The Church in Action

Life Group Discussion Notes w/c 01.12.24

Tex and Emma Chettiar from Kings Church London visited us last Sunday. Tex shared a message from Acts chapter 11, challenging us to be a church like the one in Antioch. Emma brought some powerful, prophetic encouragements.

Read Acts 11:19-30

1. Everyday people

The gospel reached Antioch (in modern-day Türkiye) through ‘some of them’. That’s it. No rollcall of famous names, just a brief description of how followers of Jesus were forced out of Jerusalem because of persecution; that most took the gospel to fellow Jews; but ‘some of them’ preached to non-Jews in Antioch and ‘a great number’ believed and turned to the Lord.

This helps us to remember that God’s main way of working is to use ordinary people to advance His plans; and that persecution often leads to rapid growth.

2. Encouragement

This growth was fueled by Barnabus, whose name means ‘son of encouragement’. There are several examples in the New Testament of how God uses Barnabus to encourage others. We need to follow his examples (as he imitates Christ) in being quick to encourage each other and slow to criticise.

3. Equipped by the Spirit

Barnabus is described here as being a man ‘full of the the Holy Spirit and of faith’. The church grew rapidly in Antioch because the believers there were keen to rely on the Holy Spirit rather than on tried and tested methods. The church launched because ‘some of them’ were attentive enough to the Spirit to preach to non-Jews. Then, after hearing a prophecy about a coming famine, they decide to give generously to the Christians in Judea, instead of just conserving their resources.

We are to be a church that eagerly desires the gifts of the Spirit, such as like prophecy, and who listen His leading, taking risks for God’s glory.

4. Engaging with Others

This example of Christians from different cities and nations partnering with each other, challenges us to look beyond our borders and our current patterns of ministry; to look to give away, as well as to receive from other churches and Christians. We are blessed to be part of big family of churches in New Ground within Newfrontiers, as well as having growing links with other churches locally. Let’s look to take every opportunity to partner with others, God’s got big plans.

Questions

• Do you believe that God could reach a whole city or people-group through you?
• How can we be quicker to encourage and slower to criticise?
• Are we reliant on the Holy Spirit and His gifts to the church?