Encouragement and Growth: The Antioch Church's Journey

Devotional

Day 1: God's Purpose in Persecution

The dispersion of believers after Stephen's persecution illustrates how God can use difficult circumstances to spread the Gospel. The believers carried the message wherever they went, demonstrating that the Gospel transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. This movement of believers to places like Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch shows that God's plans are not thwarted by human opposition. Instead, He uses these challenges to further His kingdom, as seen in the significant number of conversions among the Greeks. The hand of the Lord was evident in this growth, and it serves as a reminder that God is sovereign over all situations, using them for His glory and the expansion of His message. [02:50]

Acts 8:4-5 (ESV): "Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ."

Reflection: Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How might God be using this difficulty to further His purposes in your life or the lives of those around you?

Day 2: Strategic Locations for the Gospel

Antioch's significance as a center for Gentile Christianity highlights the importance of strategic locations in the spread of the Gospel. The city's diverse population and commercial prominence made it an ideal place for the church's expansion. As believers began sharing the message with Greeks, Antioch became a pivotal center for the Gentile expansion of Christianity. It was here that believers were first called Christians, a term initially used derisively but later embraced with pride. This growth was not just numerical but also spiritual, as Antioch became a hub for missionary activity and theological development. [08:36]

Acts 13:1-3 (ESV): "Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of 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.' Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off."

Reflection: Consider your own community or workplace. How can you strategically use your location and relationships to share the Gospel with those around you?

Day 3: The Power of Encouragement

Barnabas, known as the "son of encouragement," played a crucial role in nurturing the early church. His ability to see God's grace at work and his encouragement to continue in faith serve as a model for how we should support one another in our spiritual journeys. Barnabas was sent to Antioch to encourage the new believers to remain steadfast in their faith. Recognizing the need for further support, he sought out Saul (Paul) in Tarsus, bringing him to Antioch to assist in teaching the growing church. Barnabas exemplified the spirit of encouragement, seeing the grace of God at work and urging the believers to continue in their mission. [13:19]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your life needs encouragement today? How can you intentionally reach out to them and offer support in their spiritual journey?

Day 4: Embracing Our Identity in Christ

The term "Christian" was first used in Antioch, initially as a derogatory label. However, the believers embraced it, signifying their identity in Christ. This reminds us that our identity is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, regardless of how the world perceives us. The believers in Antioch took what was meant to be an insult and turned it into a badge of honor, proudly identifying themselves with Christ. This act of embracing their identity in Christ serves as a powerful reminder for us to find our worth and identity in Him, rather than in the opinions of others. [24:47]

1 Peter 4:16 (ESV): "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name."

Reflection: Reflect on how you perceive your identity in Christ. Are there areas where you struggle to embrace this identity fully? How can you begin to see yourself more through the lens of your relationship with Jesus?

Day 5: The Strength of Collaboration

The partnership between Barnabas and Saul demonstrates the power of collaboration in ministry. Barnabas sought out Saul, recognizing his gifts and potential, and together they strengthened the church in Antioch. This partnership underscores the importance of working together to fulfill God's mission. By combining their strengths and gifts, Barnabas and Saul were able to effectively teach and nurture the growing church, setting an example for us to follow in our own ministries and communities. Collaboration allows us to accomplish more than we could on our own, as we support and complement one another in our shared mission. [23:19]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!"

Reflection: Think about a ministry or project you are involved in. How can you seek out and collaborate with others to enhance the impact and reach of your efforts?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Acts 11:19-30, we witness the remarkable spread of the Gospel following the persecution of Stephen. This dispersion led believers to Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, where they initially preached to Jews. However, some believers from Cyprus and Cyrene began sharing the message with Greeks, leading to a significant number of conversions. The hand of the Lord was evident in this growth, and news of it reached the church in Jerusalem, prompting them to send Barnabas to Antioch. Barnabas, a man full of the Holy Spirit and faith, encouraged the new believers to remain steadfast in their faith. Recognizing the need for further support, Barnabas sought out Saul (Paul) in Tarsus, bringing him to Antioch to assist in teaching the growing church.

Antioch, a city of great historical and commercial significance, became a pivotal center for the Gentile expansion of Christianity. It was here that believers were first called Christians, a term initially used derisively but later embraced with pride. The growth of the church in Antioch was not just numerical but also spiritual, as it became a hub for missionary activity and theological development.

Barnabas exemplified the spirit of encouragement, seeing the grace of God at work and urging the believers to continue in their mission. His actions remind us of the importance of encouragement and support within the Christian community. The story of Barnabas and Saul in Antioch challenges us to look beyond our limitations and trust in God's provision and guidance.

Key Takeaways

1. The dispersion of believers after Stephen's persecution illustrates how God can use difficult circumstances to spread the Gospel. The believers carried the message wherever they went, demonstrating that the Gospel transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. [02:50]
2. Antioch's significance as a center for Gentile Christianity highlights the importance of strategic locations in the spread of the Gospel. The city's diverse population and commercial prominence made it an ideal place for the church's expansion. [08:36]
3. Barnabas, known as the "son of encouragement," played a crucial role in nurturing the early church. His ability to see God's grace at work and his encouragement to continue in faith serve as a model for how we should support one another in our spiritual journeys. [13:19]
4. The term "Christian" was first used in Antioch, initially as a derogatory label. However, the believers embraced it, signifying their identity in Christ. This reminds us that our identity is rooted in our relationship with Jesus, regardless of how the world perceives us. [24:47]
5. The partnership between Barnabas and Saul demonstrates the power of collaboration in ministry. Barnabas sought out Saul, recognizing his gifts and potential, and together they strengthened the church in Antioch. This partnership underscores the importance of working together to fulfill God's mission. [23:19]
** [23:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:33] - The Spread of the Gospel
[01:22] - Barnabas Sent to Antioch
[02:01] - Hearing the Word of God
[02:50] - The Dispersion After Stephen
[03:37] - Historical Context of Antioch
[04:30] - Alexander the Great's Influence
[05:21] - Antioch's Religious and Commercial Significance
[06:11] - Roman Conquest of Antioch
[07:01] - Antioch's Role in Early Christianity
[08:36] - Antioch as a Missionary Hub
[09:22] - Preaching to the Greeks
[10:05] - The Hand of the Lord
[11:00] - Numerical Growth and God's Blessing
[12:34] - Barnabas' Mission and Encouragement
[13:19] - The Role of Encouragement in Ministry
[19:06] - Overcoming Fear with Courage
[23:19] - Barnabas and Saul's Partnership
[24:47] - Christians First Called in Antioch

Sermon Clips

Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose Over Steven traveled as far as Phoenicia Cyprus and Antioch preaching the word to no one but the Jews only but some of them were men from Cyprus and sirene who when they had come to Antioch spoke to the helist or the Greeks preaching the Lord Jesus and the Hand of the Lord was with them and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. [00:07:16]

The news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem and they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch and when he came and had seen the grace of God he was glad and encouraged them all with the purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord for he was a good man full of the Holy Spirit and of faith and a great many people were added to the Lord. [00:50:24]

Antioch became very quickly a very important commercial center because it was on that bridge from Africa to Asia and Europe along the Mediterranean coast and not only that but it was important as a religious Center because there were several mystery religions and Pagan religions found close by that practiced Temple Prost stitution and the like and so the city became known for its moral laxity but also for its polyglot Cosmopolitan population. [00:363.48]

What happens here in the text that we're reading is that just as Jerusalem is the place where the Christian church is established initially and for all times is the mother Church of Christianity but it was basically a Jewish settlement so Antioch becomes the headquarters for the Gentile expansion of the Christian faith the headquarters for Paul on his future missionary Journeys. [00:495.52]

Those that were from the persecution went into Antioch and these places at first they only addressed the Jews who had already migrated there and had established their synagogues but then some Jewish Believers from Cyprus and sirene when they came across to Antioch they spoke to the Greeks and they began to do a missionary Outreach to those who were from the Gentile community. [00:582.96]

We see throughout the Book of Acts that when God pours out his spirit and his hand is upon the work of the church that the church grows numerically quantitatively hundreds and at times thousands are added to the community and because of that we have a tendency to think that anytime a church is growing numerically that must be irrefutable evidence that the hand of the Lord is upon him not necessarily so. [00:620.00]

Barnabas went and he saw this work that had prospered he didn't have a thing to do with it and he looked at what was going on and he said this is fantastic he didn't say this is wonderful but but his advice was what just keep doing what you have been doing because he was the son of encour enouragement. [01:108.84]

When we come on a new idea and a new program yes indeed there may be serious obstacles in front of us but that's when it's time when we need to hear from a Barnabas and say yes it's going to be tough every inch of ground that we gain is going to be costly but here's how we can do it it's worth it let's go. [01:171.16]

Barnabas was doing for the people in Antioch so he envisioned a far broader Ministry than what was going on in Antioch he says this has to go to the whole world and I can't do it alone I need some help so I thought about it for about 10 seconds who's the best guy I could find to go with me now usually when somebody does this they look for somebody that can be their assistant not Barnabas he looked for somebody more gifted than Barnabas more anointed than Barnabas with greater Authority than Barnabas if we're going to tackle the world I want Saul. [01:392.72]

When he found him he brought him to Antioch and for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people and the disciples were first called Christians here in Antioch it was a derisive term they heard them talking about Christ they had no idea about what that meant they weren't Jews they didn't know the background of the Messiah. [01:487.96]

They called them chers as a derogatory term for which finally the church was proud to embrace yes we're Christians because he has bought us with his blood. [01:520.60]

The partnership between Barnabas and Saul demonstrates the power of collaboration in ministry. Barnabas sought out Saul, recognizing his gifts and potential, and together they strengthened the church in Antioch. This partnership underscores the importance of working together to fulfill God's mission. [01:399.64]

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