”Antioch, Barnabas and the Spirit”. Thames Valley churches of Christ

“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