The Church At Antioch

Acts 11:19–30 NASB95

19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Introduction:

Acts 11:19 NASB95

19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone.

Persecution:

Lit tribulation

Acts 8:1 “1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.”

Acts 8:4 “4 Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word.”

Speaking the Word:

Although the Gentiles were out of their focus… the Word of God was still in their mouth

A second persecution could come at any time… yet they continued to make Christ known

The only thing that limits us to speak the Word today… is you.

1. Preaching The Lord Jesus

Acts 11:20–21 NASB95

20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

Cyrene:

Mentioned among the people gathered in Jerusalem during Pentecost

ALSO… Cyrenians were the FIRST to be mentioned among the men who stoned Stephen.

The Greeks:

Lit Hellenists… those who abide by Greek culture & customs

Notice the passion of these men!

Persecution drove the church apart, but they took their faith with them and SPOKE about it!

As long as they were breathing, they were preaching

They looked out in the city and saw all around them, people in need of Christ

Jeremiah 20:9 “9 … In my heart it becomes like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; And I am weary of holding it in, And I cannot endure it.”

If we have found Christ for ourselves, then we should undoubtedly wish to speak of His great love

Convictions in our hearts demand expression

Emotions that are strong need to be shared

If our hearts have ANY fervor of love towards Christ, how natural it should be for us to TELL IT

As natural as tears come from sorrow… or a smile from happiness… how natural it should be for the Christian!

As light radiates from its center… and heat radiate from a fire… so it shall be for the one who loves Christ

Its also just as important… for us to see, not only the beauty of Christ within us… but the desolation and darkness of those who don’t… and to show pity on them

How dare we as Christians hold onto Christ as if He’s property that we own and NO ONE ELSE can have! It’s hypocrisy!

The wandering sheep of this world need a Shepherd!

What kind of Christian are WE.. that thinks Christ is a savior to me… but not a savior to the worldly people I talk to every day

It’s like a shipwreck… where you get yourself in the lifeboat but are content with everyone else DROWNING!

Or like a famine… where you eat and eat and eat till you can’t fit another bite in your stomach while people in your family die from lack of food

What do we make, of the one who withholds the Bread of Life, who gave His flesh for the life of the world?

May I also add… that if we are loyal to Christ, the only thing we CAN do is speak out.

Christ has ascended into heaven

Christ has entrusted us with His name

In a world that dishonors and spits on the name of Christ

Who are we to sit back and idle right on by?

1 Corinthians 9:16 “… for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.”

These men who came from Cyprus & Cyrene were not described as elders, deacons, certainly not apostles… just normal men… preaching Christ

You today can preach Christ in even the simplest of ways

Write a letter to a friend

Drop a sentence about Christ in a normal conversation

Opening the Bible with your family

ANYTHING to drive home the story of the cross

Preaching the Lord Jesus:

Proclaiming the Lordship of Jesus Christ

‘someone in a position of authority’

They bore the water of life to a Gentile people, thirsty for the truth

The hand of the Lord was with them:

This is a description of the entire book of Acts… that when Christ ascended into heaven, he became ruler of His Church, and guided her at every turn

You and I don’t labor alone

If our hands grow weary then the mighty hand of the Lord will strengthen our hearts to carry out the mission

If the task seems to heavy, let us not forget that it is the Lord Himself who helps us to do it, the very one who gave us the command… the one who sits on the throne, YES!… but also has shared in our suffering

The hand of the Lord is a hand of divine favor and blessing

That’s what God did for Antioch, He empowered and blessed their preaching

Turned to the Lord:

They believed & turned…

The Greeks had spent their life on a broad road.

Boasting in their Riches

Boasting in their Wisdom

Boasting in their Temples

Boasting in their Activities

But when they heard of Jesus, the Incarnate Son of God… they turned and entered through that narrow gate that leads to life.

Every Sunday that we gather and take this Supper, we turn our eyes back upon Christ… that Narrow Gate that leads to life!

But friends, there be a narrow road behind it as well. A road we must walk down every day of our lives. Don’t turn back and see the horde of people headed for destruction, but look forward towards the top of the mountain where we shall see Christ there in His glory on the last day!

2. Exhorting The Lord’s People

Acts 11:22–24 NASB95

22 The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.

The Church at Jerusalem:

This is the same church that is coming to grips with the reality of Gentile inclusion

So they hear the news (that a large # of Gentiles turned to the Lord in Antioch)

And send Barnabas..

What Barnabas SAW:

‘when he arrived he witnessed the grace of God’

Could it be that he saw the Gentiles preform miraculous works? … absolutely

But I think the text is clear in teaching us, that what Barnabas ACTUALLY SAW… was the joy and presence of Christ within these Gentile believers… He SAW the Spirit of God at work in them… a changed character, a breaking away from unGodliness, true children of God! That embraced his beliefs and stood firm on the institutions of faith

What Barnabas saw, we see today! When we travel the globe and see the grace of God upon Italians, Grecians, Scots or Irish… or when we visit family in other states and fellowship with the churches there. WE TOO SEE…and bear WITNESS… to the GRACE of GOD!!

What Barnabas FELT:

He rejoiced… he was made glad

Verse 24 says: He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of Faith

I wonder why…

Could it be, that the reason Luke records this, is to show us that indeed, it is this character that is able to experience the joy of Barnabas

That if our faith be found lacking… our goodness be found absent… our indwelling be null and void… this joy cannot fill your heart

When the Christians in Jerusalem were all but skeptical… Barnabas is found rejoicing

Upon the knowledge of the working of God’s grace outside the limits of this church or others… does it not spring gladness within your heart!…oh it does mine!

What Barnabas SAID:

‘He began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord’

Our religion is centered around the Lord

He is the object of our faith

He is the reconciler between God & man

He is the Alpha & Omega!

The Revelation of God unto man

Our religion is NOT just about atonement… or ethics… it is about CHRIST!! Remaining true to CHRIST… and Christ alone.

God could have revealed Himself more fully in words/sentences

But He chose to reveal Himself, in a life.

It’s that life that we cling to

John 15:4 “4 “Abide in Me, and I in you”

John 10:27 “27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;”

It’s clear… that when Barnabas saw that they turned to the Lord… what they now needed, was exhortation to cling to the Lord.

Can you remember when you became a Christian?

Heard the gospel of Jesus Christ

You believed it… turned away from sin and unto Christ

You died to sin in baptism… and were raised to what… LIFE… as a new creation!

And recieved the Spirit

Do you remember… your view of Christ?

Where in complete surrender and humility you proclaimed Him as high and lifted up… and devoted your entire life to Him? Followed His teachings… sought after the truth… came to love Christ?

It is that moment, that Barnabas is speaking of.

Our task is to preserve that which we had at the very beginning of our faith!

Our faith is not a parabola that goes UP… then down.

No our love and fervor for Christ goes up and up and up and never stops

But ONLY, ONLY if… we cling… to Christ

How might we do it?

By constant reiteration

Yesterday’s trust has no power over our union with Christ today… day by day we must unite our life with His… meditate on His Word so to the point we come under its influence… that we might hold fast to it

By constant repentance

1 John 1:8 “8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves”

Every morning, day, and night… we not only pray for the Lord to forgive us… but for us to be empowered to flee all unrighteousness. To hold firmly to the cross of Christ and never let go

Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to thy cross I cling

By constant reminder

That if we remain true to the Lord… then our last day on earth will not be troubling…

For every day we live prepares us for the moment we ultimately die.

And by constant reminder that on the final judgement day, those who are asleep in Christ shall be raised up together and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus?

What a glorious hope we have. In fact it’s the only hope we have.

Remain true unto the Lord… by constant reiteration/repentance/reminder… that in Christ we have overcome the world

Acts 11:24 “24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.”

What makes a good man?

One who gives his all

One who encourages and lifts up other people

One who cares about his neighbor

One who loves God

These aren’t things I came up with, its what the scripture says about Barnabas!

Acts 4… sells his property and lays it at the feet of the Apostles

Acts 9… advocates for the apostle Paul

Acts 11… found exhorting the people

What makes a man GOOD… is Christ

There are many good deeds done by those apart from Christ, I concede…

But did not Isaiah say our righteous deeds are but filthy rags before a thrice holy God?

The only way to been seen as GOOD, in the eyes of God? … is to have been changed in Christ Jesus

3. Naming The Lord’s People

Acts 11:25–26 NASB95

25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

Left… to look for Saul

What a caring brother

No doubt reminded of how passionate Saul was in Damascus preaching & proclaiming the Word

He wanted Saul to see and be a part of the work in Antioch

For an entire year

Day in day out, they taught the word

They must of formed a bond like no other…

2 friends

2 christians

1 mission

Taught considerable #’s

Men of Cyprus & Cyrene… a large number who believed turned to the Lord

Barnabas… considerable numbers were brought to the Lord

Saul & Barnabas… taught considerable numbers

If we desire the Church to grow, we must be willing to teach.

Saul & Barnabas didn’t move to this congregation just to place membership, they moved to teach Christ!

And because of their teaching… many people believed, turned to the Lord, and remained true to the Lord

First called Christians

Whether it be a nation or a political party or a religion, often only one name is attributed to it. That name embodies everything that person believes in and stands for. It is the rock upon which they stand in this life

Christ… is our rock of salvation, therefore we are to be called Christians, and nothing other

The same word Agrippa used in Acts 26 “In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian.””

The name implies we belong to Christ

That His words dwell within our hearts

That He is our leader, sustainer, and advocate

Barnabas, nor Paul, nor the outside world alike would’ve called them Christians in Antioch if they were not truly following Christ

It was so evident to Barnabas that he REJOICED!

These men lived for CHRIST! They were a city set on a hill that could not be hidden! The light of CHRIST shone through them, allowing for only ONE proper nickname for His people: Christians!

The world is full of believers. Believers in this… believers in that

The world is full of disciple. Disciples of this… disciples of that

Oh but that word Christian erases any doubt as to whom we may believe in

May we proudly wear the name. May we sit at his feet.

As men and women gathered around Aristotle… and the young children around the wisdom of Socrates… may we be found at the feet of Christ.. who is not upon the earth, but seated in heaven… proud to wear the name, yet humbled at His voice.

And say as the song goes: ‘I am thine, oh Lord’

Despite the world and its temptations… remain true to the Lord, and in the last day your soul will like Barnabas, be glad and rejoice

4. Helping The Lord’s People

Acts 11:27–30 NASB95

27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. 30 And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

Prophets came down:

Great Famine… Claudius (within 10 years time):

As the disciples had means… they contributed to brethren in Judea:

If the famine was over the entire earth.. why Judea?

Likely due to the area.

Their ground, historically, wasn’t very productive

Therefore an offering was taken for them

And ultimately, Barnabas & Saul were glad to see that task be fulfilled by their own hands

What does this tell us about the Church?

They believed the prophets..

Hebrews 1:1–2 “1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.”

They cared about others..

Their hearts were moved by places where the Church would be most affected by the famine

Its that same concern and devotion the church needs today, and that THIS church needs today

TO be concerned about the welfare of our brothers & sisters… and most importantly, to be concerned in their walk with God

Conclusion:

They say we live in a Christian nation… that couldn’t be further from the truth