How To Care For The Sent Ones That Return Like The Antioch Church – Acts 14
From my reading in Acts 14 in the One Year New Testament.
Recently I wrote two posts about lessons from the church in Antioch, and how to be a sending church like Antioch. Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas out well, but they also cared for and stayed connected with them.
“Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.” Acts 14:26-28
Welcome Missionaries Back And Listen To Their Stories
When Paul and Barnabas returned from their journey they were welcomed back. The believers who sent them were able to celebrate the stories of lives that had been changed! Paul and Barnabas gathered the people and shared a report about how the ministry is going.
My wife and I just got done doing a similar ministry report with a group of our supporters. It is a joy to share with others the great things God is doing. I feel more connected to my supporters after getting to share with them personally and those that support us also have a better idea of how they are investing in the kingdom of God.
Hearing the stories of missionaries can invigorate members of the church to go out and do similar things. Also it shows the sending church that the resources and prayer they send are not in vain.
Welcome them back for rest and rejuvenation.
It says that Paul and Barnabas stayed there for a long time before leaving again. Missionaries and church planters have exhausting work. It is helpful for missionaries to have a home base where they can rejuvenate after being on the front lines.
The church in Antioch is a good example of a church that cares for those they send. Let it be a remainder to sending churches today to not only send people out but also provide a caring home base for them to come back to.
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How To Be A Sending Church Like Antioch – Acts 13:1-25
From my reading in Acts 13:1-25 in the One Year New Testament.
Two days ago I did an article “Lessons From The Church In Antioch.”
But what Antioch is best known for is commissioning some of the first missionaries.
“One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Dedicate Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way.” Acts 13:2-3
Be A Fasting and Praying Church
Antioch was sensitive to the Holy Spirit. They spent enough time in prayer to really hear what God wanted them to do.
How much do your church leaders pray? After the decision was already made they fasted and prayed before laying hands on and sending out the missionaries.
Be Generous With Your Leaders
If you are a kingdom minded church, often your best leaders will be sent out.
A church that tries to keep all of it’s leaders for itself is selfish. Antioch was a kingdom focused church and was willing to give up some of it’s best leaders pursue their calling.
Be A Supportive Church
Antioch sent Paul and Barnabas on their way well. A good sending church should be intentionally about sending people off well, and support them with prayer and fasting.
I believe that one of the reasons that the gospel has not spread to all nations yet is because there are not enough “Antioch” type churches.
My prayer is that every church would find ways to play thier part in sending people to the nations.
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Lessons From The Church In Antioch – Acts 11
From my reading in Acts 11 in the One Year New Testament.
The church in Antioch was an good example in several ways.
Antioch’s members were some of the first to preach to the Non-Jewish people.
“However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyprus and Cyrene began preaching to the Gentiles about the Lord Jesus.” Acts 11:20
They understood that the good news was for everyone, Jew and non-Jew!
Antioch’s members preached with God’s power.
“The power of the Lord was with them, and a large number of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord.” Acts 11:21
They were so filled with God’s Spirit and power that a large number of people were being saved. When you have God’s power in your preaching it can change lives.
Antioch was generous toward other churches.
This is perhaps the greatest difference in the Antioch Church and many churches today. Often churches are all about their own agenda and not concerned about the bigger movement of God.
When the Antioch church heard that the Jerusalem church was going into a severe famine they took a collection and gave generously.
“So the believers in Antioch decided to send relief to the brothers and sisters in Judea, everyone giving as much as they could. This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.” Acts 11:29–30
They didn’t just give, they gave as much as they could! This type of generous giving to another church is evidence of God’s work and a kingdom minded church
How can your church follow the church in Antioch’s example?
