E N D
And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. [2] Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. [3] But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. [4] Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. (Acts 8:1-4 ESV)
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. [20] But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. [21] And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21 ESV)
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. [23] When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, [24] for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:22-24 ESV)
The Antioch Example But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. (Acts 11:20 ESV)
Where the Grace of God is, there is… • 11:19-21 - Fellowship Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. [20] But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. [21] And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-21 ESV)
Where the Grace of God is, there is… • 11:19-21 - Fellowship Partnership, co-operation, sharing • Disrupted in Rome • Divided in Corinth • Deserting in Galatia
that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. (Fellowship in the word of God) (1 John 1:3 ESV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (Fellowship in our actions together.) (1 John 1:7 ESV)
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9 ESV) And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. (Acts 2:42 ESV) …and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. (Galatians 2:9 ESV
How can we know when there’s a problem arising? • Desire for involvement wanes • More critical comments than positive • “They” talk instead of “we” talk
Where the Grace of God is, there is… • 11:19-21 – Fellowship • 11:21, 24 - Evangelism [21] And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. …for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. (Acts 11:21, 24 ESV) • great number turned • many were added • taught a great many
What shall we be about? • politics? • social improvement? • recreation? Serving tables is NOT the equal of serving the word and prayer And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables…[4] But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:2-4 ESV)
…if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress (support, NASV) of the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15 ESV)
Where the Grace of God is, there is… When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, [24] … And a great many people were added to the Lord. [25] So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, [26] … they met with the church and taught a great many people. (Acts 11:23-26 ESV) • 11:19-21 – Fellowship • 11:21, 24 – Evangelism • 11:23-25 – Discipleship • He exhorted them to faithfulness • they taught a great many people
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, [12] to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Ephesians 4:11-12 ESV) Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, [27] for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:26-27 ESV) Some may be trading edification for “worship.”
Where the Grace of God is, there is… • 11:19-21 – Fellowship • 11:21, 24 – Evangelism • 11:23-25 – Discipleship • 11:23 – Faithfulness When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, (Acts 11:23 ESV)
How would he have seen faithfulness? • In their fellowship? Heb. 10:24 • In their worship? John 4:24 • In their love? 1 John 3:18 • In their decisions? Acts 11:27-30 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. [28] And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). [29] So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. [30] And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30 ESV)
He exhorted them to “steadfast purpose” • Would include a thoughtful plan • Would include unswerving participation • Would include observable progress
Where the Grace of God is, there is… • 11:19-21 – Fellowship • 11:21, 24 – Evangelism • 11:23-25 – Discipleship • 11:23 – Faithfulness • 11:27-30 – Benevolence
Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. [28] And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). [29] So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. [30] And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:27-30 ESV) • young church • determined decision • for the Jews • whom they had never met
…and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, (1 Thessalonians 3:12 ESV) Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, [10] for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to (excel, NASV) do this more and more, (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10 ESV)
2 Cor. 9:5 – not affected by coveteousness • 2 Cor. 9:6 – bountiful • 2 Cor. 9:7 – purposed, cheerful • 2 Cor. 9:8 – with faith • 2 Cor. 9:13-14 – bring glory to God and deepening relationship Corinthian benevolence
The grace of God is observable in… • 11:19-21 – Fellowship • 11:21, 24 – Evangelism • 11:23-25 – Discipleship • 11:23 – Faithfulness • 11:27-30 – Benevolence What would Barnabas see here?