Scripture: Acts 11:19-26

C.I.: “It’s God Calling”

Today we are going to begin a new series of lessons. - During August we will learning “Lessons from the….”
The first lesson we all need to learn – is how to answer the call of God to His work!

I. The People Called by God (Acts 13:1-3)

A. Introduction to Acts & the church at Antioch

1. The Book of Acts is not about the acts of the apostles, but of God’s actions through them!
a. The outline of the book of Acts is found in chapter 1:8
1) “…you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria…”
2) Chapter 1-7 deal with the growth of the church in Jerusalem – (6:7), “And the word of God kept spreading; and the number of disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem….”
3) Chapter 8-12 deals with the growth of the church in Judea & Samaria – (8:1, 4), “A great persecution arose against the church in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea & Samaria … Those who had been scattered went about preaching…”
4) Chapters 13-28 deal with the growth of the church in the rest of the world, (Mk. 16:15).

b. The church at Antioch was uniquely designed - to be used by God to reach the world (Reading)
1) It had no prejudice – (11:20), “But there were some of them, men of Cyprus & Cyrene, who
came to Antioch and began speaking to the Gentiles also, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.”
2) It was an evangelistic church – (11:21), “And a large number who believed turned to the L.”
3) It was a joy-filled/encouraging/faithful church – (11:23), “…Barnabas rejoiced and encouraged them all with a resolute heart to remain true to the Lord.”
4) It was known as a “Christ”-like church – (11:26), “…and the disciples were 1st called Xns…”

B. The People whom God Calls (vs. 1-3)

1. The variety of people used by God - determines the variety of people we can reach for God, (v. 1).
a. First, notice who these people are…
1) “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.”
2) Barnabas: a wealthy Cyprian, named “Son of Encouragement” by the apostles.
3) Simeon called Niger: Niger = Black. possibly Simon of Cyrene (Cyrene is in N. Africa).
4) Lucius of Cyrene: probably one of the poor persecuted (11:19), thus a founder of this group.
5) Manaen: Upper class, a foster brother of Herod Antipas (tried Jesus & murdered John the B.)
6) Saul: One of the religionists of society. Named last (least), yet became the greatest by Jesus!

b. God couldn’t use the Jerusalem church to reach the world – too traditionally Jewish (only Jews).
1) Nor could He use the Samaritans – they were too prejudiced against the Jews (not Jews).
2) This diverse group covered the entire economic, political and religious spectrum.
3) God can use us – to reach people like us! – Who are you reaching out to each day???!

c. Second, notice what these people are doing, “…prophets and teachers,” (v. 1)
1) These two offices – are what are needed for growing churches – (quote Matt. 28:19 a, b.).
1) Its always been true that God calls people - who are already doing something…
a. When God wanted someone to lead His people – shepherds (Moses, David)
b. When God wanted someone to reach His people – fishermen (Peter Andrew, Mt. 4:19
2) So when we wonder – “Can God use Me?” – Perhaps we should first ask ourselves, “Am I being useful for God NOW?!” – inviting, teaching, visiting, serving, etc.

2. “And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting…,” (v. 2).
a. “Ministering” = Serving. – Those who serve recognize it is “to the Lord”
1) (Matt. 25:40), “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to 1 of these brothers…
2) (Eph. 6:7), “With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men.”
3) So who do you work for? – Use examples from congregation (“men or God”).
4) God is not only concerned about – what we do – He is also concerned about why we do it!

b. “Fasting” = “Putting off the physical for the sake of the spiritual”
1) (Psa. 35:13), “I humbled my soul with fasting.”
2) God knows we need food (we know it too) – so when we voluntarily choose to fast –
it demonstrates a sincerity of purpose & a greater dependence upon God. – For fasting
focus out attention on a higher goal than merely meeting our physical needs!
3) If we fasted for a meal, a day, several days, - would it demonstrate a serious sincerity?
3) They had a passion for God. – They had no idea what was coming – but they knew very well what was happening. – They had a passion for God – and He had a passion for them!!!

c. “…the H.S. said, ‘Set apart for Me Barnabas & Saul for a work to which I have called them.”
1) Notice, these men were not called by; the church, the leadership, or each other.
2) God’s called to mankind – is always a call to greatness…
a. Salvation: (II Thess. 2:14), “It was for this that He called you through our….”
b. Imitation: (I Pt. 2:21), “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ….”
c. Proclamation: (I Pt. 2:9), “…that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who….”
3) Indeed, the very word “church” (ekklesia) = “The ones called forth.”
4) When God places a “call” – we had better pick it up & answer. – For if God’s people today are unwilling to answer the call from Him – we will one day answer to Him.

2. The serious nature of the Lord’s call – is shown by the serious response given by the church.
a. “Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”
1) “Fasted” – they demonstrated a serious sincerity to the work of God re: Barnabas & Saul.
2) “Prayed” – they banged on the gates of heaven & requested that God bless these two.
3) “Laid hands on” = Several reasons – here to commission them for the work – (I Tim. 5:22), “Do not lay hands on anyone too hastily – and thus share respons. for the sins of others.”

b. Brethren, I believe God has called each of us - to a greater purpose than we are now achieving.
1) For some of us – I believe it is time to throw off the mediocrity of “playing church” – and to
begin living the adventure by truly being “those called out by God to greatness!”
2) For others of us – it is time to rekindle the our fire for God – that we have allowed to go out.
3) For others – it is time to stop hesitating between living for the world – and living for God!!!

God has called His church to GREATNESS – we must never be satisfied with anything less!
Earlier we saw how God calls to people today (II Thess. 2:14) – is it time for you to answer (Mk. 16:15-16)?!