A healthy Church-- Acts 13
Notes
Transcript
Please turn to Acts 12:25, which is the last verse at the end of chapter 12...
have you ever been sick and googled your symptoms....
ever done that...
“upset stomach, sore throat, stuffy nose, earache...”
google results…the top one says “You should not be alive....”
it’s usually not a good idea b/c I even remember when my wife was pregnant we would google, “Is it safe to use this kind of lotion on my hands...” and there was always one crazy story of someone whose pregnancy was affected by apple scented lotion.
this desire of course—is not a bad desire—it comes from the desire for health.
we don’t like being unhealthy or sick. we want things to be right.
this is not only true about us physically—
but also true for us spiritually—individually and as a church. we want to be healthy...
one of the best questions you can ask as we read through the book of Acts is--What makes a healthy church?
not perfect church but healthy.
I like this better than perfection—b/c just as my body and health is never perfect…I can be healthy. a church—we are never perfect—only Jesus is—we will only be perfect when we are with Him for eternity…
but we can be healthy and conformed more and more to the image of Jesus which is what true church health is.
2 weeks ago, we looked at the Church in Antioch—and what a healthy church looks like...
we see at the end of Acts 11...
an evangelizing church —ordinary people on mission for Jesus - we had Shelby Taylor share a little bit about what they are doing for a food collection in their neighborhood. just ordinary people on a mission for Jesus’ sake together...
we said an encouraging and embracing church of all kinds of people - centered on Jesus - even looking out for new people…and we had one dad say that after the service, he was trying to go pick up his kid, but couldn’t get there b/c several people introduced themselves to him (I love that)
an edifying church—meaning it soaks in the Word of God - the Word of God is primary—I have nothing good to say—only God’s Word does.
and a generous church…as the church in Antioch collected an offering...
and then it’s like Luke almost interrupts the flow of the story by talking about Peter being arrested by King Herod—but God taking King Herod down—eaten by worms...
but then he gets back to his story....
we see a couple more qualities of a healthy church...
Acts 12:25–13:3 (NIV)
25 When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission (that was the mission to take an offering from Antioch to Jerusalem to help their Christians brothers and sisters suffering from a famine) , they returned from Jerusalem, taking with them John, also called Mark. (that’s the same John Mark would write the Gospel of Mark—also Barnabas’ cousin)
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
look at the map here briefly—here is Antioch…vs. Jerusalem...
(1st missionary journey map)
The Gospel started in Jerusalem—but it has sense broadened...
and we see this church at Antioch really becomes a model church for us....
what does a healthy church look like in addition to the qualities I mentioned earlier...
a diverse church (or multi-cultural church)- (centered on Jesus) (vs. 1)
look at vs. 1 again
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
(map—bigger one)
we know Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus (on bigger map) that’s back in chapter 4)
Simeon called Niger—literally means Simeon the black—meaning he probably had dark skin, or a dark complexion. it’s possibly he was from North Africa here—he may even been Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross of Jesus when Jesus couldn’t-not totally sure—but some wonder that.
we have Lucius of Cyrene—from North Africa (here)
so Simeon and Lucius may have been the first African missionaries recorded in Scripture
and then Manaen (who had been brought up from Herod the tetrarch—that’s Herod Antipas a different Herod than last chapter’s Herod. this Herod here is the one who had John the Baptist beheaded; this Herod here is the one that Jesus stood trial before—the Roman governor Pilate had sent him.)
not to mention Saul or Paul—who is from Tarsus—grew up as a Jew, religious leader...
this is a diverse group...
ethnically…or racially...
socio-economically—one being brought up in the royal court...
religiously…(some Jewish background, some Gentile background)
the Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrates all levels of society…and...
it creates a new community of people...
not just multi-cultural people…but multi-cultural LEADERSHIP…these are mentioned as prophets and teachers.
and I think this is a sign of a healthy church…not an easy church…it’s messy…but healthy...
why?
I am not mentioning diversity here for diversity’s sake. that word can be overused—it’s sometimes overused in corporate America. diversity training or sensitivity training…it can be overused in education circles and politics.
but even our culture recognizes this is a good desire to have diversity but unity--- we are a diverse melting pot and we all need to get along…
but easier said than done.
when the church of Jesus Christ actually has one community—one church but made of all kinds of people—that’s amazing! THE WORLD TAKES NOTICE
Jesus had said: John 13:34
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
one of the strongest apologetics or supports for the church—is a diverse group—centered on Jesus Christ. notice I said centered on Jesus—it’s not diversity for diversity’s sake—it centers on him as Savior and Lord.
think of how challenging this can be…
in our church back in Lima—Lima is more diverse than this area—racially and economically. and we were striving to be a church that reflected that—so hard.
but I remember preaching on this and asking our black brothers and sisters—and white brothers and sisters—I asked our white brothers to fill in the blank (in their heads)....black people are so ________. and our black brothers and sisters.... white people are so ________. And they all smiled…b/c they know it’s true! WE ALL like to say we are accepting and don’t have stereotypes—but we can’t help it—I have that problem. but the good news is we can own it.
or economically—people of different economic classes—have different perspectives on the world. I heard some of our poorer brothers and sisters—say “I can’t believe all these rich people. they don’t realize how good they have it...” (which deeply offended our middle and upper class people), or some of our upper class look down and say things like “they just need to work harder… (which might be true) but there was lots of factors—things beneathe the things that prevented that. try to put poor and rich together in a Bible study group together—you have the potential for explosion!
it is hard enough to get along or make friends with people like you. spend time with a person long enough—and you will run eventually discover parts about them you don’t like—or that annoy you. you won’t see things the same—just start talking about politics—and you will think “I can’t believe I worship with a person with THOSE kind of views...”
but this is the beautiful vision of the Gospel—that we are not just reconciled or forgiven and restored vertically to God—but horizontally to our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. with Jesus at the center it is actually possible… there’s more that unites us than divides us.
look at how Ephesians 2 says it:
Ephesians 2:11–18 (NIV)
11 Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— (remember this in Acts—Acts 10—and 11—so difficult for the circumcised Jews to accept the uncircumcised Gentiles)
12 remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,
15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace,
16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
it is Jesus Christ who modeled this—in his ministry—think of the 12 apostles—you had those of Jewish background, Matthew was a tax collector for the Romans, Simon was the Zealot politically, some were fisherman…this was a rag tag band--
it was Jesus who demonstrated this in the types of people he reached—he ministers to the Jews, His own people, the religious leaders, but also Gentiles, tax collectors, prostitutes, and sinners.
it was Jesus’ work on the cross that enables us to truly fulfill this—we can’t do this without Jesus.
and He is not just making us acquaintances—but BROTHERS AND SISTERS—one family—when the world sees that—it is AMAZING…we are united by the blood of Jesus...
one of the signs that Jesus is really working in your life—the Gospel is getting into your digestive system and your blood is that you don’t just tolerate people different than you—but seek them out...
one of the greatest ways we can do this within our own church family is generationally—we are a multi-generational church...
(story of conference this past week?…)
another sign of healthy church…is
2. a plurality of leaders - not just one leader here but many.
look at this multi-cultural plurality of leadership:
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
now the church is still in infancy…elders are not mentioned.
but in the Jersualem church—that church has been around long enough:
30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
as churches get more established…the Apostle Paul will have elders leader churches.
23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
so Paul and Barnabas’ strategy was to spread the Gospel,
plant or start new churches,
and establish a plurality of leaders—called elders who wo uld oversee and shepherd and lead these local churches.
we see some of their qualifications:
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.
2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,
3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect.
5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)
6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.
notice that most of these qualities—are not skill driven—they are character driven...
notice only 2 are really skill driven—being able to teach---and managing their own family well...
we here at FMC have 6 elders besides myself...
Luke Liechty (31)
Brad Abnet (34)
—Rick (39)
Chris Hawbaker (49)
Lloyd Sarasin (65)
Jerry Amstutz (68)
Larry McMullen (76)
we actually have a brochure here if you want to read about them as well as our deaconesses who help oversee the church.
and I believe here in infancy form—we have something very healthy. it’s not just one person—claiming to be the MAN or leader—churches that have that seem to get domineering, and out of balance. it’s a plurality of leaders.
I have been so thankful for elders at our last church in Lima and this church. I take my toughest problems to them. we try to solve problems together; we try to lead together; not one of us has all the spiritual gifts—it’s a team. not all of us have the same passions which is good-but we all have a passion for Jesus. we try to hold each other accountable. they are not to be yes men for every idea I or the staff may have. they need to say “no” and challenge us.
there is something so incredibly beautiful and healthy about a plurality of leaders leading the church TOGETHER...
it’s important for you as you look for a church—chances are you won’t be here forever—do they have elders? do they have a plurality of leaders—or is there too much emphasis on ONE PERSON—that’s unhealthy. part of our celebrity evangelical culture—mega church culture—it can be that way if we are not careful.
and at the same time—if you look carefully—the leadership and congregation are working TOGETHER—IN TANDEM.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
NT scholars note that the “they” in vs. 3 is not just the leader mentioned—but the church in agreement. a healthy church you could add is the leadership working in tandem with the congregation TOGETHER. the leaders did not outrun the congregation…the congregation supported them
i love how they laid hands on them...laying hands on—in contrast to Herod who laid his hands on James (12:1) and the early church
3. sensitivity to the Holy Spirit leading…not just individually but corporately...
look at vs. 2-3
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
they are worshipping....praying…fasting...
fasting is abstaining from food for the purpose of focusing on the Lord in prayer. it is only mentioned one more time in Acts.
23 Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.
and they sense TOGETHER that the Holy Spirit is leading in this direction.
how did they hear the Holy Spirit say it? good question!
Was it audible? I don’t know—probably not…but I don’t know.
overall, they had this sense that God was calling them to send Barnabas and Saul.
I love that this was discerning TOGETHER.
sometimes, we as Christians individually can play the Holy Spirit card or God told me card—you can be in a mtg discussing an idea and someone says “Well God told me...”
now, we have to be discerning—it is very possible that God told that one person and everyone else is wrong—that happens.
but I wonder if that can be used as a tool of manipulation at times...
if God told one person—He will start to confirm it through His leadership and people together. (same in marriage) we see here in a healthy church the Spirit is not just moving in one person in opposition—it’s the church together.
As they seek the face of the Lord TOGETHER…prayer and fasting—God moves.
to send them on a mission to reach more of the region for Jesus Christ.
notice—they are sending their very best!! Barnabas and Saul are the varsity team—dynamic encourager, dynamic teacher and leader…it’s a reminder that we should send our very best to missions, church plants, and opportunities—we don’t HOARD resources.
this is reflective of our God who is a sending God—God the Father so loved the world that He gave or sent His only Son! that whoever believes in him should have eternal life.
they didn’t hoard resources…
they are sensitive to the Spirit’s leading to be on a mission TOGETHER.
it’s a good reminder that all of us have a mission for Jesus in our individual and family lives—but we also have a mission corporately as a church—we can accomplish so much more TOGETHER than we can apart. this is part of the reason why churches exist—to pool resources TOGETHER.
this is even why—and we don’t always like the word—denominations exist—we are part of the missionary church based out of Fort Wayne…we have a missions organization—World Partners...
how to end..
i have been mentioning it…these characteristics of a healthy church (really a healthy Christian too)
diversity
a plurality of leaders—working in tandem with congregation
and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit...
all reflect Jesus...
a healthy church is conformed more and more to the image of Jesus Christ--
after all Jesus exists within unity and diversity—Trinity. God the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Jesus crossed all sorts of barriers to reach all kinds of people—the biggest being He took on human flesh...
Jesus called 12 men to follow him—working with them…pouring into them—to become leaders of the early church—and he appoints now leaders today in the form of elders
and Jesus most of all was led by the Spirit…I would encourage you to read the book of Luke—and note how often Jesus was led or filled with the Spirit...
this all reflects Jesus—as we keep our eyes on Jesus—He fills us with His Spirit so we can be the church God is calling us to be.
Final plug — Brianna’s Hope—Thursday 7-8pm special speaker—anyone is welcome—here in the sanctuary. Come celebrate 3 years with us!