Sermon Tone Analysis

Acts 13:1-5, 52

Introduction

Series Background

Ø       The Promise of the Spirit; The Advent of the Spirit; The Fullness of the Spirit; The Presence of the Spirit; The Judgement of the Spirit; The Guidance of the Spirit; The Fruit of the Spirit

The mission of the Holy Spirit is worldwide evangelism.

Ø       Up until this point the spread of Christianity had moved from Jerusalem to Antioch.

Ø       The rest of the book records the penetration of the gospel from Antioch to Rome.

Ø       In order to fulfill this mission of the Spirit, God worked through local churches, and in this chapter we have the picture of one such church in which the Holy Spirit had His way.

In this context, therefore, we see that:

\\ 1A.

The Mission of the Spirit Is to Recognize Missionaries

1B.

Within the Local Church  (1)

“in the church”

Ø       Such were the conditions in this church at Antioch that God was able to make clear to the leaders and members of this assembly that two men had been separated to the work for which He had called them.

Ø       The church was so spiritually attuned to the voice of God that the people did not fail to hear the call of the Spirit when it came.

Ø       There was a “unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph.

4:3) so that there could be no doubt about any word spoken from heaven.

Ø       One reason why it is so difficult to discern the will of God in our day is because of dissension and confusion within the church.

2B.

To the Leaders of the Church  (1-2)

“As they ministered to the Lord …the Holy Spirit said.…”

(13:2).

God reveals His will to His leaders as they serve.

Ø       The verb translated “ministered” was commonly used in the Greek version of both Old and New Testaments to describe the work of priests and Levites in the temple (Luke 1:23; Heb.

8:6; 9:21).

God reveals His will to His leaders when they sacrifice.

“They ministered to the Lord, and fasted” (13:2)

Ø       This word “fasted” indicates that as they submitted to the Holy Spirit.

\\ 2A.

The Mission of the Spirit Is to Authorize Missionaries  (3-4)

1B.

This was Personal Identification  (3)

It symbolized the approval of the church.

It symbolized the extension of the church.

2B.

This was Prayerful Identification

“They… fasted and prayed” (13:3).

Missionaries are selected in the context of prayer.

Missionaries are sustained by continuous prayer

1 Samuel 12:23 (NKJV) 23Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you…

Amplify

…to show ways and means that a local church should maintain a strong prayer support for the missionaries who have gone out from their midst.

3B.

This was Practical Identification

The church released them  (3)

“sent,” Pðïëýù = to release

Ø       “Released” implies that the church freed the two missionaries of all obligations in relation to their duties in the church, and of the heavy financial burdens of their missionary journey.

The Holy Spirit sent them  (4)

“sent,” dêðÝìðù = sent...away

 

\\ 3A.

The Mission of the Spirit Is to Utilize Missionaries  (4-5)

Four evidences of a Spirit-owned ministry.

1B.

They were to Witness for Christ

“They preached the word of God” (13:5).

Ø       They did this everywhere they went and mighty miracles took place.

Ø       Outstanding people like Sergius Paulus, governor of the island of Paphos, were gloriously converted (13:7).

Ø       No one can witness in the power of the Holy Spirit without seeing miracles taking place.

2B.

They were to Battle for Christ  (8-10)

Ø       Missionaries cannot be faithful to the Word of God without encountering satanic opposition.

Ø       Thank God, Spirit-called and sent missionaries know the blessing not only of battling, but of winning through, for Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

3B.

They were to Harvest for Christ  (48-49)

Ø       It is one thing to see individuals won here and there for the Savior, but quite another experience to harvest multitudes through the outpouring of the Spirit.

Ø       It is always thrilling to hear tidings of revival from different parts of the world where God is continuing to harvest the fruit of the earth.

4B.

They were to Suffer for Christ  (50-51)

Ø       It has been said that no one can live and preach in the Holy Spirit without creating either a revival or a riot.

\\ Application

We have seen what constitutes the mission of the Holy Spirit.

Ø       It is simply this: the recognizing, authorizing and utilizing of missionaries.

The methods of God have not been changed.

Ø       He still intends that local churches should be in such a state of spiritual health as to enable their leaders and members to hear the Holy Spirit saying, “Separate me this one and that one for the work whereunto I have called them.”

Tonight we have the privilege of doing just that.

\\ THE MISSION OF THE SPIRIT \\ The Power of Pentecost – Part 8 of 9 \\ Sunday, July 11, 1999 - Acts 13:1-5, 52

 

1A.

The Mission of the Spirit Is to ________________________________ Missionaries

1B.

Within the _______________________ Church  (1)

 

2B.

To the ___________________ of the Church  (1-2)

God reveals His will to His leaders as they _______________.

God reveals His will to His leaders when they ________________.

2A.

The Mission of the Spirit Is to ____________________________ Missionaries  (3-4)

1B.

This was ___________________ Identification  (3)

It symbolized the __________________ of the church.

It symbolized the extension of the church.

2B.

This was _______________________ Identification

Missionaries are selected in the __________________ of prayer.

Missionaries are sustained by ____________________ prayer

1 Samuel 12:23 (NKJV) 23Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you…

3B.

This was _______________________ Identification

The church ___________________________ them  (3)

 

The Holy Spirit _______________________ them  (4)

 

 

3A.

The Mission of the Spirit Is to ____________________________ Missionaries  (4-5)