”Sent by the Spirit”, Acts 13.1-5, Malcolm Cox, Watford Church of Christ

“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.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.” (Acts 12:25–13:5 NIV11)

 

Introduction

Antioch not exact template for us

But instructive, inspirational, aspirational

What does a church need? 

These three things…

 

1. Resources Human, v1

A. Diversity: 1 Cor 12 - all useful, important!

B. Used

C. Equipped: 

"And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22 NIV11)

How?

“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11–13

 

2. Resources Spiritual, vv2-4

A. Speaks

B. Response

Perhaps the more gifted and self-dependant we are the more deliberately spiritual we must be!

C. Sending

 

3. Resources Sent, v4-5

A. Willing sendees

B. Going somewhere

C. Simple Decisive actions

 

Conclusion

• In tune with the Spirit

• Using gifts

• Entrepreneurial

• Willing to send their best

• Instructional spirituality

• Worship

• Prayer

• Fasting

• Commissioning

 

Thank you for listening to this podcast. You can find more episodes in our feed. Our web site is http://www.watfordchurchofchrist.org. 

 

Join us in our adventure: 10.30 AM on most Sundays at Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD18 0DD.

 

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

 

Do you have a question about the Bible or the Christian faith? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send us your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: thewatfordchurch@gmail.com.

 

Thanks again for listening. Have a super day.

 

God bless,

 

Malcolm

 

Watford, Watford church of Christ, Malcolm Cox, mccx, Croxley Green, Bushey, Leavesden, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, ICOC, ICCM, Chesham, Chorleywood, Aylesbury, Croxley, Laurance Haines School, Vicarage Road, Bible teaching, Sunday School, Youth Ministry, Watford Church, Churches in Watford, Churches in London, Churches in Hertfordshire, Watford UK, Holywell, Watford England, Watford in Hertfordshire, West Watford, Churches of Christ,