The Fire Continued
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10 Characteristics of an Effective church.
As we enter 2020, these are the qualities that we want to see in our church.
1. Qualified Leadership (1)
1. Qualified Leadership (1)
1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
Prophets — foretellers and forth-tellers of truth directly from God. Not in use today.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.
Prophet — “This is what God says to all.”
Teachers — “This is what God says to you.”
Paul was an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Both Paul and Barnabas were apostles of Jesus Christ through His church.
The point is they communicated the Word of God. Antioch was a well taught church. Because the leadership focused on their calling, the church bean to overflow with ministry until the overflow compelled them to look beyond their own community to reach new communities for Christ.
We are in an exciting position. For the last 15 years we have poured our lives into grounding the children of this church in the Word of God through homeschooling, Sunday school, preaching, etc. Over the next 15 years, our children will be able to join us in ministry as well as continue to train up the next generation.
Qualifications to do this work?
5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6 namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7 For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not addicted to wine, not pugnacious, not fond of sordid gain, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, just, devout, self-controlled, 9 holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.
2. Diverse Leadership (1)
2. Diverse Leadership (1)
1 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: God Opens the Doors (Acts 13–14)
Barnabas, whom we have already met (Acts 4:36–37; 9:27; 11:22–26); Simeon, who may have been from Africa since he was nicknamed “Black”; Lucius, who came from Cyrene and may have been one of the founders of the church in Antioch (Acts 11:20); Manaen, who was an intimate friend (or perhaps an adopted foster brother) of Herod Antipas, who had killed John the Baptist; and Saul (Paul), last on the list but soon to become first.
plurality of elders.
3. Active Leadership (2)
3. Active Leadership (2)
2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
As priests offered up scarifies of the flesh and blood animals (drain the blood, sprinkle the blood, burn the flesh, rinse the blood, repeat), so we as priest unto God offer up sacrifices of praise to Him.
4. Praying Leadership (2)
4. Praying Leadership (2)
2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
fasting — foregoing food fully or partially because of an urgent spiritual concern. Not going to a banquet (entertainment of the day).
Fasting is not commanded in NT but it is expected. If you are never concerned about spiritual matters enough to fast, it is time to fast about your lack of concern.
5. Spirit Lead Leadership (2)
5. Spirit Lead Leadership (2)
2 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
God chose the best to move on. The church may have thought, “Not Barnabas or Saul!”
6. Obedient Leadership (3)
6. Obedient Leadership (3)
3 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
7. Evangelical Missionaries (5)
7. Evangelical Missionaries (5)
4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: God Opens the Doors (Acts 13–14)
It was logical to go first to Cyprus, for this was the home of Barnabas (Acts 4:36)
Salamis was a Major trading center.
Proclaimed God’s Word
What do we make, then, of Pope Francis's constant insistence, recently repeated here, and in his meeting with the bishops of Japan this past Saturday, that in an evangelical encounter with those who do not know Christ we must witness to Christ but "not with convictions, not to convince [or persuade], [and] not to proselytize"? Eduardo J. Echeverria
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: God Opens the Doors (Acts 13–14)
Barnabas and Paul took John Mark with them as their assistant. He was a cousin to Barnabas (Col. 4:10), and his mother’s home in Jerusalem was a gathering place for the believers (Acts 12:12)
8. Satanically Opposed (6-8)
8. Satanically Opposed (6-8)
6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Paphos was the capital of Cyprus
magician — one who practices astrology (as apposed to astronomy) and witchcraft.
37 And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, 38 and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. 40 “So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. 41 “The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness,
9. Authoritative (9-11)
9. Authoritative (9-11)
9 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, 10 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 11 “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.
10. Relentless (12-13)
10. Relentless (12-13)
12 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord. 13 Now Paul and his companions put out to sea from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia; but John left them and returned to Jerusalem.
The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Thirteen: God Opens the Doors (Acts 13–14)
John Mark did something so serious that Paul did not want him back on his “team” again! (Acts 15:36ff) Later, Paul would enlist Timothy to take John Mark’s place (Acts 16:1–5). John Mark did redeem himself and was eventually accepted and approved by Paul (2 Tim. 4:11).
11 Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service.