Unscripted

Background to passage: Acts is a fast-paced book, the events immediately preceeding this passage are the Spirit falling on the Gentiles in Cornelius’s home, Peter reporting to the church. James being killed by Herod and Peter being imprisoned and set free at night. Then the death of Herod as he robbed God of his glory.

This was a church on mission with God, the worship was in sync, and God spoke to move them further on mission.

Acts 13:1–3 ESV

1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of 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 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Opening illustration: Find a bulletin, look to the bottom left, or go to your Bible App. Follow down the order of service, and let’s see what is supposed to happen.

Main thought: We must be a church willing to go off our own script if we are going to pray that he does a great work in us in 2025.

1) They Were Worshiping (v. 2a)

Acts 13:2 (ESV)

2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting...

1) They Were Worshiping (v. 2a)

Explanation: If this was part of the original script, it was the right one. The thing that we were made to do is worship. They were together praying, fasting, hearing the word, singing, observing the Lord’s Supper. During their gathering things went off script. I would venture a guess that each week the Holy Spirit didn’t call out a couple of missionaries to send out. It probably wasn’t a complete anomaly for God to speak, but this was pretty unique.

1 Corinthians 14:26 ESV

26 What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

John 4:23–24 ESV

23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Illustration: When I visit another church...

When the music fades And all is stripped away And I simply come Longing just to bring Something that's of worth That will bless Your heart

I'll bring You more than a song For a song in itself Is not what You have required You search much deeper within Through the way things appear You're looking into my heart

I'm coming back to the heart of worship And it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it When it's all about You, it's all about You, Jesus

Application: We know that the church met regularly on the first day of the week, and met other times throughout the week in smaller groups for various activities. So, this is why we meet. What are we supposed to do when we get here? We are to use our spiritual gifts and God-ordained means to encourage one another to fix the eyes of our hearts upon Christ. We gather to be the expression of the body of Christ that makes our Savior look great.

When you attend, where is your focus? What are you thinking when you walk into this sanctuary? Before we started, what was your goal? When was the first time your felt like your heart was locked in to exalting Christ? Did that focus get knocked off by a person you saw? Clothes that they were wearing? Songs that were too loud, off pitch, microphones that squelched? How many people attended? Doors that opened, people that exited, phones that rang, children that you could actually hear? Sermon too long, service too long, irrelevant topic, too deep, too shallow, not what I wanted to hear. Not my preference, what about this element of worship, not being fed...

What about your heart? That’s really what Christ cares about.

2) They Were Listening (v. 2)

Acts 13:2 (ESV)

2 ...the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

2) They Were Listening (v. 2)

Explanation: During this time of worship, during the fixation upon the Lord, during the time when they were setting their minds on the beauty of Christ, the Holy Spirit spoke! He does speak each week. He speaks through the word. He speaks through impressions that we have, some stronger, some weaker. He speaks through conviction of righteousness. This was a different time, but an unusual clear word. “Send out Barnabas and Paul.”

Colossians 3:1–2 ESV

1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Revelation 3:6 ESV

6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.’

Illustration: back when I first came to know Christ in small, rural church culture, we had revival meetings. Sometimes those meetings never got around to preaching because they got off script.

Application: Do you expect a personal word from God when you come? Do you expect God to point out some place where you can draw near? Do you expect him to open his arms and welcome you to cast your burden on him? His Spirit will draw you.

Word of caution: do not claim direct revelation. The direct revelation is in your hands.

We should expect to hear from God when we come. That doesn’t mean that we always will. It doesn’t mean that it has to be some major event in your heart. This is a gathering of the body of Christ where we strive to engage the Lord. He wants us closer, holier, more like Jesus.

3) They Were Obeying (v. 3)

Acts 13:3 ESV

3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

3) They Were Obeying (v. 3)

Explanation: They immediately did what God told them to do. They spent time praying and fasting for the work, and sent them out. Not really anything complicated about it. They were baptists so they probably took up an offering and made them a few meals to go, then we have the first official International Mission Board.

Acts 16:6–10 ESV

6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

Illustration: when the search committee first began to feel like I could be the pastor God had chosen for WHBC, they wanted me to have in depth conversation with Steve and Matthew. I was asking lots of questions, answering theirs, trying to get a feel for church. I asked Steve about changing the name...

Application: Nothing complex or complicated, just heard from the Lord, did what they were told. What if we heard from God? What if we knew beyond a shadow of a doubt God was leading our church in a direction? God made that clear us in various ways. Would we be willing to do whatever? What if it meant sending a couple of key leaders out to the mission field? What if it meant starting a brand new ministry or ceasing one? What if we reallocated several thousand dollars for a ministry revamp. What if we removed some committees?

You may say, “of course!” But would we do it with unity? Thurs was my day to fast and pray, topic was unity. What happens when a ministry is determined not to be in line with what God tells us?

Closing illustration: man with the machete at New River

Recap