Direction

As we consider evangelism and discipleship, what changes need to be made?

Tonight we are going to pray about God’s direction for Grace Church.

In thinking through this topic the Lord brought to mind a time when He directed the early church.

Go with me to Acts 13.

This is where the missionary journeys begin.

For the first missionary journey, God moved and gave direction in a very interesting context.

God Directs When We Are Serving v. 1

Acts 13:1 NKJV

1 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

The other night it was mentioned that it is easier to direct a rock rolling down a hill then one that is still.

It has also been said that you can direct a car that is moving, not one that is parked.

Here in this verse what we have is the list of the prophets and teachers serving in the Antioch church.

Church = assembly. This is the local body of believers in Antioch.

Barnabas and Saul are in submission to, and serving in, their local church. Before they are called.

God is going to direct us as we serve Him.

The Greek construction here divides the 5 men into two groups. The first three are prophets (forthtellers and possible foretellers) and the final two are teachers (Scripture expositors).

Let’s briefly look at these men.

Barnabas - we were introduced to him in ch. 4. His birth name was Joses or Joseph but they church changed it to Barnabas because he was such always encouraging people. He has been repeatedly used by the Lord in Saul’s life and is a major figure in the church at this time.

Simeon called Niger. Don’t know much about him, but Niger is Latin. Interesting that he was given a Latin name. Niger = Black. Some identify this man with Simon who carried Jesus’ cross. I see no textual reason to do so.

Lucius is from Cyrene. According to 11:20 That is where some who first preached in Antioch came from. Possibly the same guy who is with Paul in Rom. 16:21.

Manaen grew up with Herod, not the one who had just died, this is the Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded and who Jesus stood before at His trial! This would have been a man of high social status.

Finally we have Saul. Saul has been fully accepted into the church and is now serving as one of the leaders.

That is the key here. The men who are about to be called by God are serving in the local church.

God is going to direct us as we are in motion.

God Directs When We Are Listening v. 2

Acts 13:2 NKJV

2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

There is something really easy to miss here that I just love.

Who are Barnabas and Saul ministering for? The Lord!

While they preach the Word and invest in the lives of people. While they serve the church at Antioch, they are ultimately serving the Lord!

God is the focus of their service.

Galatians 1:10 “10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.”

Our goal here at Grace church is to please God.

We do not work for the praise or approval of men.

They are ministering and fasting.

Practicing periodic self-denial for the purpose of prayer and seeking the Lord.

Fasting always has a focus and purpose.

Here, that focus and purpose is to help them minister.

As they are engaged in this, the Holy Spirit speaks.

They are listening for the Holy Spirit. They are ready and willing to hear from Him.

This calling is very personal and specific.

There are three elements to this call. First, the call to “separate.”

Separate– ἀφορίζω (aphorizō) separate; appoint; set apart. To isolate something and place in a group apart from others (as for a purpose).

God is setting them apart. Not because they are better, or because they are worse, but because they are chosen. They are chosen for a specific purpose. I want to note that this is an imperative. They either go as they are called or they sinfully resist God.

They are being set apart for “the work.” This is the second element to the call.

Work– ἔργον (ergon) work or deed. Duty, work that a person is obliged to perform for moral or legal reasons.

God has a specific task, a deed and duty for them to perform. It is a calling. This is the third element to the call.

Called– προσκαλέομαι (proskaleomai) summon; call to oneself. To call to a task, to order, summon, or request for a specific duty or activity, work, or role.

They are being summoned to God, to be used for His purposes and glory!

This is how God is going to direct us.

He will direct as we are moving forward. As we seek to reach people in need, as we disciple those who are already here, God will let us know what we need to do.

Who does the calling? The Holy Spirit. This is how God calls!

God calls through the work of the Holy Spirit.

We need to very clear here. The Holy Spirit does not speak to us in an audible voice today. He speaks to us through His Word, and in our hearts. However, what He speaks in our hearts will NEVER contradict His Word.

The other interesting thing about the call here is that it goes to all of the leaders.

There is agreement in the direction God is calling them to go.

God is going to direct us through the Holy Spirit and in the same direction.

When God Directs We Take Action v. 3

Acts 13:3 NKJV

3 Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.

The church takes time to make sure this is really the leading of the Holy Spirit. They also take time to prepare.

I love this. Even after the Holy Spirit speaks, they are careful and deliberate in the sending out of these men.

Sent– ἀπολύω (apolyō) release; set free; let go. To dispatch v. — to send away towards a designated goal or purpose.

The local church is led by the Holy Spirit to send these men out.

They fast, they pray, they lay hands on them, then they send them out!

In this week of prayer we are asking God to give us direction.

I believe He will do that.

He will do it through the Holy Spirit as we are busy working and serving faithfully.

In this verse, I believe the “they” mentioned is the entire local assembly.

The call is given by the Holy Spirit, and it is confirmed by the church.

For God to direct us here at Grace Church, we need to be moving.

I believe this means we need to be faithfully ministering to the needs of the people God has already brought to us. Through Sunday school classes, nursery, and Bible studies.

As we faithfully serve the Lord we must listen for His direction.

This could mean He will direct us in ways and to places we do not expect.

When God gives us direction, we need to move where He is directing.