When you get the newspaper you
want to turn the pages quickly to the sports page because the news is so bad!
The world is changing quickly. Asia will be a place of major cities because
urbanization is increasing. With globalization the world is becoming a village.
You and I are called with a
definite purpose. Jesus said upon the rock I will build the church.
Q. How do we face these challenges?
The church at Antioch is a model
to follow. Antioch was an important trade centre. Acts 11:19 -21: “Now those
who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was
killed travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word
only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to
Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the
Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people
believed and turned to the Lord”
Let's see how they were effective
and what we can learn from them:
1. The
church as seen from outside
2. the
church as seen from inside
3. The
church that looks outside
1.The church as seen from outside:
This church was established by
people who were scattered because of persecution. They preached and many
believed. The news reached Jerusalem. Barnabas was sent to check it. He saw the
grace of God in that church .
Q. What does this mean?
Undeserving favour put upon us.
Who has put grace on whom? What did these people do? They preached and lives
were transformed.
Rom 3:23- “for all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
Rom 6:23- “For the wages of
sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
Eph 2:10- “For we are God’s
handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.”
Jesus died in our place. He have
what we do not deserve. The outsider could see the difference in their lives.
Q. How can we make an impact in the world today?
When this grace impacts us we can
meet the needs of people and bring about change. Grace changes our life style.
The people of the city of Antioch
nicknamed them Christians. They did not give themselves this name. Allowing His word to touch our lives will
transform us.
Q. How do people look at us?
There is a great expectation on
us to set an example- to live a
different life.
Q. What are the challenges we face?
At the traffic lights, the market
place, etc. If we are to make an impact we need to allow God's grace to work in
our life.
Col 3:3-5 put off. We are constantly called to put off things, to
change our lives. In verse 12, we are encouraged to put on a few things. And
then we can make an impact on the world.
2. The church as seen from inside:
The leadership of Antioch had a
high degree of character. Personal testimony being guided by the Holy Spirit and
the word is very important.
A. Barnabas
was described as a good man. When Luke uses this word it refers to completeness
and wholeness. The early church was clear on the qualities of leaders. In the New
Testament we see that the leaders worked in team. It was not one person. At the
Word of Grace everything happens in team. Right from set up, offering,
communion, worship, preaching... It's all done in team. In Acts 7, a problem
arose. They didn't pick up just anybody. They laid their quality before the
people who could serve. They choose 7 men full of spirit, reputation and wisdom.
Q. How do we select people?
Q. How do what we do here impact the
society outside?
B. Remember
the story of the Ethiopian eunuch. Philip was used. It was through him the
gospel reached Ethiopia. Stephen the first martyr. He was part of the serving
team!
Q. How was Acts 1:8 fulfilled? In Acts
8:1 when persecution arose.
C. The leadership was not seen as a position
but serving. Barnabas travelled so long so meet Paul. Antioch was
flourishing. He could have made a name for himself. But no! He seeks out Paul
and brings him to Antioch. He made room for Paul. The word leader is not in the
Bible. The Bible talks about Servants only. Barnabas stuck his neck out for
Paul. The church was founded by ordinary lay people- people who were scattered.
It was the apostles. History had stories of many men and women who started
churches. Paul stayed there for a year, then in Ephesus for 3 years.
D. When
we start our IDT will learn how to share the gospel. Evangelism was a way of life for them.
Q. What is the need in Pune?
It's an
educational center and an IT hub. So there are many people from outside here
that can be touched.
3. The church that looked outside:
Acts 11:30- “This they did,
sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul”
They were a caring church. We need to respond to the needs around
us. We may be generous outside but we should take care of our own as well.
We need to begin from within. If
we hear a need we should stretch
ourselves and help. We also need to
be aware of the need outside. There is a breakdown in marriage, society and
we should get involved
Acts 13:1-2- “Now in the
church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called
Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the
tetrarch) and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy
Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have
called them.””
The Antioch church shared the
gospel. They set apart Barnabas and Paul for the work of gospel advance. And
Paul was used mightily. We need to be a
church that looks outside.
Q. How can we be effective?
·
We should constantly
believe in God’s grace on our lives
·
We need to be men and women of quality, filled with the Holy Spirit.
·
People who will care for another
·
People who are looking outward always.
Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again), Spirit filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that have people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service. To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.
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