Sermon Tone Analysis

Recap Saul’s journey to Tarsus.

Acts 9:

Eric’s cheese comment and camp story…he’s got the heart.

Acts 11:19-

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!

Paul himself writes this later in his life:

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.

Acts 11:

Barnabas means ‘Son of Encouragement’.

Isn’t that cool?

Notice his reaction to the things he saw when he arrived.

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.

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.

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:

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-

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

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.

Acts 11:

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