Acts 13: The Gospel goes to the world!
Acts 11:19a
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution…
The gospel and the church kept adapting and growing!
Acts 13:1
1 Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas (Cyprus), Simeon called Niger (Black), Lucius of Cyrene (Northern Africa), Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul (Jew from Tarsus).
Acts 13:2
2 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.”
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
Psalm 76:10
Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;
Unstoppable Church
Acts 13:2 – Worshipping and Fasting
-Seeking always proceeds strategy – Our plans without seeking him is pragmatism (vs 2,4, 9,52)
-Holy Spirit is the Power! God is unstoppable/undefeated because He sent His Spirit
Acts 13:1
Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
-The gospel is the one thing that unifies and reconciles! Brings together people who have nothing else in common!
Familiar (Barnabus – Cyprus)
Most of you aren’t going to be called to Africa. God has already placed you somewhere to be on mission for with the gospel!
In Community /Teams
Christian life isn’t meant to be lived alone!
Acts 13:5
When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. And they had John to assist them.
Persevering Church
Acts 13:13
Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. And John left them and returned to Jerusalem, (John Mark, big deal)
–Goes Where The People Are
–Shares The Message (Paul’s first sermon)
Two Things:
-Jesus was prophesied, God became man, lived perfect life, we killed him, He rose again!
Acts 13:16
So Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand said: “Men of Israel and you who fear God, listen.
Acts 13:28-29
And though they found in him no guilt worthy of death, they asked Pilate to have him executed. 29 And when they had carried out all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb.
Acts 13:30
But God raised him from the dead…
If God can raise Jesus from the dead, he can reach into your life, your pain, your hopelessness – He’s undefeatable and unstoppable – exactly who you want reaching into your situation!
Acts 13:38-39a
Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed
Too proud to receive God’s grace – to receive God’s grace you have to admit you need it.
Some of us like being stuck – we are so used to it… God has something more…
Everyone who believes is freed!
Pastor Matt Surber reviews what we have learned about the Church from the Book of Acts so far.
Read More /Pastor Matt Surber studies Acts 20 and unpacks the three foundational values that make up an amazing Church: Love Jesus Christ, Love Truth, and Love Eachother.
Read More /Pastor Matt Surber looks at Acts 17 as he unpacks how we, as witnesses, can effectively contextualize the gospel to those around us.
Read More /