100 likes | 210 Views
Examples from the Bible ( Local Churches ). JERUSALEM. A huge congregation of mainly Jews What kept them from obeying Matt 28:19 promptly? Why did the persecution arise? Romans 8:28 gives a clue What is happening to us today? Effect of the Persecution?. Antioch. N T Sending Churches.
E N D
Examples from the Bible (Local Churches)
JERUSALEM • A huge congregation of mainly Jews • What kept them from obeying Matt 28:19 promptly? • Why did the persecution arise? Romans 8:28 gives a clue • What is happening to us today? • Effect of the Persecution?
Antioch N T Sending Churches Cyprus Further Outreach Samaria Jerusalem Outreach Outreach through Persecution Gaza Jerusalem Azotus
Antioch Tarsus Cyprus Jerusalem
The City of Antioch • 300 miles North of Jerusalem & 20 miles east of the Mediterranean sea. • 3rd Largest city in Roman empire with a population of 500,000 (Rome & Alexandria) • Thriving economy due to strategic position • Free City— Seleucus 1 Nicator gave right of citizenship • Melting pot of Cultures
The Church at Antioch • Returning Cypriote & Cyrenic Jews took the gospel to Antioch Jews and also Greeks. • The leadership prepared a good environment for ministry to thrive • Paul started all his 3 missionary journeys (and ended the first 2) from here
Nature of the 2 Churches • Obedience to the Lord was a major key • Prayerful Churches • Word— Adhered to the truth of the Word even when it challenged their experience. • They fellowshipped & worked as a TEAM • Depended totally on the Holy Spirit • The Lord’s table was a strong binding factor (Even eating together was key)
Nature of the 2 Churches • They cared and shared all they had • Suffered persecution together • They knew and honoured their Source • United in love, purpose, life & living. • Never allowed evil to roost in their midst • Ready to pay prices for His name’s sake • Submissive to one another in love • The Leadership visited the people
THE MISSION CHURCH • When all these ingredients are present, a Mission Church will result. • The Jerusalem Church reached out but were totally ‘exclusive’ • The Antioch Churchreached out but were fully ‘inclusive’ • They became a mission ‘seedbed’ example • A ‘family’ for returning missionaries
FINAL CHALLENGE • A church born out of persecution • There is probably a ‘Paul & Barnabas’ in every local church. • They released those God called • The Antioch Church gave to mission • The Antioch Church prayed for Mission