Acts 13
Intro: One evening I was in the conference room for a meeting.
I noticed a lot of activity… back and forth, in the hallway…
People coming same place, same time… different Reason
Confusion… Frustration
t/s – I am afraid the same might be said for Sunday morning;
A lot of people; much activity… Too often, We have gathered at same place for different reasons. WHY!
Why We Do What We Do?
Review: Antioch is our Model…
Display God’s Grace (Transformed & Together)
Strengthen Each Other (Teach; Show; Encourage)
We Send Out Our Best
Acts 12:24-13:5; (1st missionary journey) Acts 14: 21-28
We Send Out Our Best to carry the Gospel to the nations.
ILL – Back ourselves up against our Big Sister at Antioch
Characteristics of a Great Sending Church
1. Are we Reaching the Immigrants & visitors in our own City?
Exp – In Acts 13:1 we discover a wonderful Diversity
Barnabas – Jersulaem Leader, from Cyprus
Simeon – “Niger” = latin for Black… Africa (east)
Lucius – From Cyrene – North coast of Africa
Manaen – Grew up a close friend of Herod (Judea)
Saul/Paul – Jew and Roman; Jerusalem and Tarsus
ν Mediterranean; Asian; African; … Leaders!
The world had come to Antioch… Saved!
ILL – Eating with Julie yesterday… five families… 2 white!
App – Our passion for the nations must start in our own City.
The Gospel is not only for people like me!
The News is good enough to crawl across boundaries
(geographic; political; language; cultural…)
2. Are We Serving the Lord in Worship?
Exp – The Missionary Movement began in Worship (vs. 2)
“They” = congregation…church…
Note: Vocabulary is Theology….
Worship Service or Worship Experience
Ill – When Isaiah finally saw the LORD… Holy and exalted
“Here am I send Me!”
App – When we set ourselves aside and set our hearts to
Serve the Lord; Exalt; Please; … His Passion == Ours.
3. Are We Listening to the Holy Spirit?
Exp – “fasting” = expectancy and openness to Lord’s leading
Vs. 2 - “The Holy Spirit said…” How did that work?
No details… He spoke to the Body through the Leaders
Vs. 4 – Who sent them Out… Church? Holy Spirit!
App – Do you believe the Holy Spirit still speaks to a church
Set on serving the Lord, seeking His leadership?
T/S – When we open our arms to Reach people from the nations in our own city; when we gather with hearts set on serving the Lord in worship; when we learn to Listen to the Spirit of God
I think I know what He will Tell Us…
Send Out Your Best
ILL – Archibald Thomas Robertson
Southern Seminary Scholar (d. 1934)… stuffy, technical
Jerusalem had hesitated too long to carry out the command
of Jesus to take the Gospel to the whole world. That glory
Will now belong to Antioch!
If we fail to Send Out our Best to the nations, we forfeit the favor of our Master. He has gathered us, so that we might scatter the Gospel.
Send Out Your Best to the Work!
a) Financial Support was part of the Sending.
b) The greatest Sacrifice was the People…
Vs. 3 – “… they sent them away.”
“They Released them!”
Imagine the sense of Loss… the impact on the church!
Ask the Counts; the Marks; the Hantlas; the Biddys; the
Porters; Scotts; Vaughans;
This is a Dangerous Fellowship… Be Ready to Release!
Some of you will be Sent… Maybe even called today!
Why Do We Do What We Do?
To Glorify God as we Display His Grace; Strengthen Each
Other; and Send Out Our Best to His Work.
Notice the Focus of the Church ---
Not me, you; not us, them; Not our Glory, His!
ILL – Imagine a four year old boy at his little sister’s First birthday.
• He is still struggling to stay in the spotlight!
• Guests arrive and he runs, shouts, shows off… obnoxious
• Every photo or video… He jumps in front of camera
• Cake is set on the table… He sticks his finger in middle!
Finally, Father pulls him aside. “Son, I love you. You are an important part of our family. But you need to understand something. This Is Not Your Party!”
There’s a sentence to whisper as you pulling into the parking lot:
This is not my party.