Making Disciples is not For the Faint of Heart

Acts 11:19–30 ESV

19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

EXPANSION OF THE CHURCH IN ANTIOCH

The men who had traveled from Africa are now spreading the gospel among the Gentile unbelievers. To be clear, Peter had preached to Cornelius, a Gentile, but no one—as far as we can tell from the history Scripture records—had acted strategically and intentionally to preach to the Gentiles up to this point. The Samaritan awakening was not exactly like this one either, since the Samaritans were close cousins to the Jews (Keller, Evangelism, 98). These mavericks are doing something new.

In Our text this morning, we find 2 very important reasons we need more discipleship.

1. Discipleship is not an Option for Believers.

vs. 21 The Hand of the Lord was on them:

Arthur Pink “Nothing is too great and nothing is too small to commit into the hands of the Lord.”

vs. 23b Remain True, with a Resolute Heart, to the Lord:

We must remember that our ultimate goal and purpose, from the moment we open our eyes in the morning till we shut them again at night, is to Let the Holiness of the Lord be written on our hearts in all we Say and do.

The pursuit of Holiness is the end Goal of our life and being. 1 Peter 1:15-16

1 Peter 1:15–16 ESV

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

vs. 24 “A Large Crowd was Added to their Number Daily.”

This reminds us of Acts 2:47. After Pentecost, we read that the Lord added to the daily number of people who were being saved.

(an anonymous quote) “The Lord mad Adam from the dust of the earth, but when the first toddler came along, he added electricity.”

vs. 26 And For a whole year, they met with the Church and taught a great number of people:

The object of discipleship and teaching is to enable those being disciples to reach the point where they no longer need the teacher. In education, the teacher's goal is to move students to a place where they no longer need the teacher's instructions.

What is the goal of parenting? The goal of parenting is to grow your children into responsible capable adults where they no longer require your parenting. How sad it would be or in many cases is where your children are middle age adults and still cannot function in society without your help. This is why we must have purposeful discipleship in the Church today.

Japanese Maker Craftsmanship and Discipleship

Today there are only 30 some odd people who make a living as a sword craftsman. One such craftsman proclaimed that when he was younger he was making swords just because he loved it. But as he got older he started to realize that he needed someone to pass his craft on to.

There are basically no instructions or formulas to make Koto Traditional Swords. Many traditional craftsmen respond to modern times when handing down their craft. But the essence of the tradition suffers in doing so. I think it is meaningless to carry on tradition that way.

I want my disciple to pass me as a sword maker. It is my duty to build up a disciple better than me. Otherwise the tradition will wear thin with time. What I received from my master is not only the technique, but also his passion for sword making. I want my disciple to receive my passion, and I believe he will pass down his own passion for sword making to the next generations

a). We Learn to Mirror Jesus in Every Aspect of Life

John 8:31–32 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

True Disciples abide in the word of God

True Disciples take up their cross daily and follow Him. (Luke 9:23)

It is clear that the call that Jesus first gave to Peter and Andrew was a call for a double action, “Leave and Follow.” Leave your nets behind, and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

The call was to forsake one thing for another.

b). We Learn to Forsake the Lesser for the Greater.

Remember that Peter spoke at one point telling Jesus

“See we have left everything to follow you.”

Jesus had just taught on the riches of a man who finds a great treasure buried in a field and goes to sell all he has to possess such a treasure. The greater picture that Jesus was trying to convey to the disciples is that there is something better out there and discipleship is the greater calling to take hold of it.

The human is a deep creature: "not just a body, but a soul. Not just a soul, but a soul with a passion and a desire. Not just a desire for being liked or for playing softball or collecting shells." And Jesus says, "Follow me." His call harmonizes with our inherent depth.

Look, here's the treasure. It's me. Then we are awakened, muddy hands and all, wallowing in the slums this whole time but now testifying of a "desire for something infinitely greater and more beautiful and valuable and satisfying.

Now these diverse, newly converted believers need to be discipled. Two dynamic leaders, Barnabas and Saul, arrive to strengthen them.

Four Purposes for Discipleship

1). Accountability

Remember when the Jerusalem church sent Peter and John to endorse the evangelistic work in Samaria (8:14)? This time, the church sent Barnabas to check out things in Antioch.

This was an effort at “quality control.” The church wanted to evaluate what was going on in Antioch.

Why Accountability is Vital to Spiritual Growth?

Without accountability few believers walk with the Lord for a lifetime. This is one of the reasons that churches should have a membership process. The church elders and pastors are called to shepherd the flock. How do we know who we are accountable to shepherd and disciple if we first do not know who is a part of the flock of God.

The early church understood the great need for accountability in discipleship. When you have people from so many diverse and even pagan cultures now melding together the process of accountability helps the church discern who are truly followers of Christ and who are impostors, wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Jesus warns, in Matthew 7:15-20, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” In these words, Jesus gives us a clear warning and follows up with a way to test someone's public ministry. The warning is important.

Note: We are called to have confidence in our spiritual leaders and to submit to their authority.

Hebrews 13:17 ESV

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Please don’t make your pastor have to GROAN because you are not placing yourself under his care and protection. Don’t make him have to chase after you because you keep trying to wiggle out of the sheep fold.

Knowing that we are in a battle against the forces of darkness, we should want someone in the fight with us who can gather around us, and this should include making ourselves accountable to another mature believer in Christ who can encourage us in the fight. Eph. 6:12.

Have you done everything possible to stand firm, as Paul writes in Ephesians 6:13: if you do not have someone holding you accountable, I would say you are missing one of the key components of your armor against Satan’s schemes and deceptions. The person you are accountable to can help you see the holes in your armor.

All of us struggle with identifying our own weaknesses.

2). Encouragement

Acts 11:22–24 ESV

22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.

Barnabas was a Hellenist from Cyprus, which meant that he could relate to the Gentiles better than the Jewish Palestinian could. We also see that he genuinely Loved People. His gifts fit his nickname, “Son of Encouragement.”

The music, dress, language, and customs of Antioch would have been vastly different than those of Jerusalem. But, because Barnabas see’s the big picture, he can rejoice in spite of their differences, not feeling the need to impress a particular form of church life on the saints at Antioch.

While implementing sound theology is a major part of discipleship, having good biblical teaching without implementing encouragement does not necessarily stir one another up to love and good works as we read about in Hebrews 10:24.

verse 24 “Added to the Lord.”

This indicates that Barnabas’s discipleship efforts apparently involved helping to equip and encourage new lay evangelists to share the gospel with their friends.

3). Instruction

Barnabas goes to find Paul, whom he had previously spent time with in Jerusalem (9:27). He knows of Paul’s calling to go to the Gentiles and knows Paul’s ability to bridge the gap between two different people.

I find it interesting that in a moment when Barnabas could have made a name for himself with this fledgling new church he chose to humble himself and go get Paul who was the right person for the job.

Soon the Acts narrative will shine more on Saul/Paul than Barnabas, as we will read not of “Barnabas and Saul” but of “Paul and Barnabas” in chapter 13.

Teaching is a critical component in the discipleship process. Listening to music on Air 1 radio or K-Love alone will not make you a mature believer, nor will you merely attend a worship service or listen to a podcast.

CHRISTIANS NEED TO KNOW AND LEARN HOW TO APPLY SCRIPTURE

We all need faithful instruction from the Lord, this is a continual process until we meet him face to face.

Notice that they dedicated a whole year to disciple and instruct the new believers. The believers they taught patiently and persistently learned, being prepared for the mission that is ahead.

4). Fruit

The believers in Antioch didn’t call themselves Christians. Rather, they were “called Christians.” This title only occurs here, in 26:28 and 1 Peter 4:16. In each case, it’s a term outsiders use. The saints in Antioch so identified with Jesus that fellow Gentile observers called them “little Christs.”

Christians were so different from everyone else in society that they had to come up with a third designation or Classification of People. Something beyond just Jew and Gentile.

Where in the past they saw followers of Jesus of Nazareth as some hybrid form of Judaism, they are now given a new classification distinctly different from Judaism.

People from all different cultures and backgrounds are now all worshiping together. This unified group represents a new race of people. The Christian race of people.

Even today, in many places, people assume that a person's faith is based on some kind of ethnic distinction, social class, or family, but the Antioch believers showed the world something beautifully different from the rest of the world.

THESE CHRISTIANS HAD DIFFERENT:

Backgrounds

Values

Way of Life

Message

Acts 12:1–5 ESV

1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

2. Discipleship Prepares the Church for Opposition and Advancement

Main Idea: King Herod launches a public assault on the leaders of the church in Jerusalem, killing James and imprisoning Peter, but he ultimately cannot stop the advancement of Christ’s kingdom.

Rivalries exist everywhere. In politics it’s Democrats versus Republicans. In computers it’s Mac versus PC. In sports it’s Auburn versus Alabama. In superhero movies it’s Superman versus Lex Luther. In the home it’s kids versus vegetables!

And in the kingdom of God, it’s the kingdom of darkness opposing the kingdom of God’s beloved Son (Col 1:11–12). Importantly, in this last example in particular, the rivals aren’t equal. Not even close.

The following narrative shows the dire consequences of standing against the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

a). We learn to Count the Cost

The tyrant leading the attack of the church is Herod Agrippa I. He killed James the brother of John by running him through with a sword and has now imprisoned Peter.

Throughout history the pendulum swings between expansion and opposition with the backdrop of knowing that even the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s church.

Scene 1 THE EVIL ATTACK

If you are familiar with the Bible, you are familiar with the name Harod, but it’s easy to confuse the Harods. This Herodian dynasty was notorious for attacking the people of God. They ruled Palestine with the delegated power of Rome. Herod Agrippa I’s grandfather was Herod the Great, who was responsible for slaughtering the babies after the magi’s visit (Matt 1:16–18).

Herod Antipas, a younger son of Herod the Great and uncle of Herod Agrippa I, beheaded John the Baptist.

Herod Agrippa, the first, holds many of the evil marks of his evil family's long history in Judea.

Herod Agrippa uses a different method of eradicating this band of Christians than that of Paul’s house to house search.

Agrippa opts to put the leaders of the church to death in order to dash the moral of the church leading them to disperse and eventually die.

He starts with James son of Zebedee and brother of John, not to be confused with James the half brother of Jesus. Herod kills this important leader of the church with the sword, which may imply execution by beheading. Now after the death of Stephen the church now mourns the death of the first apostle. Eventually all of the apostles except for John will meet a similar fate.

Herod’s executing of James intended to placate to both the Jews and the Romans. For the Roman’s he could show his extreme efforts to keep the peace, even thought James and Peter were not political revolutionaries. And for the Jews he could show that he was standing up for traditional Jewish laws.

We do not have to look far to find the act of beheading as a society's answer for Christians.

The images of ISIS beheading professing believers on the coast of Libya will never leave my mind. But Christians can die with confidence because our King can put heads back on.

Harold may have possibly started with James and not Peter, who seems to be the more outspoken of the two, to the crowd's reaction to his cruelty. Peter would have been moving up to the top of the leadership chain as far as the early church was concerned.

b). We Learn that the Counter to Opposition is Prayer

Don’t miss that the church counters with prayer when Harod attacks with the sword. This should always be the church's response during trials and persecution.

God’s people have always faced persecution.

Take your pick of tyrant: Pharao, Jezabel, Nebuchadnezzar, Herod. Already in the first 11 chapters we have witnessed opposition in the form of threats, intimidation, physical beatings, and stoning.

We should never be amazed when we face opposition for living on mission for the kingdom of God.

1 Peter 4:12–13 ESV

12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Philippians 1:29 ESV

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,

John 16:33 ESV

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

The Bible clearly outlines suffering as a part of living the Christian life in the world.

We see examples of the power of persecution throughout church history, and yet neither persecution nor death can ultimately stop the mission. God’s ways are formless and inscrutable, we cannot begin to imagine or understand the way God works. Why it was time for James to die and Peter to Live.

Sometimes those who would be great parents can’t have biological children. Sometimes those who are terrible parents keep having babies. Sometimes God answers prayers for healings, and sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer—at least for a season (Ps 73).

While such trials bring much grief and pain, we must not be angry with God. Trials are not necessarily a sign that he’s displeased with us. God calls us to trust him, even when life hurts. His ways are wise, good, and just.

And we must remember this: God has given us his Son. God doesn’t promise to give us an explanation for everything, but he has given us the promise that changes everything: he will raise us from the dead.

We will dwell with him in the new heaven and new earth, where sin and suffering can’t touch us. God doesn’t explain everything, but through Christ, God has entered into our suffering, has taken the ultimate injustice at the cross, and has risen triumphantly so that all who call out to him may have eternal life. Latch on to this reality in suffering. Glory is coming

The Church is at war, so it's time to call up the commander of the Lord's armies, the one who shuts lions' mouths, humiliates Pharaoh’s armies, breaks chains, and opens prison doors, knowing that he will act in whatever way he thinks is best.

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Scene 2 THE LORDS RESCUE

Acts 12:6–19 (ESV)

An angel comes and stands next to Peter in his prison cell but, Peter does not wake up. So the angel struck Peter on his side to wake him up. I’m sure Luke loved to tell this story. Can’t you imagine Luke writing down Peter’s retelling of this story. Yeah I remember the night I was asleep in my jail cell and an angel came and started kicking me in the side to wake me up.

When Peter wakes up the chains fall off and thinking he is dreaming an angel leads him out of his cell. The iron gate opens the same way the stone rolled away from the tomb. Upon exiting, Peter enters the street and the angels disappears.

c). We Learn to Stand Firm in the Astonishing Grace of God

Peter would see the Lord's amazing grace firsthand as the angel led him out of the prison.

The story is not about Peter’s amazing escape but about God’s deliverance. Consequently, all glory belongs to God alone. God’s grace was so astonishing that even a believing church found it difficult to believe Peter was free.

As Peter made his way down the darkened street to where the believers were gathered, he was gathered to pray at a generous woman’s house named Mary.

Rhoda, a servant girl on guard duty was the first one to come in contact with Peter. Rhoda recognizes Peter’s voice, but in her amazement left him standing in the street to go tell the others.

Th last place that Peter needs to be is standing in the middle of the street to risk recapture. The church doesn’t believe Rhoda, they tell her that she is crazy. Here is a picture of people who are praying, but, are struggling to trust God when the results of their prayer is staring them in the face.

And there outside in the darkness, Peter knocking on the door. After all he is a wanted man trying to get into the house yet, failing to gain entrance.

d.) We Learn that God can do far More than we Hope or Imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 ESV

20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,

Herod, of course, wasn’t happy with the turn of events. He proceeds to cross-examine the soldiers, probably torturing them.

Convinced that only an inside job could free Peter, he eventually puts the soldiers to death (v. 19) in accordance with Roman law, which specified that a guard who allowed a prisoner to escape must receive the same penalty that the escapee would have received. After these executions, Herod went to Caesarea.

SCENE 3 THE FINAL WORD

WHAT HAPPENED TO HEROD?

Acts 12:20–24 ESV

20 Now Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon, and they came to him with one accord, and having persuaded Blastus, the king’s chamberlain, they asked for peace, because their country depended on the king’s country for food. 21 On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne, and delivered an oration to them. 22 And the people were shouting, “The voice of a god, and not of a man!” 23 Immediately an angel of the Lord struck him down, because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and breathed his last. 24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.

What happened to Herod, this earthly king who opposed Christ’s kingdom? He was eaten by worms and died. Or, to say it another way, the Lord judged him.

The lesson here is clear: those who oppose the Lord will lose. When they oppose his kingdom, they lose. When they oppose the truth, they will eventually lose. Though the Lord doesn’t always settle accounts immediately, he will.

CONCLUSION

Exalting Jesus in Acts (A Word of Warning and a Word of Hope)

John Piper summarizes this chapter of Acts well: “If we stay with Jesus, we win, and if we oppose him, we lose”

The reason that most people fail to enter into discipleship is the problem of self-exaltation that fills their hearts.

WE THINK WE CAN GO IT ALONE

We want complete control or autonomy over our own lives. We struggle with relinquishing the control of our lives to the God of the universe who controls it all.

We must humble ourselves before God and never try to be God. This text reminds us that God’s plan is unstoppable. We will most likely face opposition or struggles in one way or the other.

However, our king is triumphant. He has paid the price for our sins, and he is the exalted Lord of Glory. Unlike King Herod our kings body was not eaten by worms because he didn’t stay in the ground for them to do their decomposing work! No one can overcome our king, and nothing can separate the believer from his love.

Romans 8:31–39 ESV

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

"It's hard to remember that Jesus did not come to make us safe, but rather to make us disciples, citizens of God's new age, a kingdom of surprise."

What the World and the Kingdom of God need are Fully Formed, Conformed, and Transformed Followers of Christ.