The Church in Action

Introduction

What is the mission of the church?

Some might ask, define church

are we talking about believers in general

Westminister Catechism states that the chief end of man is to, glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

the church as we have seen in Acts does not understand an independent life separated from those in the body of Christ

even their very possessions were used to care for others belonging to the church

the church universal is all believers professing of Jesus Christ is Lord and live in submission to him

divided up of course in the local body of believers

it is that collective group of believers that I am speaking, what is, or should be the mission of the church

A Church in Action

I am sure if we took a poll of what FFC should be about, what our mission should be we could get several different responses

I have no doubt that they would be biblical

I have stayed away from Mission Statements in the past,

something that came to the churches in the states when we modeled ourselves after the business world

secular businesses have mission statements, business plans and employee goals to make sure that the mission statement is fulfilled

I was asked recently what the mission statement of FFC was

What came to mind was, “Love God, and love people”

It is a simple phrase, that is broad in definition, and left really undefined can leave to each to define as they wish

Today we look at a church that I would argue is the model church

when church people say they want to be NT church, often they are speaking of Acts 2 church

that church was beautiful and took care of each other and there is nothing wrong with modeling after that

today we will see a church that

reaches the lost around them and then grows them in Christ

benevolently loves fellow believers in need

is sent out to reach the lost around the world, not just in their area

Acts 11:19–30 (CSB)

19 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.

20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

22 News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch.

23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,

24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul,

26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius.

29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea.

30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 12:25–13:3 (CSB)

25 After they had completed their relief mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, taking along John who was called Mark.

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As 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 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.

Pray!

The mission of the church is more that self care; growing corporately and individually, loving those outside the church through benevolence and evangelism.

Discipleship in the Church

What is discipleship?

We make the answer to this question too hard

we think we need a program, a book, a group

we need a class to teach you how to disciple,

the word disciple means learner

Acts 11:19–26 (CSB)

19 Now those who had been scattered as a result of the persecution that started because of Stephen made their way as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.

20 But there were some of them, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus.

21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.

22 News about them reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to travel as far as Antioch.

23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged all of them to remain true to the Lord with devoted hearts,

24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And large numbers of people were added to the Lord.

25 Then he went to Tarsus to search for Saul,

26 and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught large numbers. The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

The gospel is the first, middle and last step in discipleship

we share it with those who do not know it because we it is the greatest thing in our lives

they told the fellow jews who did not know the messiah had come

as they travelled away from Jerusalem

Antioch about 300 miles away

there was an excitement around the fact that the long awaited messiah has come

he was the lamb that was slain to take away the sins of the world

we can the righteousness that we have longed for

For too long Christians have associated the gospel simply with evangelism

it is what I am supposed to share with my lost friends

it is a gospel track that we can hand out when we are to share the gospel

JT English sharing about his conversion experience

after college bible study he went to lunch and a guy handed him a track and said I am supposed to give this to you

for so many of us that is discipleship and evangelism, it is the part of our religion that we really do not want to do

we think, we are saved, so it is not like this is going to keep me out of heaven

truth is we share what we love

you get to hear stories about my family, my grandkids, all while me explaining my love of Jesus

The Church cannot simply be about seeing people saved, but also to see them grow in Christ

Barnabas was sent by the church in Jerusalem

not to take over, but he encouraged to stay true to the Lord

v22-24

we see that Barnabas goes and gets Saul v25

they teach, their is a continued learning about our relationship with the Lord

we cannot be satisfied with thinking that we know enough

when that is the case we simply know enough to be dangerous

The church is hear to equip the people of the church to do the ministry of the Lord

The people of the church are the ones who do the work of the ministry

If the people of the church is not doing the ministry

then the people are being disobedient to the calling God has placed on their lives, OR

the church is failing to equip them to do the work

This reveals the heart of the church

do we love ourselves, our gatherings and our relationships more than anything else?

or do we love God with all of our heart strength mind and soul and do we love our neighbor as ourselves

Benevolently Loving Others

We have a budget line for FFC called benevolence

I remember discussing that line as in how can we possibly know what to budget

it is not like we would say no to a need that came to us because of the budget

For many, they do not know what benevolence is…

for some it is simply helping with bills or other needs

what we see in Antioch, it is just part of the church function

Acts 11:27–30 (CSB)

27 In those days some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.

28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine throughout the Roman world. This took place during the reign of Claudius.

29 Each of the disciples, according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brothers and sisters who lived in Judea.

30 They did this, sending it to the elders by means of Barnabas and Saul.

We have seen that they would take care of each other while in Jerusalem

now, those who have spread out continue this

they could not imagine living any other way as a follower of Jesus

but not just for themselves and those that are with them

not just benevolently taking care of each other

they are sending back to those throughout Judea

this was not a tax

each person must give a certain amount of what they had

was not mandated from the apostles in Jerusalem

Benevolent = showing kindness

it is an action, showing kindness to others

most people think of benevolence as helping people with bills, that is typically what we call it in the church world

it is anything that people need that we are helping to do

Antioch church heard of the famine, they collected and offering of what ever people could give and they send to them

FFC has done this in the past many times

recently we have helped Hadiza ministering in Niger purchase land so that she could continue to help disadvantaged and disabled kids in Niger

we have given to church and community members who simply needed a little help

we are currently working behind the scenes on the best way we might be able to help churches in the southeast part of our country after the hurricanes and floods

this was one of the things that drew us to FFC

visiting the church was the weekend that Greensburg got hit, and we were blown away by the way that people were helping and offering help

We cannot lose this attitude of love

this happens when believers are focused on living like Jesus

living a sacrificial life

this is why the believers in Antioch were first called Christians here

they were like little Christs… it was meant as an insult

but it is the greatest compliment that one can give

this happens when we live in tune with the Spirit of God

telling us when, where and how much

this happens when we understand that the blessings that we have received are to make his name and love known

not to make us comfortable

This needs to be our personal attitude as well

we cannot simply look at things around us and think that we personally do not have to do anything because the church is taking care of that

God will send you personally as a part or representative of the church

God Will Send Us Out

We have a saying at our house, I got a syllable behind

what happens is you start talking, I did not comprehend

it is not that I did not hear you, but when you started talking I missed the beginning

trying to figure out the first part I fell behind and did not understand you

for too many Christians, God is giving out instructions but we are not focused on his voice and we miss the command to go

but do not worry, he will repeat himself so that we will get it

This church had three important things as they continued to serve the Lord; Leadership, open ears, and open hands

Acts 12:25–13:3 (CSB)

25 After they had completed their relief mission, Barnabas and Saul returned to Jerusalem, taking along John who was called Mark.

1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, a close friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

2 As 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 Then after they had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them off.

Leadership

Prophets - those who proclaimed the word of the Lord

not always in a forthtelling way, but proclaiming what the Lord says for that day as well

Today, we would say preacher, somebody who stands and proclaims, “Thus says the Lord!”

Teachers - an instructor, a person who teaches what it means or how we are to live as Christians

both together are people who are leading the church in knowing what God has said and how to live for him

we see the church in Jerusalem send out Barnabas to help get everything set up in Antioch

we see Paul and Barnabas go set up churches throughout Asia minor and set up leadership in those places

leadership is important but it is not the entirety of the church

prophets and teachers proclaim the word of God to the people of God so that they can do the work of God

Open ears

just because they had completed a mission did not mean that they considered themselves done

they come back to Antioch, worship, fast and pray

this was not a specific fast as in that mission was complete what do you want us to do now,

but this was their regular worship

we are never to assume that God is done with us, or will not call us to something new

I am not saying that we are always looking to leave

but waking each day saying guide my steps today

that I may go where you want me to go, say what you want me to say, do as you want me to do

corporately we should be praying this as a church

Lord, what are you calling us collectively to do

in the coming weeks we will be asking for everyone who has a ministry or would like to see a ministry started to let it be known to the Elders

we plan financially at the beginning of the year

we pray for the different ministries

Open Hands

we are ready to send relief where it is needed

there are always things that are going on and hands being held out asking for help

we are to be wise with God’s money, willing to help

we are ready to go to where we are needed to go

are feet should be ready to go

but not simply sent, they were ordained

they were sent with a specific calling and ordained by the local church to go in the calling of God

Are we ready to send, are we ready to go, are our ears even open

could it be possible that we are not, because we are here for us…

for what we get out of the service, what we get from the church, feeling the love of our fellow believers

may we focus in on growing each other in prayer that we might be ready to operate as God has called us

To love God in worship and service and love people in the proclaiming and living out the gospel.

Exalting Jesus in Acts Reflect and Discuss

1. Why is the church in Antioch so significant?

2. What made the evangelists in Antioch so effective?

3. How did the leaders disciple the converts in Antioch? What can we learn from this model?

4. What is mercy ministry? What motivates it?

5. What can we learn from this story about mercy ministry?

6. Why should Christians value diversity in the church?

7. How can diversity in leadership help attract and reach unbelievers?

8. What does this passage teach about worship and prayer?

9. What can we learn from Antioch about sending out people for evangelism and church planting?

10. Take a few moments to pray for the Lord to show you how best to support your local church in evangelism and church planting.