Reading: Acts chapter 14 verses 21- 28:
A Quick Review
• The two missionaries (Paul & Barnabus) had been away from home for months.
• They had journeyed from Antioch of Syria to Derbe which is in modern day Turkey.
• During this first missionary journey;
• Paul & Barnabus had faced allsorts of opposition and illness.
• e.g. John Mark who was with them went AWOL, in other words he abandoned the mission.
• And became the very first returnee missionary!
• e.g. And in Lystra; they were worshiped as gods;
• But then the crowd turned and Paul was stoned and left for dead.
So verse 21 is an insightful verse:
• There they "preached the gospel" and "made many disciples".
• You might expect them to stay where God was obviously blessing them.
• But they decide to return to Antioch of Syria.
• Via all the places that they had evangelised on the way.
• They could have taken the easy safe option (staying where they were);
• Or even taking a different, safer route home.
I believe they backtracked through the cities they had just evangelised:
• Because they knew that they had only done part of what God had called them to do.
• Visiting the newly established churches along the way.
Quote: My job description:
• (1). To bring folks to Jesus.
• (2). To bring them closer!
• That is the message of the great commission;
• We are called to make disciples, not just win a convert.
• In our ministry, we spend a lot of time disciplining believers;
• As well as evangelising people.
So in verse 21b Paul and Barnabas gather their courage:
• And it would take great courage to go back to communities;
• Where their lives had been put in danger and opposition was waiting for them.
• To go back could be was like re-entering the lion’s den.
• But for the sake of the new Churches that had been founded, they were willing to face that danger!
• As they travel and teach, they have a five-step plan for building up the new Christians;
• A plan we can still follow in our homes and churches today.
(1). They Strengthened the new Christians
(vs 22a):
22 strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.”
Ill:
• A group of tourists were visiting a picturesque village;
• They walked by an old man sitting beside a fence.
• In a rather patronizing way, one tourist asked,
• "Were any great men born in this village?"
• The old man replied, "Nope, only babies."
• A frothy question brought a profound answer.
Paul and Barnabus return to these Churches because they are full of new born babies!
• If they are to grow into great men and women of God;
• They will need to be strengthened in their faith!
Ill:
• Remember that these new Christians had no conferences or Bible schools to attend.
• No Christian bookshops where they could purchase good helpful books.
• No DVD’s, C.D.’s or tapes (or records Mike!);
• Don’t forget that there wasn't even a New Testament to read!
Paul and Barnabus knew that they needed to feed and strengthen these Christians:
• This word translated into English as ‘Strengthening’,
• Is a word rarely used in the New Testament,
• It has been defined as "to make more firm, to give additional strength"
• We might say "to beef up"-to add strength to what is already present.
• These new Christians have only had appetizers of truth for their nourishment;
• They now need a full-course meal to put meat on their spiritual bones.
• So Paul and Barnabas devote themselves to teaching them.
• In the New Testament we build up when we are taught the ‘Word of God’.
Ill:
• Life is a matter of building.
• Each of us has the opportunity to build something;
• A secure family, a good reputation, a career,
• A relationship to God.
• But some of those things can disappear almost overnight due to financial losses,
• Natural disasters and other unforeseen difficulties.
• What are we to do?
• Daniel Webster offered excellent advice, saying,
• "If we work on marble it will perish.
• If we work on brass, time will efface it.
• If we rear temples, they will crumble to dust.
• But if we work on men's immortal minds,
• If we imbue them with high principles,
• With just fear of God and love of their fellow-men,
• We engrave on those tablets something which time cannot efface,
• And which will brighten and brighten to all eternity”.
Consistent, biblical teaching and preaching:
• It gives substance to our faith.
• It stabilizes us in times of testing.
• It enables us to handle God's Word correctly.
• It equips us to detect and confront false teaching.
• It makes us confident in our walk.
• It calms our fears and cancels our superstitions.
• This is the only source of strength and stability when persecution comes,
• As it inevitably does come.
(2). They Encouraged Them to Persevere Realistically (vs 22):
“Strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God, they said.”
Notice:
• That Paul & Barnabus did not paint a rosy, trouble-free future;
• For these new Christian’s.
• They were upfront and straight with them.
• Paul & Barnabus had faced persecution and they should expect it as well.
Quote:
• Paul tells these Christians that life is no going to be easy but it will be wonderful;
• For many Christians it is easy but not wonderful l!
• Christ calls men to carry a cross;
• We call them to have fun in his name.
• He calls them to forsake the world;
• We assure them that if they but accept Jesus the world is their oyster.
• He calls them to suffer;
• We call them to enjoy all the comforts that modern civilisation affords.
• He calls them to self-denial and death;
• We call them to receive their promised blessings.
• He calls them to a life of holiness;
• We call them to a life of possible choices.
These raw recruits need to understand the harsh reality of persecution:
• Paul & Barnabus are preparing the believers for battle.
• They warn them that troubles will come,
• But notice that they also assure them;
• That with the Lord’s help they can persevere.
Verse 22b: “Encouraging them to remain true to the faith”
• Paul and Barnabas are telling these Christians to "Hang on in there,"
• They are telling them: "You can make it. Don't give up when the going gets rough."
Ill:
• A number of years ago;
• An advert appeared in a national newspaper:
• “Men wanted for hazardous journey, small wages, bitter cold,
• Long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful.
• Honour and recognition in case of success.”
• Would you believe there were thousands of men who responded to it.
• The reason for such a response was the name that accompanied the ad;
• It was the noted Artic explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton,
You and I are called to face opposition:
• Do you appreciate that most Christians in the world are persecuted?
• We are the exception! Ill: Brother Andrew’s Guide.
• Yet be encouraged because alongside us is Not the noted Sir Ernest Shackleton,
• But the ever living Jesus Christ!
(3). They Organised the Church (vs 23a):
“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church”
Quote: Isaac Asimov’s Book of Facts quoted in Reader’s Digest:
• Historians have related the story of Abdul Kassem Ismael,
• Who was the scholarly grand-vizier of Persia in the tenth century.
• He owned a library of 117,000 volumes.
• On his many travels as a warrior and statesman, he never parted with his beloved books.
• There were carried about by 400 camels trained to walk in alphabetical order.
• His camel-driver librarians could put their hands instantly on any book their master asked for.
Quote: Warren Wiersbe:
“The local church is both an organism and an organization, for if an organism is not organized, it will die! Paul and Barnabas ordained spiritual leaders and gave them the responsibility of caring for the flock.”
Ill:
There are four main bones in every organization.
• The wish-bones: Wishing somebody would do something about the problem.
• The jaw-bones: Doing all the talking but very little else.
• The knuckle-bones: Those who knock everything.
• The back-bones: Those who carry the brunt of the load and do most of the work.
Note:
• For the first time in the book of Acts;
• We find the appointing of Church leaders.
• The word translated ‘Elders’ (Greek: ‘Presbuteros’,)
• Has in some versions has been translated as ‘bishop’ or ‘overseers’-the office was the same.
• The word is used sixty-six times in the New Testament.
• ‘Elder’ is the title and ‘Overseeing’ is the function.
We do not know how ‘elderly’ these ‘Elders’ were;
• But we do know that they had not been Christians very long.
• The name of course is not referring to the advancement of years;
• But rather that the person chosen was spiritually mature.
• Some in the Church had grown up enough to take on this responsibility.
Verse 23: The elders were chosen after much ‘prayer & fasting’:
• That shows us the seriousness with which the selection process should be approached.
• Good leadership is the key factor for any local Church.
Ill:
• Stuart Briscoe tells the true story;
• One of his young colleagues was officiating at the funeral of a war veteran.
• “The dead man’s military friends wished to have a part in the service at the funeral home,
• So they requested the pastor to lead them down to the casket,
• Stand with them for a solemn moment of remembrance,
• And then lead them out through the side door.
• This he proceeded to do, but unfortunately the effect was somewhat marred;
• When he picked the wrong door.
• The result was that they marched with military precision into a broom closet,
• In full view of the mourners, and had to beat a hasty retreat covered with confusion”.
• He goes on to say:
• This true story illustrates a cardinal rule or two.
• “First, if you’re going to lead,
• Make sure you know where you’re going.
• Second, if you’re going to follow,
• Make sure that you are following someone who knows what he is doing!”
Ill;
• Bruce Larson, in his book “Wind and Fire,”
• Points out some interesting facts about sandhill cranes:
• “These large birds, who fly great distances across continents,
• Have three remarkable qualities.
• First, they rotate leadership. No one bird stays out in front all the time.
• Second, they choose leaders who can handle turbulence.
• Third: during the time one bird is leading,
• The rest are honking their affirmation.
• That’s not a bad model for the church.
• Certainly we need leaders who can handle turbulence.
• We need leaders who can and who are aware that leadership ought to be shared.
• But most of all, we need a church where we are all honking encouragement.”
Note:
• Luke says that Paul and Barnabas "appointed" these elders.
• Although the word translated as ‘appointed’ may have another meaning.
• The word used means ‘extending the hand’, to stretch’;
• It is an old verb that originally meant; ‘to vote by show of the hands.’
• It may be that Paul and Barnabas appointed the ‘Elders’;
• And the other members of the Church affirmed that by a vote.
(4). They Entrusted Them to the Lord (vs 23b):
• We've seen Paul and Barnabas teach, encourage, and organize these young believers.
• Next they entrust them to God's care:
“With prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.”
• Having done all that was possible for their converts;
• Paul and Barnabus commend them to the Lord.
• After all their faith was not resting on Paul and Barnabus;
• But on the Lord in whom they had trusted.
Ill:
• The Greek word translated as ‘Committed’ or ‘Commend’;
• Means "to deposit as in a bank."
• Paul and Barnabus were aware that God is big enough to look after his people.
• The Church belongs to him, not them!
• And if we do our part; “going….and making disciples”.
• We can be confident that God will do his part!
Ill:
• F. B. Meyer wrote about two Germans who wanted to climb the Matterhorn.
• They hired three guides and began their ascent at the steepest and most slippery part.
• The men roped themselves together in this order:
• Guide, traveller, guide, traveller, guide.
• They had gone only a little way up the side when the last man lost his footing.
• He was held up temporarily by the other four,
• Because each had a toehold in the niches they had cut in the ice.
• But then the next man slipped, and he pulled down the two above him.
• The only one to stand firm was the first guide,
• Who had driven a spike deep into the ice.
• Because he held his ground,
• All the men beneath him regained their footing.
• F. B. Meyer concluded his story by drawing a spiritual application.
• He said,
“I am like one of those men who slipped, but thank God, I am bound in a living partnership to Christ. And because He stands, I will never perish.”
So having finished what they set out to accomplish (vs 24-26):
“And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia.
26 From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch, where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work they had now completed.”
• The Holy Spirit had commissioned them for a job,
• And they had done it-not by their own strength, but by "the grace of God."
• With that work now done;
• They sail for home – Antioch!
(6). They gave an Exciting Report (vs 27).
“On arriving there, they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.”
Notice a subtle point Luke makes:
• He didn't say that they gathered the Christians into the church,
• Instead he writes: "They ... gathered the church together."
• To the early Christians,
• The church meant the people, not the building.
• God's Church is always made of flesh and bone,
• Never brick and concrete.
As the church gathers together, Paul and Barnabas give a two point report.
First: They emphasize what God has done.
• Notice that they do not say, "We did this, then we did that."
• God was the one convicting hearts, nurturing faith, and implanting joy.
Ill:
The battle Agincourt is notable for two things;
• (a). One the use of the English longbow,
• The long-bowmen formed the vast majority of their army.
• And the main reason the French lost the battle;
• The French had no answer for it.
• (b). The battle was also immortalised by William Shakespeare ;
• As the centrepiece of his play Henry V.
• Now one thing that Shakespeare will not tell you;
• Is that after the great victory of Agincourt,
• Henry the king forbade any songs to be made;
• And ordered all the glory should be given to God.
• Likewise the apostle Paul never played the superstar;
• He was always quick to acknowledge it was God at work through him.
• They realised they were the instruments that God had chosen to use;
• He was the master musician working in them and through them!
Second, they announce how the Gentiles have believed.:
• Now don’t miss this!
• God had opened wide the doors of faith so that now even pagans could enter the kingdom.
• This was amazing news in those days,
• For the Jews had faithfully guarded those closed doors for centuries.
• This news so impacted these folks that much of the next chapter;
• Is taken up with discussions about it.
Ill:
• How rare it was for Gentiles to believe in the Jewish God;
• As rare as it is for Muslims to trust Christ today.
And as we finish that door of salvation to the Gentiles is still open:
• The Rev. Billy Graham tells of at time early in his career;
• When he arrived in a small town to preach a sermon.
• Wanting to mail a letter, he asked a young boy where the post office was.
• When the boy told him, Rev. Graham thanked him and said,
• "If you'll come to the Baptist church this evening,
• You can hear me telling everyone how to get to Heaven."
• "I don't think I'll be there," the boy said.
• "You don't even know your way to the post office."
Punchline:
• The door is still open to share the gospel;
• Question: Who are you gonna share it with this week?
Ill:
• The Times Online newspaper (August 4, 2007)
• Walking to the shops ‘damages the planet more than going by car’
• Food production is now so energy-intensive
• That more carbon is emitted providing a person with enough calories to walk to the shops
• Than a car would emit over the same distance.
• The climate could benefit if people avoided exercise,
• Ate less and became couch potatoes.
The sums were done by Chris Goodall,
• Campaigning author of How to Live a Low-Carbon Life,
• Based on the greenhouse gases created by intensive beef production.
• “Driving a typical UK car for 3 miles [4.8km]
• Adds about 0.9 kg [2lb] of CO2 to the atmosphere,”
• He said, a calculation based on the Government’s official fuel emission figures.
• “If you walked instead, it would use about 180 calories.
• You’d need about 100g of beef to replace those calories,
• Resulting in 3.6kg of emissions, or four times as much as driving.
• Campaigner Chris Goodall might believe;
• Walking might damage the planet,
• But walking was Paul’ & Barnabus’ main form of transport;
• During their first missionary journey!
• Paul's first missionary journey (46-48 A.D.) was the shortest, in time and distance,
• Of the three journeys he would make,
• But in the two years this missionary journey took;
• They still clocked up a lot of miles!
• In fact Paul travelled about 1400 miles on the first missionary journey.
• (No wonder there is a hole in the ozone layer!)
