Gratitude, Repentance and Encouragement
Acts 11:19-31
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
This Sunday’s service can be viewed on our Facebook page @November 19, 2023
Happy Friday to you,
This week we will be reading from Acts 11:19-30, and following up from the amazing grace story of the Jewish followers of Jesus discovering everyone was in, when it came to being forgiven and included in Jesus' gift of salvation. On Sunday, we pick up here, about the Church of Antioch.
"Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord." (Acts 11:19-21)
Significant things were happening in Antioch! It was the place where people were first called Christians. This name was "given at first by the Greeks or Romans, probably in reproach, to the followers of Jesus. It was first used at Antioch. The names by which the disciples were known among themselves were "brethren," "the faithful," "elect," "saints," "believers." But as distinguishing them from the multitude without, the name "Christian" came into use, and was universally accepted." (biblestudytools.com)
As the news spread to Jerusalem about the newest Christ followers, the leadership from Jerusalem sent Barnabus to check it all out. Barnabus' presence and influence in the church is very specific- and helpful for us now. Barnabus was sent to attest to the Holy Spirit's work. He was sent to verify it was the real deal!
He was used by God in powerful ways - and it also corresponds to his name: "Son of Encouragement." Barnabus went to teach, encourage, support, train, listen, and equip his new brothers and sisters in Jesus.
I wonder as you read this, who has been a Barnabus to you? Who helped you/continues to help you in your early walk with Jesus? What did they/do they contribute to who you are now, and how your love for Jesus has grown?
Sunday we will come together to pray, sing, confess, attest to the work of the Holy Spirit, express gratitude and encourage one another. Saying thank you to God expresses our love and appreciation for who He is, and all He has done for us. We are limited in language to adequately express our love. We also get to encourage one another, and notice the work of God in each other's lives, and spur one another on in their walk with Jesus.
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
In Christ,
Pastor Kari