Good News Delivered Series

“Good News Delivered”

Acts 15:22-29

I love to give good news.

I can only imagine the giddiness of the group of men as they journeyed to Antioch with the news that was to be delivered.

We often relate the Gospel as “good news” and that would be accurate.

This really aligns in the same manor; because the news is directly related to the message of the Gospel.

There is no work that will bring about salvation in any way, shape or form.

It is faith alone by GRACE alone through Christ alone.

I. Trusted Men

Acts 15:22-23 “Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: 23And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:

Apostles - specifically applied to the twelve apostles of Christ (Peter, James and Paul)

Elders - Those who are over the church in Jerusalem (Pastors)

With the whole church - the church family in Jerusalem

Judas surnamed Barsabas - Barsabas = "son of Sabas

First mentioned in Acts 1:23 as one who was chosen to possibly replace Judas Iscariot.

Please make the observation that while he was not chosen to become an apostle, he never quit serving and was looked upon with great respect.

And Silas - introduction of a follower of Christ and soon companion of Paul

Chief men among the brethren - Greek: leaders. Men of influence, experience, and authority in the church.

In Antioch - Where the difficulty first arose.

And Syria - Antioch was the capital of Syria, and it is probable that the dispute was not confined to the capital.

And Cilicia - Cilicia was adjacent to Syria. Paul and Barnabas had traveled through it, and it is probable that the same difficulty would exist there which had disturbed the churches in Syria.

The letter (epistle) written was to help eliminate any confusion that was being passed around.

II. Troubled Message

Acts 15:23 “Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:

Forasmuch as we have heard, - By the report of Paul and Barnabas.

That certain which went out from us; have troubled you with words, or doctrines: -

How they have disturbed your minds, and produced contentions.

Subverting your souls; - It is applied to robbers, and enemies who steal property, producing distress, confusion, and disorder.

The Message? Removing the doctrine of grace to another Gospel of works, (no gospel message at all) and was very destructive to their souls, at least to the peace and comfort of them.

Saying, ye must be circumcised and keep the law; - the ceremonial law

To whom we gave no such commandment: - it looks as if these "preachers" were pretending to be sent out by the apostles, to preach.

No such preaching was endorsed and should be rejected.

III. Tested Members

Acts 15:25-27 “It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.”

No long list of deeds but rather spoken of their journeys for the cause of the Gospel message.

I have heard and agree with a simple observation: “God does not use a person greatly until he is wounded deeply.”

The test of service is not how we handle a trouble-less day, but rather how we endure the storms in our lives.

IV. Timely Memorandum

Acts 15:28-29 “For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.”

The GOOD NEWS - God does not change; salvation is still all of the work of the LORD and works or because of salvation not the necessity for salvation!

Conclusion:

There is a song that has come to my thought:

Love Lifted Me

Song by

James Rowe (over 9000 published hymns) after 1896

(1)

I was sinking deep in sin,

far from the peaceful shore,

Very deeply stained within,

sinking to rise no more,

But the Master of the sea,

heard my despairing cry,

From the waters lifted me,