First Baptist Church
January 11, 2026
  • We've A Story To Tell To The Nations
  • Facing A Task Unfinished (We Go To All The World)
  • O Church Arise
  • Biblical Responsibilities of the Church to the Ones We Send
    Intro: In days like these, when we give honor to sending off or sending out people amongst us, we might be tempted to belief that this is the end of our story together. When Josh spoke last week about things that he is going to really miss about being our pastor, we ached with him those very things that caused the joys of having him with us. As he shared and we reminisced, it can sound and feel as if we are parting ways. That the things we once had are gone, and that the relationship in most of its major ways ends. But what I want us to see from the pages of scripture, is that when we send off or send out one from amongst us, it’s not the close of a book on that relationship, rather it is the turning of the page into the next chapter or perhaps, better put, sent into the next volume of what that relationship will look like. What might that chapter describe and what might that next chapter or volume be called… I think we could from the understanding of scripture give that chapter or volume the title… the Relationship Continues… with the subtitle the Biblical Responsibilities of the Church to the Ones We send.
    When they were with us and among us, serving and serving beside us, we had responsibilities to them. But as they are sent out from us, we still have much responsibilities to them as the relationship grows not diminishes.
    With our small time together, I want today as a church to be encouraged by and convicted by the model of relationships that Paul had with his commissioning church and with other churches that would come to be his supporting churches. What did their relationship look like towards Paul and how can we replicate that with the ones we are sending out today- the Putnams.
    I. Antioch Church
    Quick background, on the Antioch church of Syria...
    The church began when intense persecution broke out in Jerusalem from the death of Stephen that prompted some Jewish believers to flee to Syrian Antioch (Acts 11:19). When church leaders of Jerusalem heard of the considerable number of Gentile conversions taking place in Antioch, they sent Barnabas there to minister to the growing congregation (Acts 11:22–25). The work was so great that Barnabas sought out the Paul who was in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch, where together they pastored the mixed assembly of Jewish and Gentile believers for a whole year.
    God worked immensely through the growing church at Antioch and through the renewing of the hearts there, intensified the church’s love for the Gospel and desire to see all men know God. The church of Antioch would then become the launching pad for the first major foreign missions work as we read in Acts 13:2-3
    Acts 13:2–3 ESV
    While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
    But what became of Paul’s relationship to the church in Antioch. A quick flyover the book of Acts reveals some of the ways that the relationship with Paul and the church in Antioch continued.
    Let’s read a few verses
    Acts 14:26–28 ESV
    and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. And they remained no little time with the disciples.
    Acts 15:36 ESV
    And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.”
    Acts 15:40–41 ESV
    but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
    Commended= entrust (by extension- affirming the mission and the missionaries) (representatives of that church)
    Acts 18:21–23 ESV
    But on taking leave of them he said, “I will return to you if God wills,” and he set sail from Ephesus. When he had landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church, and then went down to Antioch. After spending some time there, he departed and went from one place to the next through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
    This he also did in the church of Jerusalem. A church that Paul had much connections with.
    Acts 21:17–20 ESV
    When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. And when they heard it, they glorified God....
    Antioch served as Paul's base; each time he was sent out, he would return there to report to the church and be relaunched for the next one, demonstrating a continuous cycle of sending and receiving.
    Continuous cycle of being commended or affirmed by the church, to proclaim the good news, come back and encourage the believers, giving detailed descriptions of what God has done, the church celebrating and spending much time with them, including hearing them share the word of God, then the church re-commending them again to be sent out. You cannot commend a ministry if your don’t understand the ministry or actively take part in praying for the ministry, for we are entrusting others to represent what our church believes.
    This relationship was foundational for Paul's ministry, transforming Antioch into a vibrant, diverse, and missionary-focused church that sent missionaries into the wider world.
    So you very much see how representation and reporting played a huge role in how the relationship continued. But there is more we glean from the passages of scripture on Paul’s relationship to the church in Antioch.
    Some time later while in Antioch, problems arised! There were men in the assembly causing issue with people not being circumsized. This garnered alot of attention to where Paul and Barnabas were appointed to go to Jerusalem to discuss the matter. Acts 15 describes much of what took place during that meeting. That meeting and the contents of that meeting lasted much time. For Paul would return to Antioch and be sent on his second missionary journey before everything related to the matter was worked out. We read in Acts 16...
    Acts 16:1–4 ESV
    Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium. Paul wanted Timothy to accompany him, and he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in those places, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. As they went on their way through the cities, they delivered to them for observance the decisions that had been reached by the apostles and elders who were in Jerusalem.
    Mutual investment in doctrinal integrity and practical philosophy of ministry in how it affected Christians. Paul and the Jerusalem church worked side by side even though miles apart to see that the Gospel was being defended, preserved, and upheld. In fact, you can clearly see how important it was to the Jerusalem church that Paul knew exactly what was going on in the Jerusalem church and how the matter of uncircumsized Gentile christians was being handled. Even though Paul wasn’t a “pastor” or leader at Antioch, he still very much wanted to make sure things were progressing well there as the church in Jerusalem weighed in on this matter.
    And so on top of representing and reporting, Paul’s relationship also should the importance of guarding and guiding the church that he was sent from which can only be done if there is ongoing knowledge of what is taking place in that church and being connected to each other.
    II. Philippian Church
    In the early days, you would see the church in Antioch and to some extent Jerusalem be Paul’s main supporters but through the years another church amongst the gentile nations would come to be Paul’s greatest supporter, giving us much personal example on how we as churches today should come together with our missionaries. This church is the church at Philippi.
    In Paul’s letter, he expressed what this relationship truly was… a partnership.
    Philippians 1:5 ESV
    because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now.
    A little background.
    During his second missionary journey (early 50s) Paul received a vision from God to extend his work into the providence of Macedonia in Europe (Acts 16). At Philippi, the chief city of that region, Paul established the first church.  As time passed, local opposition arose and it became expedient for them to move on to other cities. Paul kept in contact with the church at Philippi, and the church kept in touch with Paul, even financially supporting his work at Thessalonica (Phil. 4:16). Paul would once again visit this area during his third Missionary Journey (Acts 20:1-3; 2 Corinthians 2:13) at which time the Macedonian churches gave generously to assist the poor in Jerusalem (Romans 15:26; 2 Corinthians 8-9).  Paul personally took these offerings to Jerusalem (Acts 21). While there, Paul encountered opposition from the Jews, which led to his imprisonment at Caesarea for about two years. At this point, Paul appealed to Caesar (Acts 25:11-12) and was sent to Rome. The Philippian Church, learning of Paul’s imprisonment, sent Epaphroditus to Rome with a gift to provide for Paul’s needs (Philippians 4:10-20).
    So how did this church partner with Paul. How did this church continue it’s relationship in sharing the burdens & joys of ministry with Paul?
    Financial Partner
    Philippians 4:15–18 ESV
    And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
    We quote this verse often. (v.19) “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus”.
    Convicting point- what avenue does God use to meet those needs. In this case as with in many cases in scripture, the partnering church.
    -In the last chapter of Philippians, Paul highlights the uniqueness of this partnership, “that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone” (Phil. 4:15)
    Thus, in a very real sense, Philippians is Paul’s “thank you letter” to his one-and-only supporting church.
    Emotional Partner
    Philippians 2:25- Sending Epaphroditus
    Philippians 2:25 ESV
    I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need,
    -gave all to serve the missionary Paul, sick to point of death
    -assume he was away from his church family many months
    -he was a dear brother and faithful servant, probably well regarded and needed in the church at Philippi, some commentators believe strongly that he was their pastor or one of their pastors
    Spiritual Partner
    Reciprocated (Paul to Church at Philippi)
    -Letter of Philippians (solved interpersonal conflicts & living with joy and contentment amidst trial and suffering)
    -Sending or desiring to send Timothy to them (Philippians 2:19)
    Extended Ministries Partner
    Romans 15:26, 2 Corinthians 8:1 - donate to the church in Jerusalem as they underwent strenuous times (famine in the land)
    2 Corinthians 8:1 ESV
    We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,
    How to do we get to the point where we can partner with our missionaries and the ones we send out like those in the New Testament church.
    1 Corinthians 8 clues us in well.
    A church that partners with it’s missionaries and with the ones it sends out proves what kind of church they are and what God they serve.
    1 Corinthians 8:1-5 (read with passion and pause)
    1 Corinthians 8:1–5 ESV
    Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—
    Those that love God and are eager for His glory and His work to be done are those who lavishly give to the people that we send and support to do God’s will in all the nations. Those that only give to boost our own church or who don’t give at all prove also what god (Iower case g) they serve.
    Simply put… generous giving follows personal dedication.
    Prayer for Josh Putnam
    O Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of your servant, and to the prayer of your servants who delight to fear your name, and give success to your servant today, and grant him mercy[.]
    Nehemiah 1:11
    Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ[.]
    Colossians 4:2-3 ESV
    Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. And we have confidence in the Lord about you, that you are doing and will do the things that we command. May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.
    2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 ESV
    Why a send out service-
    model biblically for us in scripture
    fulfills the great commission
    firstfruits of more to come

      • Acts 13:2–3ESV

      • Acts 14:26–28ESV

      • Acts 15:36ESV

      • Acts 15:40–41ESV

      • Acts 18:21–23ESV

      • Acts 21:17–20ESV

      • Acts 16:1–4ESV

      • Philippians 1:5ESV

      • Philippians 4:15–18ESV

      • Philippians 2:25ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 8:1ESV

      • 2 Corinthians 8:1–5ESV

    • All Glory Be To Christ
    First Baptist Church
    howardcitybaptist@gmail.com
    2319374809
    https://fbcohc-howard-city.faithlifesites.com
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