A Church with a Good Report

Imagine you are a new believer in the 1st Century...

Gospel is being shared with Jews only. But, it is spilling out.

There’s something about the church in Antioch.

Growing community - FACT.

May it be so with us - a good report.

Turn to Acts 11 in your Bible.

Acts 11:19–26 ESV

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. 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. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 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, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 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.

What are some evidences of a church with a good report?

The Lord is with them!

Vs 21

Believing and turning away from their former life.

As you read through Acts about the growth of the church, you see evidence of God’s work.

Turning away from idols.

Burning “magical” books.

First we see the Lord is with them...

Second, the grace of God is evident.

The Grace of God is evident.

Vs 23

Barnabas saw the grace of God. God was at work.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God.

2 Peter encourages us to...

Grow in grace. 2 Peter 3:18

2 Peter 3:18 ESV

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.

How do we grow in grace?

2 Peter 1:5–7 ESV

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

Where the grace of God is evident the Spirit is at work.

We see in the church at Antioch that the Spirit is at work.

Jesus said, “A tree is known by it’s fruit.” - Matt 12:33

Individuals

Local Church

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Can we chase a rabbit trail for a minute?

Love:

Romans 12:9–10 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

1 Cor 13 - Patience, kind,

Where the grace of God is evident and the spirit is at work, “A great many are added to the Lord”.

We need to pray for this!

There is a corresponding effect to this growth of believers, Barnabas had to seek out help. Went after Paul in Tarsus.

The Lord is with them.

Grace of God is evident.

Third, their lives reflect Christ.

Their lives reflect Christ.

Vs 26b

Called Christians - belonging to Christ.

A distinct group.

Is this true of Oak Grove?

The Lord is with us.

The Grace of God is evident.

Our lives reflect Christ.

It should be. It ought to be true.

Make it a matter of prayer.

OG is a church with a good report.