Sent Out to Share
Notes
Transcript
I hope you have been enjoying our series on the book of Acts. Next Sunday will be the last message on Acts until after New Year. We will look at the Jerusalem Counsel in Acts 15. However, this week I want to look at a Acts 13. As always, please go back and read through the verses we don’t cover.
How many of you have ever felt like God was calling you to something or God called you and you were sent out to do that work?
This practice began in Scripture. Today we are going to look at the first time that Paul and Barnabas are sent out to go and do missions work.
If you have your Bibles go to Acts 13.
We can see that the church is growing. They have been ministering in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. When we left off last week we read in Acts 12 where the Word of God continued to spread and flourish.
No one will ever stop the Word of God. God is calling each of you to take His Word with you wherever you go.
Look at how Paul’s missionary journey’s began.
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
2 While 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 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
4 The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
11 Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
We read this story about Paul and Barnabas being set apart for missionary work. This story is to help us realize that we are called to be active participants in God’s mission.
Jesus told us before He left to go and make disciples. This is the mandate for us by Jesus Himself. The early church put this into action. This is the mission that we the church are to fulfill.
Being Set Apart
Being Set Apart
God calls each of us to a unique mission.
What has God called you to do? If you haven’t figured it out yet, then it is time to start praying and figure it out. Each of us has a special calling.
2 While 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.”
Paul and Barnabas already knew their calling. They knew what they were supposed to do. Now the church was setting them apart and sending them to do the work God called them to.
What are you called to? We the church need to send you out to do the ministry you are called to do.
For some of you it could be a special calling like pastor or evangelist. Some of you it could be your calling is to be a lay person, taking the Gospel message to the market place.
What is it that God is calling you to?
Boldly Proclaiming the Gospel
Boldly Proclaiming the Gospel
As you are sent out there will be people that will try to stop you.
8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
This sorcerer tried to oppose Paul and Barnabas. They tried to turn people against and spread lies about them. But Paul confronts and attacks this falsehood head on. And he proclaims the truth without fear.
Paul told Elymas
10 “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
When you speak the truth and you know it is the truth, stand by what you are saying. Stay true to your conviction.
What has God called you to?
We are quickly approaching the Holiday season. Many of us look forward to this time of year. It is during this time of year that we must make it a point to share Jesus with those we come across. Use this holiday season to share the Gospel message. Jesus came to give life.
Today we want to pray for each of you. We want to pray that God will send you out and give you someone to reach out to.
This week I want you to identify at least one person who needs to hear the message of Jesus and be intentional in sharing your faith with them.
We cannot sit back anymore. Too many people haven’t heard about Jesus love and we must tell them.
