Equipped and Sent: The Mission of the Church
Summary
Acts 13 marks a pivotal moment in the story of God’s people—a shift from equipping to sending, from gathering to going. The early church in Antioch models what it means to be a healthy, Spirit-led community: not just a place to gather, but a launching pad for mission. This church was marked by diversity, authentic worship, prayer, and fasting. Their unity across backgrounds and generations was a living testimony to the power of the gospel—a message that transcends every barrier and brings people together under Christ.
The Spirit’s leading is central. It is the Spirit who calls, equips, and sends, but the local church is the vessel God uses to carry out His mission. The sending of Paul and Barnabas wasn’t just a historical event; it’s a pattern for us. God’s plan for gospel mission begins in and through the local church. A healthy church is not content to simply gather; it is compelled to send, to equip every believer for the work God has prepared for them.
Preparation for mission is not reserved for a select few. Every follower of Jesus is called to be a missionary in their daily spaces—workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, and families. The call to be an ambassador for Christ is not about geography but about faithfulness wherever God has placed us. There is no “less than” in the kingdom; every context is a mission field, and every believer is sent.
Opposition is inevitable. Paul and Barnabas faced spiritual resistance in the form of Bar-Jesus, a false prophet who used God’s name for personal gain. This encounter reminds us to be discerning—testing every claim that invokes the name of Christ. The Spirit gives wisdom to recognize what is truly of God and what is not. Even in the darkest places, the gospel brings light, and God’s Spirit empowers us to confront deception with truth.
Ultimately, the call is to be a people who are continually equipped and sent—returning again and again to the community for nourishment, encouragement, and preparation. The mission is ongoing, and God’s Spirit is faithful to guide, empower, and send us out with hope.
Key Takeaways
- The local church is designed to be a sending hub, not just a gathering place. God’s mission for the world begins in and through the local community of believers, where the Spirit leads, equips, and sends out His people to carry the gospel into every sphere of life. [07:45]
- Diversity in the church is not just a feature but a demonstration of the gospel’s power. When people of different backgrounds, cultures, and generations are unified in Christ, it testifies to a message that transcends all barriers and reveals the limitless reach of God’s love. [10:45]
- Authentic worship is about coming to God as we truly are, not as we wish to appear. Whether in joy or struggle, God invites us to bring our real selves into His presence, trusting that He meets us with grace and rest, not condemnation or pretense. [16:53]
- Every believer is called and sent as a missionary, regardless of location or vocation. The call to be an ambassador for Christ is not limited to those who travel far; it is for all who follow Jesus, sent into their everyday contexts to shine His light and share His hope. [22:06]
- Discernment is essential in a world where the name of Christ is often invoked for personal or political gain. The Spirit gives wisdom to test every claim, ensuring that our allegiance is to the true Christ and that we confront deception with the truth and light of the gospel. [31:46]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:56] - The Great Commission and the Shift in Acts
[04:30] - The Church as a Sending Hub
[07:45] - God’s Mission Begins in the Local Church
[10:45] - Diversity and Unity in Antioch
[13:32] - Authentic Worship and Devotion
[16:53] - The Role of Prayer and Fasting
[19:18] - Preparation for Mission: For All Believers
[22:06] - Everyday Missionaries: Sent Where You Are
[25:05] - Facing Opposition in Mission
[28:23] - The Danger of Using God’s Name for Personal Gain
[30:03] - Discernment and Denouncement: Testing the Spirit
[31:46] - True and False Claims of Christ
[35:51] - The Ongoing Need for Equipping and Community
[37:00] - Closing Prayer and Sending
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Acts 13 – A Church That Sends
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### Bible Reading
Acts 13:1-12 (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.
So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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### Observation Questions
1. What are some key characteristics of the church in Antioch as described in Acts 13:1-3?
2. According to the passage, who initiates the sending of Barnabas and Saul, and how does the church respond?
3. What kind of opposition do Paul and Barnabas face on their mission, and who is involved in that opposition?
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the diversity and unity of the Antioch church? [[10:45]]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why might the Holy Spirit choose to work through the local church to send out missionaries, rather than just sending people individually? [[07:45]]
2. What does the diversity of the Antioch church reveal about the nature and power of the gospel? [[10:45]]
3. How does the story of Bar-Jesus (Elymas) challenge us to be discerning about those who claim to speak or act in the name of God? [[28:23]]
4. The sermon says that every believer is called to be a missionary in their daily spaces. What does it mean to be “sent” even if you never move to a new location? [[22:06]]
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### Application Questions
1. The early church in Antioch was marked by authentic worship, prayer, and fasting. What would it look like for you to bring your real self—joys, struggles, doubts—into worship and prayer this week? Is there something you’ve been pretending about that you need to bring honestly before God? [[16:53]]
2. The sermon emphasized that every follower of Jesus is called to be a missionary, not just those who go overseas. Where has God placed you right now (work, school, family, neighborhood), and what might it look like to live as a “sent one” in that context? [[22:06]]
3. The church in Antioch was diverse and unified in Christ. Are there people in your life or church community who are different from you (background, culture, age)? How can you intentionally build unity and friendship with them as a testimony to the gospel? [[10:45]]
4. Paul and Barnabas faced spiritual opposition from someone using God’s name for personal gain. Have you ever encountered someone misusing faith for their own agenda? How did you respond, and what would it look like to respond with both truth and grace? [[28:23]]
5. The sermon talked about the need for discernment—testing every claim that invokes the name of Christ. What practical steps can you take to grow in discernment, especially when you hear spiritual claims in media, politics, or even in church? [[31:46]]
6. The pastor said that preparation for mission is for everyone, not just a select few. What is one way you can be “equipped” this week—through community, prayer, or learning—to better live out your calling? [[19:18]]
7. The mission is ongoing, and the church is a place to return for nourishment and encouragement. How can you make gathering with other believers a regular source of strength for your everyday mission? What might need to change in your schedule or priorities? [[35:51]]
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Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Spirit-Led Sending Hub
A healthy church is not just a gathering place, but a Spirit-led launching pad for gospel mission.
God’s design for the local church is to be more than a place where people simply come together; it is meant to be a vibrant, Spirit-led community that listens for the Holy Spirit’s direction and actively sends people out to share the good news. The early church in Antioch modeled this by worshiping, praying, and fasting together, creating an environment where the Spirit could speak and call individuals to specific works. This same calling is for us today: to be a church that seeks the Spirit’s guidance, values diversity, and prepares people to be sent out for God’s purposes. [07:45]
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: In what ways can you help your church become a place that listens for and responds to the Holy Spirit’s leading this week?
Day 2: Authentic Worship—Coming to God As You Are
God invites us into authentic worship, bringing our true selves—joys, struggles, and all—before Him.
Authentic worship is not about putting on a mask or pretending everything is fine; it’s about coming before God honestly, whether we are in a season of joy or wrestling with hardship. God desires our real selves, not a performance, and He welcomes us to worship Him in every circumstance. When we gather, we are invited to bring our burdens, our celebrations, and our doubts, trusting that God meets us with grace and rest, just as Jesus promised. [16:53]
Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you’ve been tempted to hide your true feelings from God or others? How can you bring your authentic self to worship this week?
Day 3: Every Believer Is Sent—Mission in Everyday Spaces
Every follower of Jesus is called to be a missionary, sent into their daily spaces to share the good news.
Being “sent” is not reserved for a select few who travel to distant lands; it is the calling of every believer to be an ambassador for Christ wherever God has placed them. Whether it’s your workplace, school, neighborhood, or family, God has intentionally placed you there to shine His light and share His hope. Your mission field is wherever you are, and your role is just as meaningful as anyone sent far away. [22:06]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Reflection: Where has God placed you right now that could be your mission field? What is one intentional step you can take today to represent Christ in that space?
Day 4: Confronting Darkness with the Power of the Gospel
The gospel has the power to confront and bring light to even the darkest and most resistant places.
When we step out in obedience to God’s call, we may encounter opposition, spiritual resistance, or even outright hostility to the message of Jesus. Yet, the gospel is not powerless in these situations; it is the very power of God to bring light, hope, and transformation. Just as Paul and Barnabas faced opposition from Bar-Jesus, we too may face challenges, but we can trust that God’s Spirit goes with us, equipping us to stand firm and shine His light in hard places. [25:05]
2 Corinthians 5:20 (ESV)
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Reflection: Think of a place or relationship in your life that feels spiritually “hard” or resistant. How can you pray for and bring the light of Christ into that situation this week?
Day 5: Discernment and Integrity in Representing Christ
We must discern whether claims made in Jesus’ name truly reflect His character and message.
Not every use of God’s name or claim to speak for Christ is genuine. As followers of Jesus, we are called to test what we hear and see—whether in public, in media, or in our own circles—against the truth and character of Christ. Discernment comes through the Spirit, and we are to respond with both truth and grace, ensuring that our own lives and words align with the gospel and do not use God’s name for personal gain or agenda. [31:46]
1 John 4:1 (ESV)
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Reflection: When you hear someone claim to speak for God or use Jesus’ name for a cause, how can you test whether it truly reflects Christ’s character? What practical step can you take to grow in spiritual discernment this week?
Quotes
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