Unity in Christ: Compassion and Action in Antioch

Devotional

Day 1: The Church That Acts—Generosity and Unity in Antioch

The early church in Antioch was marked by a radical generosity and unity that transcended cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries. When news of a coming famine reached them, the disciples responded not with indifference but with practical love, each giving as they were able to support their brothers and sisters in Judea. This act of compassion was not just a one-time event but a reflection of a community shaped by the grace of God, eager to meet needs and bring healing to broken places. Their unity was not based on sameness but on their shared faith in Jesus, making them a powerful witness to the world. [40:55]

Acts 11:19-30 (ESV)
Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius). So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Reflection: What is one tangible way you can respond to a need—local or global—this week, giving as you are able, to bring healing or comfort to someone else?

Day 2: Encouragement and Empowerment—The Example of Barnabas

Barnabas stands out as a model of encouragement, generosity, and spiritual discernment. He saw the grace of God at work in Antioch and rejoiced, urging the believers to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. Rather than seeking to do the work alone, he sought out Saul, recognizing the gifts and calling in others and inviting them into the mission. Barnabas’s willingness to see beyond past failures and to empower others, especially Saul, reminds us of the power of encouragement and the importance of walking alongside others in their journey of faith. [46:18]

Acts 11:22-26 (ESV)
The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

Reflection: Who in your life can you encourage or empower today—perhaps by affirming their gifts, inviting them into something meaningful, or simply reminding them of their value in Christ?

Day 3: Living as “Little Christs”—Unity That Transcends Differences

The believers in Antioch were first called “Christians” because their lives were so marked by Jesus that others saw them as “little Christs.” Despite their differences in culture, ethnicity, and background, they were unified by the message and person of Jesus. This unity was not superficial but deeply rooted in their shared identity in Christ, which enabled them to love across boundaries and to be a witness to the world. The legacy of the church is to be a community that transcends divides and is known for its love, unity, and Christlikeness. [48:08]

John 13:34-35 (ESV)
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

Reflection: Is there someone in your life who is different from you—culturally, politically, or otherwise—whom you can intentionally love or serve this week as a reflection of your unity in Christ?

Day 4: Choosing Compassion Over Numbness—Responding to Brokenness

It is easy to become numb to the suffering and brokenness in the world, overwhelmed by the scale of need or tempted to protect ourselves from pain. Yet, when we numb ourselves, we risk losing not only our sense of compassion but also our capacity to hope and to act. The call is to remain sensitive to the Spirit, to allow ourselves to feel, and to respond with whatever we are able—trusting that God can use even small acts of love to bring about healing and transformation. [53:12]

Romans 12:15 (ESV)
Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

Reflection: Where have you felt tempted to numb yourself to the pain of others? What is one step you can take today to move toward compassion and action instead of indifference?

Day 5: Seeing and Speaking Life—Redefining Others by the Gospel

We are called to see people not through the lens of their brokenness or past mistakes, but through the eyes of Christ—recognizing the potential, calling, and belovedness that God has placed in them. Whether it is within our families, friendships, or workplaces, we are invited to “see” others and to speak life into them, affirming that their pain or failures do not define them. This is a powerful way to participate in God’s work of healing and restoration, both for others and for ourselves. [01:04:44]

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (ESV)
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Reflection: Who is one person you can “see” with fresh eyes this week—choosing to speak life and encouragement to them, rather than letting their past or brokenness define your view?

Sermon Summary

As we continue our journey through the book of Acts, we find ourselves in the city of Antioch—a city of great significance in the Roman Empire, known for its diversity and religious freedom. Here, the gospel begins to take root beyond its Jewish origins, spreading to Greeks and forming a new kind of community. This community, made up of people from different backgrounds, becomes unified not by culture or politics, but by their shared faith in Jesus. It is in Antioch that followers of Jesus are first called “Christians”—a name that reflects their identity as “little Christs,” people marked by the life and love of Jesus.

The story of Antioch is not just about a name; it’s about a legacy. The early Christians in Antioch responded to the needs around them, not out of obligation, but out of a deep sense of unity and compassion. When a famine was predicted, they looked at what each person was able to give and responded generously to help those suffering in Judea. This act of love was not just about meeting physical needs, but about embodying the gospel—showing that faith in Jesus leads to tangible acts of care and solidarity.

We live in a world that is still deeply broken, with suffering and need all around us—globally, nationally, and even locally. The temptation is to numb ourselves, to believe that our small efforts can’t make a difference, or to become indifferent to the pain of others. But the example of Antioch calls us to something different. It calls us to see the pain around us, to refuse to numb ourselves, and to ask, “What am I able to do?” Whether it’s a global crisis or the pain of a neighbor, the Spirit invites us to respond with what we have, trusting that God can use even our small acts for something miraculous.

This is also a call to see one another—not just the needs, but the people behind them. Like Barnabas saw Saul not for his past, but for his potential in Christ, we are invited to see and speak life into those around us: our children, our parents, our friends, our coworkers. The legacy of Antioch is a community that acts, encourages, and loves as Jesus did. The invitation is simple but profound: listen to what the Spirit is showing you, and do what you are able to do. In this way, we honor not just the Christians of the past, but Jesus himself.

Key Takeaways

1. The Gospel Unifies Across Divides Antioch was a city where people of different cultures, backgrounds, and social statuses came together, unified by Jesus rather than by ethnicity, politics, or economics. The first Christians were recognized not for their sameness, but for their unity in Christ—a unity that transcended all other boundaries. This challenges us to examine whether our own communities reflect this radical, gospel-centered unity, and to pursue relationships that cross the lines the world draws. [48:08]
2. Compassion Is Measured by Willingness, Not Capacity When famine struck, the believers in Antioch responded “as each one was able,” not waiting for perfect circumstances or abundant resources. The call is not to do everything, but to do what we can with what we have. God honors and multiplies even the smallest acts of generosity and compassion, using them to bring healing and hope in ways we may never fully see. [40:55]
3. Numbing Ourselves to Suffering Diminishes Our Capacity for Hope It’s easy to become desensitized to the pain and brokenness in the world, especially when the needs seem overwhelming. But when we numb ourselves to suffering, we also numb our ability to hope and to act. The Spirit invites us to remain tender-hearted, to let righteous anger and compassion move us toward action, and to trust that God can use our willingness for His purposes. [53:12]
4. Pain Is Universal, and Empathy Is a Choice Every person’s pain is real, even if it looks different from our own. Choosing to see and sit with another’s pain—rather than dismissing or comparing it—opens the door for genuine connection and healing. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be present with others in their suffering, offering the comfort and hope we ourselves have received. [55:43]
5. Seeing and Speaking Life Is a Spiritual Practice Barnabas saw Saul not for his failures, but for his God-given potential, and this act of encouragement changed the course of history. We are invited to do the same for those around us: to see our children, parents, friends, and coworkers through the eyes of Christ, and to speak words that affirm their worth and calling. This practice of seeing and speaking life is a powerful way to participate in God’s redemptive work. [62:43]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Setting the Scene: Acts and the Early Church
[03:10] - The Scattering and the Spread of the Gospel
[06:30] - Antioch: A City of Diversity and Opportunity
[10:15] - Reading Acts 11:19-30
[13:40] - The Significance of Antioch in the Roman World
[17:05] - The Gospel Crosses Cultural Boundaries
[20:30] - Barnabas: Encourager and Bridge-Builder
[25:00] - Barnabas Seeks Out Saul
[28:30] - The Birth of the Name “Christian”
[32:00] - Responding to Need: The Famine and Generosity
[36:00] - Brokenness in Our World Today
[40:00] - The Temptation to Numb Ourselves
[43:00] - Empathy, Pain, and the Call to Action
[47:00] - Seeing and Speaking Life into Others
[51:00] - The Invitation: What Are You Able to Do?
[54:00] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Acts 11:19-30 (ESV) —
> 19 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews.
> 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus.
> 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
> 22 The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
> 23 When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
> 24 for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord.
> 25 So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
> 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
> 27 Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
> 28 And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).
> 29 So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
> 30 And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Observation Questions

What made the church in Antioch different from the earlier church in Jerusalem, especially in terms of who was included and how they were unified? ([48:08])
According to Acts 11:29, how did the believers in Antioch decide to respond to the predicted famine? What does the phrase “each one as he was able” tell us about their approach? ([40:55])
What was significant about the name “Christian” being first used in Antioch? What did it mean for their identity? ([48:08])
How did Barnabas respond when he saw what was happening in Antioch, and what did he do next? ([43:36])

Interpretation Questions

The unity in Antioch was not based on culture, politics, or economics, but on Jesus. Why do you think this kind of unity was so noticeable and even strange to outsiders? ([48:08])
The believers gave “as each one was able” rather than out of abundance or obligation. What does this reveal about their understanding of generosity and compassion? ([40:55])
The sermon mentioned the temptation to numb ourselves to suffering because the needs seem overwhelming. What are some ways people today might numb themselves, and what is lost when we do this? ([53:12])
Barnabas saw Saul not for his past, but for his potential in Christ. Why is it sometimes hard to see others (or ourselves) this way, and what difference does it make when we do? ([01:00:51])

Application Questions

The early Christians in Antioch were known for crossing cultural and social boundaries to form a new kind of community. Are there boundaries in your life or church that you tend to stay behind? What would it look like to cross one of those boundaries this month? ([48:08])
When a need arose, the believers responded with what they had, not waiting for perfect circumstances. Is there a need—big or small—that you’ve been ignoring because you feel your contribution would be too small? What is one step you could take this week to respond “as you are able”? ([40:55])
The sermon warned against numbing ourselves to the pain and brokenness around us. What is one area of suffering (in your community, the world, or your own family) that you tend to tune out? What would it look like to stay tender-hearted and take action? ([53:12])
The story about the friend’s pain over moving homes reminded us that “pain is pain” and empathy is a choice. Is there someone in your life whose pain you’ve dismissed or compared to your own? How can you practice empathy with them this week? ([55:43])
Barnabas saw and spoke life into Saul, changing the course of his story. Who is one person (child, parent, friend, coworker) you can intentionally “see” and encourage this week? What specific words or actions could you use to speak life into them? ([01:02:43])
The sermon asked, “What is the Spirit showing you, and what are you able to do?” Take a moment to listen. Is there something or someone God is putting on your heart right now? What is one practical thing you can do about it this week? ([58:42])
If you are the one in need right now, are you willing to let others know and receive help? What might be holding you back, and how can your group support you? ([59:30])

Sermon Clips

Antioch, this hub, it's starting to get attention and the people who are going to Antioch, they are not the early church leaders. They were just kind of followers who learned from the disciples. And so the disciples start to get reports that, hey, something exciting is really happening in Antioch. That there's this...kind of fledgling church that's kind of forming. [00:43:37] (21 seconds) #FledglingChurchRises

You know, this morning my sermon is not complex. It's not layered. Because sometimes the Bible is not that complex. It's just a reminder of what God is in.us to. And I know that in some ways, as I read these statistics, there's an aspect of it that feels shocking, but there's probably another side of it that doesn't feel that shocking. That when I say that there are suffering in our world, all of us, there's this part of us that goes like, yeah, I know. [00:52:07] (40 seconds) #AcknowledgingGlobalSuffering

There was something I realized in that moment, that for her, the pain of moving homes, the pain of being taken from the place which she found safe and secure, was just as painful and just as disruptive as the death of my sister. Because for her, moving homes represented so much more. It represented removal from her comfort, from her stability, from her community, from her friends. And what I learned in that moment is that pain is pain. That brokenness is brokenness. And if I choose to numb myself from her pain, it would just give me an excuse to not care. [00:56:32] (56 seconds) #PainIsPain

That's a choice we have. We can choose to numb ourselves and just kind of throw our hands in the air if we want. Or we can realize that all of us are experiencing brokenness. But for those of us who know Jesus, we have access to the Savior, we have access to the good news, we have access to the one who wants to provide healing, love, and comfort. [00:57:29] (25 seconds) #ChoiceToCare

So this morning, the question I want to ask you is, what has God given you? What are you able to do? And what are you going to do with that? What is the Spirit showing you this morning? Perhaps it's a neighbor, perhaps it is a global issue, perhaps it's a national issue, perhaps it's a local issue, perhaps it's within your family. But I believe this morning, the Spirit is showing you something, that there is something that you are able to do to bring healing, love, and comfort to a broken and sinful world. [00:58:36] (44 seconds) #LegacyOfHelpingOthers

Now going back to this idea of being, doing the thing that we are able to, you know, I think that the thing that's cool is it really, again, doesn't have to be more than what you are able to. And the reason for that is because when we do what we are able to, God shows us that he can turn that which we are able to into the impossible, into the miraculous, into the wonderful. [01:00:40] (25 seconds) #SpiritCallsToAction

Barnabas, again, empowered Saul. What Barnabas was doing was he was able to see Saul beyond the brokenness of his life. And Saul was incredibly broken. He was a murderer, complicit in the early unjust persecution of innocent people. But Barnabas, through eyes which I believe the Spirit gave him, was able to see Saul and to see that doesn't define you. That's not who you are. And so he walks along Saul and empowers him. And I believe that that's something we can do as well. [01:01:14] (43 seconds) #DoingWhatWeAreAble

Parents, please see your children. Actually see them. And speak life into them. I know that as parents, you have the most accurate view of how broken your child is. But if the gospel is true, that brokenness doesn't define them. That within your child, God has given them a tremendous calling of which you have the honor and privilege of walking alongside and witnessing. So please, see your kids and speak life into them. [01:02:43] (63 seconds) #BarnabasSeesBeyondBrokenness

Kids, see your parents. You may know this one day. Parenting is really hard. And those adults that live with you, they're trying their best. And I know, kids, you look at your parents, and you have the most accurate view of how broken and hypocritical and messed up your parents are. But if the gospel is true, those things do not define your parents. So see your parents. Speak life into them. [01:03:49] (53 seconds) #ParentsSpeakLife

Really, it just comes down to, A, what is the Spirit showing you? B, are you willing to do it? And C, are you going to do it? And I hope and pray that we are a community that mirrors that of Antioch, and we say yes to the Spirit, that we encourage, step into the calling of the Spirit, and we become a community that is truly one that honors the legacy of not only the Christians of our past, but honors the legacy of Jesus Christ himself. [01:05:21] (40 seconds) #SpeakLifeBeyondFamily

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