Acts: The Gospel Unleashed Part 20

Introduction

Acts 11:19–25 ESV

19 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. 20 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. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 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, 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,

In 1950 during the Karen War the First Marine Division met the enemy at Chosin mountain reservoir. It was brutal subzero conditions that froze their food and supplies and rendered many of their vehicles inoperable. To make matters worse they were running out of Ammo and the called for an AIR drop of 60 Millimeter Mortor Rounds - Code Name for the AMMO - Tootsie Rolls. The Airfore radio operator who received the call didn’t have his Code Sheet but realizing the urgency of the situation sent immediate aid to the troops - Falling from the sky you gussed it - Tootsie Rolls -

The City!

What does a healthy church look like?

A healthy church increasingly reflects the character of Christ.

We often wrongly define health with a numerical equation.

Size = Health

Larger = Healthier

Biblically, we must realize that the size of what our eyes see is rarely a good way to estimate the greatness of something in the eyes of God. Mark Dever

The church at Antioch is the greatest biblical example of the character of Christ on display within the congregation.

A healthy church prioritizes preaching the gospel.

Acts 11:19–20 ESV

19 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. 20 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.

A healthy church experiences the hand of God.

Acts 11:21 ESV

21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

A healthy church has a good name in the community.

Acts 11:26 ESV

26 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.

The community could not ignore the church

"There is a common, worldly kind of Christianity in this day, which many have, and think they have enough - a cheap Christianity which offends nobody, and requires no sacrifice - which costs nothing, and is worth nothing." J.C. Ryle

In the Bible Belt, identifying as a Christian is a way of life, but sadly, believing the gospel and following Jesus are often not. Dean Inserra

Unbelievers know when their friends who claim to be Christian don’t actually take their faith seriously. Dean Inserra

A Christian is not one who has been baptized, necessarily, though a Christian is likely to be baptized. A Christian is not one who receives Communion, though a Christian may receive Communion, and if he’s been properly taught, he will. But that is not a Christian necessarily. A Christian is not one who has been born into a Christian home, though the chances are more likely that he will be a Christian if he has a good Christian background. A Christian is not one who has memorized the New Testament... A Christian may do all of those things and I think it might be fine if he did; but that doesn’t make one a Christian. A Christian is one who sustains a right relationship to Jesus Christ.

A healthy church makes disciples by teaching the word.

Acts 11:26 ESV

26 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.

A healthy church meets the needs of others.

Acts 11:27–30 ESV

27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.