Acts 13:1-3
God put together a group of devoted disciples in the church at Antioch that were committed to seeking God’s will and as they did God used their strengths to redirect their focus.
How did God transform the church at Antioch from being a church of local influence to being a church of global impact?
There were four things that the church at Antioch did which walked them through this process.
I. They were a Serving Church
- Ministry is the expected activity of every believer
- Ministry is to be Christ centered.
- Current ministry prepares for future ministry.
II. They were a Seeking Church
- They knew what they were commissioned to do
- They desired to be faithful in this task
- They sought God’s specific direction
III. They were a Separating Church
Those God Calls are:
- Trained for the task
- Submissive to Leadership
- Tested by trials
- Effective and fruitful
IV. They were a Sending Church
Not only did they send Saul and Barnabas but they also sent John Mark and Silas and likely many others who are not mentioned. * A sending church must 1st be a serving church, a church that is seeking God’s face, a church that willingly listens to the Holy Spirit and separates out those He identifies and then it must be a church that willingly sends its best.