The Model Of The Antioch Church - part 3

Today marks our 30th sermon in the book of Acts.

Not even 1/2 way through

Not getting bogged down in the minutia

Lots more to learn from this book

Taking a break for Thanksgiving and Christmas season

Blessing to experience the birth and growth of the church.

Always pointing people to Jesus

Always seeing life change in the believer

Always using their gifts to serve one another

Model of the Antioch Church

Establishment of the Church

Gospel preached; people saved

Discipleship in the Church

Barnabas sent

Paul and Barnabas teach

Ministry From The Church

Read Acts 11:27-30

Unlike today, inter-church ministries appear to be the norm of the NT church.

Inter-Church Preaching

verses 27-28

Jerusalem was the hub of the Christian church

Prophets sent by Apostles

Prophets were part of the foundation of the church, along with the Apostles Ephesians 2:19–20 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.

Barnabas and Paul had been teaching the church doctrine

Prophets would have new revelation or to simply teach the church

1 Corinthians 14:3–4 the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation… the one who prophesies builds up the church.

Agabus encouraged the church through warning of a famine.

Shows God is in control Isaiah 46:9–10 I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’”

Gave them opportunity to prepare

Famine came about during the reign of Claudius (AD 41-54)

The Bible Exposition Commentary

Ancient writers mention at least four famines: two in Rome, one in Greece, and one in Judea. The famine in Judea was especially severe, and the Jewish historian Josephus records that many people died for lack of money to buy what little food was available.

“Inter-church” preaching today:

Evangelists traveling to churches

Apologists training in churches

Missions agencies/conferences

Not quite the same as NT church

Acts 11: Jerusalem church sent them

Today: organizations send them

Bottom-line:

People using their gifts to build up the church

Ephesians 4:7-16

God used the prophets to stir up the hearts of believers to do the will of God.

As a pastor, or as Elders, we cannot be jealous for the ministry of equipping and encouraging

Many teachers/preachers to do the job; pastor/elders as shepherds can warn or encourage what the sheep are exposed to

Inter-Church Giving

verse 29-30

The ministry of compassion was birthed from a heart of compassion, which was grown through knowledge of the gospel of compassion.

This is what biblical discipleship leads to

Greater knowledge Matthew 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

Greater desire Jeremiah 31:33 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts.

Leo Tolstoy

When I came to believe in Christ’s teaching, I ceased desiring what I had wished for before. The direction of my life, my desires, became different. What was good and bad had changed places.

Greater obedience Ezekiel 36:27 And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

John Stott Christian obedience is unlike every other kind of obedience. It is not the obedience of slaves or soldiers, but essentially the obedience of lovers who know, love and trust the person who issues the commands.

In their knowledge of, desire for, and obedience to Christ, Antioch believers practiced others mindedness.

Expression of gratitude for receiving the gospel Romans 15:27 For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.

Opportunity to participate 1 Corinthians 16:1–2 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.

Giving with cheerfulness 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

It is the design of the church to be mindful of the needs of others, even those in other churches.

Let’s not ignore the opportunities we have to support other churches.

Church Planting

Read Acts 13:1-3

What takes place beginning in Acts 13 and following are the missionary journeys of Paul.

Sent out from Antioch

Fulfilling his chosen purpose Acts 9:15 he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

The church participated in the ministry

Fasted and prayed [need and dependence]

Sent them off

Church planting is more than a ministry for missionaries.

Church planting is a ministry that the church must participate in.

A Great Commission church ought to seek to plant churches

Planting churches = making disciples Planting churches ≠ buildings

The Antioch Church was chosen by God to be the hub of church planting in the Gentile world.

The Jerusalem Church was used by God to be the hub of church planting in Jewish societies.

Both churches were used by God to plant churches in other towns/countries.

Those churches, in turn, were used by God to plant churches in other towns/countries

Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations

2 Timothy 2:2 what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.

The Antioch Church is a model from which all other local churches can learn from.

Establishment of the Church

Discipleship in the Church

Ministry from the Church

It is how God uses His people to reach the world with the gospel message.

It is how God will use FBS to reach Shapleigh with the gospel message.