the unsung hero of acts. the story of acts the conquering love of the kingdom of god. acts 1:8...

The Unsung Hero of Acts

The Story of Acts

The Conquering Love of the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:8 “You shall be my witnesses…”

An amazing study… A growth never reproduced by any empire or movement

in history.

How did they do it? Despite so much opposition: persecution, division,

hypocrisy and reluctance… Spearheaded by people like Joseph the Cyprian…

Joseph the Cyprian:the Unsung Hero of Acts Barnabus: “Son of Encouragement” The Unifying Character in Acts

Joseph the Cyprian:the Unsung Hero of Acts

Barnabus: “Son of Encouragement” The Unifying Character in Acts

In the early Jerusalem church (Acts 4:36-37)

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

AC 5:1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet



In the early Jerusalem church (Acts 4:36-37)

The bridge to Paul (Acts 9:26-27)

When [Paul] came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.

But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.



In the early Jerusalem church (Acts 4:36-37) The bridge to Paul (Acts 9:26-27) The Antioch connection (Acts 11:19-25)

Now those who had been scattered by the Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch…far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch…The Lord's hand was with them, and a great The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.number of people believed and turned to the Lord.

The Lord's hand was with them, and a great The Lord's hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord. number of people believed and turned to the Lord. News of this reached the ears of the church at News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Jerusalem, and they sent BarnabasBarnabas to Antioch. to Antioch.

When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.



In the early Jerusalem church (Acts 4:36-37) The bridge to Paul (Acts 9:26-27) The Antioch connection (Acts 11:19-25) The 1st Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-3)In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul…

While they were worshiping 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 after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off…



In the early Jerusalem church (Acts 4:36-37) The bridge to Paul (Acts 9:26-27) The Antioch connection (Acts 11:19-25) The 1st Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-3) The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-2)

Some men came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the brothers: "Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved."

This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them. So Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question



In the early Jerusalem church (Acts 4:36-37) The bridge to Paul (Acts 9:26-27) The Antioch connection (Acts 11:19-25) The 1st Missionary Journey (Acts 13:1-3) The Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-2) Finally leaves the book of Acts (15:36-40)

Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing."

Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

The Story of Acts

The Conquering Love of the Kingdom of God. Acts 1:8 “You shall be my witnesses…”

An amazing study… A growth never reproduced by any empire or movement

in history.

How did they do it? Despite so much opposition: persecution, division,

hypocrisy and reluctance… Spearheaded by people like Joseph the Cyprian…

Consider the Jerusalem Church: Given the Great Commission: “GO!”

Matthew 28 and Acts 1 Chapter 8: They start to “get it”…

Then went back to Jerusalem to SIT. Chapter 10-11: Peter ‘Gets It’ Chapter 11: Jerusalem Church ‘Gets It’

Still: “…They preached the Good News, but only to Jews” (Acts 11:19) Chapter 15: “Get it” again… End of Acts: STILL STUCK IN JERUSALEM!

Two Groups in ActsBarnabus: A lifetime of excitement! Lives the implications… Bold, courageous love! No boundaries! A church-planter! Unstoppable conviction! Loyal Love! Full of the Holy Spirit!

Jerusalem Church: Initially excited… Spiritual density… Cautious, hesitant… Stuck in one place… Slowly dies out… Waffling compromise… Tribal… Resisting the Spirit…

The SOS: a Confused Heart…Jerusalem: Initially excited… Spiritual density… Cautious, hesitant… Stuck in one place… Slowly dies out… Waffling compromise… Tribal… Resisting the Spirit…

Nation Israel: Release from Egypt! “Let us return to Egypt!” Refused to enter the Land Wilderness for 40 years Unbelieving generation died off Same old “Lesson”: Trust God! Goal: “Save our children!” Hardened Hearts

“Barnabas was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit…and large numbers of people were brought to the Lord. Acts 11:24

Full of the Holy Spirit: Greater Implications

Full of Something Else: Or have I drawn lines?

…who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts 4:37 (NASB)

All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. and exiles on the earth.

For those who say such things make it clear that they are For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own. – seeking a country of their own. – Hebrews 11:13-14 (NASB) Hebrews 11:13-14 (NASB)


Full of the Holy Spirit: Greater Implications Greater Courage

Full of Something Else: Or have I drawn lines? Or increasingly

withdrawn…

Barnabas took hold of [Saul] and brought him to the apostles … Acts 9:27

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the choosing rather to endure ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin – of sin – Hebrews 11:24-25 (NASB)Hebrews 11:24-25 (NASB)

By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen. – is unseen. – Hebrews 11:27 (NASB) Hebrews 11:27 (NASB)



Greater Horizons


withdrawn… Or settle into a rut?

The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. Acts 11:22 (NASB)

By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going. was going. Hebrews 11:8 (NASB) Hebrews 11:8 (NASB)

for he was looking for the city which has for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10 (NASB) Hebrews 11:10 (NASB)



Greater Horizons Greater Fruit


withdrawn… Or settle into a rut? Or settle for small change?

So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia and from there they sailed to Cyprus… Acts 13:4 (NASB)

And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of And what more shall I say? For time will fail me if I tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed the prophets, who by faith conquered kingdoms, performed acts ofacts of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of righteousness, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in sword, from weakness were made strong, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight… – war, put foreign armies to flight… – Heb. 11:32-34Heb. 11:32-34



Greater Horizons Greater Fruit Greater Conviction


withdrawn… Or settle into a rut? Or settle for small change? Or doubt and confusion?

Paul and Barnabas had great dissension and debate with them… Acts 15:2 (NASB)

……no longer be like children, forever changing our no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different or because has told us something different or because someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie someone has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth. sound like the truth. Ephesians 4:14 (NLT) Ephesians 4:14 (NLT)

……But others trusted God and were tortured, But others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life. better life. Hebrews 11:35 (NLT) Hebrews 11:35 (NLT)

[Paul and Barnabus] strengthened the believers. They [Paul and Barnabus] strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that they must that they must enter into the Kingdom of God through enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulationsmany tribulations. . Acts 14:21-22 (NLT) Acts 14:21-22 (NLT)

What is this “Heart of Encouragement”?

A Purpose-Driven Life““the Kingdom of God…” – the Kingdom of God…” – Acts 14:21-22 (NLT)Acts 14:21-22 (NLT)

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground… Hebrews 11:37-38

“Some will fall in love with life and drink it from a fountain “That is pouring like an avalanche coming down the mountain…”“They were all in love with dyin' they were drinkin' from a fountain That was pouring like an avalanche coming down the mountain…”

Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren… 1 John 3:13-14 (NASB)

The Life of Encouragement:A Purpose-Driven Life

““the Kingdom of God…” – the Kingdom of God…” – Acts 14:21-22 (NLT)Acts 14:21-22 (NLT)

Optional: I can build My Kingdom… But God’s Kingdom is Far Better…

Lasting forever…

Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with

reverence and awe – Hebrews 12:28




Lasting forever…Growing and Expanding… (mine is dying).

And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God… Luke 9:2 (NASB)




Lasting forever…Growing and Expanding… (mine is dying).Hope, Healing and Joy for a Lost World…

"The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure that a man discovered hidden in a field. In his excitement, he hid it again

and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field—and to get the treasure, too! Matthew 13:44 (NLT)




Lasting forever…Growing and Expanding… (mine is dying).Hope, Healing and Joy for a Lost World…The reason He created us…

For he called you into his Kingdom to share his glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NLT)For this reason we pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy.




Lasting forever…Growing and Expanding… (mine is dying).Hope, Healing and Joy for a Lost World…The reason He created us…With a Trustworthy and Loving King…

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain…” Rev.21:6-7

the unsung hero of acts. the story of acts the conquering love of the kingdom of god. acts 1:8...

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