Mission Central

by ricks 16. January 2010 04:34
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Mission Central in Houston, TX is the hub of NASA's space missions. Antioch Church was the hub of the early church's mission. The church at Antioch gave away their two brightest and best: Barnabas was their Pastor and Saul was the Apostle to the Gentiles. This first missionary journey, which we read in Acts 13-14, has recurring themes in each city. People were spiritually transformed by the preaching of the Word, miraculous power on display, and persecution that pushed the missionaries to the next town. When Paul saw that a crippled mand had faith to be healed he called out "Stand up on your feet!" (14:9-10) The man was instantly healed. They backtracked and encouraged the believers (14:22), appointed elders for each church (14:23), and returned to mission central in Antioch.

What is God saying? I think the question we need to seek God about is, "What is our next step in mission for you?"

Thanks for all your responses this week. I hope to respond tomorrow. It's been an amazing week. Keep praying.

For information on Converge Worldwide's response to Haiti's earthquake check out this link: http://www.scene3.org/content/view/8358/68/

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1/15/2010 6:23:08 AM #

Pastor Rick -

Here's my thoughts on Acts 13.

1 - What ingredients are necessary for spiritual transformation?
- I agree with Pastor Rick's comments:  The church at Antioch made a huge sacrifice in following the Lord's will by sending out Paul and Barnabas.  With hind sight we can see the outcome!  
- The Gospel was necessary.  Paul's message to the synagogue in Pisidian Antioch (13:16-41) is a beautiful example of laying the ground work for Jesus' ministry and then showing what he accomplished:  The forgiveness of sins.  The climax (v. 38-39):  "Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses."  The Jews were under SUCH a burden in the Mosaic Law (of course, so are we!) this message of freedom was welcome indeed!

2 - How were followers of Christ engaged?
- The obeyed the leading of the Holy Spirit and sent Paul and Barnabas on their way.
- They proclaimed the Gospel.  
- They talked with their friends and neighbors about the message from Paul and Barnabas (v. 44:  "The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.")  The whole city wouldn't have known if they hadn't been told.

3 - What is God saying to our church and me?
-  Be prepared for scoffers and persecution.  The verse Paul quoted in v. 41 came true only a week later:  "Behold you scoffers ... for I am accomplishing a work ... which you will never believe."  The Jews in their pride didn't want to share the Messiah, but the Gentiles rejoiced at the message.  Nothing stirs up peoples emotions like a discussion about Jesus.  

Just ask Brit Hume.

- Brett

Brett H United States |

1/15/2010 11:30:14 AM #

Freedom from the law -- Romans 8:1-14 comes to mind. The law was given so that we might know how rebellious we are toward God. Jesus died to take the punishment that justly was ours; sent the Holy Spirit so we could live for Christ. It seems that some people are overloaded with guilt and others are in denial while they try to feel positive about themselves. How do we speak the good news of freedom in Christ to these different groups of people?

ricks United States |

1/16/2010 7:49:32 AM #

I believe we approach these two groups the same:  With the law through their conscience.  You're absolutely right about the purpose of the law:  To show us our rebelliousness.  God's law is written on our hearts (Rom 2:15), and our conscience therefore pricks us when we violate it.  Have we lied? Stolen? Blasphemed? Lusted? We must all answer each of these with "Yes" (Rom 8:7 - "because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the Law of God, for it is not even able to do so"). And, unless our conscience has been seared, feel a burden of guilt because we have sinned against the law of a Holy God.  Those that feel positively about themselves will either be broken before God (and then become one of those who is overloaded with guilt) or remain stubborn.  Those that are overloaded with guilt will now be very open to the Gospel, which requires us to be humble before God and accept His gift of salvation through Christ (Rom 8:3b - "sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin").  Then comes the freedom from the law (Rom 8:1 - "there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus"!).

Brett Haugen United States |

1/16/2010 7:33:28 AM #

Pastor Rick -

Here's my thoughts on Acts 14.

1 - What ingredients are necessary for spiritual transformation?
-  Humility - The people at Lystra were ready to honor and offer sacrifices to Paul and Barnabas believing they were Zeus and Hermes, but Paul and Barnabas fought to prevent them from committing the sin of idolatry.
- The Apostles shared with the church at Antioch "all the things that God had done."

2 - How were followers of Christ engaged?
- Preaching the Gospel of repentance and faith, as they did in all the cities they visited.  

3 - What is God saying to our church and me?
-  As in previous chapters, two things are emphasized:  A call to fellowship (really talking about how God is working, accomplishing spiritual growth) and to be prepared for the Gospel message to not only be rejected but to arouse a STRONG reaction.

- Brett

Brett Haugen United States |

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