Who Me? Sent Where? Acts 13:4 Paul J. Bucknell NASB used

Acts: A Thematic Look Plan 1. The Plan of God’s Kingdom Power 2. The Power of God’s Kingdom Penetration 5. The Penetration of God’s Kingdom Proclamation 3. The Proclamation of God’s Kingdom People 4. The People of God’s Kingdom Churches form, societies change, missions branch out! EXPANSIVEEXPANSIVEEXPERIENTIALEXPERIENTIALEXTREMEEXTREME Just like today Just like today

Acts 13:1-5 “Now there were at Antioch, in the church that was there, prophets and teachers: Barnabas, and Simeon who was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. And while they were ministering to the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus. And when they reached Salamis, they began to proclaim the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they also had John as their helper. ”

Outline of Acts 13:4 A) The Thrust (being sent out) Acts 13:4a B) The Power (by the Holy Spirit) Acts 13:4b C) The Obedience (they went...) Acts 13:4c “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus.” (Acts 13:4) If we are going to penetrate our culture, it will not be through a political win or even a brave march, but through the willingness for all of God’s people to actively engage in the work that He has given them to do, wherever He sends them.

A) The Thrust (being sent out) Acts 13:4a The word ‘send’ or ‘sent’ is used 56 times in the Book of Acts alone. The word ‘to send’ speaks of mission and purpose. Being sent often requires courage, sacrifice and deliberateness. SenderSent one Purpose Degree of urgency - thrust

Barnabas & Saul’s Missionary Journey Barnabas Saul

Sent! ChurchChurch Missionaries Sent! The word missionary is the same as apostle with the sense ‘to be sent’. Barnabas & Saul

Sent! The whole church is given a real mission. We are to accomplish it together. “For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything” (1 Th 1:8). Sent!

A) Being Sent Jerusalem Judaea & Samaria Remotest part of world “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

A) Being Sent Jerusalem Judaea & Samaria Remotest part of world Improper view Improper view “My Jerusalem” Proper view Proper view “Finishing God’s mission” This is where we are at! Home Nearby World

Summary: Summary: A) The Thrust - Being sent IncorrectCorrect Evangelism is for full- time workers. All believers are sent into God’s harvest field. God can do without me. Each person is accountable for his part. I don’t often think of sharing the gospel where I work or live. Believers are to actively seek God’s work of love where they are at. I can’t do anything. God will help me participate where I am.

B) The Power (by the Holy Spirit) Acts 13:4b Holy Spirit prompts the church Holy Spirit is used about 60 times in Acts Jesus through the Holy Spirit leads the church. He is the head of missions! SenderSent one Purpose By the Holy Spirit

B) The Power (by the Holy Spirit) Acts 13:4b SenderSent one Purpose by the Holy Spirit (Acts 16:6) And they passed through the Phrygian and Galatian region, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16:7) and when they had come to Mysia, they were trying to go into Bithynia, and the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. Holy Spirit = Spirit of Jesus

God is with us “And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me” (Colossians 1:28-29). B) The Power (by the Holy Spirit) Acts 13:4b “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). Power to minister God assures us by His presence that we have all that we need to accomplish His great purpose through our lives.

Courage for loyalty B) The Power (by the Holy Spirit) Acts 13:4b “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:12-13). “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved.” Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were marveling, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:12-13). Godly Character “An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach” (1 Timothy 3:2).

C) The Obedience (they went...) Acts 13:4c SenderSent one Purpose We hear and know But what is our response? In this case Barnabas and Saul went As a result Cyprus and southern Turkey heard the gospel and churches were planted Do I have to?

I am glad I have not been sent! I can’t do anything Later, I am busy now I don’t know how to reach people I’ll let others who know better do it I am glad I have not been sent! I can’t do anything Later, I am busy now I don’t know how to reach people I’ll let others who know better do it C) The Obedience (they went...) Acts 13:4c A FROZEN MENTALITY

“They went!” I am glad to go wherever you send me! Thanks for choosing me. I don’t know how you can use me but here I am. I am very busy but want to make time for your work. Lord, can you please teach me how to reach out? Lord, I do not feel very gifted but if you are with me, than I can do anything you want.

We sacrifice We devote ourselves We use our talents We strategically use our monies We shine where God sends Conclusion Reaching out is our Life! We fight the evil one’s lies that rebellion is better than obedience Like Jesus we delight in doing all of God’s will “So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus” (Acts 13:4).

Who Me? Sent Where? Acts 13:4 Paul J. Bucknell NASB used