Week 13 | The Church in Antioch and the First Missionary Journey

Big Idea: The church is called to be a sending force in the world.

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30; Acts 13:1-3

Intro:

In the early 1800s, a remarkable group of believers known as the Moravians demonstrated unparalleled courage and an extraordinary commitment to the gospel. These men and women were so deeply convicted by the call of the Great Commission that they willingly embraced radical measures to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to those who were enslaved in the Caribbean.

Believing that no barrier, not even the chains of slavery, should stand in the way of the gospel, they sold themselves into slavery to live among the enslaved, share in their suffering, and proclaim the hope of Christ.

Their selfless actions exemplify what it means to count the cost of following Jesus. The Moravians understood that the message of salvation was worth their very lives, and they chose to prioritize the eternal well-being of others over their own comfort and safety.

Their story reminds us that the gospel is not bound by social status, geography, or personal sacrifice—it compels us to go to the ends of the earth, no matter the risks involved.

This legacy challenges us to examine our own willingness to obey Christ’s command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

In a world often consumed by self-preservation and ease, the example of the Moravians urges us to ask:

Are we willing to step into uncomfortable or even dangerous situations for the sake of bringing the good news to those who need it most?

May their unwavering commitment to the gospel inspire us to live with boldness and faithfulness, ready to send ourselves into the mission field—whether that means crossing the street or crossing the ocean—so that the love of Christ can reach every heart and every corner of the world.

Tension:

For teenagers, moments like these can feel monumental, almost overwhelming. I remember attending events like Acquire the Fire or Dare to Share, these massive Christian conferences where we were captivated by grand stories of faith and sacrifice. I’d leave inspired, but deep down, I also felt inadequate.

I’d think to myself, “God might have a purpose for me, but how could I ever live up to something like that? How could I do anything as big or impactful?” It was like these stories were shining spotlights on my own limitations, and I began to believe that serving God had to look a certain way—big, bold, and dramatic.

But whether you’re a new believer or have been walking with Jesus for years, I’m willing to bet you’ve felt the same way. When you hear stories like the Moravians, who sold themselves into slavery to bring the gospel to enslaved people, it’s easy to think, “That’s incredible, but I could never do something like that. That’s way too big, too hard, too extreme for me.” And if we’re honest, that fear of inadequacy can make us feel like we’re not enough for God’s mission.

Here’s the truth I want you to hold onto as we dig into this passage:

God doesn’t call every one of us to do something grand or extreme.

He isn’t measuring your faith by the size of your accomplishments or the dramatic nature of your story.

More often than not, God calls us to be faithful in the everyday moments of life—the ordinary and even the mundane.

Think about that for a moment. God’s greatest work in and through you might not be in some big, headline-worthy event but in how you treat your neighbor, in the consistency of your prayers, in the kindness you show to a classmate who feels invisible. Being faithful in these seemingly small moments is where God shapes us and where He uses us to make an impact.

The real question isn’t “How big of a thing does God want me to do?” Instead, it’s “Am I willing to be obedient in the small things?” Are you willing to listen to His voice and take action in ways that might not look impressive to the world but matter deeply in the Kingdom of God?

This kind of everyday faithfulness is how we join in the mission of the church.

You see, the church isn’t just a collection of people who occasionally gather; it’s meant to be a sending force into the world. And that mission doesn’t always look like selling everything and moving overseas. Sometimes it’s as simple—and as profound—as being a light in your school, your workplace, or your home.

So as we explore this passage together, I want to challenge you to shift your perspective. Stop focusing on how “big” the task might be. Instead, start asking God to show you the small, meaningful ways you can be faithful right where you are. Because when we say yes to Him in the small things, we open the door for Him to use us in ways far beyond what we can imagine.

Big Idea:

The church is called to be a sending force in the world.

Truth:

As we near the end of our series in the book of Acts, I want us to pause and reflect on a powerful reality: persecution has been one of the pivotal ways God has spread the gospel.

Time and time again, throughout the book of Acts, we’ve seen how what appears to be opposition or hardship becomes the very means by which the gospel travels further—reaching new people, new communities, and new regions far beyond Jerusalem.

This theme isn’t new in God’s story. It’s a thread woven all the way back to Genesis, where we see the life of Joseph. His brothers intended harm when they sold him into slavery, but God turned their evil into something good—something redemptive. God used Joseph’s suffering for the saving of many lives, just as He now uses persecution to expand the reach of the church. It’s a profound reminder of how God takes what is meant for harm and transforms it for His glory and purpose.

In Acts, we witness the church not just surviving but thriving as it grows and scatters. People are being sent out—missionaries and believers—carrying the good news of Jesus to new areas, to places where they may never return but where the seeds of the gospel continue to grow. This shows us something profound about the mission of the church: it is not limited to what we can see. God’s work is not confined to our immediate surroundings or our personal reach. The gospel often spreads to places we may never visit and to people we may never meet.

Fast forward to today, and we live in an unprecedented time of global connection. Through technology, we can now see the faces and hear the stories of our brothers and sisters in Christ from across the globe. We can witness the work of the global church in ways that previous generations could only imagine. Yet, even with all this connectivity, there’s a good chance that most of us will never step foot in a church in another country.

But here’s the beauty of being part of God’s global family: just because we may never go doesn’t mean we’re not called to be part of the mission.

God calls us to be a sending force for the church, to lift up our brothers and sisters in prayer, and to support the work of the gospel far beyond our own city, school, or country. Our mission isn’t confined to High Point, North Carolina, or to the walls of your high school or middle school. It stretches outward, reaching the ends of the earth, because that’s the heartbeat of the gospel—to bring the good news to every nation, tribe, and tongue.

The beauty of God’s kingdom is that every small act of faithfulness contributes to the larger mission. Whether it’s through your prayers, your encouragement, or your own willingness to share the gospel in your school or community, you are joining in the work of the global church. And that is a mission far greater than any one of us—a mission that reflects the heart of God Himself.

Lets read:

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 church is experiencing growth, both within its congregation and in its mission beyond the local community. In the early Church, we see a remarkable example of this in their response to the impending famine. Recognizing the needs of fellow believers who would be affected, they mobilized their resources and took intentional action to provide aid. This wasn’t just about charity; it was a demonstration of unity and the Church’s broader calling to care for one another, no matter the geographical distance.

What an incredible reminder this is for us today! The Church is far more than the people or programs we see immediately around us. It is a global, interconnected body of believers united by Christ, called to look outward and engage with the world beyond our walls. As we consider this, we should adopt an “eyes-out” perspective—one that sees beyond our own congregation to the needs of others and the shared mission of the Church at large.

Here in High Point, we must embrace the truth that we are not in competition with the other churches around us. Instead, we are partners and allies in a greater mission: to bring the hope and love of Jesus to the world. Each church has a unique role to play, and together, we can make a greater impact for the kingdom of God. Let’s strive to live with this collaborative spirit, recognizing that our collective efforts can accomplish far more than we could ever do alone.

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.

Paul and Barnabas are specifically chosen and set apart by the Holy Spirit to continue the vital mission of spreading the gospel. This moment marks a significant shift in the Church’s approach to its mission. Initially, the gospel spread as a result of persecution, as believers were scattered and carried the message of Christ wherever they went. However, this next wave of gospel expansion is different—it is deliberate and intentional, driven by the Church’s recognition of its calling to actively send out missionaries to share the good news.

This turning point reminds us of the importance of intentionality in sharing the gospel. While God can and does use circumstances like persecution to advance His mission, the Church is also called to take proactive steps to spread His word. In this case, the Church comes together, seeks the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and sends out Paul and Barnabas with purpose and prayer, fully committed to the mission at hand.

Application

When we consider how this applies to our own lives, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the work of spreading the gospel is someone else’s responsibility.

We might assume it’s a task for pastors, missionaries, or adults with more experience. For those of you in middle school and high school, it can be especially tempting to think, “That’s not for me right now. I’m too young.” But let me tell you—this is a misconception. God calls all of us to be part of His mission, regardless of our age, stage of life, or circumstances.

God has uniquely placed each of you exactly where you are to be His witness. Whether it’s in your school hallways, in your neighborhood, or on your sports teams, He wants to use you to share the good news of Jesus. You don’t have to wait for some future moment to step into this role—you can be a missionary right now, right where you are.

As we think about sending people out into the world to share the gospel, we need to remember that it isn’t just “their” job to go to far-off places we might never visit. It’s our job, too. God’s mission begins with us, here and now, in our everyday lives.

Being faithful in sharing the gospel where you are is just as much a part of God’s plan as sending someone overseas. Let this challenge you to see your school, your neighborhood, and your community as your mission field—and to step boldly into the calling God has placed on your life.

So when we think how this applies I want us to look at two areas:

Be a missionary where you are.

Consider who God has put you around. Are they believers or not? Do you even know?

Consider using your talents as a way to talk about the gospel. If you are an athlete use that to talk about Jesus, if you are a theatre person use that to talk about Jesus.

Pray for the global church.

If all your prayers were answered tomorrow, how would the world look different?

You should pray for those around the world who are part of our church who are being persecuted regularly who are experiencing hardship for the sake of the gospel.

Landing

As we close, I want to leave you with this thought: God’s mission is bigger than any one of us, but it includes every single one of us. You are not too young, too ordinary, or too unprepared to be part of His incredible plan.

The Church is called to be a sending force in the world, and that includes you.

What if we stopped seeing “missions” as something reserved for the future or for someone else? What if we began to see our schools, our neighborhoods, and our everyday lives as the mission field God has placed us in right now? Being part of the Church’s mission starts with faithfulness in the small things—how you love your friends, how you care for the people who are hurting, and how you shine the light of Christ wherever you go.

At the same time, we can’t forget the global Church. Even if you never step foot in another country, your prayers, your encouragement, and your support have a ripple effect that reaches across the world. God uses each of us, whether we’re called to go or to send, to bring His kingdom closer to every nation, tribe, and tongue.

So here’s the challenge: Start today.

Ask God to open your eyes to the mission field He’s placed right in front of you.

Ask Him to give you boldness to share the gospel in your words and actions.

And pray for the Church around the world, trusting that God is using us all to accomplish His purpose.

Let’s be a church that sends. Let’s be individuals who go. Let’s be people who live on mission—every day, in every place, for the glory of God.

Pray