God’s Light Calls us to Fellowship
Acts 9:26-31 – fellowship community
22 December 2002
Series – Christmas: A Celebration of Light!
Introduction:
Our series is simply, Christmas: A Celebration of Light! And throughout our series, we have been anchored by one main verse from the gospel of John - John 1:4
In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.
Today, we are going to learn how God’s light calls us to fellowship and we will also discover both the obstacles to fellowship and then the bridges to fellowship. Within Acts 9, we will see how Christ desires to produce deep fellowship amongst his people, so the world will know we are his disciples.
1A. First, let’s look at the obstacles to fellowship.
1B. Fear (26)
The text states, Paul was “trying to associate with the disciples.” Saul’s attempts to become one of the disciples failed dramatically. But it wasn’t Saul’s fault. Luke’s word suggests, Saul was trying to find his place within the community; There was one problem, however. The church was afraid.
The tense of the verb “afraid” suggests they were continually being afraid of Saul. Now why do you think this might be? Obviously, they knew Saul from before he went to Damascus. Saul was the one who began arresting believers in Acts 8; he was the one who with heartily agreement witnessed many stone Stephen to death.
A certain preacher once had a bad, bumpy flight. For the rest of his life, he hated airplanes. One time he sat down next to a calm passenger who noticed the preacher’s nerves.
"Why are you afraid, Preacher?" the passenger asked. "Doesn’t that Bible of yours say God is with you always?"
"No, that’s not exactly what the Bible says," the minister responded. "The Bible says, ’Lo, I am with you always.’"
These folks in Jerusalem were had a low view of God which caused them to fear. Notice what their fear was based upon. They were “not believing he was a disciple.” Ever have that thought: Oh, God could never save a person like that. He’s too far gone; she’s gone over the limit. She has a reputation, you know…” Fear of fellowship is common among God’s people. For example, there is the fear
of being hurt
of past hurts (old wounds)
of rejection
being known
Fear is the cancer that consumes our love for others.
1A. 2B. Persecution (29)
As Saul was talking to the Hellenistic Jews he began debating with them. It is here that I find some more interesting irony. When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, to whom did he target? The Hellenistic Jews. Who else was ministering to the same group of people before they stoned him? Stephen, right? I find it very interesting Saul continued the very ministry he attempted to halt by stoning Stephen.
Now, these same people who participated in the stoning of Stephen now were going for Saul’s jugular. They wanted him dead just like Stephen, thinking this would put to bed any dealings with this movement called The Way! The final obstacle to fellowship is…
3B. Geography (30b).
One item I believe we often forget when it comes to fellowship is geography. The farther apart I am from someone the more likely the relationship may erode. Now this isn’t always the case. I have a friend in North Carolina and one California who are very close. But even then our relationship isn’t what it used to be about a decade ago while we were in graduate school. But geography doesn’t just mean distance measured in miles, it may be the distance of an aisle between you and another believer.
It takes an effort on both parties to keep fellowship going when geography becomes an obstacle. But knowing that, we can prevent that erosion from occurring. But how do we do that?
2A. We build bridges to fellowship
1B. Kindness (27)
While the whole congregation of the Jerusalem church is in a state of fear, one man stands apart. The text states, “But Barnabas…” I find it amazing most times this man’s name comes up in Acts, he is reaching out to someone who is in need of fellowship.
Acts 11:22-24
The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; 24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.
Acts 15:12
All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.
Acts 15:25
it seemed good to us, having become of one mind, to select men to send to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
Acts 15:37
Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.
What Barnabas models exactly what John told the church from his first epistle 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.
The key item Barnabas shows is his maturity. He didn’t fear what others were saying about Saul. He didn’t allow his emotions to get in the way, and he wasn’t afraid of what others thought of him, because Barnabas cared more about what his Savior thought, when he said…
Matthew 5:43-48
"You have heard that it was said, ’YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44"But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46"For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47"If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Barnabas next “took hold of him (Saul) and brought him to the apostles…” the word “took hold” refers to one who “takes an interest in…” The quickest way to build a bridge of fellowship with others is to take an interest in them.
The Jerusalem believers refused to believe Saul was a disciple. Barnabas, on the other hand, took an interest in Saul. More than likely, Barnabas began asking Saul questions. Questions like, hey we heard something happened in Damascus, what was it? We heard you’re now a believer. Is that true? Explain to me what occurred.
And all of a sudden, Saul had someone in his court, believing what occurred to him. And you know what, we all need someone like that, don’t we? Someone to come alongside of us and just be there; someone to just listen to us; and someone to accept us. There are times we are misunderstood; misinterpreted; and even excluded from certain circles of relationships. And when God brings a Barnabas into our lives, we find ourselves refreshed.
I remember in my home church in Bedford, Ohio. I was the only member of my youth group. And I remember one man, Mike Bova, who took interest in me and pulled me aside and spent time with me. He spent undivided time with me, asking me about my goals, dreams, and plans. While I wasn’t as committed to Christ, he nevertheless took an interest in me.
Today, God is calling some of us to step up to the plate called maturity and take an interest in others. While for many of us, God is only asking us to excel at what we are already doing – being a Barnabas – demonstrating kindness.
However, Barnabas’ kindness didn’t stop there. It was extended by taking Saul to the apostles and believers within the Jerusalem church, defending Saul.
So we see how just showing kindness constructs a major bridge between Barnabas and Saul and between Saul and the church in Jerusalem. But another bridge that constructs fellowship is ministry.
2A. 2B. Ministry (28-29a)
If you want to begin building fellowship, just jump into ministry with someone you don’t know or someone you want to get to know better. Within ministry, authenticity reality will occur. Look at verses 28-29... This phrase “Saul was with them,” carries the following ideas. “…to live or to conduct oneself in relationship to some community or group - ‘to live with, to live among.’ The semantic focus of these idioms, especially in Ac 1.21 and Ac 9.28, appears to be the manner in which a person conducts himself in relationship to others,
How does ministry build fellowship? It reveals our real identity. It will reveal authenticity. It also demonstrates to believers the genuineness of a believer’s faith. In fact, Paul tells Timothy before appointed Deacons that they must first be examined or tested. Why? To be sure they are reliable. This promotes fellowship as well, because what it says is I’m not afraid to get in here and get my hands dirty. I’m not here to impress anyone. I’m here to honor my Lord.
Mike was telling me yesterday of his daughter Rochelle and her advanced gifting in dance. In fact, she should be on a level of 1 or 1 and ½. But because it comes so naturally to her and because most of all, she loves to do dance, she is on a level four – something young teens are usually at. In other words, Rochelle doesn’t need to perform out of obligation or because she has to. She dances because she loves to.
The same is true with believers. Our desire to serve within the church does not come out of obligation or pressure from other believers. It comes as a direct result of our love for Christ. When we grasp this attitude, then it doesn’t matter who gets the credit or the rewards. Our focus becomes twofold: 1. Is Christ being exalted? 2. Are people being loved?
2A. 3B. Sacrificial Compassion (30)
The final bridge we can build fellowship from this text is sacrificial compassion. What do I mean by sacrificial compassion? Look at verse 30. The same men and women who just days ago were avoiding this man, were now risking their very lives for this man.
One historical note, in Acts 22: 17ff, it is at this time when Saul receives another vision from the Lord, telling him to go to the gentiles – for those are the people he will be used by God to reach with the gospel.
I see sacrificial compassion the Jerusalem Church showed Saul as a major bridge that will build fellowship within the body. When someone goes to risking their lives for you, you don’t easily forget it. But it doesn’t have to be that extreme. You also don’t forget it when someone forgives you for burning them. You will recall that one who dared to listen before casting a judgment. That’s fellowship and that’s sacrificial compassion. For in it, we act on the basis for others, not ourselves.
Conclusion:
What occurred as a result of God’s people following his light? Look at verse 31. I clearly see five growth indicators as a result of the Jerusalem church following God’s light that leads to fellowship. They are:
1. They enjoyed peace. The conflicts stopped from without the church. Here is a great principle to remember, if you happen to find yourself in a difficult trial today. That principle is this: remember, it will soon be over. I know that may sound trite, but often times in the midst of trials ,we often think this will never go away. I’m sure the Jerusalem church felt the same way, but they soon felt relief and so will you. You will experience peace. What gave the church peace was in the realm of civic authority changes. A stricter Roman governor and the expansion of Herod Agrippa’s authority restricted the persecution from the Jews.
2. They were being built up – Here we see the church was growing as disciples. The phrase relates to a process where people are being strengthened. As a result of peace, the people could focus more on growing in their faith rather than watching their back.
3. They were going on in the fear of the Lord
4. They were going on in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. These two phrases are linked In other words, this was a time of great spiritual growth. But not only were they growing, spiritually, they were also
5. They continued to increase (numerical growth).
Because the church had learned to follow God’s light that leads to fellowship, God gave them a period of respite and also a period of growth.
The question for all of is: How can we experience this type of fellowship that shows kindness, partners in ministry and demonstrates sacrificial compassion? We can experience this type of fellowship by walking in his light. How do I know this?
1 John 1:5-10
This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
I have a challenge for all of us as we close. Find someone you want to get to know better or don’t know at all. Ask them these three questions: 1. Their full name 2. Their favorite Christmas memory, and 3. Where they are spending Christmas this week.
