In Jesus Holy Name September 18, 2022
Text: Acts 13:4-5 Redeemer Lutheran
“The Common Ground for a Missionary Journey”
Sometimes we used titles for different sections of Scripture. In our series through the book of Acts we have come to Acts 13-15. These chapters simply relate to us the missionary trips of Paul and Barnabas. But buried within these chapters we can find helpful suggestions for our own efforts to share the gospel. The bible never talks about Paul’s 1st missionary journey, his 2nd missionary journey, his 3rd missionary journey. We just number them every time Paul returns to Antioch.
What is interesting is that Paul is always sent out from the church in Antioch, not Jerusalem. The center of Christianity seems to have moved more to Antioch, a Gentile community rather than Jerusalem. There might be more opposition from the Pharisees and Herod in Jerusalem than we are told. Antioch is the first place the followers of Jesus were called Christians.
The key verse is Acts 13:2 “While the church in Antioch was worshiping the Lord and fasting the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I called them.” The work was to share the gospel with the Gentile world.
How did the Holy Spirit speak this message? We have talked about this in the past. How did the Holy Spirit speak to the congregation, how does the Holy Spirit speak to us today. Luke doesn’t tell us but it could have been through a prophetic message from someone in the congregation during worship and prayer.
Leonard Sweet has written an entire book on this subject, which he titled “Jesus Speaks”. The disciples had been with Jesus for three years. They watched His miracles, they listened to His parables and the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount. Once the resurrected glorified Jesus ascended into heaven they had to learn to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who was now speaking to their hearts and minds without the physical body of Jesus.
Jesus said: “I know my sheep, and my sheep know me they will listen to my voice.” John 10:14-17 Countless Christians today want to know how to hear the voice of their Savior, how can they recognize His voice.
As a Christian you have a bible to read, which is the written voice of Jesus. You and I have prayer…which is conversation with God…but you have to be quiet and listen to the voice that isn’t a voice in your head. Have you ever been in prayer, sharing with God a problem and suddenly your brain tells us to look up a bible verse? Of course…there is the answer you needed. If you listened to that suggestion in your head it was the Holy Spirit giving you the answer.
Imagine you are talking to a friend who is reading an e-mail on her smartphone. As you are talking, she interrupts you saying, “Can you repeat what you just said? I missed what you were saying.” It’s the same in your house if your eyes are in the TV and your wife says something to you from the kitchen….What happens if you say: “Can you repeat that”….without adding the words. “I wasn’t listening”. Because you know she will say: “Do you need hearing aids!”
Your friend heard words….but really didn’t’ hear what you said. So it is with Jesus and us. The goal of listening to Jesus is so that we can have “fellowship” with Him. What is the purpose of your husband or wife and children in your home? It is to experience joy, peace and fellowship and harmony. Harmony in the home makes a happy home. Communication and listening enables fellowship and harmony.
One of my favorite stories in the bible is found in Genesis 3. “In the cool of the evening God was walking in His Garden. He had “fellowship” and “harmony” with His creation, Adam and Eve. One day when God came to visit….He called out… Adam where are you?” The Garden of Eden was God’s temple, His house on earth. He came often and talked with Adam and Eve. They experienced fellowship, and harmony.
This was normal until they cheated on God. If you cheat on your spouse, fellowship and family is broken. Adam and Eve cheated on God and listened to a different voice. They lost intimacy with their creator and each other.
Long story short….God spoke the following words through the prophet Ezekiel: “I, the Sovereign Lord will come and search for my sheep. I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will shepherd the flock with justice.” In John 10 Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. Jesus comes as the physical voice of God to His temple in Jerusalem. His miracles gave proof that God’s Messiah had arrived in Jerusalem. The blind were given sight (John 9) the lepers were healed. The dead were raised to life. (John 11) When Jesus worked miracles, it was God working miracles.
John writes in his gospel: “In the beginning was the Word, “Loyos” and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….The Word became flesh and made His dwelling in our midst. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One who came from the Father.” When Jesus spoke, He was speaking as God. Jesus said: “My teaching, my words, are not my own. They come from Him who sent me. My teaching comes from God.” (John 7:16)
“When Jesus appeared to the disciples in the upper room after His resurrection the text in John 20:22 reads: “Jesus breathed on them and said: Receive the Holy Spirit.” Leonard Sweet notes that it should be translated “Jesus breathed “in” to His disciples.
The words Jesus is the same language of Genesis when God breathed “in Adam” who then became a living being. “Breathing on” is something we do to clean glasses or a mirror. Breathing into someone is what we do when we kiss. Jesus breathed in to them His Holy Spirit. This is the transition for the disciples and for us. The physical resurrected body of Jesus no longer on earth, but in heaven, He breathed in His Spirit, His invisible presence into every disciple.
The “first kiss” is the kiss of life of creation from God the Father. The “second kiss” is the kiss of redemption and forgiveness from Jesus in the sacrament of baptism and Holy Communion. The “third kiss” is the Holy Spirit given to each believer. God living in our hearts. (Jesus Speaks by Leonard Sweet p. 35 -36)
The Book of Acts is giving us examples of the various ways God now speaks to every believer. Sometimes God speaks through visions and dreams. Remember the story of Philip. (Acts 8:26) He was walking down the road and the Spirit said: “Go stand by that chariot that you see on the road.” He wasn’t told why. Just go stand by the chariot. The voice of God was not going to give Philip the “rest of the story”… God doesn’t always give us every minute detail. God knew he would figure it out when he heard the Ethiopian reading a part to the bible. Philip listened. Spent some time explaining the bible passage and then he baptized the Ethiopian in the chariot.
To hear the voice of Jesus you need to be in a relationship, to be in harmony with Him. Acts 13 is the “missional” voice of God. The church was worshipping, through prayer and fasting asking for direction. The Spirit said: “Set aside Paul and Barnabas.” Was it an audible voice that everyone in church heard? We are not told. More than likely the Spirit put on someone or several someone’s heart then lips …” send Paul and Barnabas on a mission trip”. But didn’t say where did He. No…figure it out.
You cannot separate the Holy Spirit from the Church. Don’t we confess… “I believe in the Holy Spirit and the holy Christian church?” And so in the “church” in Antioch God spoke and now the gospel would travel to new parts of the world on the feet and lips of Paul, Barnabas and others.
So, what is the purpose of hearing the “voice of Spirit of Jesus”? Simple. Ephesians 2:10 “to do good works He has prepared in advance for you to do” and to “bring glory to His name as Creator and Savior, by telling others that Jesus died on the cross to erase our broken commandments and that He rose from the grave to secure the gift of eternal life. In the meantime….we care for one another and share God’s story in Jesus.
This brings us the second practical application that resides in Acts 13-15 for us today. Where did Paul and Barnabas begin? Did they stand on the street corners with a sign that said: “Repent, The End of the Word is near?” No. so how did they know where to begin? They decided to go to Cyprus…Barnabas grew up there.
Read Acts 13:5 Read Acts 13:14 What did Paul and Barnabas have in common …they had belief in the God of the Old Testament. They go to Jewish synagogues. Paul retells the O.T. history of Abraham, Moses, Saul, David and then states that the Savior, the Messiah, a descendant of David came… His name was Jesus. Read Acts 14:1
In America religious holidays, Christmas and Easter will remind us of the life of Jesus, but for most people it is the gift of a spring break, a day off work is all the holiday offers. We can not assume people understand the words we use, “salvation”, “sin”. If you notice in my sermons I very seldom use the word “sin”. I use words like “broken commandments” or “broken ethical standards”… everyone knows what those words mean and they want to do better but may not know how.
In your conversation with your unchurched or dechurched friends you might strike up a conversation about their Christmas, their Easter and simply ask what they think….then be quiet! Let them talk and then the Holy Spirit will let you know what to say…..because you started on “common ground.”
Like Paul and Barnabas you and I need to find “common ground”. Maybe the common ground is a week end BBQ with your friends and neighbors who may be dechurched. Look, people around you know you worship Jesus at such and such a church. They know your behavior. Enjoy the evening. Be a friend… I’m sure they will always bring up the topic of why they are “no longer” interested in “church”. Listen. Listen for the “common ground”. You will be amazed at how many of your friends don’t know for sure if they are going to heaven. (John 6:47)
Now you have a conversation starter. You have “common ground”. Of course you might want to have a few bible verses memorized just in case….the Holy Spirit wants to use them through your voice.
The world and your neighbors need to see what following Jesus looks like. People who believe in the existence of God, and most do…this is your “common ground.” Often find themselves praying to God when their world is falling apart. Or they may think God is optional in life. They need to see that following Jesus makes a difference…. You can be the one that has the answers for their questions.
Listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit….and find “common ground”. Amen
Closing Prayer
