Last week we began seeing what it means to follow the leading of the Lord. Understanding the example Barnabas and Saul modeled in Acts 13, we explored that following the leading of the Lord will find the church going when and where He leads us. This week we will understand that following the leading of the Lord means we —
GO for the purpose of the gospel…especially to those who might not agree.
Look at Acts 13:5. Where did they go first for the sake of the gospel? They first preached to the people they knew disagreed with them, the Jews. This was not accidental! This was Paul’s missions’ philosophy. Paul did not want to build on the foundation of another (Rom. 15:20). They went to the people group who clearly rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
According to a 2019 Pew Research survey, the atheist population doubled in the USA over the past decade. These are mostly young men; however, the number of atheists in the US is still only 4% of the population. Countries like Germany (10%), Sweden (14%), France (15%), and the Czech Republic (25%) are much more likely to identify as atheists than are Americans. When we look to share the true message – the good news – we usually do not desire to find the people that most disagree with us!
This is what Barnabas and Saul have done. The modern-day culture is more and more like the first century church day culture. Immorality, vulgarity, lose living, drunkenness, and more are commonplace in society then and now. How did they reach people for Jesus? How did they impact their world with the gospel? This is very applicable to us as we now live in a post-Christian culture!
1. Acts 17:11- through BIBLE STUDY.
They diligently studied the scriptures. This was not approached as something to check on the to-do list. This was approached with diligence and teachable spirits. A passion for truth was clear.
Webster’s dictionary defines the word study as “a setting of the mind on a subject; mental occupation; to endeavor diligently; to be zealous.” College is probably the time in which many of us remember the diligence of “study.” I achieved a bachelor’s and master's degree in Pastoral Studies. An immense amount of effort is required of one who “studies.” In the last year of my undergraduate studies, I became very ill. I spent the final weeks of that degree in the campus hospital with an enlarged spleen (painful!). I had taken some graduate courses that semester to attempt to complete my master's degree within the year that followed. I even took my final exams from that hospital bed. All the professors had my exam delivered to my room…except one. I was taking a master’s course in Biblical Theology. This professor hand delivered the exam. He walked into my room and looked over the situation. It seemed like he wanted to verify I was truly that sick that I could not show up for the exam in his classroom. After a few moments of silence and his staring at me, he said, “Ok. Here’s the exam.” You see, I believe that this professor was of the opinion that the study of this subject was so important and needed, that he wanted to be sure I had taken away the most I could from that class. By the way, he was correct. The study of theology was that important!
How important do we consider the study of the teachings of scripture? I believe your presence at a worship service is a testimony to your belief that such study is important. Praise the Lord! Keep on going! Keep on studying the Word of God beyond a Sunday church service! Prov. 1:5; Prov. 9:9; II Tim. 2:15; Prov. 18:15.
2. Col. 1:4- through LOVE.
They loved each other and did not “eat their own.”
Hear the words of the early apologists. Tertullian, in AD 200, wrote that outsiders described the early church with, “see how they love one another…how they are ready to die for one another.” Justin Martyr, in AD 150, powerfully expressed the transformation of the unbelievers to believers with these words, “We who hated and destroyed one another and because of their different customs would not live with men of a different tribe, now—since the coming of Christ—live familiarly with them, pray for our enemies, and try to persuade those who hate us unjustly to live conformably to the good precepts of Christ, so that they may become partakers with us of the same joyful hope of a reward from God the ruler of all.” (First Apology 14)
Too many believers are NOT known by their love for one another. Too many believers are known for ripping apart other believers. Our church is doing such a better job at this than we once did! There is also much opportunity for continued growth in this area: lifting up others above ourselves (Phil. 2:3), loving the mean person (Matt. 5:44) – as well as blessing the one who curses us, doing good to the one who hates us, and praying for the one who wickedly uses us. Also, there is the matter of choosing to reject gossip (James 3:5-14).
A friend once approached Socrates, the philosopher. The friend wanted to share some news about someone with Socrates. Socrates said something to the effect of, “Wait, before you share this news, I would like to see if it passes my 3 filters test. First, is this news true?” The friend had to admit he had not verified the information he was about to share but had heard it from what he considered a reliable source. Socrates went on, “Second, is this news a good statement?” The friend reported that the news was not good, but that is why he wanted to tell him. Socrates finished his 3 filters test with this question, “Is this news useful to me?” The friend acknowledged that this information was not useful to him, and he just wanted to tell someone. Socrates concluded with this observation: “Since this information is not necessarily true, it is not good, and it is not of use to me — please, I do not want to know it.”
Do we pursue love towards others in all the avenues of our life?
3. I Thess. 1:7-8-through LIFESTYLE.
The personal lifestyles of the church were well known. They lived counter cultural. Men married women and stayed faithful to their partner, sobriety was observed in their gatherings, lifestyle choices followed the teachings of Jesus and not the famous people of the day. They heeded the instructions of James 1:27.
Living counter-cultural is like “going against the grain.” That phrase was first coined by Shakespeare in 1607. It was believed to be taken from the idea that when you go against the grain of wood the result is a rough surface.
Here lies the challenge for us all! Living against the grain can produce a rough surface, yet we need to live counter-cultural AND be known by our love for one another. So, this is not the call for “in your face brash behaviors.” This is the call for modeling God’s plan for humanity in love, humility, and kindness — enabled by the Holy Spirit.
4. through MISSIONS.
They were heavily involved in missions. They were given power for the sake of the gospel (Acts 1:8). Paul traveled with various partners on three missionary trips (Acts 13-14; 15:36-18:22; 18:23-20:38) where he saw multitudes saved and many churches established. Great numbers of Jews AND Gentiles believed in Iconium (Acts 14:1). Their gospel living saw new churches established in the regions of Galatia, Ephesus, Colosse, Thessalonica, Philippi, Corinth, and even Rome. A passionate belief in the truth (Jesus and the gospel) prohibited the early church from staying quiet. They had to tell someone.
We will find what we are passionate about through what we talk about the most – and that passion is produced through the things we repeatedly rehearse in our minds. May we rehearse more of Jesus and talk about Jesus more this week than last week!
5. through PRAYER.
The early church prayed. Acts 1:14 tells us the disciples continued with one accord in prayer after His ascension. Acts 2:42 declares the preoccupation of the newly formed church after the day of Pentecost with “they continued steadfastly in prayers.” Acts 16:25 reveals the hidden prison cell of Paul and Silas as they were praying and singing hymns to God. Peter prayed before healing Dorcas (Acts 9:40). Paul prayed before healing Publius’ father (Acts 28:8). Peter and John prayed for boldness after their release from prison (Acts 4:23-31). The church is shown in a position of constant prayer when Peter was arrested (Acts 12:5). A replacement for Judas was prayed over in Acts 1:24. The church prayed over the decision of choosing deacons to serve tables and help the widows in Acts 6:6. The church prayed over Paul and Barnabas as they embarked on their first missionary journey (Acts 13:3) and Paul and Barnabas prayed over who to appoint as pastors for the new churches they planted (Acts 14:23). These examples are only the beginning of prayer throughout the book of Acts.
D. L. Moody once said, “I’d rather be able to pray than be a great preacher; Jesus Christ never taught His disciples how to preach, but only how to pray.”
May we all learn to be stronger, more diligent prayer warriors.
Think of all the things that impacts our lives. Divorce impacts the family unit. Moving to a different city impacts a family unit. Losing a job impacts a family unit. Shop lifting impacts a business. Gas prices impact shipping, personal travel, prices on the grocery store shelves, and more! Only the gospel impacts everyone and everything with love, joy, and peace. Only the gospel impacts life and death matters like nothing else can. Only the gospel!
The truth is, we are all making an impact on our world around us. The real question is – what kind of impact am I making? The thief, the abuser, the disobedient to parents, the liars, the murderers -- as well as the kindhearted, thoughtful, teachable, and yes, the individual believer – all make an impact on the world around us. Barnabas and Paul made an impact via going to those who opposed the gospel and reason with them the scriptures. May we as the church make an impact with the gospel!