Purpose Of Heart
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Recap Saul’s journey to Tarsus.
And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
Acts 9:
Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
Eric’s cheese comment and camp story…he’s got the heart.
Acts 11:19-
Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but the Jews only. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
Eric’s cheese comment and camp story…he’s got the heart.
The church didn’t prosper because Saul converted everyone in the land, it didn’t grow because of
The church didn’t prosper because Saul converted everyone in the land, it didn’t grow because of strategy or administration. The church grew because the people had a heart for Christ! They went out and they shared the Gospel! Do you want the church to grow? Share the Gospel! It’s crazy, I know! In order for people to have the opportunity to respond to God’s word, they have to hear it! And we have to tell them!
Oh, give thanks to the Lord!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
Paul himself writes this later in his life:
But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
We cannot call ourselves Christ followers if we are unwilling to share His word. It was being done here and it was being done well. People were responding and the church was growing fast. So fast that the church in Jerusalem took notice and sent ‘The Encourager’ to go and help out.
Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch.
Acts 11:
Barnabas means ‘Son of Encouragement’. Isn’t that cool?
Notice his reaction to the things he saw when he arrived.
When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord.
When he came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad, and encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord. For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Purpose Of Heart
Purpose Of Heart
Eric’s cheese comment and camp experience....he’s got the right heart.
Acts 11:23-24
Barnabas came in with the right heart, to encourage and serve.
For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
Again, we see people added to the Lord, not because of talent or experience or education, but because of the Holy Spirit, faith, obedience and heart.
When our lives are in the Lord, we rejoice when He is lifted up. His heart becomes our heart, His people become our people, His goals become our goals, His sorrow becomes our sorrow, His will becomes our will.
Why do you follow the Lord? To avoid hell? To be blessed? Because your parents did? It looks good to others? Because your friends are here? We are all on our own journey as Christians and to be honest with you, I began following Christ because of what He could do for me, and maybe some of you here haven't made that decision, but the goal is for us to get to a place where we follow God with 'purpose of heart'! Because of your love for who He is. Because He first loved you. Because you can’t imagine living life without Him. Why are you here this morning? What is your purpose? Is it a purpose of heart or a purpose of flesh?
How do you respond to God's grace? Do you respond to it differently when you see it in the life of others?
Being in a band and hoping the other bands fail.
Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
There is no room for selfishness in the life of a Christian. When we are full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, God's victories become our victories no matter where or to who they happen.
There is no room for selfishness in the life of a Christian. When we are full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, God's victories become our victories no matter where or to who they happen.
Barnabas was filled with the Spirit and faith and rejoiced in the growth of the church. But he needed help and went out to find the one guy who could help him.
Acts 11:
Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
Where was Saul and what was he doing? We know he was going to Tarsus, but what is cool is that we can read the letters he wrote to get more info about his journey.
Galatians 1:18-
Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)
Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.
If you check a map, you’ll see that Syria and Cilicia were on the way to Tarsus. He kept preaching Jesus on his way home! I’ve got to ask you this morning, do you keep preaching Jesus on your way home? On your way home from here, from work, from school, from lunch? We’ve got to be sharing Christ always!
Saul went home.
We don't know what his circumstances in Tarsus were. How was he recieved by his hometown? His family? Friends? The synagogues? Did his persecution continue there? Was he hiding in the shadows?
We don't know. But we do know that this is where he learned to be fully humbled and dependent on God.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
1 It is doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—4 how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Saul was waiting and he was learning humility and dependence on God, he was getting his heart right.
I know there are many of you in here this morning that are waiting. You are hurting and suffering and sitting in sorrow. And many times, it feels as if we are waiting alone. I know, because I see you. I do my best to reach out to you because I know what it is to hurt alone. I was struggling last week because I failed to be there for every one of you.
But here’s the thing. I will fail you because I am imperfect. I am human. But I know someone who will never fail you, never leave you, and waits with you in your pain, your hurt and your sorrow and His name is Jesus!
Saul was waiting. And then Barnabas found him.
26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Acts 11:
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul.
With a new heart and a new outlook, and the right motives Saul was once again set in motion. God will set you in motion again as well if we are willing to wait on Him.
When we fail to wait on God and we make our own way, there is no satisfaction, no peace, no joy and we will continue to feel empty as we look for one thing after another to quench our thirst.
As we wait, we learn patience.
As we wait, we learn God does not need us.
As we wait, we grow deeper as Christians.
When we are sent, we feel the least qualified but are the most effective because knowing that God does not need us but chooses us because He loves us, we go out with the right spirit, the right attitude, and purpose of heart for our Lord and Savior, emptied of ourselves, filled with the Holy Spirit and full of faith that we may continue with the Lord and be called ... Christians.
Let’s pray