Introduction:     Jesus made it clear that the real purpose of His Church was to  communicate His Gospel to those who need it (John 20:21) "…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you." (Mark 16:15 ) "…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." We also call this witnessing or sharing our faith. This text is where we find the story of a new church founded in Antioch-Syria. In it we find that there is joy in evangelism and equipping (the real purpose of the Church) for several reasons.

I.          THE GOSPEL WAS EXPOUNDED (VV.19-20)

            A.        As A Result Of Great Persecution (v.19)

Jesus had told his disciples to spread the Gospel. Back when Stephen, the first Christian martyr was stoned to death, a persecution arose that caused Christians to scatter (Acts 8:1-4).

·        As these refugees fled they shared the Gospel, going as far as Antioch in Syria , the third largest city in the Roman Empire , smaller only than the cities of Rome and Alexandria in Egypt .

·        As these Jewish Christians fled, they preached only to other Jews.

B.         As A Result Of God’s Purpose (V.20)

Some of the Jewish Christians that scattered were Hellenistic Jews, that is, they grew up outside of Israel .

·        These men of Cyprus and Cyrene started sharing with the Gentiles (Rom 1:16 ) "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (John 10:16) "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd."

·        We want others to share the joy of salvation. Certainly God does, (2 Pet 3:9) "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." We realize that those without Jesus are condemned to an eternity in hell. It is a joy to tell them that they need not do that if they trust Christ.

II.         BELIEF WAS EXPRESSED (V.21)

            A.        Because Of God’s Call (21a)

The Christians shared their faith and God was them. He enabled them and many placed their faith in Christ.

·        When we witness with the right motive and in reliance upon God He is with us (Acts 1:8).

·        When people come to faith in Christ it is because God is at work. He uses us to share the Gospel but it is God who opens the heart to faith.

B.         Because Of A Heart Change (21b)

·        “Turned unto the Lord” = conversion or literally a change!

·        No change, no conversion, no salvation! Belief comes first (surrender), then God converts or changes you. Notice that they turned to the Lord (Illus. my concern is with those that say they have turned to the Lord that are now not following Him!)

III.       PEOPLE WERE ENCOURAGED (VV.22-23)

This change brought about by salvation in Jesus Christ encourages because:

            A.        It Is Visible (vv.22-23a) You can see it!

·        It was witness by the mother church in Jerusalem (22)

·        It was seen by Barnabas (23a) Guess who was the first person that got encouraged when Barnabas arrived at Antioch ? IT WAS BARNABAS HIMSELF! He was glad. He was encouraged because the reports that had come to the Jerusalem church were true. He was encouraged because so many gentiles, with little or no exposure to the true and living God, were now believers. He was encouraged because there were more people going to Heaven. He was encouraged because someone had the concern and compassion to share the Gospel with those who had never heard the Gospel.

B.         It Is Victorious (23b-24) You can show it!

• He encouraged the new believers. He exhorted or urged them to stick with it. He exhorted them to cleave to the Lord.
• There are many things that a new believer in Christ needs to learn. One of them is faithfulness. The more a new Christian learns to be faithful to the Lord and to following His word, the more he or she will grow (John 8:31 -32).
• We should make it a point to encourage all Christians in their walk with God. Hebrews 3:12-13, Hebrews 10:24-25

C.        It Is Visionary (vv.24-26) You can share it!

So, how can you and I become good encouragers? The answer is found right here in Verse 24. We should follow the example of Barnabas!

• Barnabas was a good man. (Expound) But it takes more than just being a good man!
• Barnabas was a godly man! Full of the Holy Ghost. That means he was under the control of the Holy Spirit. That means he would have produced the fruit of the Holy Spirit. You can’t be more encouraging than a person who shows the fruit of the spirit.   
• Barnabas was also full of faith. He had a testimony that God was good, that God had saved and changed him, and he was willing to share it!
• Barnabas trusted God. Barnabas relied on God to give the increase.

Verse 26 reveals that he and Paul yoked up and for a year stayed there preaching the gospel and equipping the saints for ministry.

Conclusion:       There is nothing hidden or hard to understand about God’s real purpose that dives His Church. Simply said, it is share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, then encourage and equip His saints to serve Him!