Read Acts 18: God s DESIGN for fellowship 22

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1 Read Acts 18:18-23 Paul Returns to Antioch and Departs. Acts 18: Part II Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, I pray that you will use this message for the good of all who hear or read it. May the Words of truth in this teaching glorify You alone. In Your name, Lord Jesus, Amen. 3. God s DESIGN for fellowship 22 Acts 18:22 (KJV 1900) 22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. Arriving safely in Caesarea Maritima where in the past the Holy Spirit fell upon the Roman Centurion Cornelius and his household through Peter s preaching (though he did not finish the message c.f. Acts 10), Paul went up to Jerusalem. Went up is a common expression in regard to the geography of the region and subsequent road to Jerusalem (c.f. Matt. 20:17; Jn. 7:8, 10). Paul s desire to fellowship with the leaders and believers in Jerusalem, Caesarea, and Antioch (his home fellowship) is exemplary. While his aim was to participate in the feast (probably Passover which occurred in the Springtime) at Jerusalem, it is still commendable. As believers in Christ, fellowship with other believers is paramount: 1 John 1:3 (NKJV) 3 that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. 1 John 1:7 (NKJV) 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Hebrews 10:25 (NKJV) 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 1

2 It is very important to understand that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church (c.f. Matt. 16:18), and Christ gave the leadership gifts to men: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor teachers for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, and for the building up of the body of Christ (c.f. Eph. 4:11-12). If we do not fellowship in what Christ has ordained, the body of Christ with its leaders and elders and deacons serving in oversight over us, then we are rebelling against the very plan of Christ for His church for us. Fellowship is paramount to our Christian life; therefore, the Holy Spirit states: Acts 2:42 (NKJV) And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. What do we as believers all have in common fellowship according to the Word of God? The Holy Spirit says: Philippians 2:1 2 (NKJV) Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, 2 fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. We share the love that is produced by the Holy Spirit in common fellowship: Romans 5:5 (NKJV) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. It is the love of Christ poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit that unites us and produces the godly desire for fellowship in our hearts. If we don t have Christ s love in us for others, then we are nothing (c.f. 1 Cor. 13). If we do not seek fellowship with others or are not participating in a functioning, biblical body of Christ, then we have a serious issue with the Gospel itself. 2

3 4. Paul DEPARTS for his third missionary journey 23 Acts 18:23 (KJV 1900) And after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. What do disciples need? What ought to be the priority of a leader in the body of Christ? We are going to answer these two essential questions. Paul spent time there in Antioch no doubt serving the people. That is what a good leader does he spends time with people. There are several ways a godly leader is to spend his time: 1. Godly leaders spend time STUDYING the Word of God and in SEEKING the Lord in prayer: Acts 6:2 5 (NKJV) 2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude 2 Timothy 2:15 16 (NKJV) Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. 2. He spends time SHARING the Word of God through preaching and teaching: 2 Timothy 4:1 4 (NKJV) I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at 3

4 His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. Colossians 1:28 29 (NKJV) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. 29 To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. 3. He spends time PREPARING faithful men to become leaders: 2 Timothy 2:2 (NKJV) And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 4. He spends time PRATAKING in fellowship and breaking bread with believers: Galatians 2:11 13 (NASB95) But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. For prior to the coming of certain men from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and hold himself aloof, fearing the party of the circumcision. The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy. In this passage, we see Peter spending time with Gentiles: socializing, eating, talking fellowship. (Though these verses point out his sinful behavior). If we are holding ourselves aloof from other believers, then we do not understand the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, and His design for fellowship with believers. 4

5 Christ s leaders cannot be lazy bums or couch potatoes; they need to be hard working, focused, caring, and diligent. There is a lot of work to do, and this work requires time well spent. All of us must learn to redeem the time because the days are evil (c.f. Ephesians 5:16). Time is valuable. We all have the same number of hours in a day, and we all make decisions on how we will use our time. God tells us to be wise with our time to make every minute count: Ephesians 5:15 17 (NASB95) Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Seeking the Lord s will throughout our day will ensure that we are redeeming the time or making the most of our time using our time wisely and for His glory. Paul spent time in Antioch serving the Lord s people and enjoying fellowship with them. After a period of some time well spent, Paul departed on his third missionary journey traveling to Phyrgia and Galatia. This region is located in central Asia Minor. Paul had been in the area before and planted churches there during his first missionary journey with Barnabas. During Paul s first missionary journey, he came to Antioch in Pisidia where he shared the Gospel and many were saved. He was driven out by zealous, unbelieving Jews and went to Iconium where he and Barnabas again faced persecution from the Jews and split to Lycaonia, Lystra, Derbe, and the surrounding region. Remember, it was in Lystra Paul was stoned, left for dead, and found alive! It was also in Lystra, on his second missionary journey, that he met a faithful young man named Timothy (c.f. Acts & 16:1). 5

6 Why did Paul decide to revisit the churches he had planted? He did this because the Lord Jesus wanted him to strengthen them v. 23. Strengthening in the Greek means to confirm or establish. A football coach strengthens his players. He gives them position specific training to establish them so they will be successful on the field. The Lord Jesus wanted Paul to strengthen His people, so they would be successful on the field of life in Christ. How did Paul strengthen, in order, the churches the believers of the body of Christ in each region and subsequent city? (Paul did not overlook anyone) He did this the same way he had done so in the past: Acts 14:22 23 (NASB95) strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. When they had appointed elders for them in every church, having prayed with fasting, they commended 1 them to the Lord in whom they had believed. Paul strengthened the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith. How does a good leader strengthen the souls of the Lord s people? He encourages them to continue in the faith. The faith is referring to faith in the Gospel of the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ this was the apostle s priority! He strengthened the churches in the faith the Gospel of the Word of God, and the rightly divided truth of the Bible. We, too, need to be strengthened in the faith: Acts 6:7 (NKJV) Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. 1 The apostles entrusted the disciples to the Lord and not to themselves. They knew who was in charge of the work and who would finish the work Philippians 1:6 6

7 Acts 16:5 (NKJV) So the churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased in number daily. Romans 1:5 (NKJV) Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name Romans 16:25 26 (NKJV) 25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began 26 but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV) Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you are disqualified. Philippians 1:27 (NKJV) Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel Colossians 1:23 (NKJV) if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. Colossians 2:7 (NKJV) rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. 7

8 1 Timothy 4:1 (NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons 2 Timothy 3:13 17 (KJV 1900) 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 4:7 (NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. The faith is communicating the true faith and is to be distinguished from all other faiths because no other faith beside faith in Christ Jesus the risen Messiah of Israel is true. The faith communicates repentance and faith in the Gospel of the risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the rightly divided word of truth found only in the Bible. God used Paul to strengthen all the disciples in the faith. How did Paul do this wonderful, privileged work for Christ? He did this through an unceasing, passionate commitment to love God s people and teach and model the truth of the written Word of God by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what true apostles do. This is what godly leaders do in humble service to their Lord. Are we strong in the faith? The Lord Jesus wants us to be strong in faith in Him the faith! That is one of the primary purposes of attending fellowship on Sunday morning and throughout the week. We are 8

9 encouraged to be strengthened in the faith our faith in the Gospel of Christ and the rightly divided truth of the Bible. That is why every fellowship needs godly leaders who are not out for themselves but out for the Lord s people to strengthen them in the faith. If we are not strengthened in the faith, then we will grow weak and powerless to live in Christ Jesus. We will compromise. We will fulfill the lusts of our flesh. We will fall into deception. We will fail to trust Christ in times of great difficulty and suffering. We will live in hypocrisy. We will depart from the faith. Let us be strengthened in the faith through the help of godly leaders who teach, preach, and live the written Word of God. This is Christ s design for becoming strong and established in the faith. We are the godly leaders strengthening God s people in the faith? I pray, that as your shepherd, I will strengthen you in the faith. Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in the faith, so we will remain steadfast in the Word of God through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Let no one in this body be deceived by a doctrine of demons. In Your great name, Lord Jesus, Amen. Bless the people: May you follow God s design for fellowship in the body of Christ. May you understand God s design and His structure for the body of Christ. May you embrace God s place for you in the body of Christ. May you remember that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church. May you be strengthened in the faith, so that you will never be weak in faith in Christ. 9