From Pastor Josh Laxton
“Traveling on the road of God’s mission has mile markers that keep our ministry on mission.”
“Contextualization is communicating the truth of God’s Word into the heart language of people so that they may grasp who God is and what God has to say to them.”
“What constitutes a healthy church? A group of believers who remain true to the faith.”
Paul and Barnabas had many Holy Spirit-led adventures on their first missionary journey. They traveled from Syrian Antioch to Cyprus (Salamis, Paphos) and Asia Minor (Perga, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe, Attalia) before returning to Syrian Antioch.
Along the way, Paul and Barnabas boldly shared the Gospel. They went to synagogues and shared the Gospel with Jewish believers. (Acts 13:5; Acts 13:14; Acts 14:1) Many of the Jews rejected the Gospel and Paul then shared the Gospel with the Gentiles.
In these two chapters, we see how Paul is filled with the Holy Spirit. In contrast, we learn about a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Elymas who worked for the proconsul Sergius. Paul doesn’t mince words when says to Elymas, “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right way of the Lord?” Paul strikes Elymas blind for a time. In contrast, the proconsul Sergius' eyes were opened and he believed in the Gospel.
Along the journey, Paul and Barnabas were enabled by God to perform other signs and wonders. One of these was in Acts 14:8-10, when Paul healed a lame man who had faith to be healed.
While many accepted the Gospel message, opposition occurred. Among the Jews, jealous, God-fearing women of high standing and leading men in the city stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:50). Many wanted to mistreat Paul and Barnabas. Some Jews actually did stone Paul and leave him for dead outside the city of Lystra. Paul got up and went back into the city.
Through all of these events and mile markers on this first missionary journey, we consistently see how Paul and Barnabas were faithful. They focused on sharing the Gospel and strengthening and encouraging the disciples to remain true to the faith (Acts 14:21-22). They stayed on mission. When Paul and Barnabas returned to Syrian Antioch, they were able to celebrate and give a report of God’s faithfulness and how He had opened a door of faith for the Gentiles.
These chapters in Acts call us to be faithful and bold as we share our faith with others. We will need to take inventory to be sure that we keep our ministry focused and on mission for God. We will face opposition. As we are led by the Holy Spirit, we will experience joy, just as Paul and Barnabas did, which overrides the hurt and pain of persecution that we will suffer for the Gospel’s sake. We will reach people who are hungry for the Word of God, and as they receive and accept the Gospel they will be transformed by it.
Main point: Traveling on the road of God’s mission has mile markers that keep our ministry on mission.
The Holy Spirit, if He is guiding the ministry, will keep it on track.
These are the things that you will see along the way if the Holy Spirit is driving the ministry.
1) The ministry will send people out on mission. (Acts 13:2-4)
2) The ministry will strategize to advance the Gospel (Acts 13:5, 9, 14; Acts 14:1, 8-10), contextualize to share the Gospel (Acts 13:16-41; Acts 14:15-17), and be ready for opposition to the Gospel. (Acts 13:8, 45, 50; Acts 14:2, 4-5, 9, 22)
Contextualization is communicating the truth of God’s Word using the heart language of people so that they may grasp who God is and what God has to say to them. The same message is used with a different means of sharing it.
Message to the Jews (Acts 13:16-41)
Message to the Gentiles (Acts 14:15-17)
Message is the same
Opposition to the Gospel
3) The ministry will attract people who are hungry for the Word of God and will see people receive and be transformed by the Gospel. (Acts 13:7, 42, 44, 48-49; Acts 14:1, 21)
4) The ministry will seek to establish healthy churches. (Acts 14:22-23)
5) The ministry will consist of joy and celebration. (Acts 13:52; Acts 14:27)
Seeing these mile markers assures us that we are staying on mission.
Consider the church at Antioch and how they called Paul and Barnabas to go out on mission for God and share the Gospel with others.
This week pray and ask God where He is calling you.
Think about your time, talents, and treasures and how they can be used for God’s kingdom work. Consider signing up for the next Serve Day or a short-term mission trip. Brush up on how you would share the Gospel with someone who might not know about King Jesus. Have your eyes open for opportunities where the Holy Spirit is leading you to take action. Make sure that you keep your ministry on mission for God. Share what you are experiencing with another believer who can be praying for you and encouraging you along your journey.
Lord, help us to be sensitive to the leading and calling of the Holy Spirit and to stay on mission as we serve You each day. Let us, like Paul and Barnabas, be ready to go when You tell us to go and share the Gospel faithfully. Give us confidence knowing that You bring success to our mission, as well as joy and celebration. Let us remember Northland’s mission statement which is:
Northland Church exists to glorify God as we participate in His mission of redeeming a people from all peoples by engaging neighbors and nations to be fully alive in King Jesus through the power of the Spirit.
May we be dependent on You as we take each step of the journey You have set us on. Help us remember when we meet opposition that You are with us. Remind us to be strong in the Lord and His mighty power. Let us be always ready to effectively reach those who need to hear the message of the Gospel.
–Sign up for the Northland Newsletter.
-Sign up for Local Serve Day on Saturday, June 3rd.
–Sign up for Exploring The Faith.
» May 27-28
EMPOWERED| Teach Through Living | Executive Pastor to the Senior Pastor Derwin Anderson
» June 3-4
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| Nothing to Something| Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
» May 27-28
EMPOWERED| Teach Through Living | Executive Pastor to the Senior Pastor Derwin Anderson
» June 3-4
HAMILTON THROUGH THE EYES OF THE GOSPEL| Nothing to Something| Senior Pastor Josh Laxton
1st Grade Orientation- Sunday, May 21
5th Grade Graduation- Saturday, June 3
Stellar Adventure Camp (VBS)-Monday, July 10 through Friday, July 14
Middle School North Sports & Arts-Wednesdays, June 7 through August 9
Student Ministry Family Summer Bash-Saturday, June 24, July 22, and August 12
Tuesdays, starting May 30, 2023, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.
Looking for your next step beyond high school? Ready to meet new people and take your relationship with God to the next level? Starting on May 30, join Northland’s new college and career group, and practice “adulting” together as part of this fantastic new community!