Acts 11:19-30

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.

The mission of the church, The expanse of God’s kingdom, continues to move forward.

The Anatomy of an Encourager

video

The mission of the church is carried out by ordinary average guys who are empowered by God

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.

remember we said, the great commission could be understood “As you go, preach the gospel” That's what these men were doing.

They weren't highly trained they were not professionals they were just guys and we're going to see here. They had a tremendous impact.

Phoenicia (region north of Israel)

Cyprus (Large Island in the Mediterranean)

Antioch - City in “Asia Minor” - Southern Turkey. Antioch had about 250,000 inhabitants, among them perhaps as many as 25,000 Jews. 3rd largest city in the Roman empire at the time

These guys were not content with the status quo either they were bold and courageous

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.

The mission of the church continues to cross cultural boundaries

men from Cyrene would have be fluent and familier with greek culture

We don’t know if these men crossed this line in the sand as a result of what happened to Peter or if this was a simultaneous development

We do know it would have taken boldness and might have cost them a lot.

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

2 Phrases

1. “The hand of the Lord was with them” is not just a throw away phrase.

As a life-time member of the ordinary average guy club It is an encouragement to me that God is with me as I strive to do ministry and advance His Kingdom

2. Turned to the Lord -

The mission of the church is guided by Godly leaders

Men who are not godly can not produce followers who are godly

22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

Barnabas

Acts 4:36–37 ESV

36 Thus Joseph, who was also called by the apostles Barnabas (which means son of encouragement), a Levite, a native of Cyprus, 37 sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.

Acts 9:27 ESV

27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.

Romans 12:4–8 ESV

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

As Barnabas comes then its Not a snooping or an inspection but a validating, befriending, and equipping,

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.

Anatomy of an Encourager

An Encourager is Positive

Barnabas did not barge in like HEY IM HERE TO FIX THINGS

he walks in and sees that God is working

That is what makes him glad

not his glory or their neediness for him.

An Encourager is Good

What is goodness? - wholesome, integrity

Goodness comes from the Holy Spirit

An Encourager is full of the Holy Spirit

not necessarily miraculous (but potentially) yielded to the spirit, walking in the spirit

An Encourager is Full of Faith

(you can be positive when your faith lies in God not man)

An Encourager is Humble

This is illustrated by what happens next in the story.

He realizes that this is a big job, too big for him and that he needs to bring in help, possibly help that will outshine him

The mission of the church is furthered by cooperation

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.

What has Saul been doing?

Saul spent about 10-12 years in training before he became an ordained missionary of the church

He was already an expert in Old Testament Jewish religion and law but he took a decade to learn about Jesus, receive good teaching, and begin to live out and preach the word.

So I guess Barnabas thinks I know this guy. He has been putting in the time, he is ready for the call up.

I have seen instances where this was not the case, where pastors or leaders hold on to their “throne” with a death grip. It takes humility to step back and let someone else in.

thats what an encourager does.

The Name Christian

Christos = savior/messiah/rescuer/chosen one

Probably started off as an insult. It says that “they were called” which sounds like they were called this by outsiders. (we see that to be the case later in the book of Acts a government official uses the term when talking to paul

savior people, Jesus people, etc..

Other names:

The Disciples

The Way

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Terminology: Christianity, Christian, Christ

Other names or descriptive titles used to refer to Christians include “believers” (πιστός, pistos; 2 Cor 6:15; 1 Tim 4:10), “saints”/“holy ones” (ἅγιος, hagios; Eph 1:1; Rev. 8:4), “brothers (and sisters)” (ἀδελφός, adelphos; Heb 2:11–12; Jas 4:11), and “sons”/“children of God” (υἱοὶ, huioi/τέκνα θεοῦ, tekna theou; Rom 8:14, 16).

Christian is the name that has stuck because it fits so well!

“Those people who talk about the savior a lot”

The mission of the church is goes beyond local family

we need to have a world-wide mindset

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.

They had problems of their own in Antioch

odd for a daughter church to take care of the mother church.

You will also notice that this great famine would effect Antioch too.

Romans 12:4–5 ESV

4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

So What?

Do you need to develop and pray for the gift of encouragement?

Would people call you a Christian?

Do you need to grow your awareness of the worldwide church

Is there something you can do to help?

“we’ve got troubles of our own”