Grace is Greater

• 1^st – Spreading the message… vs. 19-21
  • 1^st – Only Jews… vs. 19
    • Trials…
      • Now those who were scattered after the persecution that arose over Stephen.
      • Traveled as far as Phoenicia – Cyprus – and Antioch!
      • With the conclusion of the story of Peter and Cornelius – Acts 9:32 – Acts 11:18
      • We pick back up where we left off – with the TRIALS [θλῖψις] of the church…
      • The PERSECUTION [θλῖψις] that came after the death of STEPHEN…
      • That SCATTERED [διασπείρω] the believers – like a farmer throwing seeds…
      • The same PERSECUTION that had spread the GOSPEL into Judah and Samara – Acts 8:1
      • Had now sent it into Phoenicia [Lebanon] – Cyprus [Island] – and Antioch [Southern Turkey]
      • We tend to think of TRIALS [θλῖψις] as being a BAD thing…
      • But sometimes they are the ONLY thing that will get us MOVING…
      • When life is COMFORTABLE – we tend to get COMPLACENT…
      • Therefore God will shake thing up – to get us to STEP out in faith again!
      • John 16:33 – “In the world you will have tribulation [θλῖψις] – but be of good cheer I have overcome the world.”
    • Preaching…
      • Preaching the word to no one but the Jews only!
      • There was a catch – the believers were NOT talking [λαλέω] to everyone…
      • They were still STUCK in the mindset only JEWS could be saved…
      • But JEWS only made up a small MINORITY in these cities…
      • So the vast MAJORITY of the people [gentiles] – were NOT being given the GOSPEL!
      • There are around TWELVE million people living in the LA area…
      • But the total number of FILIPINOS is around FIVE hundred thousand…
      • If we were ONLY to share the Gospel with FILIPINOS – we would miss 95% of the people!
      • If we are only willing to reach out to a LIMITED group…
      • We are handcuffing the work of God – holding back the reach of the GOSPEL!
        
• 2^nd – Grace is greater… vs. 22-26
  • 1^st – Choosing Grace… vs. 22-23
    • The news… vs. 22
      • Then news of these things came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem!
      • The church in Jerusalem heard [passive] the NEWS [λόγος] of GREEKS getting saved…
      • It was NOT intentional [passive] – NO one came to TELL them…
      • It was just BIG news – and so the REPORT made its way back to them!
    • The Levite… vs. 22
      • And they sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch!
      • The LEADERSHIP was still uncertain about GENTILES receiving the Gospel…
      • They wanted to send someone to check up on the work that was taking place…
      • When SAMARIA received the Gospel – the church sent out PETER and John – Acts 8:14
      • Possibly after Cornelius – their confidence in Peter was shaken…
      • So instead they sent BARNABAS – perhaps because he was a LEVITE – Acts 4:36
      • Thinking he would make sure the GENTILE believers kept all their RULES!
      • Churches tend to focus on rules – telling people what to do…
      • Do NOT drink – do NOT smoke – do NOT have gamble…
      • And these RULES seems to make a LOT of sense…
      • But they miss the point – we are NOT good at following RULES!
      • Colossians 2:23 – “Rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion… self-denial and severe… discipline. But they provide no help in conquering [our] evil desires.” [NLT]
      • The problem is RULES can only control our actions – NOT change our heart…
      • We can be told all day – every day – NOT to do something…
      • But if we WANT to – then we are going to find a WAY to…
      • What we need is something that can change what we WANT!
      • Romans 7:24 – “Miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life… dominated by sin.” [NLT]
    • Seeing Grace… vs. 23
      • When he came and had seen the grace of God – he was glad!
      • Whatever the agenda the church in Jerusalem sent BARNABAS with…
      • When he arrived – what he SAW [ὁράω] seems to have changed his PLAN…
      • He was filled with JOY – because of the GRACE [χάρις] of God…
      • GRACE [χάρις] for salvation [Jesus] – and GRACE for power [Holy Spirit]
      • He did NOT see people who were working HARD to be GOOD…
      • He saw a GOOD God – who was working hard to save SINNERS!
      • When an abusive alcoholic father – becomes a sober man who LOVES his family…
      • When a young woman who sells her body – becomes a faithful wife…
      • When a rebellious youth – becomes a diligent student and worker…
      • The world looks and is confused – not understanding how that is possible…
      • But what we SEE is GRACE – and SMILE – knowing God has changed their HEART!
      • By GRACE through faith in Jesus – we become Gods masterpiece – Ephesians 2:10
      • He CHANGES our desires – our hearts – makes us new – II Corinthians 5:17
      • Gives us the power of His Spirit to live a TRANSFORMED life!
  • 2^nd – Continuing in Grace… vs. 23-24
    • Encouragement… vs. 23
      • [He] encouraged them all that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord!
      • Because BARNABAS had SEEN the GRACE of God at work….
      • He came [imperfect] alongside [παρακαλέω] ALL [πᾶς] of the new believers…
      • He did NOT care if they were JEWS or GENTILES…
      • Wanting them ALL to have [infinitive] a SOLID foundation [πρόθεσις] for their hearts…
      • What he had SEEN convinced him – that foundation was NOT in RULES…
      • Rather – they needed to continue ABIDING [προσμένω] in the GRACE of the Lord!
      • You never see the branch of a MANGO tree struggling to make a MANGO…
      • There is NO effort – the fruit is a RESULT of the branch being connected to the tree…
      • But the moment the branch is broken off – it withers and dies!
      • John 15:5 – “He who abides [μένω] in Me – and I in him – bears much fruit.”
      • In the same way – when we ABIDE to Jesus – we will have good FRUIT…
      • We do NOT have to work at it – it is the RESULT of our relationship with Him…
      • As long as we are CONNECTED to Jesus – FRUIT happens!
    • Good Man… vs. 24
      • For he was a good man – full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. 
      • BARNABAS was the right man to ENCOURAGE [παρακαλέω] these new believers…
      • Because he was [imperfect] a GOOD [ἀγαθός] man…
      • There are TWO words in the GREEK translated as GOOD…
      • GOOD [ἀγαθός] – speaks of INTERNAL goodness that comes from God…
      • GOOD [καλός] – speaks of EXTERNAL goodness that is the result of what is INSIDE…
      • BARNABAS was GOOD [ἀγαθός] not because he followed RULES…
      • But because he was FULL of the HOLY Spirit…
      • He was given the SPIRIT by GRACE [gift] – through FAITH [πίστις] – Luke 11:13
      • We need to be careful the EXAMPLE we chose – who we are influenced by… 
      • Because we all follow SOMEONE – they either lead us towards or away from God…
      • Therefore – we should follow GOOD [ἀγαθός] men who point us to GRACE…
      • Knowing that their EXAMPLE will lead us to Jesus!
      • I Corinthians 11:1 – “Imitate me – just as I also imitate Christ.”
    • Church Growth… vs. 24
      • And a great many people were added to the Lord!
      • AND [καὶ] – the RESULT of encouraging people to ABIDE in Jesus…
      • As well as giving them a GOOD [ἀγαθός] example of someone FULL of the SPIRIT…
      • Was a HEALTHY church – were a LOT of people were being ADDED to the Lord!
      • If we see a CHURCH that is GROWING – not just in numbers – also in maturity…
      • It is because of TWO things – first- they are teaching the GRACE of God…
      • Second – there is a good EXAMPLE pointing them back to Jesus!
  • 3^rd – Power of Grace… vs. 25-26
    • Called… vs. 25
      • Then Barnabas departed for Tarsus to seek Saul!
      • In the middle of this REVIVAL – Barnabas left…
      • He departed [aorist] for TARSUS – to go and LOOK for SAUL…
      • Because God had CALLED Saul to the GENTILES…
      • Barnabas knew that Saul was the perfect choice – to begin a Gentile church!
      • Acts 22:21 – “Depart for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.”
      • If we think God has given someone a particular gift – ENCOURAGE them to use it…
      • If God has given them a desire to worship – give them a guitar…
      • If God has given them a desire to teach – then give them a Bible…
      • Do not neglect the gift God has given – STIR them up to use it to bless the Lord!
      • I Peter 4:10 – “As each one has received a gift minister it to one another – as good stewards of the manifold [diverse] grace of God.”
    • New work… vs. 26
      • When he had found him – he brought him to Antioch.
      • So it was for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people!
      • BARNABAS brought SAUL back to ANTIOCH…
      • And they were there for a YEAR teaching [διδάσκω] a LOT of people!
      • When God poured out His spirit on the church in Jerusalem – Acts 2:4
      • The Gospel rocked out from there to Judea and Samaria…
      • But the church in Jerusalem HESITATED when it came to sharing with GENTILES…
      • Therefore – when Antioch began preaching to EVERYONE…
      • The HAND of Lord shifted from Jerusalem to Antioch!
    • Christians… vs. 26
      • And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch!
      • [καὶ] AND – the RESULT was the disciples were first LABELED [χρηματίζω] at Antioch…
      • CHRISTIANS [Χριστιανός] – 3x in NT – a title that means like Christ…
      • This title was NOT one the disciples gave to themselves…
      • It is one that that world gave to them – because they were acting LIKE Jesus!
      • When a church gets stuck in RULES and TRADITIONS – and stops listening to the Lord…
      • It tends to get LEFT behind – NOT that it goes away – it just becomes insignificant…
      • But when a church is willing to LISTEN to the Lord – they will get a reputation [Christian]
      • They are a church were you can see the HAND of the Lord – God is using them!
• 3^rd – Missing the Blessing… vs. 27-30
  • 1^st – The Prophets… vs. 27
    • In these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch!
    • At the same [οὗτος] TIME [ἡμέραις] – as this SHIFT was taking place…
    • The work of God – was moving from Jerusalem to Antioch…
    • PROPHETS came out of JERUSALEM to share with the believers in Antioch!
    • When the Lord is working in a church – it draws people to that place…
    • People get excited and want to be a part of the MOVEMENT!
  • 2^nd – The Famine… vs. 28-29
    • Whole world… vs. 28
      • Then one of them – named Agabus – stood up and showed by the Spirit.
      • There was going to be a great famine throughout all the world.
      • Which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar!
      • One of the PROPHETS stood up – AGABUS [Ἄγαβος] – his name means LOCUST…
      • Through the SPIRIT – he predicted [future] a GREAT [μέγας] famine…
      • It would affect everyone who LIVED on the earth [οἰκουμένη]
      • We are told this famine came to pass during the reign of Claudius Caesar [41-54 A.D.]
      • Most likely it was the FAMINE that took place in 46-48 A.D. [Josephus]
    • Helping hand… vs. 29
      • Then the disciples – each according to his ability.
      • Determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea!
      • The [gentile?] disciples in ANTIOCH respond to the word of the famine…
      • By SERVING [διακονία] their [Jewish] BROTHERS in Judea…
      • They did NOT care about their differences – they wanted to HELP…
      • So they sent as much as each man was ABLE to send…
      • Because they ALSO were going through the same FAMINE [whole world]!
      • II Corinthians 8:12 – “Give according to what you have – not what you do not have.” [NLT]
      • God does NOT want us to go hungry – so others can eat…
      • We are called to be wise with how we give – do NOT give beyond what we are able to!
    • Balance…
      • II Corinthians 8:14 – “Right now you have plenty and can help those who are in need. Later they will have plenty and can share with you when you need it.” [NLT]
      • If we have money – use it to BLESS others – one day they will BLESS you back…
      • NOT lending money – that is NOT a blessing – that is a loan – Romans 13:8 
      • Better to simple give it if we have it – use the money for the Lord…
      • Then when we have NO money – those we helped will be there to bless us back!