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Lesson 6 :. A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church. (Acts 11:19 – 13:3). A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church (Acts 11:19 – 13:3). The church of Antioch was saturated with the grace of God (11:19-26).
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Lesson 6: A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church (Acts 11:19 – 13:3)
A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church (Acts 11:19 – 13:3) • The church of Antioch was saturated with the grace of God (11:19-26). • Barnabas saw in this church “the grace of God” (v. 23). What does grace look like? • Grace is manifested in a SEPARATION from the world (Eph. 2:1-5). • Grace is manifested in a CONNECTION with Christ (Eph. 2:5-10). • The grace of God consists of God’s MERCY, His LOVE and His KINDNESS (Ep. 2:4-7; Tit. 3:4-7). • Do others know our mercy (Lk. 6:36); our love (Mt. 22:37-39) & our kindness (Eph. 4:32)? • Are we growing in “grace” (2 Pet. 3:18)?
A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church (Acts 11:19 – 13:3) • The church of Antioch cared for those who hurt (11:27-30). • The prophet Agabus foretold to the Antioch church of a great famine in the Roman Empire (v. 28). Notice that church’s response: • “Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief [lit. ministering] to the brethren dwelling in Judea” (v. 29). • They saw themselves as servants, and lovingly cared for others, even though they themselves would also experience the famine (cf. Gal. 5:13). • Three ways to view possessions: “What is yours is mine.” “What is mine is mine.” “What is mine is yours.” (cf. Lk. 10:30-37; Eph. 4:28).
A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church (Acts 11:19 – 13:3) • The church of Antioch was impartial (13:1). • The diversity of their prophets & teachers shows they believed that every Christian is of equal value and importance • Barnabas—converted Levite, man of substance (Ac. 4:36-37) & very influential in early church (Ac. 15:1-2). • Simeon called Niger—believed to be a man of dark features. But skin color didn’t matter to them. • Lucius of Cyrene—perhaps a Hellenist convert (cf. 2:10), came to Antioch to teach. A foreigner but still accepted. • Manaen, raised with Herod the tetrarch—Herod killed John the Baptist (Mt. 14). Manaen could/would have been of great stature & power, but turned to the Lord. • Saul—from persecutor to accepted teacher • We must live above prejudice! Never to treat some better than others or some worse (Jas. 2:1-9=sinful).
A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church (Acts 11:19 – 13:3) • The church of Antioch served as a launching pad for “missions” (13:2-3). • Paul’s first (13:3) & third (18:22-23) journeys began in Antioch (and perhaps his 2nd—15:40-41) • Antioch was a soul-conscious congregation. • We need to have their dedication to (M): • They fasted—This was more than just giving financial support, it was sacrificing self. • They prayed—Do we pray for our (M)? Do we let them know that we are? • They laid hands on them—A vote of confidence & encouragement (cf. 1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Th. 5:11) • They sent them away—Close relationships, sacrifices made, tears shed. Do we have that?
A Great Congregation of His Glorious Church (Acts 11:19 – 13:3) • Another lesson from another congregation: The church in Jerusalem was a praying church (12:1-19) • Herod Agrippa I had killed James the apostle. He intended to do the same to Peter. The church only knew one thing to do. • The church prayed, but more than that… • They prayed in the middle of the night (v. 4-5) • They prayed earnestly—diligent & intense (v. 5) • They prayed together (v. 12) • Yet, some may have lacked confidence/faith in their prayers (v. 14-16). • A great congregation prays together constantly!
