Nov 16, 2014
Acts 12:25-13:3


Download Audio:

http://zachadams.org/acts/acts12_25-13_3.mp3

Calvary316 Twitter Calvary316 Facebook Calvary316 Square Donations Calvary316.net

Outline:


Created during 1958 “Hush Puppies” would quickly become the quintessential American shoe. Immediately adopted and worn by celebrities like Warren Beatty, Perry Como, and members of the Rat Pack, not to mention advertised on the “Tonight Show with Johnny Carson,” in a little over a year some 1 million pairs would fly off the shelves. 


In 1959 Prince Philip of Great Britain wore a pair of Hush Puppies during his visit to the US. A few months later future president Gerald Ford presented a pair of Hush Puppies to President Eisenhower. Even the Beatles and the Rolling Stones sported these kicks. By 1963 (just 5 years later) one in ten American adults owned a pair of Hush Puppies. 


And yet, as a law of nature, what goes up eventually comes down. Just a few years after Mikail Gorbachev invited the brand to become the first American company to manufacture and sell footwear in the Soviet Union sales in America dropped to a meager 30,000. The numbers had become so bleak that in 1993 Wolverine (the company that owned Hush Puppies) was about to discontinue the famous footwear when something strange occurred. 


As the story goes fashion trend spotters noticed that kids in New York’s East Village were scouring thrift shops looking for classic, vintage Hush Puppies. It made no sense to anyone that shoes that were so obviously out of fashion could make a comeback. And to make things even more confounding, two Wolverine executives (Owen Baxter and Geoffrey Lewis) ran into a stylist from New York at a fashion shoot who confirmed these rumors by relaying that classic Hush Puppies had suddenly become hip in the clubs and bars of downtown Manhattan. Baxter and Lewis were baffled.


Then in the Fall of 1995 upcoming designer John Bartlett called and asked if Wolverine would recreate its signature classic Hush Puppies in bright, optimistic colors for his upcoming NY Fashion Week show. Then another Manhattan designer, Anna Sui, called, also wanting shoes for her show. In LA, designer Joel Fitzgerald opened a Hush Puppies only boutique. Despite the downward trends, in 1995, the company sold 430,000 pairs and won the “Council of Fashion Designers in America” award for “Accessory Product of the Year.” 


In 1996, they sold 1.72 million pairs and “Academy Award” winners Nicholas Cage and Kevin Spacey wore Hush Puppies to receive their statues. That same year Wolverine was contacted by Princess Diana who requested a special collection of Hush Puppies. By the end of 2001, 12.46 million Hush Puppies were sold in America resulting in about $1.8 billion in sales revenue. Hush Puppies once again became a staple of American apparel. 


Citing the incredible turn around of Hush Puppies in his book “The Tipping Point” Malcolm Gladwell asks, “How did that happen? Those first few kids, whoever they were, weren't deliberately trying to promote Hush Puppies. They were wearing them precisely because no one else would wear them. Then the fad spread to two designers, who used the shoes to peddle something else - high fashion. The shoes were an incidental touch. No one was trying to make Hush Puppies a trend. Yet, somehow, that's exactly what happened. The shoes passed a certain point in popularity and they tipped.” He continues, “How does a $30 pair of shoes go from a handful of downtown Manhattan hipsters and designers to every mall in America in the space of two years?”


In seeking to explain this phenomena Gladwell defines a tipping point as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” Gladwell believes, “The success of any kind of social epidemic is heavily dependent on the involvement of people with a particular and rare set of social gifts” or what he calls “The Law of the Few.” 


Gladwell concludes, “The best way to understand the Hush Puppy boom… or any number of the other mysterious changes that mark everyday life, is to think of them as epidemics. Ideas, products, messages and behaviors spread just like viruses do. Their chief characteristics - one, contagiousness; two, the fact that little causes can have big effects; and three, that change happens not gradually but at one dramatic moment - are the same three principles that define how measles moves through a school or flu attacks every winter.”



History attests that within 40 years from Christianity’s ground zero (the Day of Pentecost) this new movement would spread in such a dramatic way across the Roman world (similar to an epidemic) that even Caesar Nero would experience the long reach of the Gospel message. 


It’s simply a fact of history that by 260 AD Christians constituted an astounding 40% of the Roman Empire. In the span of 300 years the church would grow from zero members to include the numerical majority of the entire Roman world.


And yet, as with the Hush Puppy boom, while we recognize the result, the great question centers upon the how… How did Christianity spread at such a radical rate? Note: This question becomes even more confounding when you consider that while the Gospel had come to dominate Jerusalem and spread throughout Judea and Samaria during the first 20 years of the churches existence, Christianity was hardly global in scope.


That said… As we leave Acts 12 understand the conditions are perfect for the Gospel to now spread beyond its present reach. It’s evident little causes (120 initial followers of Christ filled with the Holy Spirit) have the potential for big effects as Christianity has proven to be contagious and posses widespread appeal (exemplified by the Gospel’s early spread). 


The only thing missing is that dramatic moment where something abnormal occurs, things tip, and the norm changes forever. Amazingly, Acts 13 records such an occurrence. This morning we’re going to witness a tipping point of monumental proportions where the first carriers of the Gospel intentionally move beyond ground zero into unaffected regions. 


Acts 11 closes with Barnabas and Saul bringing a financial relief package from the church in Antioch to the believers in Jerusalem. Following the death of James and the miraculous escape of Peter during their stay, Luke tells us that… Acts 12:25, “Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.”


Note: John Mark was cousins with Barnabas.


Acts 13:1, “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.” 



“In the church that was at Antioch…” Another example of localized communities of saints who, while still apart of the universal church existed with a certain amount of autonomy.


Luke continues by telling us “at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers…”


In the NT there seems to be two roles for this ministry of Prophet:



What else does the NT say concerning this unique ministry:


1. Prophets do exist in the church… Ephesians 4:11, “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers…”


2. Prophecy is a gifting of the Holy Spirit… Romans 12:6, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith…”


3. Prophecy exists for the edification of the church… 1 Corinthians 14:3-4, “But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.”


4. Prophecy should be tested by Scripture and judged by the church… 1 Corinthians 14:29, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge.”


While admittedly this particular gift has been abused by many within the church we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bath water. The gift is real and has a place in the church. 


Specific Leadership for the Church in Antioch:


“Barnabas…” Former Levite from Cyprus known for his gift of encouragement. 


“Simeon who was called Niger…” There seems to be some evidence this is the same man who ended up carrying the cross for Jesus - “Simon a Cyrenian.” Back in Acts 11:20 we’re told “men from Cyprus and Cyrene” came to Antioch to preach Jesus to the Hellenists. “Simeon” and “Simon” are synonymous and “Niger” indicates he was “black” or of African descent (Cyrene was in North Africa). Beyond this Mark 15:21 tells us Simon was the “father of Alexander and Rufus” indicating Mark had a relationship with all three men. Paul would write in Romans 16:13, “Greet Rufus… and his mother” which also suggest Paul knew this family well.


“Lucius of Cyrene…” Mentioned again in Romans 16:22 which seems to be evidence that he ministered alongside Paul during his time in Corinth (2nd Missionary Journey). 


“Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch…” This phrase “brought up” literally means “nourished with one” or “companion of one’s childhood.” It seems likely Manaen was the step brother of Herod Antipas (man who killed John the Baptist).


“Saul…” Reference our study covering Acts 9:1-9 for a full profile.



Acts 13:2-3, “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.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.”



“As they ministered to the Lord…” The scene Luke sets is one of private reflection with just these five men present. What are they doing? They “ministered to the Lord…” The word “ministered” has a priestly undertone. It presents the idea of “preforming a service” to Christ. Understand, the focus of their time was not seeking to have Jesus tend to their needs or desires, but rather taking the opportunity to give Him glory and honor.


Please realize any ministry for the Lord must flow out of our ministry to the Lord for it to be effective. Any horizontal ministry must be a byproduct of our vertical ministry! 


As they spent time “ministering to the Lord” Luke tells us “the Holy Spirit said…” Whereas God the Father spoke in the OT and Jesus during His earthly ministry, now the directives for the church come directly through the leading and guidance of the Spirit. 


How did the Spirit speak? Was it an audible voice? Did one of the prophets communicate a message from the Spirit (example Acts 21:11)? Was it simply an inner moving of the Spirit? 

G. Campbell Morgan remarked, “I do not for a moment imagine that the assembly heard a voice. That is the mistake we too often make. We try to force ourselves into ecstasies in order to hear the voice, then we imagine we hear it!”


Last Saturday night around 10:30 I sensed a prompting within my soul to send my friend Paul (who is currently battling cancer) a text message of encouragement. As I went to craft this text five words grew too inescapable to ignore. I felt as though God had given me a specific word I needed to relay with Paul. With this in mind I proceeded to simply text him the following message, “Jesus is proud of you!” His immediate reply was “Dude… You have no idea how that speaks to me. Remind me to tell you the next time I see you in person.” 


Unsure when or if that day might come, Paul sent me an email this past Monday… “Hey Zach, I feel the need to explain this to you since you shared that word with me the other day. Years ago, I felt the Lord calling me to leave the Lutheran church. I had served as a youth pastor in the Lutheran church for 10 years, all of our friends and family were Lutheran, our whole life was Lutheran. The thought of leaving the Lutheran church meant leaving everything we had known. It was a very difficult thing to think through. As I discussed it with a few very close friends, who were also Lutheran, they told me things like, "You need to stay and help us change things…” Anyway, it was real difficult.” 


“During this time, I was learning what it meant to have a real relationship with the Lord rather than just being a religious person. I was seeking the Lord in a powerful way in those days... Fasting, worshipping, reading, praying… One day I heard about a worship event taking place in an old theatre in downtown Bakersfield. I decided to go. At the end of the service, they had a time of worship and invited people to come forward and kneel before the Lord and worship Him. I went forward and knelt. Then a kid came over, he was probably 17 or 18 years old. He asked if he could pray for me. I told him to go for it. He put his hand on my shoulder and said nothing. All of a sudden, I felt this huge lump come up in my throat, and I started feeling these powerful emotions well up. The kid said... "You have been faithful. Jesus is proud of you. You are free to leave now." 


“I fell apart. I began sobbing uncontrollably. I just knelt there and cried. I don't know how long that was. But the kid never said another thing, and I couldn't find him when it was all over. Soon after that, I resigned from the Lutheran church. I have no idea why the Lord put it on your heart to tell me that. I don't know if He is about to call me home to be with Him, and He wants me to know that I have done what He has asked me to do. I really don't know. But I do know that the Lord spoke that through you to help me know He is in this whole Cancer thing.” 


“Thank you so much for being faithful to share that with me. My hope is that I will stay alive and continue to share God's love with my family and friends. But if God does call me home, there is no doubt that it is His perfect plan for my life, and the lives of those around me. I love you Zach... Even more now that the Lord chose you to share that word with me. I hope to see you again soon! - Paul”



What did the Holy Spirit say… “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Understand, God was not calling out Barnabas and Saul for a work, rather, the Spirit was giving the order that the time to fulfill their calling was finally at hand. 


Don’t forget back in Acts 9:15-16 the Lord had been clear what His plan for Saul’s life had been… “He is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.” And while this calling had existed for almost 15 years Saul had not been given the green light or opportunity to act upon this calling. Instead, Saul spent 3 years in Arabia, a season in Damascus then Jerusalem, 10 years in Tarsus, before finally being summoned by Barnabas to help serve the church in Antioch.


Understand… For a work of God to be successful it must also take place in God’s timing, not ours! Beyond this it would also seem as evidenced by Saul that God’s calling and the opportunity to act upon that calling doesn’t always happen in conjuncture.


So the Spirit said, “Separate to Me Barnabas and Saul” and “having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.” You know how we can tell these men were directed by the Holy Spirit? When the Spirit spoke they immediately acted! 


“Laid hands on them…” The idea behind this gesture was to let them know they were leaving with their blessing and as their representatives. The gesture communicated a powerful reality… Though we might be apart we’re always here to help! “We’re with you!”


“They sent them away…” Literally, the church released them. Understand… It’s is not the job of the church to provide a man or woman a calling. This is something that only God can do! The job of the church is to confirm that both God’s call and God’s timing have aligned. 


Why were Saul and Barnabas called to engage on the first missionary journey?



In conclusion I want to bring the macro-point of this mornings message down to a micro-application. During the first 20 years the church undoubtedly experienced growth, but as compared with what would take place over the next 20 years it was miniscule. 


Now I’m not saying this wasn’t part of God’s will and that things had to happen according to God’s timing and providence (I’m not faulting the first century church in the slightest); however, I do believe there is an interesting point that can’t be overlooked. 


What singular event tipped Christianity from being a regional movement to a global phenomenon? Christians actively choosing to take the Gospel into unaffected areas!


Please understand… What will be the tipping point for Calvary316? What will have to happen for our church to double or triple in size? Disclaimer: I’m not talking about church growth through the cannibalization of other churches. I have no interest in stealing sheep. I want to see our church grow by adding new lambs to the flock! Reaching the lost is our commission.


Is the tipping point having more revenue to hire additional staff or build better facilities? Is the tipping point more community outreaches, home groups, or programs? No! The tipping point as we see demonstrated in Acts 13 occurs when the people who attend C316 go into their worlds and share the Gospel with people who don’t know Jesus.


If you lead someone to the Lord, let me ask… What church do you think they’re bound to attend? So… When was the last time you shared your faith with an unbeliever? When was the last time you invited someone to church you know doesn’t have a church community? Are you really fulfilling God’s commission to be “salt and light” in the world around you?


According to research done by Dr. Thom Rainer 82% of the unchurched in America are likely to attend church if invited by a friend; and yet, sadly, only 2% of church members will actually invite an unchurched person to church in a given year. And while research is clear that most people come to a church because they’ve been personally invited, 70% of unchurched people polled claim to have never been invited to church in their entire lives. 


Here’s my point… If you want to see a radical work of God accomplished through this church - If you want to be apart of a work that rattles the enemy - A work that effects change in our communities - A work that sees lives being transformed by the Gospel - A work that yields a tangible effect on the Kingdom of heaven, you cannot sit on the sidelines. You’re the tipping point! If you’ve been infected go infect someone else! 

Links: