Acts: Being the Church, Pursuing Freedom for the Community

Pursuing Freedom of Christ in our communities:

Introduction

transition of emphasis and leadership

Jews —> Everyone

Peter —> Paul &others

interesting link b/w Paul & the story of Israel:

on a journey in and toward the mission and mandate of God, a people on mission, a light to the nations (13:47)

story of paul linked to the story of israel—on a journey in and toard the mission and mandate of God, a people on mission, a light to the nations (13:47)

Having to overcome historical, cultural, and religious hurdles (who are God’s people and what are the requirements?)

God’s people are those who confess & believe Jesus is the Messiah

Transition: we have heard about Paul, off and on, but at this point we are introduced to a “mini” pentecost moment

Read:

Acts 13:1–5 ESV

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. 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.

Don’t forget that 5 people responded to the invitation of the HS--

Acts 13:1–8 ESV

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. 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. 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.

Don’t forget that 5 people responded to the invitation of the HS--

did you know 70 million evangelicals in the US with $880 Billion of resources available...

1400 1 in 92 people professed to be followers of Jesus; 1 in 5 profess to be followers of Jesus.

Pray, Listen, Respond

Paul is a perfect person to bridge the gap (embodied Jewish religious life) also embodied the undoing way of the kingdom & the church—miraculous intervention and invitation

acts 15 confirmed ONLY belief in Jesus as messiah qualifies for membership into the people of God

Paul is a perfect person to bridge the gap (embodied Jewish religious life) also embodied the undoing way of the kingdom & the church—miraculous intervention and invitation

Chapters 13 & 14 are the turning point in the direction of the church and Paul is the captain.

It plays out wonderfully: The Life and Freedom of Christ for His Church begins to unfold in the communities to which they are sent

Up to this point God had been preparing the church

pursuing freedom in our community (out from the church into the lives of others) places of conversation and contact

Preparing the church

Acts 1:8 ESV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

preparing the church

1)empowering (Acts 1:8)

acts 1:8 empowering unity & live witnessing comm worshipping comm working thruugh opposition internal within external set apart comm Peter & Cornelius, opened the door for Paul to the gentiles Shift Jerusalem (center of the Jews) —> Antioch (intersection of Jew & Gentile) —> Rome (epicenter of Gentiles) Renewal & reminder through the church living out and seeing kingdom of God unfold 1-7 & then an environment for replication and renewal within the body and revival in the community)

2)unity & love (2:42)

3)witnessing community (Acts 3-4)

4)worshipping community (—reverence and awe)

5)working through opposition (Acts 6-11

personal/internal (Peter not stepping out,

within (Annanias, neglecting widows, questioning gospel in Samaria & other places in Judea, even Antioch

external (persecution from Jewish leaders, esp. Paul and Sanhedrin

6)Set apart comm

Peter & Cornelius, opened the door for (Acts 11

Paul to the gentiles ( & 13)

Shift Jerusalem (center of the Jews) —> Antioch (intersection of Jew & Gentile) —> Rome (epicenter of Gentiles)

7)Renewal & reminder of work of the HS, through the church living out and seeing kingdom of God unfold

1-7 & then an environment for replication and renewal within the body and revival in the community)

timeline of Paul

This activity at work in Paul’s 1st missionary journey

Paul converted approx. 33 AD

about 44AD, he begins missionary journeys.

This one focused on what is present day, western Turkey.

-Sent out by the HS

Acts 13:6–12 ESV

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. 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.

ACts 13:6-they knew where to go (it was logical, based upon those involved and the history of the location up to this point) -Barnabas, the history of the church, chapter 11, and the leaders of Antioch (11:19-22)

they knew where to go (it was logical, based upon those involved and the history of the location up to this point) -Barnabas, the history of the church, chapter 11, and the leaders of Antioch (11:19-22)

Always from the known and the familiar, looking for opportunities, consequences for those who reject, and “blessing”/fruit for those who receive

13:8 —> 13:12 13:10-11

13:14 —>13:16 (msg. of gospel to the Jews)

13:22 —> 13:38-39 13:40 13:42

13:46 —> 13:48 13:50 13:48 & 51

The return

14:22-23 (each place salvation and freedom unfolded)

14:26-fulfilled

14:27-28 —declared what God did and remained for some time with the community

patterns: sent out & set apart, look for opportunities, see what unfolds & rejoice when the gospel bears fruit

What in Acts to the Apostle Paul means today?

What in Acts to the Apostle Paul means today?

SO WHAT?

So WHAT?

Individually (maturity of the faith and movement of discipleship)

Collectively as a community of faith:

Making known the gospel of Jesus-

patterns of evangelism

postures and perspectives of the faithful

possibility for freedom to unfold where kingdom is proclaimed

Celebrate where fruit occurs (Lead, disciple, empower, entrust into care of the Spirit)

If rejected & rebelled against, leave it in God’s hands and move on

Experiencing Freedom in Christ and Pursuing freedom within our communities is an interchange of who we are in Christ and how that is expressed to wherever, whenever, and whomever God invites us to proclaim the good news

Experiencing Freedom in Christ and Pursuing freedom within our communities is an interchange of who we are in Christ and how that is expressed to wherever, whenever, and whomever God invites us to proclaim the good news

Can’t give what you don’t have; often don’t have b/c it’s not a priority to give what we do?

Faithful with little faithful with much.

Where is God moving in you right now? Internally and in relation with others?

As a church we move in area that are natural and contextual

In the church we disciple and develop and structure ways that fit the context, need, and response of the community of faith

-pursuing freedom in community interfaces with the people of God on mission through christ in the power of the HS—wherever, whenever, whomever

As Skyline FF, being the church in Eagle River, where are natural stream of activity:

Last week talked of freedom in the face of opposition

Also where is the application already happening? pursuing freedom of Christ in others

pursuing freedom of Christ in others

pursuing freedom in others

Collaborating in with other churches; community outreach with businesses (Fall Festival) —insert blurb

Working at Hiland Mtn. (already involved with the women of TLC and New Hope House), also opportunities unfolding with the men of TLC & an christian education wing, reaching out to men in our community, especially military, through an outreach program called, Life on Tap; NiN, Pregnancy Resource Center.

These are places that make sense and are natural fits, based upon where we have connections and have been planting seeds. We rejoice over what God has been doing, but we also watch & wait for ways he will set us apart, opportunities to unfold, or places which we can pursue the freedom of Christ in our community.

Let us pray!

-called to be on mission (everyone & to whomever)

-called to be on mission (everyone & to whomever)

-wherever you are planted (everywhere)

-always available and accessible (wait, listen, obey) expectantly whenever

-whenever (no distinctive)

Outcome:

received & respond

OR reject & rebel

THIS IS God’s concern alone (not yours and mine)