Acts 13:1-5 NASB
Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church that was there: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God…
Big Idea for the Series: There is more to church and there is more to me.
1. Spiritual Gifts are Nurtured inside the church but Shared Outside (v.1)
Acts 13:1 NASB
“Now there were prophets and teachers at Antioch, in the church…”
Acts 13:4-5 NASB
“ 4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God…”
Colossians 4:5-6 NASB
“ 5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
1 Timothy 3:7 NASB
And he [the pastor] must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.
2. Anointed People are Commissioned inside the church but Sent Outside
Acts 13:2-3 NASB
“the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then, when they had fasted, prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
Acts 9:36
“Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which when translated means Dorcas); this woman was excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually.”
We each have a Platform
“When something functions within its sweet spot, the effort applied appears natural, smooth, and frictionless…. There is joy and harmony… Sweet spots are multipliers of an input to produce an even greater output. Fruitfulness results from a properly functioning sweet spot.” 1
– Todd Wilson
We each have a Purpose
o 3 Questions of Purpose: 2
1. Who am I created to Be?
a. Acts 13:1 NASB “prophets and teachers”
b. Acts 9:36 NASB “excelling in acts of kindness and charity which she did habitually”
2. What am I created to Do?
a. Acts 13:5 NASB “to proclaim the word of God…”
b. Acts 9:39 NASB “…showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.”
3. Where am I created to Go?
a. Acts 13:4-5 NASB “ 4 they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they reached Salamis…”
b. Acts 9:39 NASB “Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha”
We each have a People
o Acts 9:39 NASB “…and all the widows stood beside…”
3. God’s Love is Experienced inside the church but Spreads Outside
Acts 11:26 NASB
“And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers of people; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Big Idea of the Series: There is more to church and there is more to me. “The problem isn’t that we want too much – its that we want too little. Instead of experiencing an adventurous journey with God and gaining an ever-increasing clarity on who he made us to be, we become stuck in today. We fail to embrace and step into the story God has uniquely designed for us.”
– Todd Wilson in More
