Home Church
Notes
Transcript
Home Church
Home Church
Today, we are going to see Paul and Barnabas return to their home church after their first missionary journey. This journey took anywhere from one to two years and covered travel of over 1,000 miles. What would it be like to come home after such a long trip? Let’s consider just a few things that a person might experience in such a homecoming.
The good:
I am known - I don’t have to explain myself
I have friends - I can open up about my struggles and triumphs
I can relax - I can get the rest I need
I get encouraged - I can be lifted up after spiritual battles
I know how things work - I can get plugged in easily
These are generalizations, and there is a lot more to being part of a home church, but these good things can easily turn into bad things.
The bad:
I am known - I am not stretched or pushed
I have friends - I don’t need to reach out to others
I can relax - I can take my eyes of the mission
I get encouraged - I want to avoid the battles
I know how things work - I can become resistant to change
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Let’s be the church that is alive and spirit filled! Let’s keep our focus on the mission at hand. Let’s pray and see what we can learn from Paul and Barnabas this morning.
PRAY
READ
24 Then they passed through Pisidia and came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,
26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.
27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
One Last Stop
One Last Stop
As Paul and Barnabas head home, they take one last opportunity to spread the Gospel.
25 And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia,
It reminds me of:
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Even on the way home. Even when you are worn out and looking for rest. Even when . . .
A Job Well Done
A Job Well Done
26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.
Well deserved rest and a chance to reconnect awaited them.
A Tale to Inspire
A Tale to Inspire
27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
Let’s look at their journey:
2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
They were set apart for this task. While others stayed to tend their businesses, run their homes, and grow the church locally; these men were sent off to do a special work.
They left Antioch and headed to Cyprus.
They left Antioch and headed to Cyprus.
8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
On to Antioch of Pisidia
On to Antioch of Pisidia
15 After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent a message to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of encouragement for the people, say it.”
16 So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.
Paul preaches and the response is one of interest and requests for more information.
44 The next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.
45 But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him.
They were rejected and persecution rose up.
48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.
50 But the Jews incited the devout women of high standing and the leading men of the city, stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and drove them out of their district.
On to Iconium
On to Iconium
1 Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.
2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.
Plans to stone Paul and Barnabas were discovered and they left that area.
On to Lystra and Derbe
On to Lystra and Derbe
In Lystra
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet. He was crippled from birth and had never walked.
13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
19 But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having persuaded the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead.
Went to Derbe to preach
Return tour to Encourage the Disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.
Return tour to Encourage the Disciples in Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch.
23 And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.
Returned to Their Home Church
Returned to Their Home Church
27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.
The Jews had largely rejected their message but the Gentile response had been overwhelming and it was clear that God was saving all without partiality.
Home at Last
Home at Last
The Comfort
46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The Encouragement
24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
The Mission
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
The Call to Good Works
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Lets remember that all the good of the church depends on our submission to the Lord in all things. We must strive to keep in step with the spirit and never let the body of Christ become a lazy, bloated, body of selfishness. Let us strive together in prayer and fasting to seek the Lord’s will for our church and our lives. Lets prepare our hearts to follow our Savior by daily taking up our cross. The world needs the church.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.