“FROM A DRIVEN CHURCH TO A SENDING CHURCH”
Acts 11: 19-30
I. INTRODUCTION:
A. Always beginning with purpose: (Acts 1:8)
B. The “first” church driven to implement the second stage:
(Acts 8:1)
C. Relocating the church to accomplish the third stage:
1. Peter, the zealous leader:
2. Paul, the zealous scholar:
II. THE GENTILE CHURCH THAT BECOMES THE HOME
SENDING CHURCH: vv. 19-30
A. Meet the potential congregants: v. 19
B. Selecting the new church site: v. 20
“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound”. (Rom. 5:20-21)
C. Building the Gentile church: vv. 20-21
1. Through people already moving:
2. Through people who emphasized the message over the
messenger:
- Through people who understood the theme of the
Gospel, Jesus Christ:
D. What the “locals” thought: v. 26 - People getting saved:
- Unity around purpose:
- Positive impact on community:
E. Doubts designed to sabotage: v. 22
1. Meet Barnabas: v. 24
2. What Barnabas does: v. 23
3. What Barnabas taught: v. 23
F. The personnel who make up the team: vv. 25-26
1. Where Barnabas went:
2. Why they were the perfect fit:
a. The encourager: (Acts 4:36)
b. The teacher:
G. Evaluating results in light of purpose: vv. 27-30
- “Listening”: vv. 27-28
- “Applying”: vv. 29-30
III. PRINCIPLES TO PERSONALLY APPLY:
(Together becoming “people of the Word” in principle AND in practice)
A. Settling for the status quo, is the beginning of a
church’s demise. (Rev. 2:5)
B. Making Christ’s purpose our first priority, opens specific
doors both locally and globally. (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 10:10b)
C. Movement toward Christ usually takes place in direct
proportion to personal adversity. (Rom. 8:28-29; Jude 24)
Sinners Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I was made by you and I was made for you, but
I have been living for myself. I am sorry for that self-rule you call sin.
I believe that Jesus Christ being my creator God, died, was buried,
and rose again to pay the insurmountable debt that my sin has
created. So right now, I am turning from a life of going my own way,
to by faith, place my trust in Jesus Christ, to pay the debt of all my
sin, and to get me to heaven, when I breath my last breath. Lord
Jesus, from today on, I am yours. Thanks for saving me, this very
moment, in Jesus name, Amen.
If you just made this life changing decision, we would love to draw
along side and help you grow now in Christ. Call Grace Evangelical
Free Church at (509) 684-5936. If get an answering service, we will
promptly get back with you as soon as possible. You can also
connect with us on Facebook. Once again, share this worship
service now with all your loved ones on Facebook to give the good
news of the gospel to those who might have hesitated to visit this
local church or with those who live miles away.