Spirit-Led Mission: Embracing Reluctance and Generosity

The story of Tim Keller’s reluctant call to New York City reminds us that God’s work in the world is always Spirit-led, not man-driven. Even the most influential leaders, like Keller, are first shaped by prayerful dependence and a willingness to submit to God’s leading, often in the face of personal reluctance and uncertainty. The early church in Antioch, as described in Acts 13, offers a powerful model for us today: a church that exists only because the Spirit of God moved people beyond their comfort zones, broke down cultural and ethnic barriers, and called them to radical unity and mission.

Antioch was a church that should not have existed by human standards. Its very makeup—Jews and Gentiles, people with scandalous pasts, and those from different social backgrounds—was a testimony to the supernatural work of the Spirit. The Spirit’s leading was evident not just in the church’s diversity, but in its posture of worship, fasting, and prayer. Dependency on God, not self-reliance, was the foundation of their life together. This dependency was not passive; it was active, expressed through regular worship, disciplined fasting, and persistent prayer. It was in this context of humble dependence that the Spirit spoke and called the church to send out its very best—Barnabas and Saul—for the work of church planting.

Sending and sacrificing are at the heart of God’s mission. The church in Antioch did not hold tightly to its most gifted leaders or its resources. Instead, they gave generously and sent sacrificially, trusting that God would supply all their needs. This is a challenge for us: to hold our people, our resources, and our plans with open hands, ready to give and to go as the Spirit leads. The temptation to trust in our own strength, wealth, or abilities is ever-present, but true spiritual renewal and kingdom impact come only when we empty ourselves and depend wholly on God.

The Spirit of God is still building the church today, and the invitation is to join in what He is doing—not to miss out on the joy and power of being aligned with His mission. The question is not whether God will accomplish His purposes, but whether we will participate with open hands and willing hearts.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Spirit-Led Mission Requires Reluctant Obedience God often calls us into places and tasks that feel beyond our capacity, just as Tim Keller and the early church leaders experienced. The Spirit’s leading is not always comfortable or convenient, but it is in our reluctance and weakness that God’s power is most clearly displayed. True obedience is not the absence of fear or hesitation, but the willingness to submit and pray through our reluctance until our hearts are aligned with God’s will. [03:11]
• 2. God Works Through Imperfect and Partial Obedience The early church in Jerusalem struggled to fully grasp the scope of God’s mission, initially sharing the gospel only with Jews. Yet, even in their limited and broken obedience, God used them to accomplish His purposes. This reminds us that God can do much with even our small steps of faith, and that our imperfections do not disqualify us from being part of His story. [12:30]
• 3. The Spirit Unites the Unlikely and Breaks Down Barriers Antioch’s church was a mosaic of people who would never have gathered together apart from Christ—former enemies, people with dark pasts, and those from different cultures. The Spirit’s work is most evident when unity and reconciliation flourish where division once reigned. When the church crosses boundaries of ethnicity, history, and social status, it is a sign that the Spirit is truly at work. [16:53]
• 4. Dependency on God is Expressed Through Worship, Fasting, and Prayer The early church’s posture of worship, fasting, and prayer was not a ritual, but a declaration of their utter dependence on God. Spiritual renewal and effective mission flow from a heart that says, “I need you more than anything.” When we empty ourselves and seek God above all else, we create space for the Spirit to move in ways that exceed our abilities and resources. [26:51]
• 5. Sacrificial Sending and Generosity Reveal the Spirit’s Leading The willingness to send out the best leaders and to give sacrificially is a mark of a Spirit-led church. Holding tightly to people or resources out of fear or comfort limits our participation in God’s mission. True joy and alignment with God’s purposes come when we release our grip, trust in His provision, and embrace the cost of sending and giving for the sake of the kingdom. [33:14]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:47] - Tim Keller’s Reluctant Call and the Power of Prayer
• [03:11] - Wrestling with God’s Call: The Role of Prayer in Discernment
• [05:10] - The Early Church: Praying for a Movement
• [06:54] - Jesus Builds His Church: The Spirit’s Role
• [08:29] - The Mega Church in Jerusalem and the Challenge to Go
• [09:58] - God Redeems Evil for His Mission
• [11:46] - Limited Obedience and God’s Expansive Grace
• [13:55] - Antioch: The Birth of a Diverse, Sending Church
• [15:15] - Scandalous Unity: The Unlikely Leaders of Antioch
• [17:36] - Signs of the Spirit’s Leading: Changed Lives and Broken Barriers
• [19:10] - Dependency Displayed: Worship, Fasting, and Prayer
• [25:10] - A Modern Miracle: Our Church’s Story of Dependency
• [27:55] - Sending and Sacrificing: The Cost of Mission
• [33:14] - Generosity and the Joy of Participation in God’s Mission
• [36:35] - Will We Miss Out? The Invitation to Join God’s Work
• [37:21] - Prayer of Humble Dependence and Commitment

Bible Reading

Acts 13:1-3 (ESV) — 1 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.
2 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.”
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Observation Questions

1. Who were some of the leaders in the church at Antioch, and what is surprising about their backgrounds? (Acts 13:1; [15:15])
2. What activities was the church in Antioch engaged in when the Holy Spirit spoke to them? (Acts 13:2; [19:10])
3. According to the sermon, what was the church’s response when the Holy Spirit called them to send out Barnabas and Saul? ([30:41])
4. What does the sermon say about the diversity and unity of the Antioch church? ([16:53])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think the Holy Spirit chose to speak while the church was worshiping and fasting, rather than during a business meeting or planning session? ([19:10])
2. The sermon describes the Antioch church as a place where “former enemies, people with dark pasts, and those from different cultures” were united. What does this suggest about the kind of unity the Spirit creates? ([16:53])
3. The church sent out their “very best”—Barnabas and Saul. What does this reveal about their trust in God and their understanding of mission? ([30:41])
4. The sermon mentions that God works even through “imperfect and partial obedience.” How does this encourage or challenge your view of what God can do through you or your church? ([12:30])

Application Questions

1. The story of Tim Keller’s call to New York City involved a lot of reluctance and wrestling in prayer. Is there something you feel God might be calling you to do that feels uncomfortable or beyond your capacity? How can you begin to pray through your reluctance? ([03:11])
2. The early church in Jerusalem initially only shared the gospel with Jews, missing the bigger picture of God’s mission. Are there people or groups you tend to overlook or avoid sharing your faith with? What would it look like to take a small step of obedience toward them? ([12:30])
3. The Antioch church was made up of people from very different backgrounds, even people with scandalous or difficult pasts. Are there people in your life or church community you find it hard to connect with? What would it look like to pursue unity with them? ([16:53])
4. The church’s dependence on God was shown through worship, fasting, and prayer. What is one practical way you can express your dependence on God this week—maybe through fasting, extended prayer, or another spiritual discipline? ([19:10])
5. The Antioch church sent out their best leaders and gave sacrificially. Is there something or someone you are holding onto tightly—your time, money, relationships, or plans? What would it look like to hold these with open hands before God? ([33:14])
6. The sermon challenges us not to miss out on the joy and power of being aligned with God’s mission. What is one area of your life where you sense God inviting you to participate more fully in His work? What is holding you back? ([36:35])
7. The pastor described a time when the church had to depend completely on God for a building, and God provided in a way no one expected. Can you share a time when you or your family had to depend on God for something you couldn’t control? What did you learn from that experience? ([25:10])