Acts 13:1-12 - Part 21 - Missionary Hearts
Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 3 viewsNotes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Good morning! Welcome to CHCC. This morning we begin a new chapter in the book of Acts and it really ushers in a new focal point of the book itself as a whole. Up to this point we have seen the Gospel begin to make its way outward into the world. The Church and its indwelling of the Holy Spirit begins back in chapter 2 at Pentecost in Jerusalem. From there, the gospel begins to make its way to Judea and Samaria due to persecution.
Soon enough, there are believers in Damascus which sat 135 miles to the north of Jerusalem. Saul of Tarsus, a man hellbent on stamping out the flame of Christian followers, makes his way to this city to have the believers arrested. On his way, he is blinded by a flash of light and meets His risen Lord. We then come to see that he would spend three years in the wilderness as the Lord would prepare him for ministry (and for how much he would suffer for His name).
Eventually, due to facing his own persecution, Saul would make his way back to Tarsus for several years before we meet up with him again here at the end of chapter 12. During this time, God begins working on the heart of Peter for Gentile ministry. Through a very unique vision, Peter comes to understand that the Gospel and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit are for all people—both Jew and Gentile.
He presents the gospel to the house of Cornelius the Centurion and sees the Holy Spirit fall on them just as it had with the original believers in the upper room at Pentecost; this confirms to him (and the rest of the church) that the Gospel message of hope is for all.
As Luke is presenting the expanse of the church we are beginning to see how it is taking root in Gentile hearts and cities. In fact, we come to see that in perhaps the most unlikely of cities is where it takes the deepest roots of all. The ancient Sin City on the Orontes River—none other than Antioch. Widely known during its heyday for its sin and rampant depravity. However, this would be where God would establish the Gentile church and where missions would be sent off from (as we will see in our text this morning).
So much was happening in this city, and so many people were coming to faith in Jesus that this is where the term Christian was first used and the rest is history.
Chapter twelve diverts our attention back to Jerusalem for just a moment as we are reminded of the two fold reality of following Christ. First we are reminded of the sober reality of persecution as one of the main leaders—James the brother of John—is killed. Second, we are reminded of the power and authority of Christ and God’s ability to deliver us whenever He sees fit. Following James’ death, Peter is arrested and awaiting the same fate. However, the night before his trial and subsequent death, an angel of the Lord breaks him out of prison and he makes his miraculous escape. We are reminded of God’s goodness and power, as well as the importance and power of prayer.
And now we come to a new section of early church history as the Word of God embarks on missionary journeys throughout the known land to continue the expanse of God’s Church. We come to Paul’s first missionary journey and we will spend a couple weeks traveling with Paul and his companions as the gospel is being taken to the end of the earth.
They likely didn’t know it at the time, but the early church was entering into its greatest chapter yet. Let us dive into chapter 13 and see what the Lord has for us today.
PRAY
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. 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.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Back in chapter 11 Luke tells us that relief due to an upcoming famine was needed in the area of Judea so the church sent Saul and Barnabas with aid to help the church in that region. We pick up the story of these two at the very end of chapter 12 that tells us:
And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
After completing their mission to bring relief to the saints in Judea, Barnabas and Saul make the return journey back to Antioch, but this time they bring with them another companion, a man by the name of John Mark. Paul’s letter to the Colossians gives us a little more insight into this Mark as chapter 4, verse 10 tells us he is actually the cousin of Barnabas.
Before we get to the missionary journey itself, Luke records for us how this whole journey comes to fruition. What I love is how diverse the group of believers are here in the church at Antioch.
There are prophets and teachers—so we are already seeing the beauty in the diversity of gifts and the importance of that. If all were teachers there would be a lack of prophetic word given. If they are all prophets then there would be the missing component of gospel preaching. Both were and are necessary for church vitality.
Luke then lists a group of believers that were together in worship and fasting and we see the diversity of people there as well. We have Barnabas—the son of encouragement from the island of Cyprus. We have Simeon who was called Niger which is the Latin word for “black” which suggests to us he came from the region of Africa. We have Lucius from Cyrene which was in North Africa. Then we have two men that had very interesting upbringings who now find themselves in the fold of God’s grace and God’s church. First, Luke names a gentleman by the name of Manaen who we come to understand was brought up in the household of Herod the tetrarch. The Greek word here (syntrophos) means more along the line of foster brother or close friend from childhood.
For those who don’t know, this was the same Herod that had John the Baptist beheaded. F.F. Bruce explains that this title “was given to boys of the same age as royal princes, who were taken to the royal court to be brought up with them.”
The path these two childhood friends took could not have been more different. One was responsible for the death of the forerunner of Christ as well as a part of the trial of Jesus that would ultimately send Him to the cross. The other would become a leader of Christ’s church.
Then of course we have Saul who we have gotten to know pretty well over the past several chapters. He was an educated Jew from Tarsus—originally being trained to be a rabbi just as his own father, under the famed Rabbi Gamaliel.
We have a diverse group of believers from all sorts of cultures and pasts coming together in unity, worshipping the True God and indwelled with the same Spirit. Antioch became a microcosm of God’s church throughout the world.
These faithful men had come together in unity and Luke’s account says they were specifically doing two things in verse 2. They were “worshipping the Lord and fasting.”
The Greek word used here that translates as “worship” is also synonomous with serving or “ministering.” The definition is “doing public work at one’s own expense.”
How interesting that our worship of God is also related to our selfless service towards others. It was a Greek word that was often used for the service of priests and Levites in the temple. In other words, the early church understood that service fit into the Christian understanding of worship and prayer.
I think our most common understanding of worshipping God is through song—at least corporately. Perhaps through prayer. But I think we don’t necessarily always associate our service to God and others as worship, but that is exactly what it is.
What is more, these men were also fasting. After reading and mediating on our passage this week I think how great would it be to corporately invite you all to fast together one day this week. And perhaps even making it a monthly practice. Setting aside one day—perhaps this Wednesday (?) and fasting (if you’d like or are able).
Fasting is such a vital aspect of worship throughout Scripture—encouraged by prophets and faithful men and women. Jesus even gave instruction on how to fast.
“And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
In other words, don’t fast in order to make yourself appear more pious than others. Oh, I can’t go out for lunch today, I’m fasting. “Are you okay? You look kind of sick.” “Oh, I’m okay. A little hungry is all. You see, I’m fasting today…”
No! Do it in secret because the purpose is not for others, but to give added focus and attention to the Lord. As R. Kent Hughes explains:
“Fasting” is always a mark of deep spiritual concern, indicating that a person is willing to set aside the normal demands of life in order to concentrate for a time on what God wants.
The worshipping, fasting, and praying bookend the call, the obedience, and the send off of the first missionary journey. I believe this serves to remind us of—as Everett Harrison puts it—”the atmosphere of urgent desire” seen in the early church here in Antioch.
Also, take note of from whom the Church received their instruction. It wasn’t internally; it wasn’t a board determining the best avenue to spend resources, or putting together a five-point or five-year plan to expand the gospel. While planning and discussion can certainly be wise things to do, we must always, always, always be sure that the Holy Spirit is leading and guiding God’s church above all else.
This was the Holy Spirit’s commission to God’s faithful leaders.
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.”
Now remember, these two specifically were the current leaders of the church in Antioch. Barnabas was sent to by the church in Jerusalem to serve as a witness to the news they recieved that people in Antioch were coming to Christ. When he arrives, he sees the great news to be true and begins to serve in ministry. And that ministry quickly grows beyond just one man’s ability to lead and so Barnabas calls for Saul to come down from Tarsus to help out and it tells us they served for a year together at this point.
And I say that because I would think it may have been difficult for the church to let go of their leaders, but we see no hesitation on their part. They trust the Holy Spirit’s wisdom.
Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
The sending off ceremony that takes place with the laying on of hands was and act of blessing in which the church associated itself with them and commended them to the grace of God.
Just as in the Old Testament the offerer would place their hands on the sacrifice, expressing their identification with it, so now the church of Antioch laid their hands on these called ambassadors for Christ.
In essence, it was a sign of their full fledged support. They were saying, “We are with you in this great calling. As you go, we go. Our hearts and our prayers and our support will be with you wherever God leads.”
Verse 2 and then again in verse 4 we are reminded that it is the Holy Spirit who ultimately sends his servants out. And where the Holy Spirit led, these faithful men followed.
MISSION WORK ON CYPRUS
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
One thing that is made clear time and time again as we follow the early church missionaries is that the work of ministry was (and always ought to be) entirely selfless. Nothing in their work had anything to do with their own well-being or their own comfort or own enjoyment. It had everything to do with obedience to the call God placed on their lives and the focus of serving the people God put in their path.
There is a well known poem titled Invictus by William Ernest Henley that ends with the lines that many people may know: “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.”
Barnabas and Paul were examples of the antithesis of this kind of heart and mindset. In fact, as we see them venture into unsure territory and unknown trials that they chose to make God the master of their fate and the Holy Spirit the captain of their souls. May it be so with us!
And because they allowed Christ to be the captain of their souls, they modeled a willingness to follow the Savior that should be ours as well. And I’m sure there are beautiful testimonies in the seats this morning of faithful men and women who would say they have done things at the prompting of the Holy Spirit that they otherwise would never do.
Are we willing to go where God sends us?
For our protagonists, they embark on their journey from the port city of Seleucia near Antioch and make their way for Salamis—a port city on the island of Cyprus.
I don’t know if you’ve ever seen images of Cyprus, but it is absolutely stunning. In fact, in the ancient world it was regarded much like we today regard Hawaii or the Bahamas. It was a vacation destination. William Barclay says it was called Markaria which translates to “Happy Isle” because its climate was so perfect and the resources so abundant.
But it was also a needy place and was the crossroads of the Mediterranean since it is an island that sits in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The journey and mission is rather straightforward upon arrival. They would travel the island from east to west, from Salamis to Paphos which was a distance of about ninety miles. And during their journey they would preach the gospel to both Jew and Gentile. In synagogues and pagan areas.
Verse 5 also tells us that they had one other companion on their trip—John, who was also called Mark. By Luke’s omission of details, we can presume there wasn’t a great initial response to the gospel and they would soon come face to face with the reality of difficulties and opposition.
They may be on a beautiful island in the middle of the Mediterranean, but missionary work would prove to be arduous and trying. Verse 6 now.
When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
The missionary team makes their way to the southwestern side of Cyprus to the city of Paphos which was the provincial capital and thus where they come across the proconsul. In Ancient Rome, where there were peaceful and civilized provinces (such as Cyprus), there were no consuls necessary and thus a provincial governor would be put in place which they called a proconsul. In short, he was essentially a governor of Cyprus.
But what is more, there is someone standing in their way (spiritually speaking). A magician named Bar-Jesus. The prefix “Bar” means “son of” Barnabas means “son of encouragement.” Bar-Jesus thus means “Son of Jesus” or “Son of Salvation.” He also went by the name Elymas which in the Arabic language means “skillful one.”
He was a man that held certain sway over the ruling governor of Cyprus and he wasn’t keen on giving that up. So what we come across here on the first missionary journey is some very real Spiritual warfare.
And this is something we have to understand is very real to this day. Spiritual warfare is not a fantasy of over-imaginative theologians. It isn’t something made up in some lame effort to control others by means of fear. It is real and Paul would encounter it quite often on his missionary journeys. So much so that he would frequently write about it in his various letters to various churches.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Spiritual warfare happens every day and it happened two millennia ago with Paul, Barnabas, and John Mark in Paphos. The very real reality that I think we can all agree upon is that life is difficult. And it is even more so when you choose to follow Christ. We think of the early church believers such as Stephen and James who were killed for their faith. Peter was already arrested once. Paul has faced crowds on two occasions already seeking to kill him. We think of faithful people such as Corrie Ten Boom who would never have ended up in the Ravensbrück concentration camp had she and her family not chosen to obey Christ by sheltering fellow men and women from genocide.
What we are realizing here as we read through chapter 13 is that there is a cost to following Christ. As R. Kent Hughes so bluntly states:
Never share your faith and you will never look like a fool. Never stand for righteousness on a social issue and you will never be rejected. Never walk out of a theater because a movie or play is offensive and you will never be called a prig. Never practice consistent honesty in business and you will not lose the trade of a not-so-honest associate. Never reach out to the needy and you will never be taken advantage of. Never give your heart and it will never be broken. Never go to Cyprus and you will never be subjected to a dizzy, heart-convulsing confrontation with Satan. Seriously follow Christ and you will experience a gamut of sorrows almost completely unknown to the unbeliever. But of course you will also know the joy of adventure with the Lord of the universe and of spiritual victory as you live a life of allegiance to him.
A life of faithful dedication to Christ won’t be easy. But it is rewarding and it is so wonderful and remarkably beautiful. So let us see how our missionaries respond to this adversary in Elymas as we close. Verse 9.
But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
From this point forward Saul is referred to as Paul and so I will also refer to him now on as Paul. Luke tells us that Paul looked intently upon Elymas and doesn’t hold back.
and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
Some have looked at those words and have argued that they don’t “sound Christian.” How could Paul talk so harshly? Well, take a quick gander at the previous verse and you will see how: he was “filled with the Holy Spirit.” So they weren’t even his words, but the words of the Holy Spirit!
It was through the discernment of the Spirit that Paul was able to see Elymas’ heart laid bare. And what he saw was the enemy of God pulling the strings.
And so Elymas faces some serious consequences.
And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
This was a man whose power held sway over the governor of Cyprus. And the governor, according to Luke, wasn’t a gullible man, nor was he daft. In fact, Luke defines him as a man of intelligence. So Elymas was no doubt crafty in his sway. But he is utterly powerless when he’s up against the Holy Spirit.
I imagine Paul was reminded of his own blinding on the road to Damascus and was grateful the blindness fell on another this time. I think, too, that the miracle against Elymas serves as an illustration in a couple of ways for us. Number one I think his physical blindness serves as a representation of his spiritual blindness. And secondly, we see this man that once held power and sway over people is rendered helpless to the point that he is entirely reliant upon others to lead him by the hand.
It ultimately reveals to us the power of God and the powerlessness of man in comparison.
What is more, now the proconsul—this Sergius Paulus—is receptive to the Gospel. Verse 12.
Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
I think it is important to note that is wasn’t the miracle that necessarily led to his faith in Jesus, although it no doubt played a crucial part. The miracle opened the door, but it was the teaching of the Lord that brought this intelligent man into the fold of God’s grace.
Interestingly, archaeology has confirmed Luke’s report. A man by the name of Sir William Ramsay reported inscriptions bearing the name of Sergius Paulus to have been found on the island of Cyprus confirming that he was a Christian and that his entire family also became Christian.
And Sir William Ramsay was himself, initially, a skeptic. He was an historian and archaeologist that sought to disprove the validity of Luke’s writings only to come face to face with the facts of the gospel that ultimately led to his own conversion.
So what do we make of all of this? First, I think this reveals to us the importance of unity in the Church. Although there were three companions that boarded the ship to Cyprus, it took the obedience of the body to make it happen. Prayer, fasting, and worship are integral to a thriving body. If we are to be obedient and faithful believers we must be in tune with the Lord.
Secondly, we are reminded that if we are to serve Christ we will be met with difficulty and opposition. If you truly and fully follow Christ, you will open yourself to a diversity of troubles hardly known by the self-serving non-believer.
But if I may be blunt for a moment; I think the sad-reality of the Western Christian world is that we are too soft. We face the slightest difficulty and we think, “This cannot be God’s will—it is too hard! Surely God would not lead me down this road because it hurts!”
But the reality for the believer is that there is no trial or difficulty that Christ will not see us through. This is only the beginning of Paul’s difficulties and confrontations. He would face imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, hunger, weariness, and much more for the name of Christ. And you know what his conclusions were?
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
So where is God calling you to serve? Perhaps on another continent. Perhaps in your own neighborhood. Even in your own home. But I can assure you that if you have given your life to Christ in faith, He is calling you somewhere. And in that calling you will face trials. It won’t always be easy. In fact, it may very well prove to be hard far more often than it is easy. But it will be rewarding.
My prayer for us all is that we would be willing and we would be obedient. Because no matter what trial or suffering we may face, number one: it won’t even be worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us; and number two: we are more than conquerors through him who loves us!
PRAY/COMMUNION
