Sermon Central
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Into The Unknown
Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Nov 10, 2012 (message contributor)
Summary: The beginning of missions before Paul even started on his first missionary trip.
Antioch
16 miles E of Mediterranean
300 miles N of Jerusalem
Rome, Alexandria & Antioch in importance to Rome
Called the First City of The East
Antioch's modern name of Antakya, and is now a miserable, decaying Turkish town.
Antakya's a hub for the Syrian rebellion. For many months, Turkish authorities have tolerated Antakya's status
Ac 11;19-21 - Death of Steven scattered Christians to Antioch
Ac 11:22-26 – Barnabas sent to investigate the church
The Growing Church
- Five Members Given - Being Prophets (preachers) & Teachers
■ Barnabas a Levite (Ac 4:36) who sold his property to help the ministry
- Now ministering to Gentiles in Antioch
■ Simeon called Niger
- Latin nickname meaning “black.” (Possibly from N. Africa)
- The multiracial and multinational leadership of the church at Antioch.
■ Lucius of Cyrene (modern day Libya)
- Name is Latin birthplace N. Africa
- Could have carried gospel to Antioch – Ac 11:19-21
■ Manaen – RV uses “foster brother”
- Connected with royalty
- Could have been “member of court” and “childhood companion”
■ Saul – Former Persecutor
- Phil. 3:5 - Hebrew of the Hebrews.
- A Pharisee
1. The Spirit’s Activity
a. Suggesting the Plan – 13:2
b. Selecting the Persons – 13:2
c. Sending the Preferred – 13:4
2. Saints Responsibility – 13:2 “As they ministered to the Lord”
- Having a deep faith in God
Ac 13:3
Fasted, Prayed. Laid hands on them
■ Fasted – Seeking God’s leading,
■ Prayed
- Communion with the Lord
- Remembering the Lord’s teaching
Matthew 7:7 (AV)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Matthew 26:41 (AV)
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
■ Laying of Hands speaks of communicating a blessing dedicating to God’s service
- When God is in it there is no limit to the possibilities
3. The Servant’s Obedience
- Ac. 13:4 “They departed”
- Confident
- It was not a throw of the dart into a map
- Barnabas was from Cyprus
Acts 4:36 (AV)
36 And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus,
