The Unhindered Harvest Acts: The Unhindered Harvest

What are we to do?! Philosophical opposition Moral opposition Legal opposition Theological opposition

“If…evangelical[s]…want to continue to be a home for younger Americans, they may have to reconsider what parts of Christianity are non-negotiable.” (Daniel Cox, political/social commentator)

We look to the early church Socially opposed Religiously opposed Politically opposed Spiritually focused Missionally clear

Acts 13:1 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.

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.”

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.

A Turning Point Jerusalem to Antioch Jew to Gentile Peter to Paul

An Encouraging Point Geographical fulfillment Gospel fulfillment Redemptive fulfillment

An Encouraging Point Redemptive fulfillment A new people Cultural unity Social unity God’s eternal purpose was prevailing

They were Spiritually Focused Spiritually lead Prophets Teachers Spiritually functioning Ministering Seeking

“God chooses for further ministry those already actively serving Him “God chooses for further ministry those already actively serving Him. He is not likely to take idle Christians down from the shelf, dust them off, and entrust them with important work…

…the Antioch church did not concoct schemes or map out strategies to reach the Gentile world. Instead, it concentrated on carrying out the ministries God had already entrusted to it.

An important feature in discerning God’s will for the future is to do His will in the present.” (MacArthur, pg. 6)

Learn a Lesson from Nehemiah “In the case of Nehemiah, the report caused the burden, and the burden led to the vision. Most people desire to have the vision first, but God doesn’t often work that way in our lives.” (Maxwell, 21 Most Powerful Minutes, pg. 55)

They were Missionally Clear God’s response was revelatory Their response was unequivocal

Reaping the Harvest Evaluate our passions Keep to the Code See what is bigger Look to Who is bigger Reaping the Harvest

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”