The Gospel Is For All (Church Expansion In Antioch) Series

Sermon: The Gospel is For All (Church Expansion In Antioch)

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30 “Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen’s death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews. 20 However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. 21 The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord. 22 When the church at Jerusalem heard what had happened, they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw this evidence of God’s blessing, he was filled with joy, and he encouraged the believers to stay true to the Lord. 24 Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and strong in faith. And many people were brought to the Lord. 25 Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul. 26 When he found him, he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large crowds of people. (It was at Antioch that the believers were first called Christians.) 27 During this time some prophets traveled from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them named Agabus stood up in one of the meetings and predicted by the Spirit that a great famine was coming upon the entire Roman world. (This was fulfilled during the reign of Claudius.) 29 So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. 30 This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.”

Introduction: The early Christian Church grew rapidly as the Holy Spirit guided it through conflict, deception, prejudice and crisis. It seems that none of the Jews including Peter really understood that God would bring salvation to the whole world. During this time, the conversion of Paul added fuel to the revival fires. One of most exciting events happened in Acts 10, as Cornelius, a God-fearing centurion, a Roman commander and his family was saved and received the gift of the Holy Ghost. God used this event to help Peter overcome his inner prejudice and realize that God is no respecter of persons, but desires to save the whole world. God reached out to Cornelius because Cornelius actively sought after God and revered God. He also had a heart for the people, and he prayed continually. Cornelius was evangelistic minded even before he was converted. When he sent for Peter, he also sent for his family members and friends. When Peter arrived, they all were waiting and were willing to receive the word of the Lord.

Up to this point, the Apostles were the leading participants in the Church growth movement. Now gentiles were eagerly to respond to the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet they wondered, “Is it really for us.” “Is this message for all.” The church at Antioch was the first include Gentile believers and that church became a powerful branch of the Christian church. What does it mean to be a powerful church? What does a powerful church look like? I believe a church can only be as powerful as its leadership and people. This text shows what can happen when believers follow the Holy Spirit, recognizes the value in all people, and use their gifts, strength and influence to carry out God’s plan. The text says, “when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed and turned unto the Lord.” While the apostles remained at Jerusalem, the church was on the move and continued to grow. How could laymen, simply believers cause the church to grow? Believers cause church growth by being open to the Holy Spirit’s leadership, getting involved personally, and welcoming all who came. If the church is going to expand and grow again, it must do the same.

1. The Antioch Believers Were Open to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was leading the church to take the Gospel to the world. This church was made up of people from the island of Cyprus and northern Africa. Being raised up around different nationalities and cultures, doing business in these seaport areas, added to their openness. They believed God was for all people and wanted all to be saved. They saw value in all people and appreciated all people. This church was full of immigrants, how could they reject anyone. If the church is going to expand and grow again, it must be open to all.