02.08.2009 Peter and Acts 11 (Barnabas) - 2 Sermons for the Price of 1

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Do you remember the blinking blue light special? My father-in-law used to work for K-Mart – they would go around with the cart. It was usually a 2 for one. Inevitably, Cindy and I would get 2 for 1 of something – because there would be a bargain that would be too good to pass up – even if it was something he didn’t need! Well, we are going to do that – we’ll only pass the basket once – but I’m going to give you two sermons!

Steve Bishop listens to the Bible on CD while he paints – and he often asks me, “Why didn’t you cover this?”

Today I am going to briefly cover Peter – he plays a very important role in the life of the church and the book of Acts. Either we put him on a pedestal or don’t give him his due – but I’d like to give a balance today. We are going through the Book of Acts – but let’s look back to Matt. 16 – when Christ was asking – who do they say that I am?

Matt. 16: 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it. 19 "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

In verse 18 – I now call you Peter. Peter means stone or rock. A little stone. It is a play on words – I call you Peter (stone) and upon this (larger rock) I will build my church. In the evangelical Christian church – this is generally interpreted that the ROCK that the church is built upon is CHRIST – the confession that Jesus is the Christ. That does not mean that Peter has a lesser role – Jesus gave him a foundational role – but at the same time, the focus must be Christ. The focus was never on Peter. It is always on Christ.

Eph. 2: 20 having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner [stone], 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

The first layer of the building is the apostles. Christ Jesus is the cornerstone. We think of a plaque outside of a building. That is not what this is – it is the foundation and largest stone.
Yes, the apostles and prophets had a key role, but the focus must be on Jesus Christ. He is the one the church is built upon and upon whom all things are held together.

When Peter was given the keys of the kingdom – the way this is interpreted – who is waiting at the pearly gates? Peter. In Acts, who is God’s spokesman? Peter. When the Kingdom of God is given to the Jews – who gives it to them? Peter. He has the keys to the kingdom – the keys are the gospel – this message of Christ. It is Peter’s role to present it. Last week we talked about Samaria – people believed, but they did not receive the Holy Spirit. When Peter came, the Spirit fell upon them. Peter introduced the gospel to each segment. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria…Peter brings each. Gentiles in Acts 10 – Peter is the first to lead them to Christ.

We should not minimize it – but at the same time, he was a normal person. He was unique in his role. Peter had many failings – denying Christ and even afterward… But that is how all the apostles were. Our tendency is to make God’s great people celebrities – we do it today. They were not celebrities; they were normal fallen creatures like you and me. The Corinthians would take certain leaders and make them celebrities – it was the Greek way. But Paul says a leader for Christ is a servant. That is how we should view them – as servants. Let’s pray and then go into the second sermon –

Lord, thank You – help us as we continue in the Book of Acts to have a deeper understanding of what You have for us – Your plans are for good – to have a future and a hope. God, You are faithful in every way.

Antioch – the first Gentile church – in Lebanon – it was the
Acts 11: 19 So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20 But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and [began] speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.

Antioch was the third largest city in the Roman Empire – 300,000 people with a large Jewish population – it was, in every way, a Roman city – very much like Rome – morality and cult worship. Those who were persecuted ended up there. We have a large number of Gentiles who come to Christ – it becomes the base – the home church – the mother church of the mission to the Gentile world. “The remotest part of the earth” – that begins in ch. 11:19 – and this church serves as the mother church for the rest of the mission.

There are three key churches – Jerusalem – and Antioch – eventually, Ephesus and Rome take its place. There are a number of Jews who come to the Lord – but a large group of Gentiles are reached. Remember Barnabas –
22 And the news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. 23 Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and [began] to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain [true] to the Lord; 24 for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Barnabas was sent –
There are five characteristics in Barnabas’ life that made him useful to God and to the church.
First – we looked at this 3 weeks ago – Jan. 18 – When there was financial need in Jerusalem – he was the guy who took land and sold it – probably worth a lot of money – but he took that money and laid it at the apostles’ feet to distribute in time of need. As we go through difficult economic times – there will be those whom God blesses.

First – Barnabas had a genuine concern for others’ needs. If you wish to be used by God – it is critical that you have a genuine concern for others. That is how God uses us – in relationship to other people – to be a blessing. This can be done in many ways. Barnabas did it through sacrificial giving – but we can do it in many ways – setting our agenda aside for others.

Paul – “For I have no one else who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare” Do we do this? Are we there for them? Oftentimes – it comes at a cost to us.

Second – v. 23
23 Then when he had come and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and [began] to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain [true] to the Lord;
He witnessed the grace of God. A number of years ago, we had Robb Martin – an executive pastor from The Chapel – who took a survey of our church – and things at the time – we had complained about the building – We used to think – if only the building were like this or that – He came in and said – You have one good thing going for you – the location of your building – the very thing! “The thing you thought was keeping you down will bring you up and up and up!” – Dumbo.

Our tendency – what is the first thing you notice – if someone is attractive, healthy, young or old, do they look successful – that is our tendency. What do you first think in your heart? DO you see the faults and flaws first? When you think of a co-worker or your spouse – often, you think of what is wrong with the person. When a child brings a report card home – they have 2 A’s, a B, and a C? What Grade do your eyes go to? The C.

Every time you correct – you should praise 10 times. A lot of us would be doing well to praise 1 time for every correction! We haven’t’ really understood how much God has forgiven us. If we don’t understand that God has chosen us and forgiven us because of Who He is – hmmm… The flip side is to think that God chose us because of how good we are – that is wrong too.

John Piper – talked about the recession and what it does to us – He compared us to a beaker of water. In the bottom of every beaker is a layer of soot. If you let it settle – the water is crystal clear – but if you bring the right circumstances – and it bumps it – then all that dirt comes up – whatever the circumstance – the dirt just flies.

Barnabas comes into this church – think about it – Jews and Gentiles – NOT FRIENDS – hated each other! It would be like having a church of Jews and Palestinians! Think about it! Think of the Romans coming in with all their baggage – Cult Prostitution! And Barnabas comes in and what does he see? He sees God and sees good. That says a lot about Barnabas and God than it does about the church and its makeup..

We need to address problems and confront issues – but we need to understand that people grow when they focus on God’s grace – not when we become their personal Holy Spirit. That is how people grow and change.
So – Barnabas – concerned for their welfare
Saw the good
Third – a man of integrity – especially in relationship to others. He would treat you fairly and honestly with kindness. Someone you could count on and trust – your self, your fears to.
Fourth – Full of the Holy Spirit and faith. And considerable people came to the Lord.

Throughout Acts – they tie the Holy Spirit and faith together. He was controlled by the Spirit – willing to yield himself to God’s work. He allowed God to be Lord. This speaks of his personal walk and submission to God. He was useful to God and the church. He submitted to God’s will.

Like Jesus in the Garden – not My will, but Yours.

When we have to choose between what we want and God desires – it is in those circumstances that God…When Barnabas sold that plot of land – there had to have been that decision point – and God will bring us to those points where we have to decide.

Elijah – “How long will you hesitate between two opinions – if the Lord is God, follow Him!”
Will you choose God’s way? Or your own?
Finally – v 25

25 And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul; 26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And it came about that for an entire year they met with the church, and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.

You would think – things were going so well – they were about to have the biggest church in the world – one of the most influential – and what does he do? He leaves. He looks for Paul – and brings him back. There is humility. He knew he needed others. What we see in Barnabas’ life – when Paul became a Christian – he took Paul under his wing – to a point where the roles are reversed and Barnabas accepts the inferior role to his student. Barnabas received a lot of praise and recognition – but was willing to give it up. It is easy to need and demand it – in life. But God wants us to set that aside and let it go and relinquish it for His sake. As a result of Barnabas
Genuine Concern
Humility
Willingness to see the good
Availability to God’s Spirit –
This church became a key church to the Holy Spirit’s mission.
They were first called Christians there. You might not know this- but at the time, it was derogatory!
It took someone who was willing to make himself useful to God.

Lord, we do thank You – for the testimony and witness of Barnabas – help us to see the good, Lord, in lives of people You have given to us – may we find the good and the grace of God – may we look for the good and grace of God in every life.