“Antioch, Barnabas and the Spirit” Acts 11.19-26
1. The Spirit moves the church, Acts 2-11
A. Uncomfortable, Unexpected, Unprecedented experiences
- Review the Spirit’s work so far in Acts. What he caused or allowed.
- Messiness not neatness is the more likely evidence of the Spirit at work.
B. Initiative, 11.20
- The men of Cyprus and Cyrene did not ask for permission.
- They were not maverick, but in community.
- Our aim: “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Matt 6:10 i.e. not just about saving souls, but healing that which was broken, damaged, corrupted by the events in Eden.
C. Impact
- Antioch - Asia - Europe - the world
- What ‘kingdom-minded’ project gets your spiritual blood pumping?
- What do you need to sustain your initiative & develop the Spirit’s work?
2. Barnabas as a model, Acts 11.22-26
- Jerusalem - curious, not controlling
A. Who was he?
- Cypriot; bridge-builder; observer of God’s hand at work; encourager.
- Poured petrol on the fire of their zeal, not the wet blanket of suspicion.
- “What can I do to help?”
B. What did he do to take things further?
- Recruited others - Paul.
- We need the ‘odd’ people more than we might think. Perhaps you are one of them!
- You might need a Barnabas before you can be really useful to God.
- Barnabas today
- Older generation - be a Barnabas
- Younger generation - get a Barnabas
C. Impact
- Great numbers
- Helping the Judean poor
- Developed a team (Acts 13:1)
- Sent church planters (Acts 13.2-3)
Conclusion, v26
- "The followers of Jesus were thinking and speaking in such a way that they were thought of as ‘the king’s people’, ‘Messianists’, Christians." Wright, N.T. Acts for Everyone
- How might you, moved by the Spirit, be a light to King Jesus for the people around you?
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God bless,
Malcolm
