19th Jun 26 | 04:39
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Prepared for ministry
📖 Acts 15:33-35
Acts 15 - Series 2/Episode 29 - Tue, 05th May 2026 - Prepared for ministry - Acts 15:22-35 - THE ANNOUNCEMENT - I Kings 03:07-09
Acts 15:33-35 And after they had stayed there for a time, they were sent back with greetings from the brethren to the apostles. (34) However, it seemed good to Silas to remain there. (35) Paul and Barnabas also remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.
We see that Dr Luke shifts the focus to Paul and Barnabas once again. The dispute in the church in Antioch, followed by the Jerusalem Council, the verdict, the announcement, and the dispute being resolved in the church were now completed. The task of God to take the Gospel to the nations had to now continue through the church.
The work and growth of the Gospel come out of the teaching and preaching in the church. We remember that this was how the apostles were sent out by the church in Antioch. Acts 13:1-3 Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. (2) As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, "Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (3) Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
After the matter of the Jerusalem Council, the church in Antioch went back to its first place of teaching and preaching the word. We can surely assume that fasting would have also taken place in the church at that time. The church was getting ready for another spurt of growth. This is the pattern that we too must adopt.
What is missing, to a certain extent, is that we have settled into a pattern of teaching and preaching the word in the churches, but we are not expecting that, as we do so, the Lord will direct each of our churches to the next level of ministry. The Lord is always reaching and reconciling all things to Himself. Colossians 1:20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
Why will churches be mobilised for mission as the preaching and teaching of the word takes place in the church? It is because the teaching and preaching of the word has one goal. Colossians 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
Being made perfect in Christ Jesus is to grow into the full stature of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, (13) till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
What is the heart of Jesus? It is to seek and to save the lost. Luke 19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." This is how the Lord saw people, and He calls us to be labourers in the harvest, for the harvest is plentiful. Matthew 9:36-38 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. (37) Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. (38) Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."
As we are being blessed by the word in our churches, let us get ourselves ready to see people the way Jesus saw people. He saw them weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd. This is the correct diagnosis of people. People speak as though they do not need God. Even if they acknowledge God, it is to fit God into their framework of life. But they are as the Lord has described them.
Knowing the heart of God, we must be open to the Lord to take us forward in this task of reaching and bringing those who are lost into the fellowship of Christ. Let us, with all sincerity, make ourselves available to the Lord, telling Him that we do not know how to do this great task of reaching those who were weary and scattered.
Let us pray the prayer that Solomon prayed. I Kings 3:7-9 Now, O LORD my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. (8) And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. (9) Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who can judge this great people of Yours?"
This prayer pleased the Lord.
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