2013 Acts #24: an exposition of Acts 15:36-16:15. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday morning, November 3, 2013.
Intro:
I don’t know how many times I’ve heard it. There is no telling how often I’ve sung it – but it still brings a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. To be reminded of the great treasure that has been entrusted to us, and the great responsibility that accompanies this precious gift. To us has been committed the ministry of reconciliation. Those of us who have been awakened to the Gospel have a divine mandate to take that Gospel to our world. We are sent on mission. Every Christian, every child of God is sent somewhere. You are on a mission field. You are a missionary. How often do you think of your calling? How often do you actively consider the great responsibility entrusted to you? Yes the Gospel has been entrusted to the church. But we are the church! If you are a child of God and the words of Fanny Crosby’s hymn do not stir your heart – some thing is wrong with you. As E.V. Hill used to say, “If this don’t ring your bell your clapper is broke!”
Rescue the perishing; care for the dying.
Snatch them in pity form sin and the grace.
Weep o’er the erring one; lift up the fallen.
Tell them of Jesus, the might to save.Tho’ they are slighting Him, still He is waiting –
Waiting the penitent child to receive.
Plead with them earnestly; plead with them gently.
He will forgive if they only believe.Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore.
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Cords that are broken will vibrate once more.Rescue the perishing; duty demands it.
Strength for your labor the Lord will provide.
Back to the narrow way patiently win them,
Tell the poor wanderer a Savior has died.
As our Lord commissioned us, as the Holy Spirit affirmed in setting apart Barnabas and Saul for a work among the Gentiles – so God is still calling, still commissioning, still setting apart folks today to take the Gospel to the world. But it is not easy. There is always a reason why we can’t do it right now. There is always a reason why someone else needs to go – I’ll get to it later. Sometimes fear paralyzes. Sometimes our own problems drown out the Master’s voice. Sometimes indifference hardens our heart. Clearly this call demands supernatural enabling. This cannot be done in our strength or power.
What a glorious privilege is ours! Yet having been given such a great privilege why is it we so often fail to fulfill our mission? How is it our passion is so easily subdued? Our voice so easily silenced? Given such a call and such an enabling, how is it we are rendered so ineffective? Our text this morning is found in chapters 15 and 16 of the book of Acts.
Text: Acts 15:36-16:15
Paul and Barnabas returned from their 1st missionary journey with great joy and excitement. After having reported to the church in Antioch, a dispute arose around the nature of salvation. How is it we are saved? Who is eligible for salvation? Must a person become a good Jew before they can become a Christian? What role does the Old Testament law play in salvation and then in the church. Because these questions went to the heart of Christianity, a church council was held in Jerusalem to resolve the matter. After settling the issue Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch and Paul suggested that they revisit the churches and see how they were doing. As our text picks up the story we learn some valuable truths that enable us to remain excited about and committed to missions.
Thesis: A genuinely God-centered understanding of missions results in joyful obedience to God’s call to evangelize and disciple the nations.
Yes we have been called to take the message. We have been granted the great privilege and responsibility of being intimately involved in this work – but it is God’s work! Yes we are involved. Yes we must obey – but we do not bare the load. This is not a human work. We are tools in the hand of the Master. We are witnesses He is the prosecutor. If and when we assume the burden of responsibility we become discourage and overwhelmed. While we are responsible for our obedience we are not responsible for “winning the world.” Our text reveals some comforting truths about God’s work – truths that will strengthen and encourage us in our work.
- God providentially works all things to His own glory. (15:36-41)
- God graciously supplies laborers to work the fields. (15:40, 16:1-5)
- God sovereignly expands the boundaries of His working. (16:6-10)
- God’s gracious salvation is gloriously inclusive. (16:11-15)
Conclusion:
I come back to where we began. Salvation is God’s work. We have been graciously granted the privilege of joining him in this work – but it is his work.
Tho’ they are slighting Him, still He is waiting –
Waiting the penitent child to receive.
Plead with them earnestly; plead with them gently.
He will forgive if they only believe.Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore.
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Cords that are broken will vibrate once more.Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.