Interdependent Independency
Notes
Transcript
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. 20 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. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
22 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. 23 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. 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 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 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.
27 And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar. 29 Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea. 30 This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
1. New Testament local churches were popping up all over!
1. New Testament local churches were popping up all over!
(1) A. Acts 1:8 was happening.
(1) A. Acts 1:8 was happening.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Remember we said this is both a command/strategy and also a prophesy.
The persecution forced them out of their comfort zone.
Persecution forced them into God’s plan.
Now the church is scattered and they didn’t have apostles to go with them.
(1.) B. Acts 1:8 was happening because of faithful saints.
(1.) B. Acts 1:8 was happening because of faithful saints.
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. 20 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. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.
12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
(1.) B. Acts 1:8 was happening because of faithful saints.
(1.) B. Acts 1:8 was happening because of faithful saints.
God was using ordinary people to build His church.
This reminds us that the people in our circle are not there by accident.
Where we live.
Where we work.
Where we shop.
Where we go to school.
They were ordinary Christian who were living through life changing circumstances and God was using them greatly.
These were people who were fluent in the gospel.
The ones that were from Jerusalem were clearly taught well.
42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
2. The Jerusalem church had attentive ears.
2. The Jerusalem church had attentive ears.
22 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.
(2) A. They heard the voice of other churches.
(2) A. They heard the voice of other churches.
This church was not so focused on themselves that they had no idea what was going on around them.
Just as we should have ears to hear other believers in our church, we should have ears to hear other churches.
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
This includes other local churches.
We put a heavy emphasis on the local church.
But there is one church.
We put an emphasis on the local church because scripture puts an emphasis on the local church.
It is impossible to live out the things we are told to do as Christians if we are not connected to a local church.
We see the universal church through local churches.
(2) A. They heard the voice of other churches.
(2) A. They heard the voice of other churches.
This requires a shift in our thinking.
Let’s thinking about where we struggle as Christians...
We struggle to genuinely care about the spiritual lives of others.
This is proven when we see how hard we have worked and how slow it is to create a culture of disciple-making.
Our lives our busy.
We are caught up in the ministries of the church.
By nature we care first about ourselves.
So to live interdependently within the local church is hard for us.
(DON’T ANSWER) How many of you are discipling or being discipled?
How much harder then is it for us to hear the voice of other churches?
(2) B. They heard the voice of the Holy Spirit.
(2) B. They heard the voice of the Holy Spirit.
It is one thing to hear the voice of another church, it is another to do something about it.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
Sometimes walking in the Spirit simply means doing what you know you should even if it is inconvenient.
(2) B. They heard the voice of the Holy Spirit.
(2) B. They heard the voice of the Holy Spirit.
3. The Jerusalem church had a giving heart.
3. The Jerusalem church had a giving heart.
(3) A. They sacrificially sent.
(3) A. They sacrificially sent.
22 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.
They did not simply pick someone who wanted to get away.
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.
(3) A. They sacrificially sent.
(3) A. They sacrificially sent.
Barnabas sold a piece of property and gave the money to the disciples in Acts 4.
Acts 9 Barnabas is the one who introduced Saul to the Jerusalem church.
Barnabas was a valued member.
He was a good man.
He was full of the Holy Spirit.
He was full of faith.
He would have been a leader.
He was one who would serve without being asked and do a good job.
He gave liberally!
Barnabas was not easily replaced.
But the church willing sent him.
They knew other churches would benefit from having him.
(3) B. Barnabas sacrificially went.
(3) B. Barnabas sacrificially went.
22 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.
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.
(3) B. Barnabas sacrificially went.
(3) B. Barnabas sacrificially went.
He want 300 miles away.
Different culture.
Different people.
Gone for more than a year.
His entire life was disrupted.
Barnabas even took money and food to Judea as relief from famine.
4. The Jerusalem church had a profitable investment.
4. The Jerusalem church had a profitable investment.
(4) A. Their investment encouraged weary churches.
(4) A. Their investment encouraged weary churches.
23 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.
Barnabas built up and encouraged the churches.
He gave them a purpose and kept them going.
(4) A. Their investment encouraged weary churches.
(4) A. Their investment encouraged weary churches.
Barnabas came from a thriving church in Jerusalem.
Trained by the apostles.
He was a result of being in the world and fellowshipping daily.
He came to these young churches and got in their corner.
He encouraged them.
He gave them vision.
We get the idea that he breathed new life into them!
(4) B. Their investment trained leaders.
(4) B. Their investment trained leaders.
25 Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul. 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.
(4) B. Their investment trained leaders.
(4) B. Their investment trained leaders.
Barnabas needed help with the churches and knows just the guy.
Remember Saul was still just Saul - NOT THE PAUL WE KNOW.
He is still a young Christian.
Barnabas recognizes God’s call on his life and seeks him out.
For a year they serve together teaching, preaching, and encouraging the church in Antioch.
(4) C. Their investment had eternal value.
(4) C. Their investment had eternal value.
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.
(4) C. Their investment had eternal value.
(4) C. Their investment had eternal value.
Not to mention this was the start of Paul’s ministry.
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.