Growth in the Midst of Persecution
Lessons from the 1st Century Church | A Study through the Book of Acts • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction |
Focus Passage | Acts 11:19-30
Opening Passage | Acts 11:19-21
Outline |
Growth in the Midst of Persecution (vv. 19-21)
Growth birthed in persecution - ‘…those who were scattered because of the persecution…’
A few chapters back, we were introduced to the first martyr of the Christian faith, Stephen. There was a man named Saul, who would eventually become Paul, was said to have held the coats while Stephen was stoned.
58 When they had driven him out of the city, they began stoning him; and the witnesses laid aside their cloaks at the feet of a young man named Saul.
It was this event that is mentioned specifically within our text, the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen.
After Stephen being stoned, Saul decided to have an all out war on the Christian faith. As we read in Acts 8:1
1 Now Saul approved of putting Stephen 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 for the apostles.
For all purposes the Christian faith should be done. It was new, fresh, and being dismantled. It was on the run. However, the Christian faith was no fad. The Christian faith was flight in the seat of your pants. the Christian faith was the move of God. As Gamaliel stated earlier, they were not fighting man…they were fighting God.
39 but if the source is God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.”
Rather than the end of the Christian faith coming, the spreading of the Christian faith began. It would spread to what would become one of the most strategic churches in Asia, Antioch. As we find within our text, rather than imploding, the church spread. made their way to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch.
Faithfulness despite persecution
The Christian brethren could have tuck tail and ran, but instead shared the Gospel, speaking the word.
Within our text, we see some insight into the criticism of the brothers toward Peter, because as they spoke the word, it was to no one except the Jews. However, God had larger plans than the brothers and sisters of Jerusalem could see. He was going to use them to the turn the world upside down. He was going to use them to fulfill the promise He made to Abraham.
3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”
Truly this is what was happening, as the gospel spread beyond the Jews to the Gentiles, But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks as well, preaching the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed by the Lord due to faithfulness - ‘…And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord…’
Encouragement is Still a Need (vv. 22-24)
Rejoicing in the salvation of others
When God moves, it is known. The news spreads. This is what happened in Jerusalem. We find before us, The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem.
As those around the church, came to see what God was doing, we find that they witnessed the grace of God. Truly, every time we see one get saved. Every time we see someone who has been saved, redeemed, and set on the path to the discipleship, we are witnessing the grace of God. When we see marriages redeemed, lives changed, addicts given freedom, we are witnessing the grace of God.
As one witnesses the grace of God, one cannot help but rejoice, he (Barnabas) rejoiced.
That rejoicing will look different for some of us. For some of us it will be a smile and tears. For some of us it will be hands raised and saying, Glory to God, Praise be to Jesus. For others, it will be like Mary, “Touch Down!”
Encouraging others to remain faithful
Encouragement is a great need today. Who else to show us how to be encouragement and the need for encouragement that the son of encouragement. Remember, we were previously introduced to Barnabas within our study here in Acts. In Acts 4, the church was just forming. They were learning to take care of one another and depend on one another. As we saw then, Barnabas was about encouragement and support of his fellow brothers and sisters in christ.
36 Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement),
Within our text, the Son of Encouragement, continues this work of encouragement. This time, the encouragement is not with financial sacrifice but sacrificial investment. He was willing to invest in new brothers and sisters in Christ, even if those brothers and sisters were not Jews, began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.
Abiding in the Spirit and faith - ‘…for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and faith...’
Patience, Pursuit, and Discipleship: Examples to Follow (vv. 25-26)
The patience of Paul
From the time that Paul was converted, until the time that Barnabas came to get him and take him to Jerusalem was fourteen years.
1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also.
It was eight years before Barnabas would find Paul in Tarsus to bring him back with him to Antioch. Why? Why eight years before Tarsus and fourteen years before Jerusalem? His past. He was way too hot to be around. As we find in his letter to the churches of Galatia.
23 but they only kept hearing, “The man who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.”
Our past can get in the way. It got in the way of Paul. It got in the way of Moses. He wait forty years before God would use him. The key is this, just wait in the Lord for the time He has appointed to use you. Where man finds it hard to overlook your past, God can forgive, heal, and use your past to further His Kingdom.
The pursuit of Barnabas - ‘…and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch…’
Barnabas knew he needed Paul. He knew he needed another warrior for the faith that could reach the Gentile people. He was not willing to settle. Let this be a lesson to us in life.
Whether we are looking for partners in the ministry or partners in life, let us not settle. Let us not settle in ministry. Let us not settle in relationships. Let us not settle in our walk in this life. Let us not settle.
Let us be patient. Let us pursue what God and who God has for us.
The discipleship of both (v. 26)
Faith in the Providence of God (vv. 27-30)
27 Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there would definitely be a severe famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. 29 And to the extent that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 And they did this, sending it with Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
Warned of rough days ahead (vv. 27-28)
Provision through others (v. 29)
Sent to support others (v. 30)
Conclusion |
God’s plan are not always our plans, but God’s plans are always best. God works in ways that we do not understand nor see. However, we must trust God in His plans. No matter how much this world fights against God and the truths of God, they will never prevail. Through it all, we are called to…
share the gospel
disciple new believers
provide for the household of faith and
encourage one another as we see end drawing closer
25 not abandoning our own meeting together, as is the habit of some people, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
Do you know the Lord? Do you know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior? Have you repented of your sins and found faith in Christ? He is the only true source of faith, hope, peace, and freedom that any of us will find. How will you respond today? You come!