What defines a missionary church?
Background of the church in Antioch
1. Gentile church
2. Established by Barnabus and Paul
3. In Acts 13, the focus now shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch. Chapter 13 on…
4. Antioch takes the lead in reaching the world with the gospel.
We are connected to that church at Antioch.
5. Acts 1:8 8But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
6. Chapters 1-12, the gospel is spread because of persecution.
7. Chapter 13- 1st time we see the H.S. prompting a church to send people out.
I. Spiritually Healthy
A. Generous And Loving Acts 11:27-30
B. Gifted Church-Prophets 13:1
C. Biblically Based-Teachers 13:1
D. Love For God
1. Ministered To The Lord-Worshipers 13:2
2. People Of Prayer & Dedication-Fasted 13:2, 3
3. They cared about what God wanted.
E. Spiritually Stable
1. Five leaders mentioned in v. 1
2. Two prominent leaders are called away. 40% subtraction.
3. God knew that church stable enough to continue forward.
4. That church was mature enough to recognize & release 2 great leaders.
5. It is a healthy sign for a local church to be able to lose leaders and still continue to serve, reach out, etc.
6. Antioch churches often “lose” people to God’s work.
7. Missions most successful when “sending church” is strong
8. William Carey– “I’m going down into the pit. You hold the ropes. And they that held the ropes, and the daring miner that swings away down in the darkness of the pit are one in work, and may be one in motive, and if they are, shall be one in reward”.
II. Men Called By God 13:2A.
A. Chosen By God
1. “Separate to Me…”
2. “…for the work to which I have called them.”
3. Paul called by God: Romans, 1 Cor., 2 Cor., Gal., Eph., Col., 1 & 2 Tim., Titus
4. Probably called by prophesy as they prayed, fasted.
5. They may have been praying about Great Commission.
6. H. S. called & directed. See also 13:4
B. Not Chosen By Man
1. Human training cannot substitute for the call of God
2. Good intentions, sincerity, etc., no substitute for God’s call
III. Church Sent Them 13:3
A. Leaders Prayed More
1. Knowing the will of God, they prayed and fasted more
2. They were still seeking God for direction, details
3. Prayed for Barnabus and Paul
B. Leaders Sent Them
1. Laid hands on them- identified with them
2. We are with you, for you, believe in you
3. Asked God’s blessing for them
4. They departed with the church’s blessing
5. God asked Antioch for leaders, & Antioch gave God leaders
6. Mature leaders are needed in the mission field and in church planting.
C. Paul & Barnabus
1. Submit to blessing and sending of local church
2. Paul- seeks blessing and confirmation from those with a “lower” calling than his office of apostle.
3. Paul had been saved and an apostle 11 years
4. Not new converts.
5. Not marginal Christians hoping to get serious in the mission field.
6. Mission field not the place to be tested, but for those already tested & approved. Paul & Barnabus were already approved regarding ministry.
1 Tim. 3:10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons,…
7. Willing to step away from the secure to the unknown.
8. These men not anxious to “escape” Antioch. Not running away.
9. Not trying to outdo church at Antioch. Not trying to make a name.
10. Hudson Taylor- Missionary to China
He was asked- what does it take to be a missionary?
“A life yielded to God, a restful trust in Him to supply your needs, a
willingness to take a lowly place, adaptability toward circumstances, steadfastness in discouragement, love for prayer and the study of God’s word, some experience, and blessing in God’s work at home”.
11. God prepared Paul for 11 years to bring him to this point.
a. Joseph-sold into slavery, wrongly accused and imprisoned
b. Moses- 40 years as a shepherd in the desert
c. David- anointed as king, but waited years under persecution
d. The 12 disciples- 3 ½ years of preparation w/Jesus
12. Important to be patient and faithful to wait as God prepares us.
IV. Why Does This Matter?
Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.