This past Sunday we looked at the end of Acts 11, where Luke describes the birth and growth of the Antioch church. In verse 26, Luke summarizes the missional lifestyle of the Antioch church saying, “in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” God’s work in the believers was evident through their witness to their neighbors. Notice that nothing particularly extraordinary happened in Antioch. God brought revival and great evangelistic success through a hodgepodge of ordinary people. These were faithful Christians just living their lives, meeting the needs God put before them by trusting in God’s word and promises. They did not know what would happen; they did not specifically know the fruit of their work. They just faithfully took the next step as God led them. This is normal church activity. It is amazing, but it is normal.
Although we might experience setbacks and struggles, we can boldly make Jesus known, confident in God’s promise that the ultimate triumph of the gospel is guaranteed. Yet, we can’t presume how, where, or to what end God will work. All these disciples in Antioch did was proclaim Christ; the Holy Spirit worked in hearts. They were faithful to respond to the situation and need God presented to them; God used their efforts to grow and strengthen the church. We would be wise to consider change in our lives, especially sudden and painful change, and ask the question, “How is God using me in this situation to grow and strengthen the church? How is God involving me to further His kingdom?” That is how these disciples responded to change—unshakably proclaiming Christ, sharing the gospel wherever they found themselves, recognizing God’s hand at work in their lives.
Commenting on the Antioch church, Ajith Fernando says, “Some of the most significant work for the kingdom has been done by unknown witnesses who are obedient to Christ right where they are and where they do not attract much attention.” (NIV Application Commentary) We don’t know the full impact of our lives. We may never see the full significance of our work. Don’t you want your life’s greatest impact to last well past you, with God bringing future generations of believers into the church as a result of what He did in your life? Don’t you want to be a church that is not concerned about being recognized for accomplishments, so long as Christ is named and proclaimed? This is what it is to bear the name of Christian. We are becoming more and more like Christ so that Jesus is glorified in our lives, and not ourselves. So just as Barnabas exhorts the church in verse 23, I also encourage you to “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” Bear the name of Christian well, giving the aroma of Jesus to everyone you meet, and God will use you to grow his church.
Have a great week and we will see you on Sunday.
Grace to you,
Jim
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