New Life Baptist Church
April 19 - 1st Missionary Journey
- He Has Made Me Glad
- Victory In Jesus
Acts 13:1–12 NASB95 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to 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, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him, and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.Led by the SpiritBefore we dive into Acts 13, let’s look back at the last part of Acts 11Acts 11:19–30 NASB95 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord. The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Then when he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord; for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius. And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea. And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.When the gospel began to spread, it spread north of Jerusalem to Syria (Antioch)v13 Large Numbers were savedBarnabus was sent to minister thereGood man, Full of Spirit and FaithFound Saul and brought him to AntiochBarnabus and Saul taught htem for one yearLearned of a famine, organized an offering (By the Spirit)Acts 13:1–3 NASB95 Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were ministering to 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, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.We see at the Church of Antioch that God had begun building and filling his church with people that would now help grow His church. We had prophets and teachers. Who were responsible for leading and teaching the Way, Truth, and Life.And now we would have missionaries, who would be responsible for evangelizing the world!One of the most important things about Doing God’s Work is doing it God’s WayActs 13:2 NASB95 While they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”While they were ministering to the LordThe word minister literally means “To do a Serivce”While they were serving the Lord, Doing the Work of the Lord...The Spirit spoke.I think now would be a good time to look at John 16 and see what the role of the Holy Spirit is in the believers life.John 16:7–11 NASB95 “But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged.John 16:13 NASB95 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.Notice in v13...He will speakNotice in v9...He will convictA pattern I have noticed in my own life. When I am working for Jesus, while I am serving, The Spirit Converses. He directs my steps, He shows me the way.When I am not serving, when I am not doing like I am supposed to do...The Spirit convicts.These missionaries were hand picked by the SpiritNow notice the actions of the church...Acts 13:3 NASB95 Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.This is basically a commissioning.They fasted. To fully keep your mind on God.They prayed. To fully hear and understand the Will of God.They laid hands on them. To demonstrate to them they they acknowledge the call, affirm the call and will aid the call.We understand that this is God calling you. We agree with God to Send you out. We will pray with you and for you as you go.And that is exactly what churches should do. We should send out God called missionaries. We should support God called missionaires.So every facet of the call was LED BY THE SPIRIT.They were alsoSent by the SpiritActs 13:4–8 NASB95 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. When they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a magician, a Jewish false prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for so his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.Not only did the Spirit Lead the Church, He Sent the Missionaries.This is a Spirit led, Spirit sent operation.In God’s providence, the Spirit sent the missionaries exactly where he needed them to go.Let’s look at a Map of the JourneyJourney MapThe False Prophet of PaphosWhat do we know about Elymas (Eli-mas)MagicianJewishFalse ProphetOpposed Christ, oppsed the gospel.Here’s a truth you need to know...When you are being Spirit Led,And when you are being Spirit Sent...Someone WILL Oppose you.Remember, Jesus told His disciplesJohn 15:18 NASB95 “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.John 15:20 NASB95 “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.We will have opposition to the gospel because the world HATES the gospel. The world HATES Jesus. The world HATES you for loving Jesus.Expect opposition, but remember the Spirit leads, and the Spirit sends.Let’s take a look at this last part.The Spirit Led,The Spirit Sent,The Spirit Fills.Acts 13:9 NASB95 But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze on him,Paul (Saul) was filled with the Holy Spirit.Notice here...three ascepts of Mission work that the Spirit is involved in.The choosing of the Missionaries, The Sending of the Missionaries, and The Filling of the Missionaries.The Spirits work in evangelism and Mission work is not only important...it is essential, it is fundamental. It is imperative. It is indispensible. It is non-negotiable.The Spirit Calls the Spirit filled.Acts 9:17 NASB95 So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”Acts 11:24 NASB95 (Barnabus) for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord.The Spirit Leads the Spirit Filled.And the Spirit Uses the Spirit FIlled.Acts 13:10 NASB95 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?When you evangelize...you better be filled with the Spirit.Because you will meet people that will oppose you.You will meet people that will try to usurp you.You will meet people that will try to destroy you.And you need the Spirit for Guidance, Discernment, Protection, and for the words you will speak.Let’s go back and set the scene here again.Acts 13:7 NASB95 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.Sergius Paulus asked to hear the gospel from the DisicplesElymas interuptted and opposed.And here was Pauls response:“You are full of deceit and fraud.You are a son of the devilYou are an enemy of all righteousnesswill you not cease to make crooked the striaght ways of the Lord?”They were invited to speak and the enemy interupted. The false prophet intervened.Let me ask you a question...When did stop calling out false prophets? Why did we stop calling out false prophets?When did we stop opposing the opposition? Why did we stop opposing the oppostion?If the Spirit is IN...It is ok to speak OUT!If someone preachs ANOTHER GOSPEL...Speak UpIf someone preachs ANOTHER JESUS...Speak UpIf someone interpruts you while you are presenting the Gospel...Shut them down.Tell them they are wrong.Tell them they are decietfulTell them they are fraudsTell them they are a son of the devilTell them they are an enemy to righteousnessTell them they are perverting the gospels and that there will be judgment for that.Look at the boldness of Peter. On several occassions...he preachs boldly. To the very ones who crucified JesusLook at the boldness of Paul. He evangelizes boldly. He stands up against the oppostion.Look how Paul shut down Elymas...Acts 13:11 NASB95 “Now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time.” And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand.Paul pronounced a judgment on this man. That was absolutley spirit led. You know how I know that...it immediately happened.I’m not saying we need to go out and start pronouncing judgments of blindness on people...but we can speak the name of Jesus.There is power in the name of Jesus.And we may not want to pronounce judgments of blindness...but we can rebuke people.“I rebuke you in the name of Jesus”And when it was all said and done...Acts 13:12 NASB95 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord.The proconsul believed.You will see more and more of this through out the book of ActsAnd you will see more and more opposition to the missionaries throughout the book of Acts.This is just one leg of the 1st missionary journey and look at the excitement we uncovered. Over the next 2 weeks we will finish up this journey in Chatpers 13-14.But the big take away today is that this is Spirit led, Spirit sent, Spirit filled endeavor.The Holy Spirit of God is all over missionary work.So when we aim to do mission work, we better be in touch, in tune and in sync with the Spirit of God.Acts 13:1–12NASB95
Acts 11:19–30NASB95
Acts 13:1–3NASB95
Acts 13:2NASB95
John 16:7–11NASB95
John 16:13NASB95
Acts 13:3NASB95
Acts 13:4–8NASB95
John 15:18NASB95
John 15:20NASB95
Acts 13:9NASB95
Acts 9:17NASB95
Acts 11:24NASB95
Acts 13:10NASB95
Acts 13:7NASB95
Acts 13:11NASB95
Acts 13:12NASB95
