WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.700 Amen, amen. Children, we are ready for Children's Church at this time. You may make your way up here with Miss Savannah and Miss Catherine today. 00:00:10.060 --> 00:00:19.480 ! We are so thankful for our children and all that they are getting to learn about who Christ is and all that he's done for us. 00:00:19.480 --> 00:00:21.980 And so we are so very thankful for that. 00:00:22.820 --> 00:00:28.519 Last week, we talked about the importance of having mentors in our life. 00:00:28.940 --> 00:00:41.939 The importance of having people in our life that we can go to, that we can bring our concerns to, that will open up with us, that will share with us, that will give us advice, that will be there for us. 00:00:41.939 --> 00:00:52.219 And this week, as we continue to talk about the fact that all disciples show, we're going to be talking about the fact that disciples show others. 00:00:52.739 --> 00:00:58.060 We are to be involved in other people's lives. We are to engage them in the culture. 00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:04.799 And I was reminded of when I was first really shown the importance of this. 00:01:05.259 --> 00:01:09.599 When I was first shown how impactful this can be in our lives. 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:22.239 It was actually when I was in college, going into my senior year of college, me and a couple of my close friends had the opportunity to go spend the week with a man by the name of Chuck Wood. 00:01:22.739 --> 00:01:25.339 Now, none of you, I'm sure, know who Chuck Wood is. 00:01:25.419 --> 00:01:32.239 But Chuck had just retired from the Army and where he had spent the last half of his career as an Army chaplain. 00:01:32.239 --> 00:01:42.179 Before that, he spent the majority of his career as an enlisted man going through ranger school and then becoming a ranger instructor. 00:01:42.879 --> 00:01:45.079 And so he was this man's man. 00:01:45.159 --> 00:01:47.299 And we got to go spend this week with him. 00:01:47.659 --> 00:01:52.039 And during that week, we actually stayed on cots in his garage. 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:56.939 And then we would go along with him on all the things that he was doing. 00:01:56.939 --> 00:01:59.299 All the people he was going to see. 00:01:59.480 --> 00:02:05.799 And during that week, he told us over and over again the importance of meeting with people. 00:02:06.159 --> 00:02:11.139 The importance of having people that you're pouring into, that you're investing into. 00:02:11.419 --> 00:02:14.139 And it wasn't just something that he said to us. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:16.939 This was something that he showed us with his life. 00:02:17.419 --> 00:02:23.340 This is something that he not only poured into us that week and modeled for us individually. 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:26.080 But we got to have a firsthand account. 00:02:26.180 --> 00:02:29.500 We got to witness how he did this each and every day. 00:02:29.700 --> 00:02:32.759 This wasn't just something he did while we were there. 00:02:33.120 --> 00:02:37.159 This just wasn't a show that he was putting on for people as they come in. 00:02:37.259 --> 00:02:39.280 This is how he lived his life. 00:02:39.840 --> 00:02:42.620 And during that week, he told us the importance of this. 00:02:42.860 --> 00:02:46.480 And he says, this isn't just something that I've come up with. 00:02:46.520 --> 00:02:48.800 This isn't just something that I'm saying is important. 00:02:49.259 --> 00:02:51.699 This is something that we see throughout Scripture. 00:02:51.699 --> 00:02:55.199 And I can remember he said, let's take a look at Jesus's life. 00:02:55.579 --> 00:02:57.079 Let's just take a look at his life. 00:02:57.219 --> 00:03:00.739 Yes, Jesus would minister to the multitudes. 00:03:01.500 --> 00:03:05.019 Yes, Jesus would preach sermons to thousands of people. 00:03:05.159 --> 00:03:07.619 Yes, he would do those big events. 00:03:08.079 --> 00:03:10.899 But that's not where he spent most of his time. 00:03:11.359 --> 00:03:13.000 He said, look at Jesus's life. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:14.239 He did those things. 00:03:14.519 --> 00:03:19.039 But he spent far more time with those disciples that went around with him. 00:03:19.039 --> 00:03:27.199 And even more than that, he was very intentional about those 12 apostles that were very close to him during his ministry. 00:03:27.620 --> 00:03:38.039 And then even on top of that, the three that he really poured his life into, Peter, James, John, those that he really built those relationships with. 00:03:38.500 --> 00:03:42.680 And Chuck said, he says, this is the model that has been given to us. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:44.439 This is God's plan. 00:03:44.519 --> 00:03:47.340 And so we must be a part of that. 00:03:47.340 --> 00:03:55.860 And so there are many different places that we could go to in Scripture to see how this is God's plan for reaching the lost, reaching the nations. 00:03:56.420 --> 00:03:59.000 And we could easily look at Jesus's life. 00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:04.080 But for our time this morning, I want us to look at a relationship. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:09.099 I want us to look at how this played out in some people's lives. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:14.719 And so for our time this morning, I want us to take a look at Paul and Barnabas's life. 00:04:14.719 --> 00:04:20.860 You know, many times when we think about Paul's life, we see him in the driver's seat. 00:04:20.939 --> 00:04:23.879 We see him as the mentor in the relationships. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:30.199 We see him as the one who is showing others how to live and to follow his example. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:37.180 And we definitely see this play out in Paul and Barnabas's relationship, especially later on. 00:04:37.180 --> 00:04:43.160 But at the beginning, what you see is Barnabas giving Paul an example. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:48.620 What you see at the beginning is Barnabas coming alongside him and encouraging him. 00:04:48.980 --> 00:04:56.079 And so I want us to take a look at the beginning of their relationship and then over a couple different places throughout their relationship 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:05.180 and see the importance that we have of meeting with people, of showing people, of investing in their lives. 00:05:05.180 --> 00:05:09.780 And so to do this, we're going to start our time looking in Acts chapter 9. 00:05:10.240 --> 00:05:15.639 So if you have a copy of God's Word, I want you to go ahead and open there with me to Acts chapter 9. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:21.819 But then we're also going to look at the next few chapters of Scripture all the way to chapter 13 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:26.600 to look at how this played out in Paul and Barnabas's life. 00:05:26.600 --> 00:05:37.600 But to begin with, what we see is that showing means we must see those God places in our lives. 00:05:38.300 --> 00:05:38.780 Showing. 00:05:38.800 --> 00:05:43.320 In order to show, we must see those that God has placed in our lives. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:49.180 And we get this from Acts chapter 9 verses 26 through 30. 00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:52.160 Right here through 31, it says this. 00:05:52.160 --> 00:06:22.140 And it says, 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:45.760 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:52.480 And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. 00:06:53.740 --> 00:06:59.339 Now I want to take for just a moment, I want us to consider the situation as it is to the apostles. 00:06:59.920 --> 00:07:04.959 You have the arch enemy of the church coming in and wanting to meet with you. 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:13.419 You have the one who had over and over again persecuted Christians, who was there as Stephen Stoney, 00:07:13.699 --> 00:07:16.699 who was approving of that execution there. 00:07:16.799 --> 00:07:22.719 You have the one who was traveling around trying to squash this movement of God's people, 00:07:22.859 --> 00:07:26.159 this movement of the church, and throw those individuals in prison. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:33.980 And so you have this person who had seen the example of persecuting the church over and over again. 00:07:34.140 --> 00:07:39.960 You have this person who is now coming in, and rightfully so, they were a little bit concerned. 00:07:40.580 --> 00:07:44.120 They were a little uneasy about what was going to take place. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:49.379 But their caution needed to give way to their Christ-like behavior. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:52.560 Their caution needed to give way to their Christ-like behavior. 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:58.060 And here in this passage, Barnabas steps in and he speaks up for Paul. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:08:06.560 This simple act, that otherwise seemingly minor detail, just this one little portion of Scripture, 00:08:06.560 --> 00:08:15.620 this one little verse in this section, it ends up having and leading to a lifelong friendship in Paul and Barnabas' life. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:21.459 In this very small section of Scripture, Barnabas steps into Paul's life 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:28.980 and shows him very quickly what it means to extend the grace that he had already been shown in his life. 00:08:29.540 --> 00:08:34.340 In a very quick way, in a very ordinary way, 00:08:34.340 --> 00:08:42.860 he steps in to show God's grace, show the grace that he had already been shown in receiving Jesus as his Lord and Savior. 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:50.100 In this seemingly small act, God uses it in a powerful way to encourage Paul. 00:08:51.160 --> 00:08:55.920 You see, oftentimes we gravitate towards the exciting stories in Scripture. 00:08:56.560 --> 00:09:01.519 Those powerful stories of martyrdom or mass conversions or miracles. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:09.860 But much of the Christian life is oftentimes doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality. 00:09:10.340 --> 00:09:16.620 Much of the Christian life is doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:21.019 Faithful Christian living doesn't always look extraordinary. 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:24.159 I love how Tony Morita, he says it this way. 00:09:24.240 --> 00:09:24.399 He says, 00:09:24.399 --> 00:09:33.699 Even better, I love how Frank Craddock, he put it once, he said this. 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:34.579 He said, 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:38.580 To give my life for Christ appears glorious. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:41.340 To pour myself out for others. 00:09:41.840 --> 00:09:44.420 To pay the ultimate price of martyrdom. 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:45.600 I'll do it. 00:09:45.660 --> 00:09:48.480 I'm ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory. 00:09:49.220 --> 00:09:49.759 But he says, 00:09:49.879 --> 00:09:57.420 We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking a thousand dollar bill and laying it on the table and saying, 00:09:57.560 --> 00:09:58.700 Here's my life, Lord. 00:09:58.840 --> 00:10:00.560 I'm ready to give it all. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:01.439 He says, 00:10:01.599 --> 00:10:09.359 But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash that thousand dollars in for quarters. 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:15.699 And we go through life putting out 25 cents here, 50 cents there. 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:19.399 Listening to the neighbor's kids' troubles instead of saying, 00:10:19.579 --> 00:10:20.199 Get lost. 00:10:20.859 --> 00:10:22.379 Go to a committee meeting. 00:10:23.059 --> 00:10:26.339 Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home. 00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:30.759 Usually, giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. 00:10:31.340 --> 00:10:33.720 It's done in all of those little acts of love. 00:10:34.080 --> 00:10:35.800 25 cents at a time. 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:36.680 He said, 00:10:36.759 --> 00:10:39.740 It would be great and easy to go out in a flash of glory. 00:10:40.259 --> 00:10:45.639 It's harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul. 00:10:45.639 --> 00:10:51.259 And I would add to that, that the way that people have the courage to go out in a blaze of glory, 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:52.659 to go out in martyrdom, 00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:58.819 is because they have been living a life of pouring out their life a quarter at a time, 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:02.139 25 cents at a time, saying yes to God. 00:11:03.580 --> 00:11:08.039 See, many times we make discipleship harder than it needs to be. 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:11.580 We think we have to have all of the answers before we begin. 00:11:11.580 --> 00:11:17.540 We think we need to know all the ins and outs of discipleship before we even begin this process, 00:11:17.740 --> 00:11:21.060 before we even take that first step of taking people in. 00:11:21.200 --> 00:11:22.920 We have to have it all figured out. 00:11:22.980 --> 00:11:26.500 The problem is, if that were the case, we would never begin. 00:11:27.120 --> 00:11:28.600 We would never start. 00:11:29.040 --> 00:11:33.980 And so we've got to simply take that first step and begin with a relationship. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.840 Something small. 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:37.420 And so I want to ask you the question, 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:41.240 How are you preparing to serve God right now? 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:47.700 How are you preparing your heart to be able to spend time with God and then spend time with others? 00:11:48.180 --> 00:11:51.480 Are you stepping in and meeting needs as you see them? 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:56.400 Because the truth is, if you are a follower of Christ, you have a testimony. 00:11:57.200 --> 00:12:00.620 You have a way in which God has been working in your life, 00:12:00.820 --> 00:12:04.660 and now He has called you to show that to others. 00:12:05.560 --> 00:12:07.920 He's called you to live it out and show it to others. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:11.059 Be intentional to see others. 00:12:11.819 --> 00:12:16.539 You see, many of the leaders in Jerusalem saw Saul's past. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:21.299 They saw his past and looked at him in light of that. 00:12:21.819 --> 00:12:25.659 They saw what he had done, the things that he had done, 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:29.219 and not what Christ was doing in his life. 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:31.399 Barnabas saw the potential. 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:36.720 Saw that God was at work in his life and began to invest in his life. 00:12:37.319 --> 00:12:42.319 And think of the difference this small investment made in his life. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:46.620 Think of the difference this small investment made in the kingdom of God. 00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:52.740 How God would go and use this small investment to reach a lost and dying world. 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:56.379 May we see as God sees and not as man sees. 00:12:56.379 --> 00:13:01.759 I'm reminded of the story of when Samuel goes to Jesse and saying, 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:04.559 one of your sons is going to be the next king. 00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:08.980 And he begins having his sons walk there in front of him, pass in front of him. 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:11.559 And Jesse had some impressive sons. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:15.460 These sons who were tall, who looked like king material, 00:13:15.919 --> 00:13:18.039 who looked like they could be the next leader. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:22.100 But then this is what we read in 1 Samuel 16, 7. 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:22.860 He says, 00:13:22.860 --> 00:13:24.800 But the Lord said to Samuel, 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:30.159 Do not look at his appearance or the height of his stature, 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:32.279 because I have rejected him. 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:36.279 For the Lord sees, not as man sees. 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:41.420 Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 00:13:42.720 --> 00:13:43.920 I want to encourage you today. 00:13:44.040 --> 00:13:47.960 Keep your eyes open to those who God is putting in your path. 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:51.200 Don't have something set in your mind, 00:13:51.280 --> 00:13:55.000 thinking that you've got to wait for the next Billy Graham to come along, 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:57.960 so that you can make a name for yourself and ride their coattails and say, 00:13:58.180 --> 00:13:59.460 I had a part in his life. 00:13:59.660 --> 00:14:02.320 No, look at who God has placed in your life. 00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:06.860 Be obedient to those who have come into your life. 00:14:07.220 --> 00:14:10.060 And parents, I've got a great place for you to start. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:13.400 If you're a parent, then you have some people in your life 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:16.279 that I can promise you without a shadow of a doubt, 00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:19.319 God is calling you to invest in their life, 00:14:19.480 --> 00:14:23.799 to pour into them, to show them what it means to follow Christ. 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:26.279 But I want to encourage you, don't let it stop there. 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:27.299 Be open. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:28.620 Maybe it's someone at work. 00:14:29.039 --> 00:14:29.860 Maybe it's a neighbor. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:32.759 Maybe it's a college student, a church member, 00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.620 someone else that everyone, 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:37.000 someone that everyone has overlooked, 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.840 someone that everybody said, 00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:41.740 it's not worth the time and invest in them 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:44.500 because God does not look at the outward appearance. 00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:45.460 He looks at the heart. 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:49.980 And he can do amazing things with people who have a willing heart 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.800 and a heart to serve him. 00:14:51.800 --> 00:14:54.860 So pour into their lives 00:14:54.860 --> 00:14:57.960 and look for those that God has placed there. 00:14:58.120 --> 00:15:02.139 As we continue looking at Paul and Barnabas' relationship here, 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:03.960 we also see this. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:08.500 Showing means we must recognize the gifts in others 00:15:08.500 --> 00:15:09.779 and encourage them. 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:12.500 We must recognize the gifts in others 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:13.740 and encourage them. 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:16.659 This is something that Barnabas did well. 00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:19.659 This is something that he was, after all, the encourager. 00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:21.720 If you go back to Acts chapter four, 00:15:21.799 --> 00:15:23.799 you'll realize that his name is actually Joseph, 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:26.600 but he goes by his nickname Barnabas, 00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:28.419 which means the encourager. 00:15:28.720 --> 00:15:31.360 He's someone who encourages so much 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:34.759 that this becomes what everybody refers to him as, 00:15:34.960 --> 00:15:36.179 as the encourager. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:39.079 And so before we look at Acts 11 right here, 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:41.719 I want to give you a little bit of background information. 00:15:42.719 --> 00:15:45.779 Persecution had led many in the Jerusalem church 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:47.699 to disperse, to scatter. 00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:50.579 And some of those that were being scattered 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:53.099 made their way up to Antioch. 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:57.939 Now at Antioch, God began to work and move in a mighty way. 00:15:58.379 --> 00:16:00.639 In Antioch, God was working and moving. 00:16:00.779 --> 00:16:03.279 And so the church in Jerusalem wasn't exactly sure 00:16:03.279 --> 00:16:05.959 what to do with all these new Gentile believers. 00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:09.480 And so they sent Barnabas to go check things out, 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:10.959 to see what's going on. 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:13.339 And this is where we pick up in Acts chapter 11, 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:15.879 starting in verse 19, it says this. 00:16:15.879 --> 00:16:19.480 Now those who were scattered because of the persecution 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:21.059 that arose over Stephen, 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:25.500 traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, 00:16:25.500 --> 00:16:29.639 speaking the word to no one except the Jews. 00:16:30.600 --> 00:16:32.179 But there were some of them, 00:16:32.679 --> 00:16:34.639 men of Cyprus and Cyrene, 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.000 who on coming to Antioch, 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:38.100 spoke to the Hellenists also, 00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.860 preaching to Lord Jesus. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:42.639 And the hand of the Lord was with them, 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:46.159 and a great number of who believed turned to the Lord. 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.039 The report of this came 00:16:48.039 --> 00:16:50.480 to the ears of the church in Jerusalem. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:52.840 And they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 00:16:53.159 --> 00:16:55.600 And when he came and saw the grace of God, 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:58.220 he was glad and exhorted them all 00:16:58.220 --> 00:17:01.820 to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, 00:17:02.200 --> 00:17:03.639 for he was a good man, 00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:05.940 full of the Holy Spirit and faith. 00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:09.099 And a great many people were added to the Lord. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:13.460 And so Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul. 00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:15.259 And when he had found him, 00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:16.839 he brought him to Antioch. 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:19.380 For a whole year they met with the church 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:21.640 and taught a great many people. 00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.000 And in Antioch, 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:26.420 the disciples were first called Christians. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:28.880 The church in Jerusalem 00:17:28.880 --> 00:17:32.440 heard that there was something going on in Antioch. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.940 God was moving, 00:17:34.060 --> 00:17:35.700 was what the report was coming in. 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:38.740 And so they decided to send someone to investigate it. 00:17:39.300 --> 00:17:40.500 The situation is similar 00:17:40.500 --> 00:17:42.320 to the conversion of the Samaritans. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.900 Many in the church in Jerusalem 00:17:43.900 --> 00:17:45.700 weren't exactly sure about the Samaritans 00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:46.960 coming to faith in Christ. 00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:48.740 And so in Acts chapter 8, 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:50.700 they sent out Peter and John 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:54.259 to go investigate these conversions 00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:56.420 that were taking place among the Samaritans. 00:17:56.740 --> 00:18:00.299 And now they hear about these Gentile believers in Antioch. 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:03.319 And so they send Barnabas to check on things. 00:18:03.860 --> 00:18:04.799 Once in Antioch, 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:07.559 Barnabas, without hesitation, 00:18:08.100 --> 00:18:10.579 begins to rejoice at what God is doing. 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.880 When you think about all the people 00:18:12.880 --> 00:18:14.340 they could have sent to Antioch 00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:15.740 to investigate this, 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:17.919 praise God they sent Barnabas. 00:18:18.279 --> 00:18:20.240 Praise God they sent the encourager. 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:22.919 One who is looking and seeing how God is moving, 00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.559 who's not going to go and say, 00:18:24.679 --> 00:18:26.379 hey, well, these people aren't Jews. 00:18:26.500 --> 00:18:28.480 I'm not sure that they can come to faith in Christ. 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:30.259 These people don't look like us. 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:31.539 These people don't act like us. 00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:33.179 We're not sure that what's going on. 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.220 But he went there. 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:36.539 He saw the Holy Spirit moving 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:38.480 and rejoiced and praised God 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:40.240 and encouraged the church. 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:43.439 What a beautiful picture we see taking place here. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:46.600 Barnabas could have easily remained the authority 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:48.640 on all matters concerning this church. 00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:50.259 He could have been the one 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:51.880 that everyone looked to for answers. 00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:55.360 But he saw God doing something special here. 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:57.920 And he went to get a good friend. 00:18:58.940 --> 00:19:00.279 He traveled to Tarsus, 00:19:00.340 --> 00:19:01.920 which was about 100 miles away. 00:19:02.120 --> 00:19:03.820 And he found his friend Saul. 00:19:04.440 --> 00:19:05.840 It had been a long time 00:19:05.840 --> 00:19:07.480 since Barnabas had seen Saul. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.779 But Barnabas knew the potential 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:13.220 that Saul had had before the apostles did. 00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:16.019 He knew his call to reach the Gentiles. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.480 He knew that he was a brilliant theologian. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:23.779 He was exactly what this world-reaching congregation needed. 00:19:24.340 --> 00:19:26.120 They needed a Saul. 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.940 They needed a Paul here to come in. 00:19:28.360 --> 00:19:29.860 So for an entire year, 00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:32.059 they met with the church and taught the church. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.180 It was during this time 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:36.320 when everyone else started noticing 00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:38.080 there was something different 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:40.640 about the believers in Antioch. 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:41.680 And it says, 00:19:41.800 --> 00:19:42.460 And in Antioch, 00:19:42.520 --> 00:19:45.080 the disciples were first called Christians. 00:19:45.640 --> 00:19:46.800 The people in Antioch 00:19:46.800 --> 00:19:48.180 were looking at this church 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.780 and they're thinking, 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.340 something's different about them. 00:19:50.840 --> 00:19:51.860 And so the people there, 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:52.740 not the believers, 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:54.440 not the Jews that were there, 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:56.520 but the people in the community 00:19:56.520 --> 00:19:57.980 began looking at them 00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.220 and they recognized 00:19:59.220 --> 00:20:00.100 there's something different. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.480 And so they started calling them 00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:02.580 the Christ ones, 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:04.420 the ones who follow Christ. 00:20:05.120 --> 00:20:06.820 Antioch was a special place. 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:10.740 God was doing a mighty work in Antioch 00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.339 that would literally change 00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.599 the course of Christianity. 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:16.500 In fact, if you take your Bible 00:20:16.500 --> 00:20:18.039 and if your Bible has some maps 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.980 in the back of it, 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:21.220 it most likely will have maps 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.399 of Paul's first, second, 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.740 and third missionary journeys. 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:25.019 I encourage you to look at 00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:25.960 where they all start. 00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:27.599 Look at where they all begin. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.819 They begin in Antioch. 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:31.039 They begin with this church 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.500 sending them out 00:20:32.500 --> 00:20:34.119 to take the gospel message 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:35.319 to the nations. 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:37.659 Antioch needed a strong 00:20:37.659 --> 00:20:39.279 theological foundation. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.619 Did Barnabas understand 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.539 all that was going on? 00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:43.519 Most certainly not. 00:20:44.039 --> 00:20:46.319 But he knew that God was at work 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:48.279 and that he decided to join 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.220 in what God was doing. 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.319 And he also knew 00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:52.359 that this man from Tarsus 00:20:52.359 --> 00:20:54.119 that he had encouraged earlier 00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:56.279 could play a significant role 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:57.700 in the life of this church. 00:20:58.259 --> 00:21:00.919 This is a great reminder for us 00:21:00.919 --> 00:21:03.119 to recognize the gifts 00:21:03.119 --> 00:21:04.500 of those that God has placed 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:05.220 in our lives 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:06.539 and encourage them 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:07.799 to use them. 00:21:08.299 --> 00:21:09.640 Give them an opportunity. 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:13.019 See what God has blessed them with 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:15.339 and encourage them to use it. 00:21:15.700 --> 00:21:16.920 Encourage them to use 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:18.299 those gifts and abilities. 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.900 And Barnabas could do this 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.460 better than anybody. 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.640 He was this encourager 00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:24.900 who recognized the needs 00:21:24.900 --> 00:21:26.940 that they had in Antioch 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:29.619 and he knew Paul's strengths 00:21:29.619 --> 00:21:30.779 and he knew that this 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:31.899 would be a great fit 00:21:31.899 --> 00:21:34.279 and God would be glorified. 00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:35.599 And so finally, 00:21:35.719 --> 00:21:37.159 as we look at Paul 00:21:37.159 --> 00:21:38.819 and Barnabas' relationship, 00:21:39.199 --> 00:21:40.959 we see this. 00:21:41.719 --> 00:21:42.759 We see the fact that 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:45.699 showing means going together. 00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:49.039 Showing means going together. 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:50.679 And this will be a great lead-in 00:21:50.679 --> 00:21:52.119 for the next two weeks 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:53.219 that we're going to be discussing 00:21:53.219 --> 00:21:54.879 in this discipleship pathway 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:57.300 of the importance of going. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.240 But it's a reminder for us 00:21:59.240 --> 00:22:01.780 as we see the importance 00:22:01.780 --> 00:22:02.460 of showing. 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.800 I want you to look 00:22:03.800 --> 00:22:05.100 at the first three verses 00:22:05.100 --> 00:22:07.800 of Acts chapter 13. 00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:10.340 First three verses says this. 00:22:11.100 --> 00:22:11.440 It says, 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:13.640 Now there were in the church 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:15.460 at Antioch prophets and teachers, 00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.140 Barnabas, Simeon, 00:22:17.180 --> 00:22:18.000 who was called Niger, 00:22:18.539 --> 00:22:19.559 Lucius of Cyrene, 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.900 Mania, and a lifelong friend 00:22:20.900 --> 00:22:21.960 of Herod the Tetrarch, 00:22:22.039 --> 00:22:22.680 and Saul. 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:24.759 And while they were worshiping 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.900 the Lord and fasting, 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:28.080 the Holy Spirit said, 00:22:28.420 --> 00:22:31.400 Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:32.539 for the work to which 00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.820 I have called them. 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:36.160 Then after fasting and praying, 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:38.440 they laid their hands on them 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:40.880 and sent them off. 00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:43.620 There is so much 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:44.559 that we can recognize 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.340 about this church 00:22:45.340 --> 00:22:46.279 in these few verses. 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:48.440 This church had a heart 00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:49.299 for the nations. 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.840 In the church, 00:22:51.019 --> 00:22:52.400 it was the church at Antioch, 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.519 not the church in Jerusalem, 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:55.980 that would become a catalyst 00:22:55.980 --> 00:22:58.080 for a worldwide missions movement. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.019 In Jerusalem, 00:22:59.140 --> 00:23:00.140 the church was struggling 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:01.019 with some things. 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.160 They were caught up 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:03.920 on some racial things 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.140 of trying to figure out 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.059 if these new converts 00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:07.960 needed to be circumcised or not. 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:09.240 They were struggling 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:10.620 with other people 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:11.519 other than Jews 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:13.539 coming to faith in Christ. 00:23:14.239 --> 00:23:15.339 And so they were struggling 00:23:15.339 --> 00:23:15.799 with these things. 00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.939 But in Antioch, 00:23:17.139 --> 00:23:18.879 we see from this passage 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:20.939 that there was a diversity 00:23:20.939 --> 00:23:22.879 in leadership within the church. 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:24.439 In Antioch, 00:23:24.519 --> 00:23:26.000 we see that the leadership 00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:27.379 consisted of Jews, 00:23:27.919 --> 00:23:29.039 those from Cyprus, 00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:29.859 several mentions 00:23:29.859 --> 00:23:32.159 to those from North Africa, 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.479 those with money, 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.539 those without money. 00:23:34.939 --> 00:23:36.239 It shouldn't surprise us 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:37.400 that this church, 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:40.599 a church with such diversity in it, 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:42.319 this church is the church 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:46.380 that birthed a worldwide missions effort. 00:23:47.240 --> 00:23:48.200 Paul and Barnabas 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:51.259 could have some strong disagreements. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:51.960 I don't want you to, 00:23:52.180 --> 00:23:53.940 I don't want to paint a picture 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:55.440 for you here that wasn't true. 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.359 Paul and Barnabas, 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.240 they would go on 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:59.539 to have some strong disagreements. 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:02.039 Paul could be abrasive at times. 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.539 Don't want you to think 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:05.200 this is always easy to do this. 00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:07.259 He has strong convictions 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:09.500 and he has strong ways 00:24:09.500 --> 00:24:12.180 of sharing those convictions at times. 00:24:12.340 --> 00:24:13.340 But here's the thing, 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.600 the church needed this. 00:24:15.319 --> 00:24:16.360 The church was at a point 00:24:16.360 --> 00:24:17.299 where it needed 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:19.880 strong theological convictions, 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:22.180 strong theological truth. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:24.059 And God also knew 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:26.480 that he needed a friend 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:28.240 to be there with him through this. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.380 Yes, they struggled at times. 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.779 They had ups and downs 00:24:31.779 --> 00:24:32.340 in their friendship, 00:24:32.580 --> 00:24:34.039 but what they had in common 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:35.539 would allow them 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:38.000 to continue to serve together. 00:24:38.559 --> 00:24:39.759 Throughout their relationship, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.980 Barnabas went from mentor 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:44.059 to taking more of a supporting role. 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:46.619 What a great example for Paul. 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.980 What a great example 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:49.059 for this church planner 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:51.500 who is going into different regions, 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:53.779 who is establishing the church, 00:24:53.879 --> 00:24:55.079 who is taking this role 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:57.579 of mentor and leader in it, 00:24:57.819 --> 00:24:59.839 and then passing the torch 00:24:59.839 --> 00:25:02.699 and supporting and encouraging the church 00:25:02.699 --> 00:25:03.699 through writing letters, 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.819 through other visits. 00:25:05.059 --> 00:25:07.500 What a great example for him to follow. 00:25:07.939 --> 00:25:09.539 God works and moves 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:12.500 in those intentional relationships. 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:15.980 I told you earlier about Chuck Wood 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:17.519 and our time together, 00:25:17.859 --> 00:25:18.959 but during that week, 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.799 he also gave me a book. 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:22.899 He encouraged us to read a book. 00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:24.599 It's a very short book, 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:27.539 and if a short book even scares you, 00:25:27.579 --> 00:25:28.939 there's even an abridged version 00:25:28.939 --> 00:25:29.879 of a short book, 00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:31.319 but in this book, 00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:33.459 this is a book by Robert Coleman 00:25:33.459 --> 00:25:36.639 titled The Master Plan of Evangelism. 00:25:37.179 --> 00:25:38.359 In this book, 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.279 Robert Coleman, 00:25:39.740 --> 00:25:42.459 he makes some very astute observations 00:25:42.459 --> 00:25:43.219 from Scripture 00:25:43.219 --> 00:25:45.099 and calls the church 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:46.819 to put those into practice. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:48.559 In fact, Billy Graham 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:50.639 not only wrote the foreword to this book, 00:25:50.679 --> 00:25:51.939 he said this about it. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.660 He said, 00:25:52.799 --> 00:25:56.200 few books have had as great an impact 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:58.420 on the cause of world evangelization 00:25:58.420 --> 00:26:00.840 in our generation than this book. 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.340 And in this book, 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:04.059 Robert Coleman says this. 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.299 He says, 00:26:05.380 --> 00:26:07.660 it all started by Jesus 00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:10.980 calling a few men to follow him. 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:13.080 This revealed immediately 00:26:13.080 --> 00:26:13.960 the direction 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:16.580 his evangelistic strategy would take. 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:19.500 His concern was not with programs 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.640 to reach the multitudes, 00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.759 but with men 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:24.720 whom the multitudes would follow. 00:26:25.620 --> 00:26:27.180 Remarkable as it may seem, 00:26:27.360 --> 00:26:29.360 Jesus started to gather these men 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:31.300 before he ever organized 00:26:31.300 --> 00:26:33.220 an evangelistic campaign 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:35.720 or even preached a sermon in public. 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:38.520 Men were to be his method 00:26:38.520 --> 00:26:40.860 of winning the world to God. 00:26:41.900 --> 00:26:44.820 And that is still his plan today. 00:26:44.819 --> 00:26:47.039 of us, 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.679 men and women, 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:50.119 investing in the lives 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.259 of other men and women 00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:52.379 who will then go 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:54.079 and invest in the lives of others. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:56.240 This is God's plan 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:57.939 and it has not changed. 00:26:58.879 --> 00:27:00.359 This is the way that he reaches 00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.599 a lost and dying world 00:27:01.599 --> 00:27:03.139 is through relationships. 00:27:03.740 --> 00:27:04.859 It is my prayer 00:27:04.859 --> 00:27:08.259 that as we become more focused 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.319 on being a church, 00:27:09.399 --> 00:27:10.939 that is focused on discipleship, 00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.740 discipleship, 00:27:11.740 --> 00:27:13.700 that is focused on knowing 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.580 and growing 00:27:14.580 --> 00:27:15.640 and showing 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:18.000 that it will lead us 00:27:18.000 --> 00:27:19.039 to going. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.620 It is my hope 00:27:20.620 --> 00:27:21.480 that this is something 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.140 that becomes 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:24.120 more and more characteristic 00:27:24.120 --> 00:27:25.180 of our church, 00:27:25.600 --> 00:27:27.759 that we are ascending people, 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.519 that we pray 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.600 and fast 00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.480 and ask God 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.779 to raise up individuals 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:33.299 that have a desire 00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:34.720 to take the gospel message 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:36.600 to those that have never heard it. 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:37.860 It is my prayer 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.820 that we are a church 00:27:38.819 --> 00:27:39.460 that seeks 00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.980 to plant other churches. 00:27:41.379 --> 00:27:42.099 It is my prayer 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.960 that we are a church 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.519 that seeks 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.419 to come alongside 00:27:44.419 --> 00:27:45.419 struggling churches 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:47.139 to revitalize them, 00:27:47.220 --> 00:27:48.439 to breathe new life 00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:48.899 into them, 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.179 to encourage them. 00:27:50.439 --> 00:27:51.960 This is both exciting 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.819 and challenging. 00:27:53.859 --> 00:27:54.720 It is exciting 00:27:54.720 --> 00:27:55.879 to see what God is moving, 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:57.059 how God is moving, 00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:57.819 but it is challenging 00:27:57.819 --> 00:27:59.799 because often times 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.960 it takes us 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.759 sending out 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:02.799 our very best. 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.059 The church 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:05.159 sent out Paul 00:28:05.159 --> 00:28:05.939 and Barnabas. 00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:08.980 If you were to think about, 00:28:10.059 --> 00:28:11.400 if you were to ask a pastor, 00:28:12.340 --> 00:28:13.080 hey, who do you want 00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:13.779 to send out? 00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.200 Who do you want to go for? 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:16.440 Paul and Barnabas 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.259 are probably not 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.380 on the top of your list. 00:28:19.140 --> 00:28:20.320 We want to hold on 00:28:20.320 --> 00:28:22.460 to this brilliant theologian. 00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:24.059 We want to hold on 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:25.660 to this encourager 00:28:25.660 --> 00:28:27.120 who is constantly encouraging. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.860 God is using them 00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:30.059 in mighty ways here. 00:28:30.120 --> 00:28:31.220 We don't want to get rid of them. 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:31.840 Look at all that 00:28:31.840 --> 00:28:32.620 they're doing here. 00:28:33.100 --> 00:28:33.960 Lord, Lord, 00:28:34.080 --> 00:28:34.900 take Gertrude, 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.759 the complainer. 00:28:36.059 --> 00:28:36.720 Take her. 00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.380 Please tell me 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.220 there's not a Gertrude 00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.840 in this room today. 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:43.420 But we want to take those, 00:28:43.580 --> 00:28:44.880 but don't send out 00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:46.019 our very best. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.180 But yet, 00:28:47.460 --> 00:28:49.120 this is what we see 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:50.320 taking place. 00:28:50.920 --> 00:28:52.340 This is how we see God 00:28:52.340 --> 00:28:54.200 moving and working 00:28:54.200 --> 00:28:55.320 is sending out 00:28:55.320 --> 00:28:56.059 those very best. 00:28:56.360 --> 00:28:58.019 And as we have this desire 00:28:58.019 --> 00:28:59.140 for discipleship, 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:01.360 God will work in our lives. 00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.720 He will move us 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.220 to have this heart 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.720 to send out those 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.759 that will go 00:29:06.759 --> 00:29:07.680 to where God 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.559 is leading them. 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:10.279 This passage reminds us 00:29:10.279 --> 00:29:11.600 that we must continue 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:13.039 to raise up 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.539 and send out workers. 00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:17.000 This is what churches 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.460 with a focus 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:19.860 on discipleship do. 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.799 They send out. 00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:23.180 They grow. 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.200 They understand. 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:24.839 They know. 00:29:25.100 --> 00:29:25.819 They grow. 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:27.059 They show others. 00:29:27.059 --> 00:29:29.899 And they go to the nations. 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.740 This is the product 00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.599 of a church 00:29:32.599 --> 00:29:33.460 that is focused 00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.659 on the discipleship. 00:29:35.019 --> 00:29:36.220 A church that does 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.419 discipleship well 00:29:37.419 --> 00:29:38.559 will be a church 00:29:38.559 --> 00:29:40.039 that sends people 00:29:40.039 --> 00:29:41.419 to the nations. 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:44.599 That sees the lostness 00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.279 around them 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.319 and seeks 00:29:46.319 --> 00:29:47.899 to meet those needs. 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.980 So this morning, 00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.940 I want to encourage you 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.519 to pray. 00:29:51.279 --> 00:29:52.419 I want to encourage you 00:29:52.419 --> 00:29:52.879 to pray 00:29:52.879 --> 00:29:54.059 for those 00:29:54.059 --> 00:29:54.859 that can come 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.779 into your life 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:57.519 that can show you 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.139 what it means 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:59.599 to follow Christ. 00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:01.259 Pray for those 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:03.039 that God has placed 00:30:03.039 --> 00:30:03.719 in your life 00:30:03.719 --> 00:30:04.359 that they can be 00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:05.059 an encouragement 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.619 to you 00:30:05.619 --> 00:30:06.819 that can challenge you. 00:30:07.059 --> 00:30:08.619 But also pray 00:30:08.619 --> 00:30:10.479 that your minds, 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:11.240 your eyes 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.019 will be open 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:13.500 to see those 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:14.479 that God has placed 00:30:14.479 --> 00:30:15.339 in your life. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.779 That you won't 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.599 just be someone 00:30:17.599 --> 00:30:19.500 who takes this word 00:30:19.500 --> 00:30:20.279 and does nothing 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:20.679 with it, 00:30:20.719 --> 00:30:21.819 but you show it. 00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:23.220 You invest it. 00:30:23.559 --> 00:30:24.559 You pour into 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.279 others' lives 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:26.399 so that they can go 00:30:26.399 --> 00:30:27.779 and do the same. 00:30:28.119 --> 00:30:28.720 And so I want to 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.220 encourage you 00:30:29.220 --> 00:30:29.779 to pray. 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.179 Pray that our eyes 00:30:31.179 --> 00:30:31.799 will be open. 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:33.279 Pray that as we 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.279 see those 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:35.059 that God has placed 00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.659 in our life 00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.359 that we can be 00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.039 an encouragement 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:37.919 to them. 00:30:38.240 --> 00:30:39.419 And pray that God 00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:39.879 will give us 00:30:39.879 --> 00:30:40.579 the boldness 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.220 and courage 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:42.779 to go with them, 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.299 to model for them, 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:45.139 to show them 00:30:45.139 --> 00:30:45.859 what it means 00:30:45.859 --> 00:30:47.279 to follow Christ. 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.159 Father, 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.720 we thank you 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.639 so very much. 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.920 thank you 00:30:50.920 --> 00:30:51.480 for what you 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.420 have shown us 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:53.800 and the example 00:30:53.800 --> 00:30:54.720 that you've given us 00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.440 of what it means 00:30:55.440 --> 00:30:56.440 to be a follower, 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:58.259 that you invested 00:30:58.259 --> 00:30:59.420 in people's lives, 00:30:59.500 --> 00:31:00.460 that your plan 00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.660 to reach the nations 00:31:01.660 --> 00:31:02.759 was people. 00:31:03.180 --> 00:31:04.620 It wasn't big events 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:06.020 or large gatherings, 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.500 but Lord, 00:31:06.580 --> 00:31:07.580 it was investing 00:31:07.580 --> 00:31:08.620 in people. 00:31:09.100 --> 00:31:10.200 Give us that heart. 00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.800 Give us a heart 00:31:11.800 --> 00:31:13.759 to see those around us, 00:31:13.820 --> 00:31:14.960 to see those 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.700 that you've placed 00:31:15.700 --> 00:31:16.520 in our lives 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:18.359 and to step in 00:31:18.359 --> 00:31:19.700 and be those 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.500 encouragers 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.339 in their life. 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:21.960 Lord, 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:22.819 give us the boldness 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.279 to do that. 00:31:23.400 --> 00:31:23.579 Lord, 00:31:23.660 --> 00:31:24.680 I pray that if there 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:26.319 are those here today 00:31:26.319 --> 00:31:27.379 that don't know you 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:28.400 as their Lord and Savior, 00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.059 Lord, 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:29.539 that would be 00:31:29.539 --> 00:31:30.299 where they begin. 00:31:30.900 --> 00:31:31.639 That would be 00:31:31.639 --> 00:31:32.460 where they start. 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.559 That would be 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.299 what they place 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:34.819 their hope 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.379 and their trust 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:35.940 in today. 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:36.799 And Lord, 00:31:36.900 --> 00:31:37.579 I pray that you 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:38.180 would help us 00:31:38.180 --> 00:31:39.619 to come alongside them, 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:41.139 to show them 00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:42.359 consistently 00:31:42.359 --> 00:31:43.259 and constantly 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.180 what it means 00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:45.220 to follow you, 00:31:45.220 --> 00:31:46.680 to point them 00:31:46.680 --> 00:31:48.180 on a regular basis 00:31:48.180 --> 00:31:48.779 to you 00:31:48.779 --> 00:31:49.460 as the source 00:31:49.460 --> 00:31:50.380 of their greatest hope 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:51.240 in this life 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.000 and joy. 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:52.900 So Lord, 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:53.700 we thank you. 00:31:53.980 --> 00:31:54.600 We thank you 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.299 for the example 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:55.900 you gave us. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.460 We thank you 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.319 for the examples 00:31:57.319 --> 00:31:57.900 you give us 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:59.000 in Paul and Barnabas 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.180 looking at their life. 00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:00.980 And Lord, 00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:02.019 I pray that as we 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.940 look at their life, 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.960 we would be challenged 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:06.160 to go and do the same. 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.460 Thank you so much 00:32:07.460 --> 00:32:08.019 for Jesus. 00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:09.360 And it's in his name 00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:09.860 we pray. 00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:10.539 Amen. 00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.440 I want to invite you 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:13.100 to take your 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:14.600 Baptist hymnal out 00:32:14.599 --> 00:32:15.299 and turn to hymn 00:32:15.299 --> 00:32:17.619 number 255 00:32:17.619 --> 00:32:18.659 at the cross. 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:19.859 I want to encourage you 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:21.079 to, as we stand together, 00:32:21.179 --> 00:32:23.139 if the Lord is speaking 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:23.439 to you, 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:24.579 respond as we stand 00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.879 together and sing. 00:32:25.879 --> 00:32:26.379 Amen.