Sermon 12 - Acts 13,1-3 - What Is Normal

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INTRODUCTION:

1.      After four hurricanes, there is something that we all long for and it is called “NORMAL.”

a.    ((illus)) I mentioned that to someone this past week and they asked, “What is normal?”

b.    I thought that was a good question and told them they’d probably hear that question Sunday.

c.    WHAT IS NORMAL?

i)        ((illus)) Some of you from the mid-west are thinking of Normal, IL. Normal is 125 miles southwest of Chicago. Normal, IL was created from a part of Bloomington in the 1800’s because it was chosen as a site for a teachers’ college. Using the French application, this kind of school was known as a “normal” school, thus Normal, IL.

2.      To start with, let me tell you what normal is not.

a.    It is not Normal, IL.

b.    Normal is not necessarily average.

c.    We often play games with these terms and life gets more complicated, dangerous.

d.   ((illus)) If someone is ill and they go to the doctor, the doctor may tell them that the discomfort they are experiencing is “normal.” But they mean that it is “average for this condition. Next to a healthy person, the experience is not normal.

i)        Normal is health/average may man illness

ii)      Normal is desired/average to be avoided

iii)    Normal is life/average may mean death

3.      Having said that, I think there are those who would agree with me that there are many Christians and churches that confuse an average Christian life with a normal Christian life.

a.    The normal Christian life is what the Bible describes as the kind of life God has for every Christian and church.

b.    Let me ask you this morning, “Are you living a normal Christian life or an average Christian life?”

c.    As a church, “Are we living a normal Christian church life or an average Christian church life?”

4.      Maybe we can best answer that by looking in the Bible at WHAT IS NORMAL.

a.    From our survey of Acts, we come to chapter 13 and find the church at Antioch, Syria providing for us an example of what is normal – healthy.

b.    Acts 13:1-3 (page ) 1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work I have for them.” 3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

5.      Here are given several characteristics of a Normal Church

WHAT IS NORMAL?

Acts 13:1-3

1.      AN INTEGRATED CHURCH :1

a.    They were inclusive, not exclusive.

b.    This is NORMAL.

c.    Here, there was an integration of race.

i)        Not easy.

ii)      Different customs, cultures, thought structures

iii)    :1 - Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas)

¨      this Herod treated Jesus in a shameful way

¨      beheaded John the Baptist

d.   I mention this first because Acts 13 marks a change in the direction of church.

i)        Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

ii)      Jerusalem 1-7

iii)    Judea/Samaria 8-12

iv)    Ends of the earth 13-28

e.    In this part of the world (Englewood), race is not as strong an issue as is age.

i)        I did not say that race is not an issue

ii)      ((illus)) I happened to have previously pastored a church where the older brothers became threatened by the obvious growth in numbers and enthusiasm of the younger brothers and sisters. They were afraid that they (the older bros.) would lose control.

f.     A challenge for us here at Grace to

i)        Check our attitudes towards others age/race/gender

ii)      Check our attitudes about CONTROL

¨      The most important question that can ever be asked by an individual or church is “Who owns us/the church?)

g.    ((illus)) Some has suggested that every Christian ought to have 3 different kinds of people in their lives.

i)        A Barnabas – usually a peer – someone who will encourage us.

ii)      A Timothy – someone younger that we can disciple or mentor.

iii)    A Paul – someone older, who knows all about us but is not impressed by us.

h.    Because of our being planted in Englewood, we need to stay focused on the future, with a view of handing off the leadership to the younger at some point.

i.      Being integrated is NORMAL

 

2.      GODLY LEADERSHIP :1,2

a.    1 Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were…. 2 One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said,

b.    everything hear speaks to this:

c.    prophets and teachers

i)        plural leadership – slower, but safer.

ii)      worshipping - leitourgeō, which originally meant to discharge a public office, here the calling of God in their lives.

¨      It was the word chosen by the first translators of the Hebrew OT for the function of the priest

¨      Many translations use the word “ministering”

iii)    Fasting – special times of passionate prayer.

d.   the Holy Spirit said…3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

i)        This is the Acts of the Holy Spirit and He was free to direct them.

ii)      But they acknowledged their humanity and maybe their struggle to give up their best and took time to confirm this call.

e.    A church/organization/home  is no stronger than its leadership.

i)        The spiritual temperature of a church will not go any higher than that of its leadership.

¨      Notice that it was while the leadership was ministering that the Lord spoke to them.

¨      They were actively engaged in serving, not sitting around waiting.

¨      “God can direct a moving ship better than one sitting still.”

¨      You want to find out what God has for you, start serving now.

ii)      That’s why the Elders and the Board take seriously their charge to serve the Lord and this congregation.

iii)    A NORMAL church family understands and respects this.

 

3.      A GENEROUS SPIRIT :3

a.    3 So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.

b.    They gave away their best.

i)        Sent them = to release them/set them free

ii)      This is grace.

c.    It’s also the beginning of what we know of as missions.

i)        God so loved the world

ii)      A world-view is NORMAL

iii)    Jesus was a missionary.

d.   The tendency is for a church to go to one extreme or the other.

i)        Home vrs. Missions.

ii)      Not either-or, but both and.

iii)    Acts 1:8 - But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and          to the ends of the earth.

 

CONCLUSION:

1.      WHAT IS NORMAL?

a)      Inclusiveness, not exclusiveness

b)      Godliness – personal

c)      A giving spirit that includes the world and gives its best

2.      Let me allow a missionary to tell you what is NORMAL

This letter was written by Southern Baptist Missionary to Iraq, Karen Watson, prior to leaving for the Middle East. The letter was dated March 7, 2003. Karen was killed, along with four other missionaries, on March 15, 2004.

Dear Pastor Phil and Pastor Roger:

You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death.

When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn't called to a place. I was called to him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, his glory my reward.

One of the most important things to remember right now is to preserve the work….I am writing this as if I am still working with my people group.

I thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Surely your reward in heaven will be great. Thank you for investing in my life and spiritual well-being. Keep sending missionaries out. Keep raising up fine young pastors.

In regards to any service, keep it small and simple. Yes, simply, just preach the gospel….Be bold and preach the life-saving, life-changing, forever-eternal gospel. Give glory and honor to our Father.

The Missionary Heart: (I call it the Normal Heart.)

Care more than some think is wise.

Risk more than some think is safe.

Dream more than some think is practical.

Expect more than some think is possible.

I was called not to comfort or success but to obedience….There is no joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving him. I love you two and my church family.

In his care,

Salaam,  (her Iraq name)

Karen

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