Embracing Our Great Commission Calling

There are many mission organizations across the world.

We support missionaries sent out by these organizations.

But we need to realize that missions starts in the local church!

The early church didn’t have a missionary society or the backing of a national missionary agency.

They didn’t pool their funds and give out money to certain people that they had trained and endorsed!

Being a Great Commission Church starts with Great Commission Christians hearing and heeding the call of God! Thank God He still calls and equips His saints for His service in this world.

Henry Martyn, a man who took the Gospel to the far corners of India and Persia, once said, "The Spirit of Christ is the spirit of missions, and the nearer we get to Him, the more intensely missionary we must become."

As we begin to look at chapter 13 of the book of Acts, Luke tells us some of the characteristics of the church at Antioch.

The church at Antioch was

a servant church,

a supplied church,

and a sending church.

God calls every local church to be a mission minded, mission supplying, and mission sending church.

Emil Brunner said, “The church exists by mission, just as a fire exists by burning. Where there is no mission, there is no church; and where there is neither church nor mission, there is no faith.”

Are we a “Great Commission Church?” Are we on mission with the Lord Jesus Christ? Are we here to simply keep the lights on, enjoy each others’ presence and hope people come, and trust the Lord? Are we a servant church? Are we a supplied church? Are we a sending church?

This passage gives us some reminders about a Great Commission church.

Read Acts 12:25-13:3.

Barnabas and Saul’s Return to Antioch (12:25)

A. Their journey back. (25a)

Barnabas and Saul had completed their mission of carrying the famine relief funds sent to Judea by the church members in Antioch.

This dynamic duo showed up, did the work, and now they are heading back. But not to relax. They were gearing up for the next round because serving God isn’t a one-and-done deal. It’s a lifetime commitment.

Paul and Barnabas understood that when God hands you a mission, He's trusting you to see it through, not just to give it a good start and then quit, but to bring it home, to completion.

They didn't view their mission as a burden but as a privilege, an opportunity to serve God and in turn, serve His people.

So, what's our takeaway here? It's about understanding the weight of God's assignments and embracing them with dedication and perseverance. It's about being the kind of person who finishes what they start, not for our own glory but for God's. It's a reminder that in God's kingdom, reliability and dedication aren't optional; they're essential.

As we reflect on the example of Paul and Barnabas, let's challenge ourselves. Are we treating God's assignments in our lives with the seriousness they deserve? Are we just good starters, or are we finishers? Let's commit to being people who see things through, who complete the tasks God entrusts to us, showing the world that when we work for God, we're in it for the long haul, all the way to the finish line.

B. They’re accompanied by John Mark.

John Mark is younger and can bring something fresh, new energy to the team.

The mission of spreading the gospel is bigger than any one individual. By bringing John Mark, Paul and Barnabas were showing us the importance of teamwork, mentorship, and the multiplying effect of discipleship.

So, what does this mean for us? Well, it challenges us to look around and ask, "Who can I bring along on this journey of faith?" It encourages us to open our circles, to mentor, and to invest in others. It reminds us that the mission is not just about what we can do alone but about how we can empower and equip others to join in the work God has called us to do.

We’re Introduced to the Team at Antioch (13:1)

The church at Antioch was known for its prophets and teachers. They were grounded in the word of God.

Luke tells us of the prophets and teachers there, and gives us a list of these men of God who were faithful to God.

No wonder the church at Antioch was a “Great Commission Church” with the men of God preaching and teaching and instructing the believers in righteousness.

Thank God for churches who are known for strong and sound Biblical teaching!

Luke mentions five of the prophets and teachers that were serving in the church at Antioch.

Barnabas: the Son of Encouragement who was known for his service and sacrifice for the kingdom of God. Some bible scholars believe he might have been the “senior pastor” in the Antioch congregation.

Simeon: which Luke tells us was called “Niger” which means “black” in Latin. This would indicate that the church at Antioch was a diverse group from different places and different colors.

Lucius of Cyrene: he was from North Africa. He probably ended up in Antioch after he fled from Jerusalem when the persecution against the church broke out.

Manaen: Luke tells us that he had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch. This Herod is the one who had John the Baptist killed. Manaen’s name means “comforter.”

Saul: this is Saul of Tarsus who became Paul the Apostle.

These are the renowned prophets and teachers of Antioch. The Bible tells us of the return to Antioch, the leaders in Antioch, and we also see:

The Response in Antioch of the Return of Saul and Barnabas (13:2-3)

A. They were sensitive to the Sprit. (2)

The Bible tells us that the men of God were faithful in ministering to the Lord.

Ministered: leitourgeo, li-toorg-eh’-o, to be a public servant, i.e. (by analogy) to perform religious or charitable functions (worship, obey, relieve):- minister. This word spoke of the priestly duty and work of the priest in service to the Lord.

Luke reminds us that the prophets and teachers of Antioch spent time ministering to the Lord!

We need to make sure that we minister to the Lord before we try to minister for the Lord!

We need to make sure we worship the Lord before we try to work for the Lord.

John MacArthur wrote, “Their ministering was not to the congregation but to the Lord. It is crucial to understand that God is the audience for all spiritual ministry.”

They were faithful serving the Lord Jesus. When we are busy ministering to the Lord Jesus He will set us to serving the Lord Jesus.

John G. Butler wrote, “They were busy serving the Lord in Antioch when God called them. God does not call the lazy, the slothful, the loafers. God calls those who are busy doing what they can. Serve faithfully where you are if you are going to receive a call to serve elsewhere.”

If you are disobedient to what the Lord has called you to don’t expect Him to give you another assignment until you have fulfilled your ministry that He already has for you.

David Jeremiah wrote, “God doesn’t usually ask people who are doing nothing to do something. He calls people who are doing something to do something more—more important, more urgent, more sacrificial.”

The Bible tells us of their faithfulness. We also are reminded of:

B. Their fasting (2b)

This word tells us that they sensed the urgency of the situation and sought to draw near to God.

They denied the physical so that they could focus on the spiritual.

The early church fasted for spiritual breakthroughs and they saw God answer prayers, send His power, change lives, and save souls.

The prophets and teachers were busy ministering to the Lord and fasting before the Lord!

We could learn a lot from the early church.

The Bible tells us in verse 2 that they were sensitive to the Spirit, we also see:

C. They were set apart for service

“the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me”

When we are sensitive to the Holy Spirit we can hear what He says to us.

They discerned the Spirit’s voice.

The Holy Spirit doesn’t use wasted words.

It is interesting to note that when we get serious about seeking the Lord Jesus that He will speak to us in ways we can understand and we will discern His will.

They were serious about seeking the Lord and they were sensitive to the Spirit.

They were busy ministering to the Lord and fasting and it was during that time that the Lord clearly spoke to these men about His will.

When the Holy Spirit speaks we better listen!

Notice the contents of His message!

The Lord wanted some set apart for His service.

The Lord still calls for His servants to be set apart for His work.

The Spirit’s message was clear and concise.

We’ve learned about the Spirit’s message, we also learn about:

D. The men set apart

“Barnabas and Saul”

The Spirit spoke to the prophets at Antioch and told them to set apart for Him Barnabas and Saul.

The men clearly heard the message about God’s men. They knew who God was calling to be on mission for Him. Illustration: It is amazing that George Muller became a missionary at the age of seventy.

He had been turned down as a missionary five times in the first eight years after he was saved.

The shortsighted mission boards lost a great prospective missionary for the Lord Jesus who was one of the giants of the faith in his time.

I wonder if that mission board didn’t hear clearly the Spirit’s message about the Spirit’s man!

When the Spirit calls He knows

where we are,

who we are

and what we are doing!

He called their name. There was no mistaking who the Lord was calling.

They clearly heard the voice of the Lord! The Spirit of God had spoken and He chose Barnabas and Saul.

E. The Spirit gives the mandate

“For the work which I have called them.”

The Lord had a work for Barnabas and Saul to do.

He has a work for you and me to do.

Work:, er’-gon; toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication an act -deed, doing, labor, work.

God doesn’t call us to play, but to work.

He doesn’t call us to fuss and fight, but to work.

He doesn’t call us to lounge, but to labor.

He has a mandate on our lives. He has a call for His children and His church to do.

Called: proskaleomai, pros-kal-eh’-om-ahee; to call toward oneself, i.e. summon, invite call (for, to, unto).

John MacArthur wrote, “God sovereignly calls men to the ministry. The church did not choose Saul and Barnabas. Indeed, they would probably have been the last two chosen, since they were the best the church had. Nor did Saul and Barnabas volunteer. Instead, the Spirit sovereignly called them to full-time missionary service.”

This principle should be followed by every church throughout the ages.

God calls missionaries from the local church to serve Him in the nations.

F. Barnabas and Saul are sent. (3)

They were prayed over, and commissioned.

The laying on of hands was a symbolic act of identifying with the believers.

It was used in the Old Testament where the worshiper would lay hands on the sacrifice before the animal was sacrificed to the Lord.

This laying on of hands in no way conveyed spiritual power or rites to Barnabas and Saul.

The believers laid hands on the two men and prayed for them.

They were coming together and letting Barnabas and Saul know that they were endorsing their ministry, they would support their work, they would pray for their usefulness in service to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Sent: apoluo, ap-ol-oo’-o, to free fully, i.e. (literal) relieve, release, dismiss (reflexive depart), or (figurative) let die, pardon, or (specifically) divorce (let) depart, dismiss, divorce, forgive, let go, loose, put (send) away, release, set at liberty.

The church at Antioch released Barnabas and Saul for service in the mission field.

They gave them their blessing, they sanctioned their work, they prayed for them, and they parted from them.

Barnabas and Saul had the blessing of the church!

Remember: The local church is the missionary sending station!

God calls saints to go on mission for Him.

Being a missionary is not

a career move,

a job,

something the church makes you do,

but it is a calling from God.

John Phillips wrote, “That was the way the early church appointed its first missionaries and sent them on their way. As a plan for selecting and sending missionaries to the foreign field, it simply cannot he rivaled. It is church-centered, church-supported, and church-supervised.”

Are we a Great Commission Church? Are we on mission with God? Are we a serving church? Are we a supplied church? Are we a sending church?