GENEROSITY IN ACTION
Opening Prayer
Lord God, fill me with your Spirit; help me to spread your love and faithfulness wherever I go today.
Read ACTS 11:19–30
The Church in Antioch
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that broke out when Stephen was killed traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, spreading the word only among Jews. 20 Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21 The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22 News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24 He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25 Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
27 During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. 28 One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) 29 The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. 30 This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Pause to recall all that God has done for you and how his work in your life impacted your faith.Scattered by persecution, the priority of the early followers of Jesus was still bringing the good news to Jews. However, some went to Antioch and started telling non-Jews, which lead to the same sort of reaction that we saw yesterday: part suspicion, part openness to what God was doing.
Barnabas ensured that the new Christians were encouraged and properly taught. This brought Paul back into play. Barnabas had seen Paul’s teaching gift and, now that Paul had spent time reflecting and meeting with God, he was better able to teach others. We need to know what we believe if we are to share our faith.
The practical help provided by the new Christians in Antioch to the church in Jerusalem helped to build bridges. There was a generosity of spirit shown by Barnabas in his dealings with the church in Antioch and with Paul. There was a generosity of spirit shown by the church in Antioch reaching out to the church in Judea (vv. 29, 30). We are to be marked by a generosity which welcomes and accepts others (Romans 15:7) and which meets the practical needs of others (2 Corinthians 8:1–9). In both cases this is a natural response to what God has done for us.
Apply
Where might you need to show generosity of spirit? Is there someone who needs a special welcome, or practical help?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, keep me ever mindful of Jesus’ priceless sacrifice made for me. Show me where I can express my gratitude for him in the lives of those around me.
Book and Author Intros
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