Gtcotr/ws092519
It’s
been said that it is easier to raise support for something you are going to do
than it is to get support for something you did. For some reason the next thing
seems more exciting than the last thing … the new thing seems better than the
old thing. But, Without the old thing, the new thing would
not have been possible.
This
evening we are going to approach our Bible study with a little different
mindset than usual. Instead of focusing on what God is about to do through the
lives of the Apostle Paul and Barnabas, rather let’s see what this passage in
Acts chapter 13 will reveal about what God has already done to make the new thing
possible.
You
see, sometimes we can get so caught up in what God is about to do that we miss
giving Him credit for what He did.
Acts 13 NKJV
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.
2 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.”
3 Then, having fasted and
prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.
Commentary:
Acts 13
1 Now in the church …
·
The Church is
o
Called out
o
Called together
o
Called to gather
o
Called to go
·
The Church is the
o
Body of Christ
o
Bride of Christ
o
Family of God in heaven and earth
1 Now in the Church that was
at Antioch …
·
The Church is
o
One family
§ Worldwide
§ Universal
o
Many local households
1 Now in the Church that was
at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers:
·
Barnabas
– A young spirit-filled committed Jewish Believer, a good man, and a great
teacher who was sent from the Church in Jerusalem to Antioch of Syria to
encourage and strengthen them.
·
Simeon who was called Niger – Niger is a Latin-based word meaning
black. There were so many Simeon’s (Simon’s) in the Church that they had to
start surnaming them:
o
Acts 15:14 - KJV Simeon; NKJV Simon; NLT Peter;
o
Simeon
(Simon) Peter – The Rock – Simon Barjona - Johnson
o
Simeon
(Simon) the Canaanite – Simon Zelotes – a Disciple
o
Simon
the half-brother of Jesus
o
Simon
the Leper – Leprous Simon
o
Simon
of Cyrene – Who carried Jesus’ cross – Cross Simon
o
Simon,
Simon Iscariot- the father of Judas
Iscariot
o
Simon
the Pharisee – Luke 7:36-44 – Alabaster
Simon
o
Simon
Magus – Samaria/Sorcer Simon – Converted and Rebuked
o
Simon
of Joppa – Tanner Simon – Clean Sheet Simon
o
Simeon Niger – Simon the Black
·
Lucius of Cyrene – Some imagine this to be the same as Luke, writer of
the Gospel of Luke – But I don’t – Cyrene is in Libya, North Africa
·
Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch –
o
Probably
the son of the nurse of Herod Antipas
o
Perhaps
a foster brother; more of a companion/servant to be schooled with and play with
and otherwise accompany
§ Lived in the same
household
§ Unfettered Access
§ Limited privilege
o
Herod
the tetrarch –
§ The Son of Herod the
Great by his Samaritan wife, Malthace.
§ He was the Herod
that beheaded John the Baptists
§ He was ruler of
Galilee and much of Israel during the whole of Jesus’ earthly life and
ministry.
§ He was the one
Pilate sent Jesus to be judged by in Jerusalem … He asked Jesus some idle
questions and had Him mocked and sent Jesus back to Pilate dismissively.
Manaen,
the New Testament Prophet Teacher in the Church at Antioch, had been brought up
with Herod in the same house, around the same people, but evidently turned out
very different!!!
Why?
Because, even in the highest places, the richest palaces, the evilest regimes,
and the most ungodly households … God has witnesses … Even in the household of
Herod!
Luke 8
NKJV
1
¶ Now it came to pass, afterward, that
He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings
of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him,
2 and certain women who had
been healed of evil spirits and infirmities — Mary called Magdalene,
out of whom had come seven demons,
3 and Joanna the wife of
Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from
their substance.
Herod’s
steward’s wife was a Born-Again, spirit-filled, disciple and financial
supporter of Jesus and followed Him from city to city listening to Him preach
the Word, bring the Good News Gospel, heal all kinds of diseases and cast out
devils. No wonder Manaen became a Believer in Jesus and a powerful preacher of
the Gospel.
God
has people in high places …
·
Moses in Pharaoh’s house – Hebrews 11:25
·
Obadiah in Ahab’s house – 1 Kings 18:3
·
And
even Believers in and around the evil Emperor Nero’s own family …
Philippians 4:22 All the
saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.
Never
fear … never despair --- God’s had people everywhere! He has them in the
highest places, the richest palaces, the evilest regimes, and the most ungodly
households … God has witnesses everywhere!
Where
are you? Who can you influence?
The
greatest move of God in the coming generation will have to sit upon and launch
off of the things we do for Jesus in this generation.
·
God has a plan
·
He will succeed
·
You have a chance to participate
It’s
called today!
