#19 | Take Time to Think
Read: Acts 11:19-30
Meditate on your own:
- What do you notice about the interactions between Jews and Gentiles?
- What does the author highlight about Barnabas?
- How do you see God at work in this passage?
- What verse/phrase in this text stands out to you?
- What truth about God or mankind can you draw from that verse/phrase?
- Where else is this truth seen in Scripture?
- What are the implications of your response to question a)? What would be the implications if this weren’t true?
- How is this truth good news for you and others? Who needs to hear it?
- What does this truth reveal about your own heart?
- What are some ways you can respond to the truth of this passage? Is there something you need to repent of? What do you need to ask God for? What can you thank/praise God for?
Consider
Acts 11:19-30 is a zoomed-out view of what God had been doing in the church since Stephen’s martyrdom in Acts 7. When “great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem” the Jewish Christians living in Jerusalem scattered to the surrounding cities and nations, sharing the gospel as they went (Acts 8:1). Because of the combined efforts of these unnamed Christians, “a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord” (Acts 11:21). But how? What did these run-of-the-mill Christians do to have such resounding success sharing the gospel, especially in a city like Antioch – a vast multicultural city known for its religious pluralism and moral perversion?
Quite simply, they were faithful to share the gospel. Why was that enough? Because the hand of the Lord was with them (11:21). When Barnabas arrived in Antioch, he noticed what is always true of any real spiritual awakening—the grace of God had done the work (11:23). Even though these unnamed Christians were the ones who faithfully shared the gospel, Barnabas knew that unless God’s hand was with them, they were as likely to save anyone as dry bones were to live. This means at least three things.
First, there is no room for pride or pity in the Christian life, especially when it comes to sharing the gospel. Christians should not pretend that they are the ones who will save people, they are simply called to love people enough to deliver the good news. Second, since salvation is from the Lord, Christians should pray fervently that God would save the people they share the gospel with. Finally, Christians can rest knowing that it is not their charisma or creativity that saves people, but the grace of God. God is in control of everything and ultimately the one who saves and sanctifies people.
Pause and recognize that this is not an excuse to be lazy or give in to the fear of man. Quite the opposite—this truth is the fuel for evangelism! If you are a Christian, you have in your possession a message that God promises to bring salvation through, and it’s not your job to make it work, nor is it your job to make it palatable to a nation known for religious pluralism and moral perversion. It’s not even your job to gain the favor and honor you deem necessary to share it (Psalm 84:11). It’s your job to faithfully obey God and rely on him for everything that you need for life and godliness, trusting that God is the one who brings the growth (1 Cor. 3:7). How are you tempted to trust yourself to save people rather than God? Is there anything that you need to change in light of these truths?
Pray:
Use the acronym IOUS, turning the prayers of the Psalmist into your own.
Incline my heart to you and not to prideful gain or any false motive!
Psalm 119:36
Open my eyes to behold wonderous things out of your Word.
Psalm 119:18
Unite my heart to fear your name.
Psalm 86:11
Satisfy me with your steadfast love.
Psalm 90:14
