Going With the Gospel - Acts 13:1-13

By David Woods

Vision.  Purpose statement.  Passion.  Mission.

If you were to attend a leadership conference (secular or religious) today, there is almost a 100% likelihood that you will hear one or more of these buzzwords during your time at the conference.

This is not necessarily a bad thing - even in the religious realm.  Do you really want a pastor who had no passion for helping people grow spiritually?  Do you want church leaders who have no vision for reaching your lost community for Christ?

The problem, of course, is that man’s heart is extremely deceitful.  Sometimes, we even deceive ourselves about what our true motivations are.  The result is that we have people entering the ministry without a real call from God, just a desire to look spiritual in one’s religious community.  We have churches that say they are committed to evangelism, but whose members never share the Gospel with anyone and rarely even invite unbelievers to church.  We have programs, activities, and various initiatives.  We have a good time.  We put on a good show.  But eternal destinies are not being changed.  So much of our vision, passion, and activity are man-made and when contrary winds blow, our shallow-rooted initiatives quickly wither and die.

Our scripture for today’s lesson teaches us a better way.  In this passage we find this truth:

Big Idea: Effective witnesses receive their initiative from the Holy Spirit.

1. Effective witnesses are sent by the Spirit, vv. 1-4.

Discussion: Where were Barnabus and Saul when they received God’s call?  What were they doing?

(They were praying - and fasting - in the community of other prophets and teachers.)

Discussion: What do you think the topic or concern of prayer was for this group of Christian leaders?

(It may be assumed that they were praying about God’s will for their church.  However, this may not have been their initial concern.)

Discussion: What is the purpose of fasting?

Discussion: Is fasting really that important of a spiritual discipline?  Why or why not?

Discussion: What does it mean to fast?

(Do we only fast by not eating or can we give up something else?)

Discussion: What could people with diabetes or other health problems give up for a fast?

Discussion: Does your church regularly pray together seeking God’s will (as opposed to formulating a plan and then asking God to bless your will)?

Discussion: Does your church pray asking (and even expecting) God to show you His will through your time of prayer together?

Discussion: Was the Holy Spirit’s call of the first “world missionaries” individualistic or communal?  Does it matter?

(It appears that the church came to the conclusion as a group that Barnabus and Saul should be sent as missionaries.  Surely, Barnabus and Saul must have individually felt the Holy Spirit speaking to them about being “missionaries”.  However, the call of God on Barnabus and Saul seems to have been something that was revealed to the whole group, not just to the two men.  I would not suggest anything is wrong with receiving a call individually from the Holy Spirit.  I myself was so called during the summer of 2000.  I went alone to a park where I prayed and accepted the call to the ministry, then returned and changed my major at Kansas City College and Bible School.  However, I do wonder if our churches are missing something in that often we do not pray together concerning God’s direction - and continue praying together until God reveals His will to us; instead, someone will suggest an idea, we will debate it and vote on it and finally ask God for His blessing on our plan.)

Discussion: What steps might our church take to experience an “Antioch church” prayer meeting?

(Suggested Answers: Gather together for an extended time of prayer.  Have a church-wide time of fasting.  Go to the time of prayer without an agenda; instead, asking God to reveal His will, etc.)

2. Effective witnesses are empowered by the Spirit, vv. 5-12.

Discussion: What evidence do we find in these verses and Barnabus and Saul were empowered by the Spirit?

(Boldness in proclaiming the Gospel, vv. 5, 10, courage in facing the enemies of God, v. 10, God’s power in miracles, v. 11, lives that were changed by the power of God, v. 12.)

Discussion: Is the ministry of our church empowered by the Holy Spirit today?  How is this evident?

Discussion: What would happen to our local church if we experienced more of the Holy Spirit’s empowering?

Read Acts 4:23-31

Discussion: Describe these early believers’ concept of God.

(They looked to God as the Sovereign Lord, Creator of the Universe, against whom evil people’s plans were destined to fail, and who would achieve His predestined plans in the world.)

Discussion: The believers were being opposed by the authorities (Jewish religious leaders).  What was their plan of action?  What did they envision as the proper course of action when the Church was opposed?

(They asked for God’s attention and intervention and for boldness to continue speaking about Christ.  Also, they asked for God’s validation of their ministry by performing signs and miracles among the people.)

Discussion: When the Church in America is opposed by the authorities today?  How do we react?  Is this a proper response?

Discussion: Why do you think that God’s response was to shake the place, to fill them all with the Holy Spirit and to give them boldness for witnessing?

Discussion: What must we do to be empowered by the Holy Spirit?

3. Effective witnesses minister through the Spirit, vv. 13-52.

Read Acts 13:13-16, 42-52

Discussion: What evidence do we find in these verses that Barnabus and Saul continued ministering through the Spirit?

(Conviction of sin, glad hearing and acceptance of the Gospel by those who were spiritually receptive, wisdom of Barnabus and Saul to reach the Gentiles as well as the Jews, wildfire-like spread of the Gospel in that region, etc.)

The three divisions of our lesson are three crucial aspects of Christian service and ministry.  Failure to abide by these scriptural principles has resulted in great spiritual wreckage.

If we fail to be sent by the Holy Spirit, at best we will become discouraged and quit.  At worst, we will become caught up in a massive effort to glorify Self.  Similarly, if we fail to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, we may face great frustration as our sincere attempts to serve God result in failure.  On the other hand, our ministry may be dangerously toxic because of impure, double motives.  If we fail (to continue) to minister through the Spirit, we may experience the loss of God’s blessing and give up prematurely.

Effective witnesses receive their initiative from the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, let us seek to follow His prerogative.