It's always a blessing, isn't it?
To come and worship the Lord together,
to be encouraged in the music that we sing.
! It's so Christ-centered and so biblical.
! Reminds us what's really important.
And just such a blessing.
Thank you, John.
Appreciate also your vulnerability.
Especially this morning when we talk about
grace-filled community.
And particularly in kind of preparation
for our small groups that we'll be starting up
beginning next week.
And working through the little epistle
of Thessalonians together.
And looking really at what does
a grace-filled community look like.
And we're going to begin on that this morning
not from 1 Thessalonians,
but we're going to take a look at
what does a grace-filled community look like
in the book of Acts.
We could go to Acts chapter 2, of course.
And that's very familiar.
Kind of the beginnings of the church
and how it all takes place.
But I thought it might be beneficial,
especially for us in our context,
to take it out of the Jewish element
and put it into the Gentile element.
Maybe we can begin to relate a little bit
to see that grace-filled communities
can happen even outside of the apostleship
of Peter and John and James
and all of those gifted men
who were commissioned in Jerusalem
by Christ to do this work.
And we actually will see this morning
this splinter group,
this fractured group of individuals
broken and scattered
because of the persecution
happening there in Jerusalem.
Some of them making their way
to this little place of Antioch
and this church beginning to grow
right there in Antioch.
A grace-filled community, I would say.
But I think it would be important
for us to begin with this question.
What does it take
to be a grace-filled community?
Well, you've got to have grace.
But where does grace come from?
How do you get grace?
And what does grace look like?
What does grace do?
We're going to look at that
a little bit more in our passage today.
But I think the beginnings of grace
starts with an understanding
of your desperate need for grace.
Grace does not arrive from you.
It does not originate with you.
Grace comes to you
because of the God of grace
who gives His grace to you
and not so that you can
hold on to that grace for yourself,
but so that grace can be communicated
and dispensed to the world around you.
But how do you begin
to really appreciate,
really begin to recognize
your desperation for grace?
Well, it's a work of God
on your heart, of course.
But as I began to think
a little bit about
the significance of small groups
and I began to think about
how did God work grace
into my own heart?
How did He give me
a deeper appreciation
and recognition
for my need for grace?
Well, if I were to be really honest,
it happened through the context
of relationship.
It happened because of people
that I love and respect
who were willing to be vulnerable,
willing to be transparent with me
about their own struggles.
And were willing to be
a little candid with me
about the flaws
and the blind spots
that I had in my own life.
It helped me understand
my desperation for grace.
And as I watched grace
show up in their lives,
their grace for me,
their compassion for me,
their interest in my own
spiritual life,
it began to help me understand
the significance of grace
and my need for grace
so that I could also be a person,
a conduit of grace to others.
I'm reminded of
when I was a high schooler
and Dr. Dixon,
who was the president
of Cedarville University
at the time,
had a small group
of high school students,
about 20 of us in all,
who he invited to his house
for like a six-week series
on what it means
to study the Bible
and why that is so significant.
I still have those notes
because it was so impactful.
That small,
intimate setting
with this prominent feature,
this important guy
who was willing to invest
in some no-name high schoolers
who he had no idea
what was going to happen
in their future.
But that didn't matter
because he wanted to invest
in us as individuals.
I think of my experience
as an employee
at Boeing Satellite Systems
and for the first time
being part of a Bible study at work
and being with a group of individuals
who had a pretty diverse theology,
but to see the continuity
of lives
that believe in the essential things
of the gospel.
And regardless of the differences
in theology,
there was this laser-like passion
for Jesus Christ.
And it was the first time
I got to know
that there are other people
outside of Baptist circles
that are actually Christians.
I had no idea.
And, you know,
there were some people
you're like,
there's no way
if they believe that
they can be a Christian.
But those are the people
that actually
helped me see Jesus
in a new way
for the first time.
I think of a little
junior high,
seventh and eighth grade
class that I was helping
to lead.
And this group of five kids,
I still remember
most of their names,
and they had such
a hunger for the scriptures,
this infectious desire
to know more,
insatiable desire
to know more about the word.
It was compelling,
and it helped to identify
and expose in my own heart
this complacency about me,
this apathy
about the scriptures.
They had this hunger
that I just didn't have,
and it was so refreshing
to see the seventh
and eighth grade group of boys
out in California
who just loved the Bible
and pushed me
into deeper love
for the scriptures myself.
And then as we moved
to Illinois,
this community
of pastors
that I got to
spend time with
and to hear
and to know
their heart for the gospel
and to see it show up
in various ways,
it was refreshing
and also inspirational
to me.
These small,
intimate,
fellowshipping groups.
Now,
let's be honest.
There may be a handful
of sermons
that you remember
over the decades of time
that you've spent
in the church.
Now,
we understand the significance
of the morning
corporate instruction time.
We recognize that,
but when it really
comes down to it,
the moments
where grace
pours into our life
the most,
the moments
where we spend time
with people
on an intimate level,
beginning to understand
the scriptures together,
sharpening one another
in those smaller,
intimate settings.
And that's why
small groups
for us
as a church
are so significant.
And why we encourage
you to be part
of a small group
in some way
or the other.
We're going to have
a small group setting
here on Sunday morning
beginning next week
for those of you
who are not part
of a small group.
And so those of you
who might be new
to Maranatha,
I would encourage you.
We're going to be meeting
right down the hallway.
We're going to be going
through this study together
so we can just encourage
one another with that.
But those of you
who are part
of a small group,
my heart's desire
is we're going to be able
to look into the scriptures,
to dig a little deeper,
to apply it to our lives,
to work out
some of those nuances
that seem unfamiliar
and inaccessible
and we're going to grow.
My heart and prayer
is that we grow
in our relationship
and love for Jesus
like we have never
grown before.
Even this morning
as Pastor David
and I were interacting today,
our prayer
for this church
is that there would be
such an awakening
in our hearts
that we see Jesus
in new ways
and we get the privilege
and joy
of seeing new people
come to faith
in Jesus Christ.
What could be better
than that?
What could be better
than that?
So this morning
I want to encourage you
if you would please
to turn
to Acts chapter 11.
Acts chapter 11.
There is this
founding of a church,
the church of Antioch.
And I want to point out
a few things
about this church
and I want you
to understand
that yes,
we're going to be
talking about
the founding
of a church
and the development
of a church
as a body,
but as a function
of that body
and a way
to begin to express
and work out
the things
that we see
in that body,
it has to come
to a smaller,
more intimate
setting.
It can't just happen
on a corporate level.
It has to happen
as we're interacting
with and rubbing shoulders
on a consistent
and intimate basis.
I want to just read
the first several verses
for you
by way of context
and then we'll jump
into this passage together.
Acts chapter 11.
If you're a guest with us,
it's on page 920
in the Pew Bible
in front of you.
Here's what it says.
Now those who were scattered
because of the persecution
that arose over Stephen
traveled as far as Phoenicia
and Cyprus
and Antioch,
speaking the word
to no one
except the Jews.
But there were some
of them,
men of Cyprus
and Cyrene,
who on coming
to Antioch
spoke to the Hellenists
also,
preaching the Lord Jesus.
And the hand
of the Lord
was with them,
and a great number
who believed
turned to the Lord.
This morning,
I want to begin,
I want us to walk
through three
kind of headings,
major headings
through our study together.
My desire is to begin
with the beginning
of the process
and then show you
the end of the process
and then focus
some more of our time
on the middle
of the process
to help you recognize
how we can be
this kind of church.
How can we be
a grace-filled community?
And why should we be
a grace-filled community
to begin with?
What's the significance?
What does it do?
So first,
I want to point
our attention
to the foundation
of a grace-filled community.
The foundation
of a grace-filled community.
Now,
I don't know about you,
but this is so encouraging
to me.
As we walk through
these verses briefly,
and I point out
what's taking place here,
my hope is
that all of you
will come to the point
where you say,
I can do that!
God can use me!
I can be
a significant participant
and member
of this body
to help make this
happen for Maranatha.
What is the foundation
of a grace-filled community?
We see the starts of it
there in verses 19 and 20,
and it is
gospel preaching.
Gospel preaching.
Now,
notice these first two groups.
We see them in verses 19 and 20.
What stands out to you
about these two groups?
What do you notice?
Do you notice?
Do you notice
any names listed?
Do you notice
any specific
positions
who were listed?
Do you see
any particular gifts
of these individuals
that are described?
Those who were scattered?
Now,
that's not a huge
selling point.
That's not something
you put on your resume.
That's not a credential
that qualifies you
to be a church planter.
But isn't it amazing
what God can do
through faithful,
scattered people?
Wow!
It's awesome
to see
what God will do
through faithful people.
And notice
how it describes
these faithful individuals.
We don't even know
who they are.
We don't know
how many there were.
But there was something
that was compelling
about them.
Something that unified
them as a bunch.
And it is
that although
they were scattered
because of the persecution
that happened
in Jerusalem,
they came to Antioch
speaking the word.
Speaking the word.
Now,
what word
did they speak?
Well,
the Greek,
maybe a little
unlike the English,
uses this definite article,
the word,
so that we understand
that it is
a specific word.
And when it's talking
about the word
or the message,
it's referring,
of course,
to the message
of the power of God
in working
in the hearts
of people
to accomplish
his work
in their lives.
It is the message
of grace,
you might say.
It is the message
about the Messiah.
Now,
how can we
say that?
Well,
it's because
they're speaking
the word
to no one
except for who?
The Jews.
Now,
at this point
in the story,
Peter hasn't yet
gone to Cornelius.
At least,
they're not familiar
with that
because they've been
scattered from
the persecution
that happened
at the end
of Acts chapter 7
and the beginning
of Acts chapter 8.
And as soon
as that persecution
began to happen,
they were out
of Jerusalem.
And then after
they had left
Jerusalem,
then Peter
in chapter 10
goes to Cornelius.
Then he has
this vision
that says,
no,
the door is open
to Jews
and Gentiles.
He comes back
at the beginning
of chapter 11,
reports that
to the church.
They say,
wow,
what an amazing story.
But these individuals
hadn't yet heard
that message.
So,
they're being faithful
to the word
and consistently
sharing that word
to the Jews
wherever they go.
Not really,
not really a great
strategy for church planting,
would you say?
It's not the kind
of people we would
probably put on
our missions team
and send
to other places.
we wouldn't
really say,
well,
hey,
you've been
persecuted,
you don't really
have any credentials,
but you're willing,
so why don't you go?
But that's what
these people did.
And because
of their faithfulness
to go
and to share
the word,
what does God do?
God allows
many
to come
to faith.
There is this
second group.
The second group
that kind of
fits within
the same
sphere.
Those who
preach to the Jews,
but then the second
group in verse 20,
it says,
some of them,
men of Cyprus
and Cyrene,
who on coming
to Antioch,
spoke
to the Hellenists,
also
preaching
the Lord Jesus.
Now,
this preaching
is a little different.
It's the word
for explanation.
It's the word
for defending
the message,
the teaching
of the Lord Jesus.
Because those
who were Hellenists,
those who were Greek,
outside of the Jewish
community,
wouldn't have had
any context
for who this Messiah
was going to be.
So they needed
a little bit more
information.
And those who were
from Cyprus
and Cyrene
had this burden
on their heart
to speak to those
who were Hellenists,
those who were
outside of the
Jewish community,
and to speak
to them about
the message
of the gospel.
What I find
truly amazing
about this
is,
again,
in the providence
of God,
these men
who had come
from Cyprus,
this mixed
community
of individuals,
perhaps many
of their own
family members
in different parts
of their branches
of their family
were also Gentiles.
So God
using
this
sensitivity
to those
who were outside
of the Jewish
context,
using them
and their hearts
for those people
to then begin
to share
this same message
to them as well.
And as a result
of their
bold teaching
of the Lord,
many come to faith
in Christ.
Antioch would
have been
a natural
setting
for the Gentile
mission to begin.
It's thought
that there may
have been as many
as 500 to 800,000
people that lived
in this city.
It would have been
the third largest
city in the Roman
Empire,
exceeded only
by Rome
in Alexandria.
They came
and preached,
proclaimed
the good news,
and as a result
God
gave
deliverance.
God
brought salvation
to the hearts
of the people.
Now I don't know
about you
but I find
some comfort
in that.
I find comfort
in knowing
that people
who aren't
named,
who have
no credentials,
who are scattered
because of persecution,
show up
and preach
the gospel
and God
shows up.
because
God's word
does its work.
That's why
the apostle Paul
can say,
for I am not ashamed
of the gospel
of Christ
for it
is the power
of God
to everyone
who believes.
Do you believe
in the power
of God
to accomplish
its work?
Take heart.
Notice
the significance
of what God
did
through
these
willing
vessels
to begin
to plant
this church
here
in Antioch.
Well,
we transition
now to the
second part
of the story.
Not only
is there
gospel preaching
but there is
also
faithful
living.
Faithful
living
that we
see
in the
next
couple
of
verses.
Beginning
in verse
22.
The report
of this
came to
the ears
of the
church
in
Jerusalem
and they
sent
Barnabas
to
Antioch.
When he
came and
saw the
grace of
God
he was
glad
and exhorted
them all
to remain
faithful
to the
Lord
with
steadfast
purpose
for he
was a
good man
full of
the Holy
Spirit
and of
faith
and a
great
many
people
were added
to the
Lord.
So
reports
of what
was happening
in Antioch
reached the
ears of
the leaders
in Jerusalem
some
300
miles
away
and by
the way
in ancient
times
that was
a significant
distance
but what
was taking
place there
was so
amazing
that the
people
the apostles
and leaders
in Jerusalem
hear about it
and they say
what are we
going to do
about this?
How are we
going to help
this church
not only
survive
but how are we
going to help
this church
to flourish?
So what do
they do?
They send
a faithful
man
they send
Barnabas
to this
church
and he
shows up
and we're
going to
look at
this a bit
later here
but he
says
when he
came he
saw the
grace of
God
we're going
to look
at that
in just
a moment
but when
he comes
he exhorts
them to
remain faithful
to the
Lord with
steadfast
purpose
he exhorts
them
exhorts
them
and encourages
them
in the
Lord
we had
the speaking
ministry
of those
who were
scattered
we had
the teaching
ministry
of those
from
Cyprus
and we
have the
exhorting
ministry
of Barnabas
who comes
and exhorts
and encourages
these people
the word
of God
had grown
they had
been faithful
to teach
one another
the things
that they
knew
the hand
of God
continued
to bless
and then
Barnabas
comes
now certainly
there were
things that
were wrong
about this
church
certainly
there was
immaturity
clearly
there was
no leadership
probably
not organized
in their
gathering
with no
real strategy
for development
probably
some cliques
had begun
to form
those who
were of
the Jews
and those
who were
of the
Hellenists
but when
Barnabas
shows up
he sees
what God
is doing
in their
lives
and he
was encouraged
and he
begins
to encourage
the things
that he
can commend
they were
together
they were
growing
they were
sharing
the word
and they
were multiplying
as a church
he commends
them to
continued
faithful
living
there was
a sensitivity
to the
scriptures
Barnabas
saw that
but he
understands
they need
more
and that's
what he
does
next
not only
is there
gospel
preaching
and not
only is
there
faithful
living
but there's
also
in-depth
teaching
we see
that here
in verse
25
and 26
so Barnabas
went to
Tarsus
to look
for Saul
when he
had found
him
he brought
him
to
Antioch
for a
whole
year
they met
with the
church
and taught
a great
many people
and in
Antioch
the disciples
were first
called
Christians
so Paul
excuse me
Barnabas
recognizes
there's a
deficiency
even though
Barnabas
was a
Levite
even though
he was
instructed
in the
things
that the
apostles
had shared
in Jerusalem
he recognizes
his own
deficiency
he begins
to think
how in the
world
can I
take
this
church
to the
next
level
well the
only way
for that
to happen
is to
teach them
in depth
the scriptures
now who
would be
best qualified
for that
who's available
for that
all the
apostles
are busy
in Jerusalem
but I know
I know
there's a
guy
in Tarsus
he was sent
away
10 years
ago
by the
apostles
in Jerusalem
because he
was creating
a little
controversy
there
in Jerusalem
and for
10 years
Saul
who would
later be
called
the apostle
Paul
was shelved
in Tarsus
until God
began to
begin this
process of
using him
in Antioch
and then as
we know
later on
sending him
to the
mission field
Saul comes
he and
Barnabas
for an
entire
year
are meeting
with the
people
and you
get the
sense that
this is more
than just a
once in a
while or once
in a week
kind of thing
this is the
kind of training
that is taking
place on a
consistent and
daily basis
the desire of
the people to
know the word
this insatiable
appetite to
be fed and
to grow in
their relationship
with God
and for an
entire year
we see this
church digging
into the
scriptures
being taught by
Paul and
Barnabas
and growing
in their
faith
finally we see
this is a
faith
filled
loving
church
a church
that has
faith
filled
loving
this final
group
we find in
verses 27
to 30
in the
days
or in
these days
prophets
came down
from Jerusalem
to Antioch
one of them
named Agabus
stood up
and foretold
by the spirit
that there would
be a great
famine over
all the world
this took place
in the days
of Claudius
so that the
disciples determined
everyone according
to his ability
to send relief
to the brothers
living in Judea
and they did so
sending it
to the elders
by the hand
of Barnabas
and Saul
here's another
group of people
from Jerusalem
they're not actually
sent from Jerusalem
but they hear
what's taking place
there too
I think
maybe want to be
part of the action
they want to
encourage this church
as well
they hear
the significance
of what God
is working
in the hearts
of people
and they say
how can we
contribute
to this story
what is really
fascinating to me
about the church
of Antioch
is a willingness
to receive
a new group
of individuals
there was not
this spirit
of competition
but a willingness
to welcome
in people
of different
gifts
people who
could continue
to contribute
the word of God
into the lives
and the life
of this church
body
and then to
listen carefully
and to do
what these prophets
encouraged them
to do
now
I want us
to think
really seriously
about this
okay
here's a prophet
he comes to
a church
he is telling
them that there's
going to be a
great famine
that's going to be
coming in the
next couple of
years
and it's going to
affect the whole
world
so tell me
what is then
our strategy
as a church
it is
okay
I guess we need
to begin to
stockpile
I guess we need
to begin to
think about the
needs of our
people
we understand
there's going to
be something
taking place
in a couple
years from now
what can we do
to minister
to ourselves
right
and I think
that's appropriate
but do you find
it
truly amazing
what this church
did instead
what did they
do
they didn't
stockpile
they said
our fellow
brothers and
sisters in
Jerusalem
and in
Judea
are going to
really need
some help
what can we
do
to take the
burden off
of our
brothers and
sisters who
are living
there
this faith
filled
loving
that was
willing to
receive a
measure of
personal discomfort
for the sake
of benefiting
others
and again
now a fifth
group
of gifted
individuals
speaking
from the
Lord
into this
church
and the
church
continuing to
grow and
respond
to the
word
that they
received
the first
group shows
up and speaks
the word
and there is
receptivity
and there's
a response
to that
the next
group comes
and they
preach
the Lord
Jesus
Barnabas
comes and
he exhorts
them in
the Lord
and now
Saul and
Barnabas
then teach
for an
entire year
and this
final group
comes and
they tell
about what
God is asking
them to do
as a church
and at every
point along
the way
there is a
willingness to
hear the
word of God
and a desire
to obey
and put it
to work in
their life
that's what
a grace
filled
community
looks like
a grace
filled
community
is a
community
that not
only knows
the word
but desires
to receive
the word
and put
the word
to work
so it
was a church
that was
founded
on grace
the foundation
of a grace
filled
community
that is
founded on
the ministry
of the word
itself
now briefly
let's look at
the fruit
of a grace
filled community
the fruit
of a grace
filled community
I want you
to notice
that there
is new
life
in Christ
because
of a grace
filled community
a grace
filled community
is marked
by new
life
because
grace
doesn't come
from us
it comes
to us
by the hand
of God
we are
recipients
of grace
and truly
this is a church
that was
recipients
of grace
notice
on three
occasions
we see
the significance
of this new
life
that is taking
place
in this church
we see it
as a result
of the
ministry
of the first
two groups
right there
at the end
of
at the beginning
of verse 21
and the hand
of the Lord
was with them
and a great
number
who believed
turned
to the Lord
grace
filled
communities
have life
because
of the hand
of the Lord
grace
filled
communities
recognize
their need
for grace
and there
is new
life
that comes
as a result
they are not
the same
as they were
before
Barnabas
comes
and he
encourages
their faithfulness
and we see
at the end
of verse 24
and a great
many people
were added
to the Lord
this continuing
ministry
of encouragement
continues to grow
through the
faithfulness
of the people
who are there
their purposefulness
about living
consistently
and the church
continues to
experience
the benefits
of that
in God
adding to the
church
more individuals
and as they
continue to
go deeper
and to love
more
we see
that more
people are
enjoying the
benefits
of the
ministry
of this
church
we see
in verse
26
for a
whole year
they met
with the
church
and taught
a great
many
people
new life
continues
through the
ministry
of this
church
and by the
way
when Paul
and Barnabas
are sent
they're sent
to encourage
the church
in Jerusalem
notice in
chapter 12
at the end
of verse 24
but the
word of God
increased
and multiplied
and Barnabas
and Saul
returned from
Jerusalem
when they
had completed
their service
this
propagation
of life
that is now
coming from
Antioch
to Jerusalem
the
center
of gravity
in the
spiritual
world
is now
shifted
to Antioch
and now
the church
of Antioch
begins to
be the
launch pad
for encouragement
it's
unbelievable
to see
God
do this
in the
life
of this
body
new life
in Christ
there's also
new impact
in the
community
new impact
in the
community
their lives
were so
distinctive
look at
what happens
their lives
were so
distinctive
they came
to know
Christ
so intimately
that at the
end of
verse 26
what do we
see
and in
Antioch
the disciples
were first
called
Christians
a phrase
that was
intended
to be
a criticism
a phrase
that was
intended
to be
kind of
a rebuke
and kind
of a
sarcasm
to belittle
them as a
people
becomes
for this
church
the greatest
commendation
we're like
Christ
wow
what could
be said
of us
that we
better
than that
we
are
little
Christs
it's
exactly
what we
want
hallelujah
we'll
embrace
that term
and from
that point
on
through
this
very day
we are
called
Christians
because
of the
church
of
Antioch
amazing
what God
worked
in this
church
the
distinctiveness
of this
body
the impact
in their
community
that was
so obvious
and so
visible
that that
phrase
that term
begins
in that
city
and then
a new
passion
for the
world
a new
passion
for the
world
we have
to turn
to chapter
13
for that
the first
several
verses
says this
now there
were in
the church
at Antioch
prophets
and teachers
Barnabas
Simon
who was
called
Niger
Lucius
of
Cyrene
Menean
a lifelong
friend of
Herod the
Tetrarch
and Saul
while they
were worshipping
the Lord
and fasting
the Holy
Spirit
said
set apart
for me
Barnabas
and Saul
for the
work
to which
I have
called
them
then
after
fasting
and praying
they laid
their hands
on them
and sent
them
off
one
commentator
puts it
this way
he says
the spirit
of Christ
is the
spirit
of mission
the spirit
of Christ
is the
spirit
of mission
and the
nearer we
get to him
the more
intensely
missionary
we become
I love
that phrase
the spirit
of Christ
is the
spirit
of missions
and the
nearer
we get
to him
the more
intensely
missionary
we become
oh how
true
that is
and oh
how true
it was
for this
church
this church
of Antioch
a group
of individuals
who had
committed
themselves
to worship
God
and to say
what do you
have for us
next
what is the
next step
for the church
of Antioch
Lord what would
you have us
do
you say it
will do
it
and five
names
are mentioned
and the only
reason why we
know two
really
is because
what God
does
as a result
of this
church's
faith filled
passion
for the world
in sending
these two
men out
now to be
the church
planters
for the world
now from a
human perspective
this was not
supposed to
happen in
Antioch
it was supposed
to happen
in Jerusalem
and Jerusalem
did play a
part
so don't
get me
wrong
but can
you imagine
this Gentile
church now
being the
platform
the ground
zero for
worldwide
missions
and if
my guess
if all of
us were to
trace our
spiritual
ancestry
back to a
place
it would
probably be
back to
the place
of Antioch
and the
spiritual
vision
and strategy
that the
Holy Spirit
placed on
the hearts
the burden
he placed
on the
hearts
of these
men
to do
something
great for
God
another step
in the
direction of
obedience
because of
the previous
obedience
and faithfulness
to live
according to
the word
now they
were ready
to do
something
even more
they had
been faithful
with the
little things
and now
they could
be faithful
with much
finally
the features
of a grace
filled ministry
the features
of a grace
filled ministry
as we have
worked through
this we have
seen these
things show up
already
I want to
just point them
out to you
and we'll just
kind of summarize
them together
first is we see
the power
of God
at work
the power
of God
at work
now notice
we see that
of course
in the beginning
verses
but especially
when Barnabas
shows up
he points
something out
about this
church
he says
in verse 23
when he came
and he saw
the grace
of God
he was glad
what is the
grace of God
of course
it's undeserved
favor
it's the
unmerited
blessing
of God
on our
lives
but what
does the
grace
of God
accomplish
what does
the grace
of God
accomplish
for you
and how
was it
visible
how did
Barnabas
come to
this church
and he
saw
the grace
of God
I mean
what is that
all about
how does
that take
place
well
something
very
similar
happens
in
Acts
chapter
4
in
verse 32
it says
the full
member
of those
who
believed
were of
one
heart
and soul
and no
one
said
that
anything
of the
things
that
belonged
to him
was his
own
but they
had
everything
in
common
and with
great
power
the
apostles
were giving
their
testimony
to the
resurrection
of the
Lord
Jesus
and great
grace
was upon
them all
Paul
in speaking
about the
grace of
God
he says
in
Ephesians
chapter 4
but to
each
one of
us
grace
was given
according
to the
measure
of
Christ's
gift
therefore
he says
when he
ascended
on high
he led
captivity
captive
he gave
gifts
to men
and he
himself
gave
some
to be
apostles
some
prophets
some
evangelists
and some
pastors
and teachers
a little
later on
in chapter
4
he says
let no
corrupt
word
proceed
out of
your
mouth
but what
is good
for
necessary
edification
that it
may
impart
grace
to
the
hearers
and
then
to
Timothy
he says
but by
the grace
of God
I am
what I
am
in his
grace
towards
me
did
not
prove
in
vain
but I
labored
even
more
than
all
of
them
yet
not
I
but the
grace
of God
within
me
what
in the
world
is the
grace
of God
and what
does
Barnabas
see
what he
sees
is the
evidence
of the
indwelling
power
of the
Holy
Spirit
showing up
in their
life
to
totally
transform
them
as a
people
they
were
not
the
same
God's
grace
was so
clear
and evident
it had
transformed
them
from the
people
that they
were
and the
fruit
of the
Spirit
was showing
up
and the
power
of God
was pouring
out of
their
life
the
gifts
in serving
one another
the courage
to proclaim
the gospel
to their
communities
it was
the
evident
power
of God's
grace
on their
life
that was
so visible
and Barnabas
saw it
and when he
saw it
he says
nothing else
really matters
at this
point
all I need
to do
is celebrate
this grace
that I
see
I'm going
to just
be encouraged
that however
much
dysfunction
I see
in this
church
I can
celebrate
that God
is here
and if
God is
here
he will
not only
continue
but he will
complete
the work
that he
started
I can
just take
some confidence
in that
he saw
the power
of God
we see
secondly
the presence
of godly
leaders
we see
that all
the way
through
the necessity
of sending
leaders
to Antioch
to help
encourage
and strengthen
their faith
we see
the practice
of discipleship
not only
as Barnabas
brings Paul
along
but now
as the two
of them
begin to work
with the people
there in
Antioch
to build
into their
lives
and to
equip
them
for ministry
and then
we see
the provision
for the saints
we looked
at this
a bit
already
but by
now
this truth
should be
inescapable
those who
truly
love
God
will
love
others
it so
dominates
a life
that is
so filled
with God
that it
pours out
in echoing
the heart
of God
for the
people
that are
around us
the love
that God
has given
to us
is a love
then that we
communicate
and dispense
to others
as