WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.140 So for the last four weeks here in church, we've been drawing lessons from the life of Barnabas, 00:00:14.200 --> 00:00:16.000 who we meet in the book of Acts. 00:00:16.600 --> 00:00:22.019 And as we come to the second part of this description of the church in Antioch, 00:00:22.019 --> 00:00:28.219 we're going to discover that God's church is a church that both gives and grows. 00:00:28.219 --> 00:00:33.000 What is it that connects these stories? 00:00:33.979 --> 00:00:41.659 A story from the Philippines of a church that's part of a farming community 00:00:41.659 --> 00:00:50.120 that took some of its precious rice, floated it down a river to help some other Christians downstream 00:00:50.120 --> 00:00:52.340 whose crops had been flooded. 00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:58.320 What connects that story with the story of a girl called Saria, a 10-year-old, 00:00:58.760 --> 00:01:02.920 sending her pocket money to her Bible society 00:01:02.920 --> 00:01:06.800 so that children in her country would have the chance to learn about Jesus? 00:01:08.100 --> 00:01:11.640 What connects those stories with the story of churches in Scotland 00:01:11.640 --> 00:01:19.180 raising money to send to Christians who were left homeless after the military coup in Myanmar? 00:01:19.180 --> 00:01:25.060 And what connects those stories with the story that we read here of a church in Turkey 00:01:25.060 --> 00:01:30.080 collecting money to send to struggling Christians in Jerusalem? 00:01:31.960 --> 00:01:38.960 I think the collecting link in each case is that these are people who believe the good news of Jesus 00:01:38.959 --> 00:01:46.419 and that good news of Jesus then motivates them to give generously and sacrificially 00:01:46.419 --> 00:01:50.539 for the sake of others and for the kingdom. 00:01:52.639 --> 00:01:55.060 The book of Acts, that's where we are this morning, 00:01:55.619 --> 00:01:58.679 sees Jesus continue his mission. 00:01:59.419 --> 00:02:03.459 And we've been seeing the church growing and spreading. 00:02:03.459 --> 00:02:07.280 And we've also been seeing that Luke, at different points, 00:02:07.939 --> 00:02:11.939 pauses for a moment to take snapshots of different local churches. 00:02:12.079 --> 00:02:13.219 We've seen him do it in Jerusalem, 00:02:13.919 --> 00:02:17.759 and now we see him here focusing on the church, this young church in Antioch. 00:02:18.479 --> 00:02:21.479 And as we consider this snapshot that Luke gives us, 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:23.439 we see two things, I think. 00:02:23.500 --> 00:02:25.060 We see a church that's growing, 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:29.099 as Barnabas and Saul teach about Jesus, 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:32.919 so that believers are growing in knowledge and maturity. 00:02:32.919 --> 00:02:35.899 But we also see at the same time, don't we, 00:02:35.919 --> 00:02:37.059 the church is giving. 00:02:37.899 --> 00:02:39.560 And again, Barnabas and Saul are involved. 00:02:39.659 --> 00:02:42.279 They're helping to facilitate this generous gift 00:02:42.279 --> 00:02:47.079 to Christians experiencing famine conditions in Jerusalem. 00:02:47.799 --> 00:02:50.739 So Jesus is continuing his mission. 00:02:51.359 --> 00:02:54.739 He's calling and he's forming healthy disciples 00:02:54.739 --> 00:02:57.699 who love Jesus, who love the church, 00:02:57.699 --> 00:03:00.219 who want good news to spread, 00:03:00.219 --> 00:03:02.919 who want Jesus' love to be shared. 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:05.740 And so my prayer for us today, as we gather, 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:08.740 is that God will use the church in Antioch 00:03:08.740 --> 00:03:12.460 to teach and to encourage us today. 00:03:13.240 --> 00:03:15.020 Well, let's think, first of all, 00:03:15.400 --> 00:03:17.599 about this church that grows, 00:03:17.699 --> 00:03:20.199 to recognize that God's church grows. 00:03:20.439 --> 00:03:23.979 Verse 25 and verse 26. 00:03:23.979 --> 00:03:26.439 Just to fill in the blanks for those of us 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:27.619 who weren't here last week, 00:03:27.679 --> 00:03:28.959 we're thinking about this reality, 00:03:29.119 --> 00:03:32.259 that here is, again, a major leap in Jesus' mission. 00:03:32.359 --> 00:03:36.060 The good news is now spreading across language and culture. 00:03:36.199 --> 00:03:39.019 It comes to the Greeks in Turkey and Antioch. 00:03:39.099 --> 00:03:40.419 They're turning from their idols, 00:03:41.199 --> 00:03:43.139 and now they're saying Jesus is their Lord. 00:03:43.939 --> 00:03:45.500 The church is growing rapidly. 00:03:46.859 --> 00:03:48.479 The church in Jerusalem hears about it. 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:50.639 Barnabas is sent to encourage them, 00:03:50.739 --> 00:03:51.799 to instruct them. 00:03:52.679 --> 00:03:54.000 That's where we finished last week. 00:03:54.060 --> 00:03:55.560 Now we're going to see what happens next. 00:03:56.579 --> 00:03:58.179 And I want us to see three things 00:03:58.179 --> 00:03:59.959 about this growing Antioch church. 00:04:00.060 --> 00:04:00.479 First of all, 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:04.500 to see in Barnabas someone who's leading like Jesus. 00:04:05.839 --> 00:04:08.899 Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 00:04:09.679 --> 00:04:11.019 and when he found him, 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:14.379 he brought him to Antioch. 00:04:14.379 --> 00:04:20.680 To know anything about Jesus in the Gospels 00:04:20.680 --> 00:04:23.860 is to know that Jesus was profoundly humble. 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:26.639 Jesus was a servant leader 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:29.980 who encouraged his disciples to be servant leaders. 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:32.779 And I would suggest that Barnabas in this moment 00:04:32.779 --> 00:04:34.719 is showing great humility. 00:04:35.219 --> 00:04:37.459 So the church has been growing. 00:04:38.120 --> 00:04:40.439 The good news of Jesus has been spreading. 00:04:40.659 --> 00:04:42.839 Barnabas has been winning people to Jesus. 00:04:42.839 --> 00:04:46.619 But he knows that what's best for the church 00:04:46.619 --> 00:04:49.379 is for him to have a colleague, 00:04:49.799 --> 00:04:50.379 a helper. 00:04:51.239 --> 00:04:54.039 And he knows that Paul, Saul, 00:04:54.259 --> 00:04:57.439 has been called, especially by Jesus, 00:04:58.239 --> 00:05:00.839 to bring good news to the Greeks, the Gentiles. 00:05:01.120 --> 00:05:04.319 He knows that Paul is a gifted preacher. 00:05:05.979 --> 00:05:08.159 Now Barnabas, of course, could have said, 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:09.799 now hold on a minute, 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:11.120 the growth here, 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:12.479 well it's all about me. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:15.519 I'm the leader in Antioch. 00:05:16.279 --> 00:05:18.019 He could have been concerned 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:21.500 for his position and his standing. 00:05:21.959 --> 00:05:23.339 If someone like Saul comes, 00:05:23.479 --> 00:05:26.299 people will think more of him and less of me. 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:27.779 He could have done that. 00:05:28.259 --> 00:05:29.199 He was proud. 00:05:30.620 --> 00:05:32.079 But he's a humble leader. 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:35.319 His focus is not himself. 00:05:35.319 --> 00:05:38.120 His focus is all about Jesus. 00:05:39.259 --> 00:05:41.300 He's not wanting to build his kingdom. 00:05:41.819 --> 00:05:45.259 He's wanting to see the kingdom of God grow and advance. 00:05:47.139 --> 00:05:49.819 Barnabas' nickname means son of encouragement. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:53.199 And here we see him encouraging us 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:56.420 that it's good to get help from others. 00:05:56.420 --> 00:06:00.339 It's good to enable the gifts of others to be used. 00:06:00.339 --> 00:06:06.139 He doesn't hold on to his position of leadership in pride. 00:06:08.779 --> 00:06:11.439 Another thing we certainly see as this church grows 00:06:11.439 --> 00:06:15.839 is that they grow because they're learning about Jesus. 00:06:15.839 --> 00:06:19.299 into verse 26 again. 00:06:20.299 --> 00:06:21.779 So for a whole year, 00:06:22.560 --> 00:06:24.379 Barnabas and Saul met with the church 00:06:24.379 --> 00:06:26.239 and taught great numbers of people. 00:06:26.859 --> 00:06:29.839 The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:33.719 So here we get a sense of Barnabas and Saul 00:06:33.719 --> 00:06:37.159 and they have this year-long discipleship training. 00:06:37.939 --> 00:06:39.879 And we're not given the details, 00:06:40.599 --> 00:06:42.539 but we know that the content 00:06:42.539 --> 00:06:45.679 is Jesus Christ and the way of Christ. 00:06:46.179 --> 00:06:47.579 And we know that 00:06:47.579 --> 00:06:51.379 because of the nickname that emerges for this church. 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:53.939 They're called Christians. 00:06:54.959 --> 00:06:58.239 That points us to the focus of the teaching, doesn't it? 00:06:58.240 --> 00:07:00.360 This is what they're all about. 00:07:00.780 --> 00:07:04.639 So Barnabas and Saul are teaching the way of Christ. 00:07:05.340 --> 00:07:07.019 That's how to make disciples. 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:09.500 That's how to have people saved. 00:07:09.900 --> 00:07:11.540 That's how to see people grow in faith. 00:07:12.420 --> 00:07:14.240 To teach about Jesus. 00:07:15.259 --> 00:07:17.579 So no doubt Barnabas and Saul in this year 00:07:17.579 --> 00:07:20.319 would have taught about the life of Jesus. 00:07:21.220 --> 00:07:23.019 Jesus, the eternal Son of God, 00:07:23.120 --> 00:07:24.720 who became a man, 00:07:25.180 --> 00:07:26.639 who walked on this earth, 00:07:26.639 --> 00:07:28.979 and who demonstrated the power of God 00:07:28.979 --> 00:07:29.740 in his miracles. 00:07:31.659 --> 00:07:33.240 They would have spoken too 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:36.459 of Jesus' perfect obedience 00:07:36.459 --> 00:07:39.000 to the Father's will, 00:07:39.099 --> 00:07:40.939 to the Father's plan of salvation. 00:07:43.599 --> 00:07:44.860 They would have spoken 00:07:44.860 --> 00:07:47.099 to these new believers in Antioch 00:07:47.099 --> 00:07:49.779 of the generous grace of God 00:07:49.779 --> 00:07:52.180 in sending the Lord Jesus. 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:53.959 They would have spoken 00:07:53.959 --> 00:07:55.139 about Jesus' love 00:07:55.139 --> 00:07:56.439 for outsiders. 00:07:57.259 --> 00:07:58.120 Jesus' love 00:07:58.120 --> 00:08:00.439 for those that other people despised. 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:02.220 They would have spoken 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:03.360 about the compassion 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:04.639 of Jesus. 00:08:06.280 --> 00:08:07.180 There was a time 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:08.379 when Jesus and his disciples 00:08:08.379 --> 00:08:09.500 were super busy. 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:10.960 And Jesus said, 00:08:11.100 --> 00:08:12.120 let's go to a quiet place 00:08:12.120 --> 00:08:13.040 and find some rest. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:14.259 When they go to the quiet place, 00:08:14.319 --> 00:08:15.160 they find a crowd 00:08:15.160 --> 00:08:16.439 of 5,000 people. 00:08:17.600 --> 00:08:18.819 And the Gospel tells us 00:08:18.819 --> 00:08:20.800 that Jesus had compassion on them. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.819 They were like sheep 00:08:21.819 --> 00:08:22.579 without a shepherd. 00:08:23.060 --> 00:08:24.040 And so he did two things. 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:25.259 He taught them 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.759 and he fed them 00:08:26.759 --> 00:08:27.240 with the miracle 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:28.180 of the 5,000. 00:08:29.220 --> 00:08:29.939 So no doubt 00:08:29.939 --> 00:08:30.920 Barnabas and Saul 00:08:30.920 --> 00:08:32.399 spoke much of the life 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:33.620 of the Lord Jesus 00:08:33.620 --> 00:08:36.120 to establish faith. 00:08:36.820 --> 00:08:38.220 But they would have spoken too 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:40.740 of the death of Jesus. 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:44.539 His death as a sacrifice 00:08:44.539 --> 00:08:47.120 that covers the sin 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:47.899 of his people. 00:08:47.899 --> 00:08:51.000 the sacrifice of Jesus 00:08:51.000 --> 00:08:52.740 that atones for sin 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:53.519 and guilt. 00:08:55.019 --> 00:08:55.799 They would have spoken 00:08:55.799 --> 00:08:57.019 of the cross 00:08:57.019 --> 00:08:58.600 as a demonstration 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:01.159 of the justice of God. 00:09:01.860 --> 00:09:03.220 Because the judgment 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.439 that we deserve 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:07.299 fell on the Lord Jesus. 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:08.699 There was a transfer. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:11.579 And so justice was done. 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:13.420 But they would also 00:09:13.420 --> 00:09:14.160 have spoken about 00:09:14.160 --> 00:09:14.680 the cross 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:15.920 as the greatest 00:09:15.920 --> 00:09:17.060 demonstration 00:09:17.060 --> 00:09:18.660 of God's love 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:19.800 that has ever been seen. 00:09:20.280 --> 00:09:21.520 Because there is Jesus 00:09:21.520 --> 00:09:22.759 the perfect sinless 00:09:22.759 --> 00:09:23.540 Son of God 00:09:23.540 --> 00:09:24.940 dying in the place 00:09:24.940 --> 00:09:26.879 of sinners like us. 00:09:27.580 --> 00:09:28.240 So that simply 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:29.100 by trusting in him 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:29.820 we could be saved 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:30.840 and have eternal life. 00:09:31.940 --> 00:09:33.160 They would have spoken too 00:09:33.160 --> 00:09:34.020 of the resurrection 00:09:34.020 --> 00:09:35.320 of the Lord Jesus. 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:36.879 That three days 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:38.160 after his death 00:09:38.159 --> 00:09:40.579 he rose 00:09:40.579 --> 00:09:41.519 in victory. 00:09:42.679 --> 00:09:43.199 The powers 00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:44.019 of evil 00:09:44.019 --> 00:09:44.699 and darkness 00:09:44.699 --> 00:09:46.219 could not hold 00:09:46.219 --> 00:09:46.740 Jesus. 00:09:47.559 --> 00:09:48.899 He was vindicated. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:49.839 His Father 00:09:49.839 --> 00:09:50.719 was pleased 00:09:50.719 --> 00:09:52.439 with his finished work. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:54.699 And so Jesus 00:09:54.699 --> 00:09:56.240 risen to new life 00:09:56.240 --> 00:09:57.360 now gives 00:09:57.360 --> 00:09:58.459 new life 00:09:58.459 --> 00:09:59.659 eternal life 00:09:59.659 --> 00:10:00.579 to those 00:10:00.579 --> 00:10:01.319 who trust him. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.399 They would have spoken 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:04.419 to this young church 00:10:04.419 --> 00:10:06.100 of the exaltation 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:06.679 of Jesus. 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:08.919 his return 00:10:08.919 --> 00:10:10.120 to the glory 00:10:10.120 --> 00:10:10.779 of heaven 00:10:10.779 --> 00:10:12.059 to sit 00:10:12.059 --> 00:10:13.079 at his Father's 00:10:13.079 --> 00:10:13.899 right hand 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:15.219 that the Father 00:10:15.219 --> 00:10:15.759 had given 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:17.079 Jesus a name 00:10:17.079 --> 00:10:18.399 above every name. 00:10:19.219 --> 00:10:20.019 Jesus is King 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:20.599 of Kings 00:10:20.599 --> 00:10:21.879 Lord of Lords 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:22.799 every knee 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:23.459 should bow 00:10:23.459 --> 00:10:24.159 every tongue 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:25.299 will confess 00:10:25.299 --> 00:10:25.819 that Jesus 00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:26.519 is Lord. 00:10:27.759 --> 00:10:28.599 And from 00:10:28.599 --> 00:10:29.599 this place 00:10:29.599 --> 00:10:30.139 of glory 00:10:30.139 --> 00:10:31.199 Jesus and the Father 00:10:31.199 --> 00:10:31.859 they send 00:10:31.859 --> 00:10:32.559 the Spirit 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:33.879 so he comes 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:35.399 to take up residence 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:37.299 in our hearts. 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:38.399 And they would have 00:10:38.399 --> 00:10:39.179 spoken too 00:10:39.179 --> 00:10:40.579 of the return 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:41.759 of Jesus. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.340 That for these believers 00:10:44.340 --> 00:10:45.279 this hope 00:10:45.279 --> 00:10:46.139 was established 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:47.100 that Jesus 00:10:47.100 --> 00:10:47.899 would one day 00:10:47.899 --> 00:10:48.860 come again 00:10:48.860 --> 00:10:50.000 that his victory 00:10:50.000 --> 00:10:50.939 would be final 00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:51.840 and complete 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:52.939 and eternal 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:53.860 that death 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:54.620 and sorrow 00:10:54.620 --> 00:10:55.340 and sin 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:56.059 and sadness 00:10:56.059 --> 00:10:56.579 would be 00:10:56.579 --> 00:10:57.620 no more. 00:10:58.500 --> 00:10:59.840 That this new creation 00:10:59.840 --> 00:11:00.679 this perfectly 00:11:00.679 --> 00:11:01.579 restored world 00:11:01.579 --> 00:11:02.759 was coming. 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:04.720 And so these 00:11:04.720 --> 00:11:05.379 young believers 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:07.439 were discipled 00:11:07.439 --> 00:11:08.720 in the way 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:09.480 of Christ. 00:11:10.419 --> 00:11:11.580 They taught 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:12.480 for growing 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:13.659 maturing 00:11:13.659 --> 00:11:14.740 faith. 00:11:15.519 --> 00:11:16.419 So these young 00:11:16.419 --> 00:11:16.939 Christians 00:11:16.939 --> 00:11:18.220 rescued 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:20.000 from 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:21.159 a pagan 00:11:21.159 --> 00:11:22.200 way 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:23.399 of thinking 00:11:23.399 --> 00:11:24.799 and worshipping 00:11:24.799 --> 00:11:25.819 that they now 00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:26.779 understand 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:27.679 the good news 00:11:27.679 --> 00:11:28.439 of Jesus. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:29.759 They now know 00:11:29.759 --> 00:11:30.379 and worship 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.179 the one true 00:11:31.179 --> 00:11:32.179 and living God 00:11:32.179 --> 00:11:32.859 and they're 00:11:32.859 --> 00:11:33.399 learning 00:11:33.399 --> 00:11:34.879 to apply 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:35.319 the truth 00:11:35.319 --> 00:11:35.859 of Jesus 00:11:35.859 --> 00:11:36.279 to their 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:37.419 everyday lives. 00:11:38.539 --> 00:11:39.559 Because the third 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:40.139 thing we see 00:11:40.139 --> 00:11:40.839 about the church 00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:41.799 as it grows 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:44.000 we see 00:11:44.000 --> 00:11:44.859 leaders who 00:11:44.859 --> 00:11:45.759 lead like Jesus 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.979 and we see 00:11:46.979 --> 00:11:47.759 learning about 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:48.139 Jesus 00:11:48.139 --> 00:11:48.859 but we also 00:11:48.859 --> 00:11:49.419 see 00:11:49.419 --> 00:11:50.699 loyalty 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:51.679 to Jesus. 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:54.039 Barnabas 00:11:54.039 --> 00:11:54.839 is a great name. 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.059 It's a great 00:11:56.059 --> 00:11:56.479 nickname 00:11:56.479 --> 00:11:57.219 to be someone 00:11:57.219 --> 00:11:57.979 who encourages 00:11:57.979 --> 00:11:58.439 others. 00:11:58.519 --> 00:11:59.039 It's a wonderful 00:11:59.039 --> 00:11:59.439 thing. 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:00.980 It's also 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:01.400 wonderful 00:12:01.400 --> 00:12:02.460 to recognize 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:03.360 end of verse 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:03.780 26 00:12:03.780 --> 00:12:04.260 that the 00:12:04.260 --> 00:12:04.900 disciples 00:12:04.900 --> 00:12:06.620 were called 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.420 Christians 00:12:07.420 --> 00:12:08.180 first 00:12:08.180 --> 00:12:09.140 at Antioch. 00:12:10.800 --> 00:12:11.800 They didn't 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:12.740 give themselves 00:12:12.740 --> 00:12:13.580 that name. 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:15.300 People in the 00:12:15.300 --> 00:12:16.160 city of Antioch 00:12:16.160 --> 00:12:17.060 looking in 00:12:17.060 --> 00:12:18.220 gave them 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:19.140 the nickname 00:12:19.140 --> 00:12:20.080 Christians 00:12:20.080 --> 00:12:21.340 and this is 00:12:21.340 --> 00:12:21.680 an excellent 00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:21.980 nickname. 00:12:22.780 --> 00:12:23.340 So maybe 00:12:23.340 --> 00:12:23.860 if you read 00:12:23.860 --> 00:12:24.560 the gospels 00:12:24.560 --> 00:12:24.920 you'll have 00:12:24.920 --> 00:12:25.420 heard about 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:25.920 a group of 00:12:25.920 --> 00:12:26.620 people called 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:28.159 the Herodians. 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:29.440 So the 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.179 Herodians 00:12:30.179 --> 00:12:30.980 they were 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:31.840 Herod's 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:32.360 people. 00:12:33.019 --> 00:12:33.419 They were 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.299 loyal to 00:12:34.299 --> 00:12:34.740 Herod. 00:12:35.620 --> 00:12:36.340 So when the 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:37.100 church quickly 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:37.759 becomes known 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.940 as Christians 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:40.399 it's a nickname 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.460 saying these 00:12:41.460 --> 00:12:42.840 are Christ's 00:12:42.840 --> 00:12:43.480 people. 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.320 Their loyalty 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.179 belongs 00:12:46.179 --> 00:12:47.720 to Jesus. 00:12:49.259 --> 00:12:50.080 So imagine 00:12:50.080 --> 00:12:50.700 them for a 00:12:50.700 --> 00:12:51.440 moment in the 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:52.500 city of Antioch. 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:53.379 How do you 00:12:53.379 --> 00:12:54.060 get a nickname 00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:54.440 like that? 00:12:54.500 --> 00:12:54.960 Well surely 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:55.519 as a church 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.879 they're always 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:58.699 talking about 00:12:58.699 --> 00:12:59.639 Jesus the 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:00.179 Christ. 00:13:00.579 --> 00:13:01.759 Jesus God's 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.340 promised 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:03.659 saviour king. 00:13:04.639 --> 00:13:06.100 They identify 00:13:06.100 --> 00:13:07.340 themselves as 00:13:07.340 --> 00:13:08.299 belonging to 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:08.679 Jesus. 00:13:09.559 --> 00:13:10.340 They're not so 00:13:10.340 --> 00:13:11.079 bothered about 00:13:11.079 --> 00:13:11.699 being Roman 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.439 citizens. 00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.319 That was super 00:13:13.319 --> 00:13:14.259 important before. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:16.439 Now what 00:13:16.439 --> 00:13:17.500 defines their 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.360 identity is 00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:19.379 I belong to 00:13:19.379 --> 00:13:19.740 the Lord 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.199 Jesus. 00:13:22.059 --> 00:13:23.199 Now we see 00:13:23.199 --> 00:13:23.919 them living a 00:13:23.919 --> 00:13:25.100 completely different 00:13:25.100 --> 00:13:25.940 way of life. 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:26.840 They're not 00:13:26.840 --> 00:13:27.680 going to the 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:28.620 pagan temples 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.519 and offering 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:30.540 sacrifice to 00:13:30.540 --> 00:13:31.420 pagan gods. 00:13:31.680 --> 00:13:32.100 They're not 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.420 participating in 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:34.320 pagan rituals. 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:35.340 They're living a 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.320 different way of 00:13:36.320 --> 00:13:36.540 life. 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:37.220 They're living the 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:38.519 way of love. 00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.440 And within 00:13:40.440 --> 00:13:41.220 this city they've 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:41.740 established 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:43.060 themselves as a 00:13:43.060 --> 00:13:43.960 new community. 00:13:45.540 --> 00:13:46.540 Marked by their 00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:47.460 love and 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.240 obedience to the 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.639 Lord Jesus and 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.100 their acts of 00:13:50.100 --> 00:13:51.440 love and service 00:13:51.440 --> 00:13:52.400 service towards 00:13:52.400 --> 00:13:53.840 one another and 00:13:53.840 --> 00:13:55.040 to the community. 00:13:56.260 --> 00:13:57.800 The impact in 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.280 Antioch was 00:13:58.280 --> 00:13:58.840 obviously huge 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.280 because they 00:13:59.280 --> 00:14:00.400 become at least 00:14:00.400 --> 00:14:00.940 in some parts 00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.640 the talk of the 00:14:01.640 --> 00:14:02.000 town. 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:04.900 The church is 00:14:04.900 --> 00:14:05.960 bringing surprising 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.020 people together. 00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:08.120 So we thought 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:08.740 about this last 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.220 week that the 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:10.040 great dividing 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:11.300 line in the 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:12.020 first century in 00:14:12.020 --> 00:14:12.520 this part of the 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:13.200 world was between 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.860 Jews and non-Jews, 00:14:14.920 --> 00:14:15.600 between Jews and 00:14:15.600 --> 00:14:15.940 Greeks. 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:16.720 Well in this 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.600 church Jews and 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.040 Greeks are 00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:18.940 worshipping together. 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:20.860 they're boldly 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.500 living out this 00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.080 new faith. 00:14:22.780 --> 00:14:23.340 When the whole 00:14:23.340 --> 00:14:24.940 city, perhaps 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:26.100 under pressure, is 00:14:26.100 --> 00:14:27.760 declaring Caesar 00:14:27.760 --> 00:14:29.940 as our Lord, the 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:30.520 Christians are 00:14:30.520 --> 00:14:31.040 saying, no, no, 00:14:31.600 --> 00:14:33.520 Jesus is our 00:14:33.520 --> 00:14:33.840 Lord. 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.960 When they used 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:39.600 to think that the 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.180 way of the Roman 00:14:40.180 --> 00:14:40.920 religion was the 00:14:40.920 --> 00:14:41.580 best way, Roman 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:42.120 religion which 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.920 said what you 00:14:42.920 --> 00:14:43.520 need to do is you 00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:45.260 need to sacrifice to 00:14:45.260 --> 00:14:45.940 try and earn 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:47.180 favour from the 00:14:47.180 --> 00:14:48.580 gods, now the 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.320 Christian church is 00:14:49.320 --> 00:14:50.460 declaring Jesus 00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.220 the Son of God 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.240 has sacrificed 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:54.320 himself so we 00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:55.400 can freely enjoy 00:14:55.400 --> 00:14:56.960 favour from the 00:14:56.960 --> 00:14:58.220 one true and 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.060 living God. 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:01.080 A whole new way 00:15:01.080 --> 00:15:01.620 of life. 00:15:02.920 --> 00:15:04.139 The town sees it. 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.360 So the church 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:06.780 grows, Jesus' 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:08.220 mission continues 00:15:08.220 --> 00:15:09.960 and God is 00:15:09.960 --> 00:15:12.020 receiving glory 00:15:12.020 --> 00:15:13.060 just as it should 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:13.759 be, the church 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.100 grows. 00:15:14.220 --> 00:15:15.820 Now three lessons 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.620 for us to keep 00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.580 thinking about this 00:15:17.580 --> 00:15:18.700 before moving on. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:20.400 First of all to 00:15:20.400 --> 00:15:20.740 think about 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.320 leadership. 00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.040 What are the 00:15:24.040 --> 00:15:24.540 positive 00:15:24.540 --> 00:15:25.660 encouragements that 00:15:25.660 --> 00:15:26.340 you and I can 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.540 take from the 00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:28.440 example of 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:29.060 Barnabas? 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:30.360 Think about 00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:31.680 where perhaps you 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:33.740 exercise leadership. 00:15:34.540 --> 00:15:35.220 That may be 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.139 within a family, 00:15:36.280 --> 00:15:36.840 it may be within 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:37.960 an organisation or 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:39.060 a community, it 00:15:39.060 --> 00:15:39.620 may be within 00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.660 your workplace 00:15:40.660 --> 00:15:43.540 or in church. 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:45.339 What does 00:15:45.339 --> 00:15:46.559 Barnabas' wisdom 00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:47.679 have to say to 00:15:47.679 --> 00:15:48.000 us? 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.079 He would say to 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:50.500 us, in 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.399 whatever context, 00:15:51.559 --> 00:15:52.579 practice humility. 00:15:54.099 --> 00:15:55.419 Always act as a 00:15:55.419 --> 00:15:56.199 servant leader. 00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.559 Consider the needs 00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:59.219 of others. 00:16:00.099 --> 00:16:00.620 I think he would 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.339 also say to us, 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.439 remember that it's 00:16:02.439 --> 00:16:03.599 good to involve 00:16:03.599 --> 00:16:05.179 others, to 00:16:05.179 --> 00:16:07.339 equip others, to 00:16:07.339 --> 00:16:08.539 enable others to 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:10.099 use their gifts, 00:16:10.099 --> 00:16:10.659 not to let 00:16:10.659 --> 00:16:11.719 everything fall on 00:16:11.720 --> 00:16:12.519 the shoulders of 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.820 one, and not in 00:16:13.820 --> 00:16:14.660 our pride to take 00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:15.639 it all on 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.519 ourselves. 00:16:19.779 --> 00:16:21.220 We prayed for 00:16:21.220 --> 00:16:21.940 our church leaders 00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:22.639 this morning. 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.360 Perhaps this week 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.300 we might continue 00:16:25.300 --> 00:16:26.660 especially to pray 00:16:26.660 --> 00:16:27.899 for our church 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.779 leaders to be 00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:30.220 humble servants 00:16:30.220 --> 00:16:31.200 like Barnabas. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.019 And we can pray 00:16:34.019 --> 00:16:34.740 for one another, 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.279 for wisdom to 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:37.660 lead well in 00:16:37.660 --> 00:16:38.519 whatever context 00:16:38.519 --> 00:16:39.560 we find ourselves. 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.560 What can we 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.940 learn about 00:16:43.940 --> 00:16:46.160 learning for 00:16:46.160 --> 00:16:47.500 our own good? 00:16:49.160 --> 00:16:50.100 Perhaps we've 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.340 heard the phrase 00:16:51.340 --> 00:16:52.500 that nothing in 00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.399 the world is 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.440 worth having 00:16:54.440 --> 00:16:56.300 unless it means 00:16:56.300 --> 00:16:57.360 effort. 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.480 Now we 00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.040 understand that 00:16:59.040 --> 00:16:59.740 boys and girls, 00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.440 we understand 00:17:00.440 --> 00:17:01.160 this I think. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.060 If you want to 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.519 be good at 00:17:02.519 --> 00:17:03.060 anything, you 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.420 want to be good 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:05.079 at sports, or 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:06.600 music, or 00:17:06.600 --> 00:17:08.140 art, it 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.660 doesn't just 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:09.120 happen. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.200 And it doesn't 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.880 happen overnight. 00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.100 It takes effort. 00:17:12.260 --> 00:17:13.020 It takes practice. 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.200 It takes training. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:18.000 Sometimes we 00:17:18.000 --> 00:17:18.820 forget that the 00:17:18.820 --> 00:17:19.700 same is true 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.880 when it comes to 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.460 the Christian 00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:21.960 faith. 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.860 Christianity is 00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.680 a call to 00:17:24.680 --> 00:17:26.960 commit time 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.140 and effort 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:30.300 to grow and 00:17:30.300 --> 00:17:31.760 to mature in 00:17:31.760 --> 00:17:32.500 our faith and 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.240 understanding. 00:17:34.580 --> 00:17:36.180 It takes time 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.420 and effort to 00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.280 commit to 00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:39.340 spiritual 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.020 discipline. 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:41.400 to make 00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.099 time each 00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:43.220 day to 00:17:43.220 --> 00:17:43.980 read God's 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:45.400 word, to 00:17:45.400 --> 00:17:46.200 make time to 00:17:46.200 --> 00:17:46.819 pray for 00:17:46.819 --> 00:17:47.559 ourselves and 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:47.900 others. 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.839 And if we 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.359 are to be a 00:17:50.359 --> 00:17:51.099 community that 00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:53.000 learns about 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:53.579 the way of 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:54.299 Christ, then it 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.139 certainly involves 00:17:55.139 --> 00:17:56.119 a commitment to 00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:57.079 a local church, 00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:58.700 this church or 00:17:58.700 --> 00:17:59.879 another. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:01.839 And we can 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.680 pray about that, 00:18:03.339 --> 00:18:03.859 that we would 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.960 have the desire 00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:07.299 to learn and 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.000 to let Jesus 00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.980 shape us. 00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:10.799 What about 00:18:10.799 --> 00:18:11.720 our loyalty? 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.059 Have you ever 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:14.680 had that really 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:15.819 cringeworthy 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.940 experience, maybe 00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.700 an icebreaker, 00:18:17.799 --> 00:18:18.319 even worse than 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:18.960 an interview, 00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.099 where someone 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:20.859 says, describe 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.579 yourself in 00:18:21.579 --> 00:18:22.500 three words or 00:18:22.500 --> 00:18:23.160 five words? 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.660 This is the 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.799 horrible on-the-spot 00:18:24.799 --> 00:18:25.700 moment. 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:27.099 Well, imagine 00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:28.799 the testimony of 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.940 these believers in 00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.420 Antioch. 00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:31.480 It was so clear 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.799 that they belonged 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.420 to Jesus. 00:18:34.099 --> 00:18:34.460 That's where 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.099 their loyalty 00:18:35.099 --> 00:18:35.539 lie. 00:18:35.539 --> 00:18:37.680 It wasn't 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.519 easy for them 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.799 in Antioch. 00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:40.799 Most people 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.200 were not 00:18:41.200 --> 00:18:41.899 friendly to 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.379 the Christian 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:42.839 faith. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.700 Of course, it's 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:45.500 not easy now 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.859 to be loyal 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:47.859 to Jesus. 00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:51.200 As we consider 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:52.339 their life and 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.000 witness, perhaps 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:53.639 like me, you 00:18:53.639 --> 00:18:55.119 feel a sense 00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:56.319 of guilt, that 00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:56.920 it can be so 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:58.500 easy to stay 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.559 quiet instead 00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.359 of speaking up. 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:03.039 we can so 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:03.939 easily let our 00:19:03.939 --> 00:19:04.619 love for the 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.240 Lord Jesus 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.179 grow cold. 00:19:08.199 --> 00:19:09.039 Again, we can 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:09.959 pray for 00:19:09.959 --> 00:19:10.679 ourselves and 00:19:10.679 --> 00:19:11.399 for one another 00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:11.959 that we would 00:19:11.959 --> 00:19:12.759 stand firm in 00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.159 our faith, 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:14.759 that we would 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.479 stand up for 00:19:15.479 --> 00:19:16.279 the Lord Jesus, 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.899 and that for 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.539 the sake of 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.399 our city, 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.019 that we would 00:19:21.019 --> 00:19:22.019 be a strong 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:23.059 and growing 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:24.119 family of 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.419 faith. 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:26.099 That by God's 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.559 grace and by 00:19:26.559 --> 00:19:27.039 the Spirit, 00:19:27.539 --> 00:19:28.319 we might have 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:30.439 an impact in 00:19:30.439 --> 00:19:31.279 our city, 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:31.919 just as the 00:19:31.919 --> 00:19:32.960 church did in 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:33.720 Antioch. 00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.859 So we see that 00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.480 God's church 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:38.159 grows. 00:19:39.359 --> 00:19:40.179 Now let's see 00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:40.939 that God's 00:19:40.939 --> 00:19:42.679 church gives. 00:19:43.579 --> 00:19:44.259 So this is the 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.980 next development 00:19:44.980 --> 00:19:45.939 in the life of 00:19:45.939 --> 00:19:46.919 the church in 00:19:46.919 --> 00:19:47.720 Antioch. 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.639 We have a chance 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.319 to see more 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.179 evidence of how 00:19:50.179 --> 00:19:52.279 the gospel is 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.819 at work, 00:19:53.119 --> 00:19:53.679 changing their 00:19:53.679 --> 00:19:54.439 heart, changing 00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.319 their lives, and 00:19:55.319 --> 00:19:56.240 it leads them to 00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.779 good works and 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.579 to generosity. 00:19:59.420 --> 00:19:59.879 So in verse 00:19:59.879 --> 00:20:00.639 27 and verse 00:20:00.639 --> 00:20:01.180 28, we're 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.720 told that some 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.579 prophets come from 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.139 Jerusalem to 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:05.200 Antioch, and 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:05.740 there's this man 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.460 Agabus, this 00:20:06.460 --> 00:20:07.500 prophet, who 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.339 predicts a severe 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.119 famine over the 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:09.759 whole Roman 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.859 empire. 00:20:12.139 --> 00:20:12.879 Under the reign 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.440 of Claudius, 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:14.200 history backs 00:20:14.200 --> 00:20:14.720 this up, you 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.579 can look in your 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.079 history books, 00:20:16.139 --> 00:20:16.700 you'll find under 00:20:16.700 --> 00:20:17.160 the reign of 00:20:17.160 --> 00:20:17.720 Claudius, there 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.160 were major 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.619 famines recorded 00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:21.240 in Rome, in 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.379 Greece, in 00:20:22.379 --> 00:20:23.519 Egypt, and in 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.299 Judea as well. 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.299 A reminder, the 00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:25.980 Roman empire was 00:20:25.980 --> 00:20:26.980 massive, but so 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:27.620 too, was the 00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:28.360 problem of 00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:28.720 famine. 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.759 Bad harvests 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:31.299 and famine were 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.720 frequent. 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.220 So what does 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:34.000 the church do? 00:20:34.819 --> 00:20:35.740 Verse 29, the 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:37.339 disciples, as 00:20:37.339 --> 00:20:37.960 each one was 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:39.680 able, decided to 00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:41.299 provide help for 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:41.839 the brothers and 00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.660 sisters living in 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.039 Judea. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.360 This they did, 00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.400 sending their 00:20:45.400 --> 00:20:45.900 gift to the 00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.400 elders by 00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.000 Barnabas and 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.240 Saul. 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:48.019 The church 00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:48.680 responds with 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:49.259 generosity. 00:20:50.700 --> 00:20:51.579 They know, 00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:52.440 because they've 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.259 been well taught, 00:20:53.620 --> 00:20:54.539 that Jesus came 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.579 to build a global 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.799 church family. 00:20:57.939 --> 00:20:58.480 And what 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.480 family does, is 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:01.299 family helps one 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:01.579 another. 00:21:02.199 --> 00:21:03.240 When family works, 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.039 as family should. 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.199 So again, through 00:21:06.199 --> 00:21:06.919 Barnabas and 00:21:06.919 --> 00:21:08.119 through Antioch, I 00:21:08.119 --> 00:21:09.019 think Jesus would 00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:11.119 encourage us, which 00:21:11.119 --> 00:21:11.539 of us, if we're 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:12.099 Christians, would 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:13.460 encourage us to 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.419 take our place in 00:21:14.419 --> 00:21:14.939 the kingdom of 00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:15.259 God. 00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:16.720 To do what we 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.619 can, to give for 00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.099 the sake of 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:19.359 mission, that he 00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.199 would promote in 00:21:20.199 --> 00:21:21.240 us open-hearted 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:22.000 generosity. 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.619 Let's think, first 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.199 of all, about their 00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.460 missions mentality. 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.779 It was Saul Paul 00:21:27.779 --> 00:21:29.100 who wrote in 00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:30.100 1 Corinthians 12, 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.600 using the church 00:21:31.600 --> 00:21:32.720 as a body image, 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.720 when one part 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:35.200 suffers, the 00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.080 whole body 00:21:36.080 --> 00:21:36.620 suffers. 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.160 So what we've 00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.759 got here at the 00:21:38.759 --> 00:21:39.500 end of chapter 11 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.980 is great need, 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.360 famine in Judea. 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:43.960 And for the 00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.799 church in Antioch, 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.360 they feel that 00:21:45.360 --> 00:21:46.140 becomes their 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:47.000 responsibility. 00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.779 This is their 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:50.220 way to care for 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.799 their Christian 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.380 family. 00:21:52.019 --> 00:21:52.700 They decide to 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.680 provide help for 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.259 their brothers 00:21:54.259 --> 00:21:55.320 and sisters. 00:21:55.440 --> 00:21:56.100 Family language. 00:21:56.259 --> 00:21:58.960 Remember, they 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.799 have never met. 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:02.580 They are separated 00:22:02.580 --> 00:22:03.700 by geography. 00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.700 They are separated 00:22:05.700 --> 00:22:06.680 by language. 00:22:06.920 --> 00:22:07.480 They're separated 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:08.380 by culture. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.640 They're separated 00:22:09.640 --> 00:22:10.680 by religious 00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.360 background. 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.019 But they are, in 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.539 reality, all one 00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.460 in Christ Jesus. 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:17.820 And they show it 00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:19.340 through genuine 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:20.080 sacrifice. 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.320 So think about 00:22:21.320 --> 00:22:21.600 this. 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.440 What does Agabus 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:22.720 say? 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.420 Agabus doesn't 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:24.380 say, oh, by 00:22:24.380 --> 00:22:24.820 the way, a 00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:25.519 famine's coming 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.539 to Judea. 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:28.299 What does 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:28.940 Agabus say? 00:22:29.340 --> 00:22:30.440 Agabus predicts 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:31.200 a famine over 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:32.600 the entire Roman 00:22:32.600 --> 00:22:33.019 world. 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:34.700 So Antioch doesn't 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:36.900 know, is it going 00:22:36.900 --> 00:22:37.660 to come to our 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.559 door next? 00:22:39.039 --> 00:22:39.840 So they could have 00:22:39.840 --> 00:22:40.840 stockpiled and said, 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.400 well, we need to be 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:42.700 prudent, but rather 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:44.840 they give freely and 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.900 sacrificially according 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:46.840 to their ability. 00:22:46.839 --> 00:22:48.480 And we see this 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:49.619 wonderful picture and 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.559 pattern that faith 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:52.639 in Jesus unites 00:22:52.639 --> 00:22:54.539 churches and 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:56.459 prompts love in 00:22:56.459 --> 00:22:56.939 action. 00:22:58.639 --> 00:22:59.819 Now we got to see 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:01.199 that as we built a 00:23:01.199 --> 00:23:01.740 little bit of a 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.480 connection with the 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.599 church in Myanmar. 00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.740 Our denomination 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.500 sent money to help 00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:09.519 in Manipur, so we 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:11.079 can help globally, 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:13.699 but also locally as 00:23:13.700 --> 00:23:14.240 well. 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.259 But there's that 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.519 missions mentality 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.880 that where there is 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:19.539 need, Christians in 00:23:19.539 --> 00:23:20.480 other parts, as we 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.900 are able, should look 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.640 to help. 00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.440 It's actually one of 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:25.080 the things I love 00:23:25.080 --> 00:23:26.160 about being part of 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:27.299 a Presbyterian church. 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:28.400 If you're new to our 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.620 church, we are a 00:23:29.620 --> 00:23:30.640 Presbyterian church, so 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.940 we are connected by 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:33.500 structures, which 00:23:33.500 --> 00:23:35.039 means we have a 00:23:35.039 --> 00:23:36.160 support network 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.880 around Scotland and 00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.740 in our particular 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.580 Presbytery of 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.380 Edinburgh and 00:23:40.380 --> 00:23:40.980 Perth. 00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:42.779 Our resources are 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.440 spread. 00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:46.160 Needs are shared 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:47.299 and prayers are 00:23:47.299 --> 00:23:48.000 offered. 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:49.019 And it's a 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.039 wonderful little 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:51.500 pattern of a 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:53.100 missions mentality 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:53.700 in a local 00:23:53.700 --> 00:23:54.440 context. 00:23:55.120 --> 00:23:55.759 Let's think too 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.120 about their 00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:57.100 missions partnership, 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.519 because you've got 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.019 this beautiful 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:59.220 two-way dynamic. 00:24:00.200 --> 00:24:00.740 And we see it in 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.400 the journeys of 00:24:01.400 --> 00:24:02.039 Barnabas in the 00:24:02.039 --> 00:24:02.420 first place. 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:04.519 So Barnabas, I 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.460 know nothing about 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:06.200 geography, 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.299 but I'm going to 00:24:07.299 --> 00:24:08.160 move, because that's 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:08.660 helpful, I think 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:08.860 sometimes. 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:09.740 So imagine 00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:10.680 Barnabas, he comes 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.660 from Jerusalem to 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:13.140 Antioch, because he 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:14.060 wants to strengthen 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:15.480 the church, he 00:24:15.480 --> 00:24:16.320 wants to share the 00:24:16.320 --> 00:24:17.360 gospel with them. 00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:19.100 But then a year and 00:24:19.100 --> 00:24:20.940 a bit later, he's 00:24:20.940 --> 00:24:22.080 going to encourage the 00:24:22.080 --> 00:24:22.860 church in Jerusalem by 00:24:22.860 --> 00:24:24.900 returning with a 00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:26.320 financial gift from 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.340 these new brothers and 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:28.540 sisters formed in 00:24:28.540 --> 00:24:29.080 Antioch. 00:24:30.420 --> 00:24:31.320 What's happened in 00:24:31.320 --> 00:24:32.980 Antioch is that 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.040 Barnabas and others 00:24:34.040 --> 00:24:34.759 have come and 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:36.180 they've shared the 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:36.880 good news of the 00:24:36.880 --> 00:24:37.560 Lord Jesus. 00:24:38.560 --> 00:24:39.920 By the grace of God, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.500 they come to 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.280 understand, if we have 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:44.019 Jesus, we are rich, we 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.660 have treasure. 00:24:45.460 --> 00:24:47.019 And so as God's 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:48.680 grace came to 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:49.960 them, crossing 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.500 lines of culture and 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.059 language and 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.240 religion, so now 00:24:53.240 --> 00:24:54.119 they want a 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:55.899 financial gift to do 00:24:55.899 --> 00:24:56.519 the same. 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.220 And so they send 00:24:58.220 --> 00:25:00.379 money back, as it 00:25:00.379 --> 00:25:00.960 were, to the 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.500 mother church in 00:25:02.500 --> 00:25:03.019 Jerusalem. 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:04.740 When we think about 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.579 missions partnership, 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.440 we need to understand 00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:07.639 that it's not 00:25:07.639 --> 00:25:08.579 narrow, it runs 00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.139 wide. 00:25:09.140 --> 00:25:11.220 It's not restricted 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:12.820 to the sending of 00:25:12.820 --> 00:25:14.080 money, though that's 00:25:14.080 --> 00:25:14.920 a good thing and a 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.500 necessary thing. 00:25:15.920 --> 00:25:17.220 It's not restricted to 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:18.960 sending Bible teachers, 00:25:19.040 --> 00:25:19.660 though that's a good 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.259 thing and a wonderful 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.759 thing. 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:22.920 Missions partnership 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:25.160 includes sharing 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:26.259 personnel, sharing 00:25:26.259 --> 00:25:27.820 finances, but also 00:25:27.820 --> 00:25:29.420 sharing ideas, 00:25:30.040 --> 00:25:31.520 learning across 00:25:31.520 --> 00:25:32.220 countries and 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.660 cultures. 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.640 It involves sharing 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:36.820 prayers across 00:25:36.820 --> 00:25:37.920 languages, countries, 00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.940 cultures. 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:40.180 It involves sharing 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:42.000 the gospel of 00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.500 Jesus. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:44.640 And because 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.759 partnership runs 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:47.519 wide, there is 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:48.560 good news for us. 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:50.340 Whoever we are, 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.519 whatever church we're 00:25:51.519 --> 00:25:52.900 from, every 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:54.440 Christian can 00:25:54.440 --> 00:25:55.880 partner in the 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:57.120 mission of God 00:25:57.120 --> 00:25:58.539 in some way. 00:26:00.100 --> 00:26:01.640 In some way we can 00:26:01.640 --> 00:26:02.680 all be involved, 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:04.420 and we should be. 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:07.180 So perhaps again as 00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.140 we think about how to 00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:09.039 apply this, we can 00:26:09.039 --> 00:26:09.400 pray. 00:26:09.560 --> 00:26:11.800 Consider, how can I 00:26:11.800 --> 00:26:13.279 be involved in the 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.019 mission of God? 00:26:15.140 --> 00:26:15.880 Some ways here 00:26:15.880 --> 00:26:17.340 locally, we have a 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:18.640 mission support fund 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.320 to help raise money 00:26:20.320 --> 00:26:21.500 for a church plant in 00:26:21.500 --> 00:26:22.140 Galashiels. 00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:24.660 There also helps a 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.019 couple of 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:26.300 missionaries, the 00:26:26.300 --> 00:26:27.560 Riannual family in 00:26:27.560 --> 00:26:28.340 Colombia. 00:26:28.339 --> 00:26:30.839 perhaps we could 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:32.359 also pray for 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:32.679 them. 00:26:34.799 --> 00:26:36.299 Our junior church 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:38.619 raises money to 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.639 help the church in 00:26:39.639 --> 00:26:40.459 different places. 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:43.659 We will meet on 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:45.079 Wednesday to 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.939 gather to pray for 00:26:46.939 --> 00:26:48.259 the church here and 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.220 around the world. 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:51.359 Lots of ways we can 00:26:51.359 --> 00:26:52.459 get, perhaps we can 00:26:52.459 --> 00:26:54.459 also go, like our 00:26:54.459 --> 00:26:56.019 Korean friends who 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.699 have come to 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.840 Scotland to bless 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.720 us by praying for 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:58.860 us. 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.259 We're really 00:26:59.259 --> 00:27:00.620 thankful to you 00:27:00.620 --> 00:27:01.299 for that. 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.900 Let's pray and 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.759 think, how can I 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.240 partner? 00:27:05.400 --> 00:27:05.940 And let's think 00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:06.500 too about their 00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:08.100 missions giving. 00:27:10.640 --> 00:27:11.460 What is it that 00:27:11.460 --> 00:27:12.360 would have motivated 00:27:12.360 --> 00:27:13.779 these Christians in 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:15.559 Turkey to support 00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.700 another group of 00:27:16.700 --> 00:27:17.259 Christians they'd 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.220 never met before, 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.720 even while the 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.700 threat of famine was 00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.460 over their head 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.860 also? 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:23.700 Why did they 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.500 decide to give? 00:27:25.380 --> 00:27:26.360 And not just to 00:27:26.359 --> 00:27:27.019 give money. 00:27:27.599 --> 00:27:28.240 Notice in verse 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:29.379 30 who the gift 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.419 is sent through. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.399 They send their 00:27:32.399 --> 00:27:33.099 gift to the elders 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.039 by Barnabas and 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.240 Saul. 00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.240 So they send the 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:36.339 two main guys, 00:27:36.439 --> 00:27:37.259 their two main 00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.099 teachers are sent 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:39.599 from Antioch to 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.000 Jerusalem. 00:27:40.419 --> 00:27:41.179 They're really 00:27:41.179 --> 00:27:42.979 generous in their 00:27:42.979 --> 00:27:43.299 giving. 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.099 Why is that? 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.559 It's not because 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.539 of the culture that 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:48.779 they were living in. 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.699 The culture of the 00:27:50.699 --> 00:27:51.519 Roman Empire was 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.439 very much focused 00:27:52.439 --> 00:27:54.079 on self-promotion. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.720 let's look after 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.579 ourselves. 00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.339 So what would 00:27:59.339 --> 00:27:59.960 prompt them to 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:00.939 make that kind of 00:28:00.939 --> 00:28:01.559 sacrifice? 00:28:02.819 --> 00:28:03.559 And I think the 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:04.179 only answer, 00:28:04.679 --> 00:28:05.339 the only power, 00:28:05.439 --> 00:28:06.259 the only motivation 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:07.679 is the generosity 00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:08.379 of God. 00:28:08.939 --> 00:28:10.279 The generosity of 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.359 God in sending 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:12.899 the Lord Jesus 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:13.960 to be the 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.759 saviour for sinners, 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:15.579 to be the saviour 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:16.059 for the world, 00:28:16.159 --> 00:28:16.919 to be their 00:28:16.919 --> 00:28:18.139 saviour. 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:20.140 I think 1 Peter 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.020 chapter 1 can 00:28:21.020 --> 00:28:22.720 help us in this. 00:28:22.900 --> 00:28:23.720 Peter writes to 00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:25.480 a new church of 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:28.300 largely folks who 00:28:28.300 --> 00:28:29.640 became Christians 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:30.620 from a pagan 00:28:30.620 --> 00:28:31.080 background, 00:28:31.200 --> 00:28:32.200 non-Jewish 00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:33.700 background, and 00:28:33.700 --> 00:28:34.800 he says this to 00:28:34.800 --> 00:28:35.120 them, 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:36.000 you know it was 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.120 not with perishable 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:38.120 things such as 00:28:38.120 --> 00:28:39.120 silver or gold 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:40.240 that you were 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.080 redeemed from 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:42.020 your empty way 00:28:42.020 --> 00:28:42.520 of life. 00:28:43.100 --> 00:28:43.740 So you were 00:28:43.740 --> 00:28:45.700 rescued from 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.900 following idols that 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.380 couldn't help, 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:48.120 couldn't save, 00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.100 that couldn't help 00:28:49.100 --> 00:28:49.860 you to know God, 00:28:50.280 --> 00:28:51.220 but you were 00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.920 redeemed with 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:53.580 the precious 00:28:53.580 --> 00:28:54.660 blood of Christ, 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:56.780 a lamb without 00:28:56.780 --> 00:28:58.200 blemish or 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:58.640 defect. 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.420 Now they have 00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:01.180 come to know 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:02.180 this truth by 00:29:02.180 --> 00:29:02.960 experience, 00:29:03.640 --> 00:29:04.600 that they were 00:29:04.600 --> 00:29:06.060 saved by Jesus 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:07.759 to belong to 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.240 the true and 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.060 the living God, 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.240 to receive 00:29:10.240 --> 00:29:11.800 forgiveness from 00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:12.780 God, to have 00:29:12.780 --> 00:29:14.259 eternal life 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.520 now and 00:29:15.520 --> 00:29:16.460 forever, to 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:17.800 know eternal 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.480 hope. 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:19.480 They have 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:19.960 come to know 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.339 that they were 00:29:20.339 --> 00:29:21.079 saved at 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.000 great cost, 00:29:22.079 --> 00:29:23.039 not silver or 00:29:23.039 --> 00:29:24.720 gold, but in 00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:25.359 God's own 00:29:25.359 --> 00:29:26.700 Son, shedding 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:29.220 his blood so 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:29.639 that we might 00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:30.180 be saved. 00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.779 Salvation comes 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:33.019 freely to us, 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.579 but it cost 00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.879 Jesus his life 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.539 on the cross. 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.159 So God's 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:39.319 rescue mission, 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.980 as it gripped 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.059 their hearts, 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:43.940 meant that money 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:45.640 lost its grip on 00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.440 their hearts, so 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.160 they were glad 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:48.660 to give, and 00:29:48.660 --> 00:29:49.680 to give generously 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:52.640 in response to 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.160 the goodness of 00:29:53.160 --> 00:29:53.779 the gospel. 00:29:55.160 --> 00:29:55.880 And that takes 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.440 us back to 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.240 where we began. 00:29:58.200 --> 00:29:58.740 God's church 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.720 grows and God's 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.279 church gives. 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:03.080 They're connected. 00:30:03.880 --> 00:30:04.380 I hope we've 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.860 seen the beauty 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.740 of the church in 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.200 Antioch. 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:07.539 We're not 00:30:07.539 --> 00:30:08.120 finished, we'll 00:30:08.120 --> 00:30:09.360 see some more of 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.979 the church in 00:30:09.979 --> 00:30:11.740 Antioch later. 00:30:12.959 --> 00:30:13.240 But it's 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.179 wonderful to see 00:30:14.179 --> 00:30:15.179 a group of 00:30:15.179 --> 00:30:15.819 Christians growing 00:30:15.819 --> 00:30:16.479 in faith and 00:30:16.479 --> 00:30:17.919 love, growing in 00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.639 generous giving. 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:20.199 It's what God 00:30:20.199 --> 00:30:21.259 wants for his 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.839 church. 00:30:22.639 --> 00:30:23.219 Isn't that what we 00:30:23.219 --> 00:30:23.939 want for our 00:30:23.939 --> 00:30:25.659 local church, for 00:30:25.659 --> 00:30:26.659 your local church 00:30:26.659 --> 00:30:27.139 if you're not 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:28.619 part of 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:29.099 Bucklew? 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.299 How will that 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:30.759 happen? 00:30:31.839 --> 00:30:32.219 How will we 00:30:32.219 --> 00:30:32.919 become a part of 00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:33.719 this amazing 00:30:33.719 --> 00:30:34.479 story? 00:30:36.099 --> 00:30:36.599 Well it's only 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.459 as the goodness 00:30:37.459 --> 00:30:38.139 of the gospel 00:30:38.139 --> 00:30:38.759 would grip our 00:30:38.759 --> 00:30:39.460 hearts too. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.200 Only as we'd 00:30:41.200 --> 00:30:42.299 come to see and 00:30:42.299 --> 00:30:43.440 to experience each 00:30:43.440 --> 00:30:44.920 day how gracious 00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:46.079 and generous God 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:46.799 has been to us 00:30:46.799 --> 00:30:47.279 in Jesus. 00:30:49.119 --> 00:30:49.819 Let's pray 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.619 together briefly 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.539 that we would 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.339 want to know 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:53.519 Jesus more 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.799 deeply, that we 00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.440 might play our 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.019 part in his 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.539 kingdom and 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:56.779 mission. 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.420 Let's pray. 00:31:00.420 --> 00:31:01.299 Lord God, 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:01.960 thank you for 00:31:01.960 --> 00:31:03.579 your work in 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.299 the church in 00:31:04.299 --> 00:31:05.099 Antioch, although 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:05.879 thousands of 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.799 years ago. 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:08.740 Thank you for 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.500 their growth in 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:09.980 faith and 00:31:09.980 --> 00:31:10.559 obedience and 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:10.900 for the way 00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:11.539 that they lived 00:31:11.539 --> 00:31:12.140 out their 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:13.319 faith by 00:31:13.319 --> 00:31:14.460 giving generously 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.700 and by their 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.620 concern for 00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.460 your kingdom 00:31:17.460 --> 00:31:17.880 and your 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.299 mission. 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.880 And Lord, we 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.880 pray that you 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.440 would apply 00:31:21.440 --> 00:31:22.579 your word to 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:23.380 each of our 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:25.160 hearts, that you 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.779 would show us 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.620 areas where we 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:27.559 need to be 00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.500 transformed and 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:30.579 renewed, that you 00:31:30.579 --> 00:31:31.220 would show us 00:31:31.220 --> 00:31:32.059 where we need to 00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:34.279 learn to grow 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:36.339 in our faith or 00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:37.539 to grow in our 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:39.319 generosity, that 00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:39.819 you would show 00:31:39.819 --> 00:31:40.519 us how we can 00:31:40.519 --> 00:31:42.019 play our part in 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.660 your kingdom, 00:31:43.460 --> 00:31:44.359 whoever we are, 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:44.920 whatever our 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.579 circumstances, 00:31:45.799 --> 00:31:46.460 however you've 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.099 gifted us. 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.200 But most of 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:49.599 all, will you 00:31:49.599 --> 00:31:50.500 show us Jesus? 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.200 Will you show us 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:52.759 our wonderful 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.220 Savior? 00:31:53.399 --> 00:31:54.379 Will you show us 00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:56.019 your great grace 00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:57.019 towards us? 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:59.099 in that Jesus, 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.339 the sinless, 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.359 perfect Son of 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.980 God, and 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.839 became sin for 00:32:03.839 --> 00:32:04.480 us so that in 00:32:04.480 --> 00:32:05.059 him we might 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:05.619 become the 00:32:05.619 --> 00:32:06.359 righteousness of 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:06.740 God. 00:32:08.139 --> 00:32:09.039 And we pray in 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.660 Jesus' precious 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:10.079 name. 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:10.779 Amen. 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:15.920 Now we'll 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:17.639 close singing 00:32:17.639 --> 00:32:18.839 praise with a 00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:19.339 hymn, O for a 00:32:19.339 --> 00:32:19.839 thousand tongues 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:20.180 to sing. 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:20.799 Just to say, 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:21.900 please stick 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.359 around after. 00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:22.720 We'll get tea 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.119 and coffee 00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:24.019 immediately after 00:32:24.019 --> 00:32:24.579 the service. 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.779 We'd love to 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.519 get to know you 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:26.779 better. 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.480 Let's stand 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.000 and let's 00:32:28.000 --> 00:32:28.619 sing as 00:32:28.619 --> 00:32:28.980 we're able.