Equip and Send
Notes
Transcript
Purpose and Practice
Purpose and Practice
The parts of a body. Each is essential but has to do what it was made for in order for the body to benefit.
Today’s message sees the expansion of the church as the focus turns from Jerusalem to Antioch. Antioch will be the home base for Paul’s missionary journey’s.
Mission One will take this route. It is easy to see why Antioch was well positioned for the spread of the Gospel to the Gentile world.
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24 But the word of God increased and multiplied.
25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had completed their service, bringing with them John, whose other name was Mark.
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Jerusalem Church
Jerusalem Church
Apostle James in heaven
Peter begins itinerant ministry
James the brother of Jesus is one of the key leaders
With the Jerusalem church well established, the focus of Luke’s writings turn to Saul’s missionary work.
Antioch Church
Antioch Church
1 Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Who were these men?
Prophets: Those that proclaim a message from God to his people in order to build them up. At times, this includes foretelling the future.
Teachers: Those that instruct others.
What is the purpose of these two gifts?
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;
6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,
9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?
30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.
2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.
3 On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.
4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.
5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.
39 So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.
Spiritual Gifts:
Each one is given a gift from the Holy Spirit.
All gifts are good and for the benefit of the church.
We should desire the gifts that equip and build up everyone.
Love is greater than all the gifts.
The highlighting of Prophecy and Teaching in Antioch indicated that the church had leadership that could help it grow. It would remain healthy as they sent Barnabas and Saul on their missionary journey.
The Mission Continues
The Mission Continues
How do we know what God’s will and direction is?
How do we know what God’s will and direction is?
The role of worship: Prayer, Reading, Praising
The role of fasting: Submitting, Denying, Preparing
The role of listening: Waiting, Trusting, Believing
The act of obedience: Unity, Counsel, Commissioning
Are we as a church and you as an individual practicing spiritual disciplines. Are we carving time out of our lives to worship, fast, listen, and obey?
What are the pitfalls of ignoring these practices?
Without worship my thoughts center on myself.
Without fasting my desires rule my days.
Without listening my plans take the place of God’s.
Without spending time with God we obey ourselves instead of following the Holy Spirit.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Let’s be a church that walks with the Spirit.