuteronomy 2:15 NASB95
“Moreover the hand of the Lord was against them, to destroy them from within the camp until they all perished.
The second “Lord” is the Son.
Acts 2:37–38 NASB95
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Humanity of Jesus
GOD THE FATHER DOES NOT HAVE A BODY
John 4:24 NASB95
“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
GOD THE SON DOES HAVE A BODY
Luke 24:39 NASB95
“See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself; touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.”
“The hand of the Lord” is a phrase that expresses God’s power in judgement on the actions of His people, either good or bad. God will save people when the Gospel is being faithfully preached.
Joshua 4:24 NASB95
that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
(25m)

b. The Ears of the Church

Acts 11:22 NASB95
The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch.
It’s OK to ask questions about what God is doing.
It’s NOT OK to assume that the grace of God is only working in our lives.
When we look at one another, are we looking for the effects of God’s grace in each other’s lives or are we looking for faults?

c. The Heart Full of Purpose

Acts 11:23 NASB95
Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;
Resolute heart - presented for a purpose
Barnabas was “good” in that he rejoiced in the different ways that the men were preaching to the Gentiles. He was joyful about God’s grace, no matter who it was given to.
We need to examine what we are celebrating as a church family, because what we celebrate as a church will show what we value as a church.
Show and Tell - Twinkie the Bumble Bee. I was upset about the mess instead of seeing them valuing a broken creature.
(15m)

2. The Church Has Something to Show

a. Asks for Help

Acts 11:25 NASB95
And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;
Barnabas sought out a trustworthy teacher in Paul instead of leaving the new Christians to learn the faith by themselves.
Unity is not just an idea.
The painter sees a picture in his mind before he puts paint on a canvas.
You can’t tell if a painter is really a painter until you see something he paints, and you can’t tell if a church is really unified until you see them ask one another for help.

b. Invests Their Time

Acts 11:26b (NASB95)
And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
The Church lacked financial resources and cultural acceptance even though they were growing.
This discipleship happened within the gatherings of the local church. The primary context for discipleship is when we “meet with the church.”
Barnabas brought Paul with him for a year to help disciple the Gentile church in Antioch. The priority was making disciples and not converts. It takes a lot of time and energy to make a disciple.
The way we spend our time shows the way we think about what matters.

c. Instills Their Identity

Acts 11:26c (NASB95)
and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
The word literally meant, “those with allegiance to Christ,” and would have been considered an insult.
The use of the name meant the Gentiles were recognizing a distinction between Jews and Christians.
These “little Christs” were not ashamed to be called by His name.
1 Peter 4:16 NASB95
but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
(5m) CONCLUSION
Acts 1–12 for You (The Hand of the Lord)
Regrettably, in our own day, many churches have turned away from the simplicity of preaching and evangelism. Some churches and Christians seem to think that preaching and evangelism are ineffective means of advancing the kingdom. Instead, many church-growth books advocate an endless array of marketing strategies and clever programs designed to bring people into the church. But God’s ways are far simpler and far more effective. This is his church-growth book: it is called Acts. Spirit-filled and Spirit-empowered preaching and evangelism are his appointed means of bringing people into his kingdom.
God wants us to be a show-and-tell church.
We tell the Good News to Albion by demonstrating the power of God in salvation, listening for His work in others’ lives, and celebrating His grace in everyone who receives it.
We show the Good News to Albion by asking one another for help, spending our time together, and identifying ourselves as followers of Christ.
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