Introduction:
A. The story is told of an elderly woman who had moved to the United States from Europe when she was a child.
1. After living all these years in the United States, she finally decided to become an official citizen of our country.
2. After months of going through all the necessary red tape, she was finally ready to take the required oath.
3. The Judge said to her, “Please raise your right hand,” and she did.
4. Then the Judge asked her, “Do you swear to defend the Constitution of the United States against all its enemies, domestic or foreign?”
5. The elderly woman’s face paled and her voice trembled as she asked in a small voice, “Uhhh...all by myself?”
B. That would certainly be a tall order, wouldn’t it?
1. Imagine being asked to defend the Constitution of the United States against all its enemies all by yourself!
2. My face would pale and my voice would tremble as well if that’s what I thought I had to do.
C. Let’s consider a different realm and a different calling.
1. Please raise your right hand…Do you promise to defend the cause of Christ against all its enemies and do you promise to take the Gospel into all the world?
2. How would you answer that question? Like the elderly lady in the story, would you meekly raise your hand and with a trembling voice ask: “All by myself?”
3. All of us will be glad to know that we don’t have to face the Christian life and ministry alone.
4. As a matter of fact, God never intended for anyone to sail through the uncharted waters of life and ministry all alone and without any assistance.
D. How many of you remember the Lone Ranger TV Series?
1. It ran from 1947 to 1957, which is before my time, but I saw it as a youngster in reruns.
2. Anyhow, the Lone Ranger had a strict moral code and even the actor, Clayton Moore, was a great role model for children.
3. But truth be known, the Lone Ranger was rarely alone.
4. Actually, he hung around with his Native American sidekick Tonto.
5. And he rode a white stallion named Silver who was like a best friend and protector.
E. When we look into Scripture, we notice that most, if not all, of God’s greatest servants never served alone – God made sure they had side-kicks to help share the load.
1. Moses had his brother, Aaron and together they led the Jews out of Egypt and on a harsh wilderness journey toward the Promised Land.
2. David had Jonathan, a friend who stuck closer than a brother.
a. David also had his 20 mighty men whom he names right down to the last one.
3. Elijah, is someone we admire for his heroic stand against the wicked pair King Ahab and Jezebel and their prophets of Baal.
a. Unfortunately, Elijah at that point was trying to fly solo and almost crashed and burned, but God sent him Elisha to be his assistant and his future replacement.
4. Do you remember how Jesus sent out his disciples to minister in pairs (Mk. 6:7)?
a. Jesus’ strategy never included sending out lone apostles to do the work of ministry.
5. Add to all this God’s design for elders in the church – elders must serve in a plurality – the New Testament knows of no individual elders serving a congregation all by themselves.
F. Aren’t you thankful that God’s will for ministers and ministries includes partnership?
1. God has not designed us and ministry to be loners and lone rangers.
2. In ministry there is no place for Rambos, or 007 Agents, or spiritual superstars.
3. It’s not only unhealthy, it’s simply not God’s will or God’s way.
4. The wise man, Solomon, said it like this: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. (Eccl. 4:9-12)
I. The Story
A. So, with this wisdom of the need for partnership in mind, let’s return to the story of Saul of Tarsus.
1. When we left Saul in our last sermon, he was living there in Tarsus.
2. He had escaped danger in Jerusalem and was awaiting God’s direction for his life and ministry.
3. Meanwhile, while there in Tarsus he had the heavenly experience and was given the thorn in the flesh to keep him humble and dependent on God.
B. So that’s what was happening in Saul’s life, but what was happening in the life of the church?
1. The eleventh chapter of Acts opens with a bang.
2. Revival fires are sweeping the region and Antioch is the nerve center.
3. In Acts 10, the spotlight had turned from Saul to Peter.
4. Peter received a vision confirming God’s plan to offer the Gospel to the Gentiles.
5. In that vision, a sheet was let down holding all kinds of food for him to eat, both clean and unclean animals.
6. Peter initially resisted, but eventually he got the point, when in the house of a Gentile, named Cornelius, he witnessed the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the Gentiles.
7. Peter instructed that all of them be baptized into Christ and welcomed them as brothers.
C. Let’s pick up the narrative in Acts 11:19: 19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord. (Acts 11:19-24)
1. This must have been a remarkable thing to witness at that time, as God used various evangelists to proclaim the Gospel and great numbers of people turned to the Lord.
a. I pray that we will see the same thing happen soon here in Central New York!
2. We are told that certain nameless men from Cyprus and Cyrene went to Antioch and were being effective in making disciples among the Greeks (the Gentiles).
3. When the news of these developments reached the church in Jerusalem they decided to send Barnabas to Antioch.
a. Why did they send Barnabas to Antioch?
b. Perhaps because he was from Cyprus and might know those folks from Cyprus.
c. Or perhaps they sent Barnabas because he was an encourager – remember that’s what his name means!
d. And certainly, they sent Barnabas because, as described here in verse 24, he was a good man who was filled with the Holy Spirit and had great faith.
e. That’s certainly the kind of Christian you want to have around new Christians – someone who is an encourager and who has a deep and effective walk with God worth imitating.
4. So what did Barnabas do when he arrived in Antioch and witnessed what God was doing?
a. He rejoiced with the new believers and encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.
b. He encouraged them to follow through with their commitment to Christ.
5. Notice that Luke records that a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
a. I might be making too much of the language Luke chose, but I think there is an important point to make here, nonetheless.
b. It’s important that we bring people to Christ and not just to the church.
c. People need to be brought into Christianity and not into “churchianity.”
d. The church is our Christian family, but Christ is our Savior and Master.
e. If we are not brought into a true commitment to our Lord and Savior, then our commitment to the church will always be weak.
6. So, Barnabas arrived in Antioch and saw people coming to Christ by the droves – how exciting and yet how overwhelming!
a. Imagine if we suddenly had an influx of hundreds of new Christians – wouldn’t that be exciting?
b. Indeed, it would be exciting, but it would also be overwhelming.
c. These hundreds of new Christians would need to be ministered to or they might be lost back into the world.
7. Considering that situation, what did Barnabas need? He needed help.
a. Barnabas needed some others who were seasoned Christians and who had the ability to teach the truths of God’s Word.
b. Who might fit that description? Who did Barnabas know who might be in a position to help him in this exciting and challenging work?
c. You guessed it…Saul of Tarsus.
D. The Bible says: 25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26)
1. Barnabas knew where to find his number-one choice for a partner – Tarsus.
a. When Barnabas found Saul there in Tarsus, he found him willing and available.
b. Together, by God’s grace, the two of them entered into a partnership that would accomplish great things.
c. Luke reports that for a whole year the two of them worked together there in Antioch and they taught great numbers of people.
2. It is no mistake that the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
a. It was there in Antioch, under the work of Barnabas and Saul that the movement of the church was solidified as something other than just a sect of the Jews.
b. It was obvious that God was doing something new and permanent through the Gospel.
c. Barnabas and Saul were making that very clear through their ministry.
E. But thinking back over the last several years in Saul’s life, it isn’t hard to understand why he was an excellent choice for this critical leadership role.
1. Saul of Tarsus had successfully completed all the initial coursework in God’s schoolroom for effective ministry.
2. God had revealed Himself and His truth to Saul.
3. Saul’s giftedness and confidence had been shaped and in the crucible of solitude and suffering such that he was ready to be a humble servant of Christ.
4. And now, with nothing to prove, Saul was ready and willing to spend himself for God’s glory.
F. Consider how Saul had waited patiently there in Tarsus for God’s direction.
1. Perhaps Saul had heard about the revival in Antioch, and yet he didn’t rush down there to get into the action or to make himself known.
2. Barnabas had to come and enlist Saul’s assistance.
3. Saul didn’t step into a critical and highly visible role in leadership until he was recruited.
4. Let me say it again, Saul’s giftedness and confidence had been shaped and honed in the crucible of solitude and suffering such that he was ready to be a humble servant of Christ.
G. Consider the humility of David the future king of Israel.
1. God had already sent Samuel to David’s house and anointed him with oil as the future king.
2. David then obediently followed his father’s order and took provisions to his brothers who were preparing to fight the Philistines.
3. While there, he witnessed Goliath’s denouncement of God and God’s army, and David offered to battle the giant – and as you know, David defeated Goliath.
4. What did David do after winning that victory over Goliath? Did he go to Disney World? No, he went right back home to keep his father’s sheep – how’s that for humility?
H. There are few things more attractive and effective than a gifted and competent leader who is truly humble.
1. Consider the humility of D. L. Moody the effective 19th century evangelist.
a. In 1875, Moody was preaching in a revival in Birmingham, England.
b. A noted minister and well-respected theologian named Dr. R. W. Dale was also participating in that campaign.
c. After watching and listening to Moody preach and witnessing the incredible results of Moody, this uneducated shoe-repairman turned evangelist, Dr. Dale wrote this in his denominational magazine: “I told Mr. Moody that the work was most plainly of God, for I could see no real relation between him and what he had done.”
d. When Moody was asked about what Dr. Dale had written about him, Moody laughed cheerily and said, “I should be sorry if it were otherwise.”
2. Effective servants of God are humble.
a. Like Moody, they are not defensive, and they admit to being more surprised than anyone that God would accomplish anything through them.
I. I like Warren Wiersbe’s succinct definition of ministry: “Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God.”
1. Saul and Barnabas are a great example of the pleasure of partnership.
2. Why did the two of them experience such pleasure in serving together?
a. First, they loved, appreciated and respected each other.
b. Second, there was no competition between them – no battle of egos.
c. Third, they weren’t threatened by each other’s gifts.
d. Fourth, their single-minded goal was to minister Christ and magnify Christ.
II. The Application
A. As we bring this lesson to a close, let me encourage us to think about three truths that produce an atmosphere of joyous cooperation.
B. First of all, God is in charge of the plans.
1. God is the one who is in charge of the church as a whole, around the world and for all time, and God is in charge of the Wetzel Road Church of Christ.
a. Ultimately, the church belongs to God and not to us.
b. God’s will and God’s work will outlive all of us.
c. And, God’s plan is as deep as it is wide, and it is always full of surprises.
2. There is nothing wrong with us trying to allow God to lead us to have clearly defined mission statements and vision statement.
a. There is nothing wrong with trying to allow God to lead us to develop plans for next year or 5 or 10 years down the road.
3. But we must always keep in mind that God is ultimately in charge.
4. It is all about what God wants to accomplish through each of us working together.
5. And the secret is in that last word – together.
C. Second, God is in charge of the people.
1. The people whom God chooses to work together to carry out God’s plans are never perfect.
a. Since there are no perfect people, God has to employ us imperfect ones.
2. The fact that there are no perfect people doesn’t mean that we are free to operate in the flesh.
a. The Scriptures urge us over and over to walk in purity and holiness.
b. The Scriptures urge us to put away selfish ambition and to put on gentleness and patience.
c. Our sinfulness and imperfections will always be a challenge for us as long as we live in the flesh, but we must strive to minimize their destructive effects on us and the church.
3. But, here is an important thing to keep in mind: If we fix our hopes and attentions on any one person, we will be disappointed and perhaps brokenhearted.
a. Every one of us has feet of clay – we are all imperfect.
b. We must resist the temptation to put any person on a pedestal.
c. Certainly, we all need heroes and examples, and we can admire and appreciate others, but we must not depend on others more than Christ.
4. Even great Christians like Barnabas and Saul wanted people to follow Christ, not them.
D. Finally, God is in charge of the places.
1. Why did God choose Antioch of all places for revival and for the ministry of Barnabas and Saul? Only God knows.
2. I wish in God’s plans, He would send all the great and gifted people to minister here at Wetzel Road, and, I wish God would never let any of them leave.
3. But that desire is based on my limited human perspective.
4. I’ve been tempted over the years to pray, “Lord, send us only the great ones and keep them here forever. Don’t ever take them anywhere else.” (Being imperfect, sometimes even my prayers are selfish!)
5. God’s plans, however, include moving some very gifted people from among us and sending them elsewhere.
6. In the end, what matters most is that God sends people of His choosing to places of His choosing – the sooner we accept and embrace that truth, the more contented we will be.
E. Ministering together is always an adventure.
1. It’s about embracing change. It’s about maintaining flexibility. It’s about being patient and forgiving of others. It’s about walking with God and cooperating with each other.
2. Barnabas needed help – the work was too much for one gifted, but limited man.
3. Saul stepped into the gap and together they turned Antioch upside down for Christ.
4. It is rarely a good idea to try to do ministry all by yourself.
F. Let me end with this story:
1. While on a business trip, a businessman stopped to observe the curious behavior of a farmer who was plowing his field.
2. A single mule hitched to the plow was wearing blinders, and the farmer was yelling, “Giddyap, Pete! Giddyap, Herb! Giddyap, Ol’ Bill! Giddyap, Jeb!”
3. After watching the farmer carry on like this for a while, the businessman asked, “Say, mister—how many names does that mule have?”
4. “Just one,” answered the farmer, “His name is Pete.”
5. The businessman asked, “If his name is Pete, then why do you call out Herb and Bill and—”
6. “It’s like this,” explained the farmer. “If Ol’ Pete knew he was doing all this work alone, I couldn’t make him do it. But if he thinks he’s got three other mules workin’ alongside of him, he does the whole job all by himself.”
7. “What a marvelous idea!” exclaimed the businessman, and when he got back to his corporate office in New York, he invented the committee.
G. Seriously, ministry works best when it is done as a team, and it is not meant to be done alone.
1. I am exceedingly grateful for my full-time co-workers, Alan and Mike.
2. I am so thankful for my fellow-shepherds, Bill, Ed and Mark.
3. I am so thankful for all eight of our deacons, and our numerous ministry partners.
4. God has blessed us with the pleasure of partnership and together may we accomplish God’s plans for His church here at Wetzel Road!
Resources:
Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit, by Charles Swindoll, Word Publishing, 2002, Chapters 6 & 8.
