Untitled Sermon (18)

Only Jews

The New Revised Standard Version The Church in Antioch

Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, and they spoke the word to no one except Jews.

“Look!” Stephen had said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” The people hearing this simply covered their ears and kept stoning him. Things started bad, and now everything was worse.

First month of marriage- trials make people stick together, but also make them exclusivist.

Trials of the Church- strengthened faith, but also darkened vision (everyone else becomes the enemy)

Hellenists Turn

The New Revised Standard Version The Church in Antioch

But among them were some men of Cyprus and Cyrene who, on coming to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number became believers and turned to the Lord.

A few chose to look beyond themselves

What are “Hellenists”?

Returning to the Lord

We live in a nation of “Hellenists”

For most in America, they don’t need to turn but to return to God

What does that look like?...

More than Numbers?

The New Revised Standard Version The Church in Antioch

News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.

The Church in Jerusalem is not content with new converts

More than numbers: Cane Ridge Revival (many “converts”, but how many disciples?

Baranabas went to see if this was faith or a fad

Seeing Grace

The New Revised Standard Version The Church in Antioch

When he came and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast devotion; 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were brought to the Lord.

Who they sent was important, however.

Many would have opposed the un-circumcised coming

True “faith” doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll look just like us

Important not to be overly-critical of returners

We have to look for grace:

God is inclusive, not exclusive. He wants to include everyone, if they so choose.

Finding Truth

The New Revised Standard Version The Church in Antioch

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for an entire year they met with the church and taught a great many people,

Grace, however, is always an invitation to discipleship.

Grace doesn’t mean the Hellenists become Jews, but it does mean they understand the faith.

Grace and Truth are not opposed

Grace and Truth as antidote to modern “tolerance” (i.e. pluralism)

What is a “Christian”?

The New Revised Standard Version The Church in Antioch

and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called “Christians.”

From Grace and Truth comes a Christian.

“Christian” is from Latin political terms, as opposed to “Herodiani”, “Neroniani”, or “Caesariani”.

“Christian” means “one of Christ’s people”, and implies Lordship

The defining mark of a Christian is not whether they’re Jew or Greek, but whether Christ is Lord.

Our culture also has its defining marks, but the only mark for us is Christ

Wesley on a Methodist

“A Methodist is one, who has the love of God shed abroad in his heart, by the Holy Ghost given unto him: one who loves the Lord his God with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his mind, and with all his strength. God is the joy of his heart, and the desire of his soul; which is constantly crying out, "Whom have I in Heaven but thee, and there is none upon Earth that I desire beside thee! My God and my all! Thou art the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever!"

By these marks, by these fruits of a living faith do we labour to distinguish ourselves from the unbelieving world, from all those whose minds or lives are not according to the gospel of Christ. But from real christians of whatsoever denomination they be, we earnestly desire not to be distinguished at all: Not from any, who sincerely follow after what they know they have not yet attained. No: whosoever doth the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister and mother. And I beseech you brethren, by the mercies of God, that we be in no wise divided among ourselves. Is thy heart right, as my heart is with thine? I ask no farther question. If it be, give me thy hand.

One Body

The New Revised Standard Version The Church in Antioch

At that time prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up and predicted by the Spirit that there would be a severe famine over all the world; and this took place during the reign of Claudius. 29 The disciples determined that according to their ability, each would send relief to the believers living in Judea; 30 this they did, sending it to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.

Neither Jew nor Greek