The Five Gs: Grounded, Growing, Going, Generous, Glorifying

The church at Antioch lays out the kind of church Jesus wants, not the kind that settles for the status quo. The contrast between lukewarm religion and living faith lands right away. Some churches grow worldly, push false gospels, and leave their first love. Antioch shows a better way. Under persecution after Stephen’s death, the gospel gets pushed out of Jerusalem and into new ground, because God uses even hard seasons to move his people. Stephen’s witness is so weighty that the Lord “stood,” and that picture calls the church to stand up for Jesus with the same fire.

The grounded church shows up first. Acts 11 pictures believers preaching Jesus, not personalities, and holding a steady line in prayer and in the Book day by day. A grounded church knows what it believes, so the winds of doctrine do not blow it off course. The aim is not religion but a living relationship with Christ, and that means real doctrine in real life.

The growing church follows. Great numbers believe first, because salvation is the doorway to everything else. Then people put off sin and put on Jesus, like children who grow up into strength. Barnabas models what that looks like, a good man full of the Holy Ghost and faith. Fresh filling is needed because hearts leak, and faith steps out like Peter on the water, even when the wind is up.

The going church refuses to be content. Barnabas goes and gets Saul because the work needs help. The movement draws so true to Jesus that the disciples are first called “Christians,” little Christs, which means the city sees Jesus in them. That is motion with a purpose, reaching those who are only waiting on an invitation.

The generous church hears Agabus warn of a coming famine and sends relief ahead of the crisis. God loves a cheerful giver, so the people tithe off the top and trust Malachi’s word that God will “pour you out a blessing.” Generosity frees a church to do more ministry instead of serving debt.

The glorifying church carries a name worth spreading. The report reaches Jerusalem, and Barnabas sees “the grace of God” and urges the people with purpose of heart to “cleave” to the Lord. Love, not animosity, builds a church, and love that cleaves holds tight through rough days and good days. Antioch’s pattern calls the church today to be grounded, growing, going, generous, and glorifying, so that Jesus is lifted high and people are won to him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grounded in Jesus and Scripture [40:02] A church that is not anchored in the Word and prayer will drift with every wind. Grounded believers preach Jesus and refuse to trade truth for trends. Knowing the basics well guards against smooth talk and false gospels. Staying in the Book daily forms a backbone that holds under pressure. [40:02]
• 2. Grow by Spirit-filled daily obedience [45:41] Growth starts with salvation and continues with fresh filling because hearts leak. The Spirit strengthens ordinary faith to take extraordinary steps, like Peter on the water when the wind is howling. Putting off sin and putting on Christ becomes a daily pattern, not a someday plan. Over time, godliness becomes visible and contagious. [45:41]
• 3. Go beyond comfort to reach others [47:59] A going church is on the move, not camping in comfort. Needs are too big for lone rangers, so Barnabas brings Saul and the work multiplies. Many are only waiting on an invitation that is clear and kind. Motion with purpose turns spectators into disciples who look like “little Christ.” [47:59]
• 4. Give cheerfully to fuel mission [56:16] Cheerful giving unlocks ministry capacity and keeps a church from being chained to debt. Tithing off the top trains the heart to trust God’s promise to “pour out” what cannot be contained. Money follows love, so generosity becomes worship, not pressure. When resources flow, help reaches those in famine before the crisis peaks. [56:16]
• 5. Glorify Christ through cleaving love [01:03:16] Barnabas sees grace and urges the church to “cleave” to the Lord with purpose of heart. Cleaving is steady, affectionate loyalty that holds when days are rough and when days are sweet. Love builds what animosity can only break. A church that cleaves to Jesus and each other will carry a name that honors him. [63:16]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:35] - May travel and absences
• [01:13] - Prayer for Ms. Mary
• [02:39] - Prayer gatherings and Bible study
• [04:30] - Service time change announcement
• [06:44] - Pledge and opening prayer
• [26:21] - Introducing the Five Gs
• [36:10] - G1 Grounded Church
• [41:20] - G2 Growing Church
• [47:37] - G3 Going Church
• [50:52] - G4 Generous Church
• [57:41] - G5 Glorifying Church
• [66:01] - Call to cleave and respond
• [71:05] - Tithes and offerings
• [75:21] - Closing

1. What four key actions did the believers in Antioch take that made their church a model for others? (See Acts 11:19-21, 24-26)
2. How did Barnabas demonstrate the qualities of a Spirit-filled leader, and why was Saul’s involvement significant? [48:32]
3. What practical steps did the Antioch church take to respond to Agabus’ warning about the famine? (Acts 11:29-30)
4. The sermon emphasized that the disciples were first called “Christians” at Antioch. What does this name imply about their identity and witness? [49:50]

1. Why do you think persecution (like what happened after Stephen’s death) often leads to the spread of the gospel rather than silencing believers? [36:27]
2. Barnabas “exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose” (Acts 11:23). What might “steadfast purpose” look like in a church that faces complacency or cultural pressure?
3. The sermon described generosity as “worship, not pressure.” How does cheerful giving reflect trust in God’s promises, like Malachi 3:10? [56:16]
4. Why is being called “Christians” (little Christs) both a challenge and an encouragement for believers today?

1. The Antioch church was “grounded” in daily prayer and Scripture. What specific habit could you build (or strengthen) to stay anchored in God’s Word when life feels chaotic? [40:02]
2. Barnabas sought Saul’s help because “the work needs help.” Is there an area in your life or church where you need to humbly invite others to collaborate? What holds you back from asking?
3. The sermon warned against “leaking” faith and the need for daily refilling by the Spirit. What practical step could you take this week to prioritize spiritual renewal? [45:41]
4. Agabus’ prophecy led the church to act before the crisis. How can you cultivate a posture of generosity now—with time, resources, or care—to prepare for future needs?
5. The Antioch church’s reputation spread because people “saw Jesus in them.” What is one tangible way your actions or attitudes could better reflect Christ to your neighbors or coworkers?
6. The preacher said, “Love builds what animosity breaks.” Is there a relationship in your life where choosing love (instead of criticism or avoidance) could bring healing? [01:04:37]
7. “Cleaving” to the Lord means holding tight through rough and good days. What current situation requires you to “cleave” to God’s promises rather than relying on your strength?