Title [Acts 13:1-3]
The text contains the record of the church in Antioch. With the martyrdom of Deacon Stephen and when the church was severely persecuted, one of the scattered believers preached the gospel in this large city with more than 500,000 people at the time. This church was able to grow into a church-like church under the guidance of Barnabas dispatched from the Jerusalem church. . There are many churches today, but it is heartbreaking that there are not many church-like churches. Let's do our best to make our church a church like the church while examining the church in Antioch, which is an exemplary church approved by the Lord.
1. It was a church centered on Jesus Christ (Acts 11:26).
It was in Antioch that believers began to call themselves Christians. It was the first time that people outside the church used the names of the Antioch church members. To that extent, the members of the Antioch Church lived a life centered on Jesus Christ. Today's churches are often people-centered. But such churches are not ecclesiastical churches. It is important to make a church where only the name of the Lord is known rather than the name of a person. The recent conflict in large churches as the first-generation clergy retires and the next clergy take over is also evidence that the Korean church has not been a church-like church. A clergyman is only a spiritual leader. The head of the church is Christ, and the ministers only need to faithfully play the role of guiding the saints to Christ. But Christ became the bridesmaid and man became the head and center, so when they retire, the church will inevitably shake. Our church should never be that kind of church. Please remember that it is the mission of the ministry to honor Christ through the minister.
2. It was a church that shared with each other (Acts 11:29-30).
Although the church itself shared with each other, it was a church that did not turn away from the difficulties of other churches. The Antioch church received spiritual grace through the Jerusalem church. However, the Jerusalem church was experiencing financial difficulties. At this time, the members of the church in Antioch supported the members of the church in Jerusalem according to their might (Acts 11:29). This kind of church is a church like a church. We should know that modern urban churches owe a lot to rural churches. Many members of the church live in the countryside and then move to the city to serve the city church. Rural churches are playing the role of a spiritual bedrock. If so, it would be right to know the difficult conditions of those rural churches and play a role in materially distributing them. But the reality is that we cannot do that. They are struggling to fill their stomachs and expand their facilities. I don't think the Lord will ever be pleased. Our church is making efforts to provide financial support for rural churches in its own way, but it always feels insufficient. I hope that the saints will be more interested and cooperate.
3. It was a church devoted to missions (Acts 13:1-3).
ⓛ I followed the instructions of the Holy Spirit. We followed the instructions of the Holy Spirit, saying, “Set aside Barnabas and Saul for the work I have called them to do.” Mission is the command of the Triune God. We must not turn away from or reject the inspiration and influence of the Holy Spirit, who makes us focus on missions and puts it into practice. When we obey, the Holy Spirit works great things.
② Powerful servants were sent as missionaries. Barnabas and Saul were more like pillars of the Antioch church than anyone else. God uses talented people.
③ He fasted, prayed, and placed his hands on his hands and sent them out. The Antioch church continued to pray for the missionaries as well as when sending them out. You cannot become a missionary without the support of prayer. Prayer is the only way to attract God's hand (Acts 11:21). Please pray for the missionaries with the same missionary mission.
④ The material support was good. Without material, we cannot expect missionary work. Missionaries must receive their daily bread through the church. If you avoid this, the church will not be able to fulfill its mission. Our church receives an average of 14 million won per month for missionary support. About 40% of them are sent to rural churches. No matter how difficult our lives, we cannot reduce or stop this work. Rather, it should be increased a little. I ask that you become a whole church that fulfills God's will by participating in missions without any exception. A church like a church, this is the goal of our church.