Fanning the Flames of Unity (Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-3)
I was on a bike ride with my cycling club last weekend. As we were riding northbound on PCH, the pace started to pick up to what I'll describe as "spicy," and an impromptu race broke out. I found myself at the front of the peloton, a position near impossible to win from. But, I threw caution to the wind and committed myself to this inconceivable effort.
I stayed up front for what seemed like an eternity, mentally and physically fading. My friend noticed my wavering form, and rather than hurling judgments about my position in the race; he shouted encouragement to keep going. He stoked the fire inside of me that had begun to burn out.
I realize that a bunch of middle-aged men encouraging each other while wearing spandex might be trite - but what would happen in the body of Christ if we adopted my friend's attitude? That's what Barnabas did with a church in Antioch in Acts 11.
This week at Grace, we'll see Barnabas living up to his nickname, "Son of Encouragement," and how he fanned the flames of one of the most important churches in history.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Chris
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.
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.
- Acts 11:19-30, 13:1-3