Being a Missionary to a Lost World

TEXT: Acts 13:1-12

Acts 13:1–12 (NLT)

1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.

5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.

6 Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye.

10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord?

11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

INTRODUCTION:

I. A DIVINE CALL (Acts 13:1-4).

Acts 13:1–4 (NLT)

1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.

A. The call originates from God (Acts 13:2).

Acts 13:2 (NLT)

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

1. The general call is given to all who have been saved.

a. (Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

b. (Mark 16:15)

Mark 16:15 (NLT)

15 And then he told them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.

2. The specific call is given to the ones God has shaped for the work.

a. (Romans 1:1)

Romans 1:1 (NLT)

1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News.

b. (Acts 9:15)

Acts 9:15 (NLT)

15 But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

c. (Hebrews 5:4)

Hebrews 5:4 (NLT)

4 And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was.

d. (Ephesians 3:7)

Ephesians 3:7 (NLT)

7 By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

B. The call is recognized by Godly leaders within the local church. (Acts 13:1-2 a)

Acts 13:1–2 (NLT)

1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.

2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”

1. (Romans 10:15)

C. The call is confirmed through the open support of the church. (Acts 13:3).

Acts 13:3 (NLT)

3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

1. (Galatians 2:9)

D. The call is obeyed with confidence by the ones called. (Acts 13:4).

1. (Acts 13:4)

Acts 13:4 (NLT)

4 So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.

II. A DEFINITE MISSION (Acts 13:5-12)

A. The mission is to preach the Word where ever the Lord sends us. (Acts 13:5).

Acts 13:5 (NLT)

5 There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.

1. (Acts 1:8)

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

2. (Matthew 28:19)

Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

3. (Acts 8:40)

Acts 8:40 (NLT)

40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea.

B. The mission is to be carried out even in the face of opposition. (Acts 13:6-8).

Acts 13:6–8 (NLT)

6 Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus.

7 He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God.

8 But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

1. (Acts 8:4)

Acts 8:4 (NLT)

4 But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went.

2. (1 Thessalonians 2:2)

1 Thessalonians 2:2 (NLT)

2 You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition.

C. The mission is to be performed in a holy boldness. (Acts 13:9- 11).

Acts 13:9–11 (NLT)

9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye.

10 Then he said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord?

11 Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

1. (Acts 14:3)

Acts 14:3 (NLT)

3 But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders.

2. (Acts 4:13)

Acts 4:13 (NLT)

13 The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.

D. The mission is assured of success by the one who sends us. (Acts 13:12).

Acts 13:12 (NLT)

12 When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

1. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (NLT)

4 We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.

2. (Matthew 16:18)

Matthew 16:18 (NLT)

18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.

CONCLUSION: