Acts 14:26-15:4 Share God's Work - Revision history

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‎Image: Fernando, Jose and Paula (maybe Nathan?)

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=Acts 14:26-15:4 Share God's Work=

Nathan Wakefield / General Adult

Acts 14:26-15:4; Acts 15:30-36

Local churches have responsibility to send those called to go out and those called to go out have responsibility to report on God's work to the local church.

''

'''Theological Proposition/Focus:The local church plays a vital role in the Great Commission by sending out missionaries, while those sent have a duty to report back, fostering a cycle of encouragement and collaboration in fulfilling God's plan.'''

'''Homiletical Proposition/Application:This sermon can help Christians recognize their part in the larger mission of the church—both as senders and goers. It encourages congregants to engage in mission work actively, support those who are sent, and appreciate the importance of sharing what God is doing in the world through their testimonies.'''

=Introduction=

==Image: A story from the Missions Trip==

==Text: [https://ref.ly/Ac14.26-15.4 Acts 14:26-15:4]; [https://ref.ly/Ac15.30-36 15:30-36] read all at the beginning.==

==Setting the Stage:==

This morning, I want to take us back to the book of Act and Paul's missionary journeys. The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of the church, had been radically transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ. And from that moment on, his life was all in—devoted to spreading the good news to anyone who would listen.

In the book of Acts, we find a record of three great missionary journeys that Paul undertook. Today we will focus on the aftermath of one of those journeys. On his first journey, recorded in Acts chapters 13 and 14, Paul and Barnabas traveled through Cyprus and into the heart of what we now call modern-day Turkey. They preached in synagogues, healed the sick, faced down sorcerers, endured persecution, and even watched as crowds in Lystra tried to worship them as gods—only to eventually turn on them and even stone Paul when he wouldn't accept the praise. Through it all, they planted churches, appointed elders, and saw the Spirit of God move in power.

But here's the moment I want us to sit with today: after all the miles traveled, after all the hardships and victories, Paul and Barnabas returned to the church that had sent them—the church in Antioch. [https://ref.ly/Ac14.26-28 Acts 14:26-28] tells us they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. What a moment that must have been! Stories of miracles, salvations, opposition, and the unstoppable spread of the gospel—shared with the very people who had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them before they ever set out.

This wasn't just a travel update—it was a celebration of God's faithfulness. It was a reminder that mission is not a solo act. It is the work of the whole church, sending and supporting, praying and rejoicing together. And today, as we look back at Paul's report to the church in Antioch, I want us to consider: how is God calling us to be part of His mission? Where is He opening doors of faith in our world today—and how will we respond?

=Body=

==''Responsible'' — Local churches have a responsibility to send, the sent have a responsibility to report (14:26-27).==

The Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas back into the mission field and the local church has an active role as a supportive community in missions. We need to understand our church's responsibility in nurturing and sending missionaries, as well as the importance of celebrating God's work witnessed by these missionaries. It reflects Christ's commissioning of His followers to make disciples, underscoring the church's participation in this divine task.

===The support and commission of the local church should not be forgotten (26).===

===The local church should be made aware of how God has worked (27a).===

===The local church should be made aware of brothers and sisters from far away (27b).===

===Image: Some pictures of those with whom me worked.===

===MTR: Pick someone you learned about today, write down their name, and pray for them this week.===

==''Encouraged'' — Investment, growth, and edification are needed even for those who have already been sent (14:28; 15:30-35).==

===The local church should be a place where encouragement can happen (30-32).===

===The local church should be a place where growth occurs naturally (35).===

===Image: Being a church where missionaries are encouraged: prayer, discipleship, genuine care.===

===MTR: Make a plan; what would it look like for you to be part of encouraging a missionary?===

==Repeat — Those who have been sent should always be ready and willing to go out again (15:1-15:4; 36).==

===The end of one journey was in fact the beginning of another (1-2).===

===It is never the wrong time to talk about what God is doing (3-4).===

===God may send you back out so you better be ready (36).===

===Image: What if we go back to Costa Rica? What if we go somewhere else?===

===MTR: Start praying now and asking, "God would you have me go on the next trip?"===

We have this family and our family reunion is the Lord Supper.

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
 ==Image: Gretan and the Gringo Party Bus (Nathan)==
-We had a wonderful missions trip and I want to start by telling you the story of Gretan. In order to understand Gretan I need to tell you about Friday.
+Friday was, without a doubt, the hardest day of the entire trip. Emily and I weren’t feeling great—some of the food wasn’t sitting well—and we had a 90-minute bus ride ahead of us to a remote mountain village where we’d be inviting people to a future Bible study. This was day one of two in that village, and we were all a bit weary.
-Friday was probably the hardest day of the entire trip. Emily and I were not feeling great, I think some of the food was bothering our stomachs. We hopped on the bus and drove for 90 minutes to get to a remote village in the mountains in order to meet people and get to know them so that the church could begin inviting them to a Bible study in the village. We would be working in this village for two days and this was day one.
+When we arrived, we found that even using the bathroom required paying a fee—but hey, that’s ministry. So we paid, smiled, and got to work. We split into groups to cover the streets. But within minutes, a missionary came running up to tell me that Tiffany had fallen and possibly broken her wrist. He was taking her back down the mountain to the hospital.
-We arrived at the village and found we had to pay to use the bathroom but that is ministry so we paid and started out. We split into groups and began taking different streets in the village. Within just a few minutes the missionaries came to tell me that Tiffany had fallen and thought her wrist might be broken. He asked that we continue working the neighborhood and he would take her back to the city to the hospital.
+Meanwhile, the rest of us kept going. But honestly, things didn’t go well. Almost no one was outside, and those who were had no interest in talking. In fact, several of us were flat-out told no when we offered to pray. It felt like we were striking out. Later that evening we found out Tiffany would need surgery, and we headed back to the hotel discouraged and exhausted.
-As we continued to work thing just didn't go well, there was practically nobody outside and the few people who were outside had zero interest. In fact, I think all of us had examples of meeting someone talking to them and then when we asked if we could pray for them they actually told us no.
+Emily and I were dropped off at the hospital to be with Tiffany, and it wasn’t until nearly 1:00 a.m. that we returned to the hotel. We had just a few hours to rest before heading back to the village the next morning.
-We wrapped up the day, learned Tiffany would need surgery and headed back. If we were keeping score we had just finished the first half of our two day work in this village and the score was a blowout and we felt like we were losing. Nevertheless, we had committed to the work.
+Saturday brought more challenges. Tiffany had unexpected bleeding and had to stay behind. We were tired, a bit deflated, and honestly wondering what kind of impact we could possibly make. But that’s where everything changed.
-As night approached Emily and I left off the team at a restraint close to the hotel and headed to the hospital with our missionary host. He dropped us off and let us know that he would return around midnight to check in on us. The surgery went well but we didn't get back to the hotel until close to 1:00 and needed to be up dressed and ready to go by 7:15 the next morning to head back up to the village.
+When we got back to the village, it was like a whole new place. The streets were full, people were open, and we had conversation after conversation—and they wanted prayer! We even invited one family to lunch an hour away, and they not only came, but drove 90 minutes to attend church the next day.
-When morning came we learned that Tiffany had some unexpected bleeding from the incision and would need to stay behind while we all headed up. Tiffany was bummed and we were all tired. Nevertheless we continued the work.
+But the moment that brought it all together was meeting Gretan.
-But that is where the bad news ended. Once we got up the mountain we found anybody and everybody was out and about and guess what, they wanted to pray with us!
+As we loaded the bus to head back down the mountain, we noticed three empty seats—one for Tiffany, one for Harrison, and one for our missionary. Where were they? Looking out the front of the bus, we saw Jeff and Harrison deep in prayer with a woman. Her name was Gretan.
-We met many families and even invited a family to join us for lunch and hour away, they joined us and then drove 90 minutes to church on Sunday.
+After they prayed, Jeff hopped on the bus and said, “Gretan’s heading down the mountain—can we give her a ride?” Of course, we had room. He turned to me and asked, “You okay sitting near her and talking?” I nodded, but then suddenly felt this strong internal nudge—like God was saying, “Move.” So I asked Emily to switch seats with me and talk to Gretan instead.
-But the funniest part of the story the place where we saw God at work was a lady named Gretan.
+Here’s the amazing part: unknown to us, Jeff and Harrison had just prayed for Gretan’s hearing. And guess who Emily is? A hearing doctor. In that moment, God arranged a 30-minute bus ride where Gretan was seated—by divine appointment—with the exact person she needed.
-As we loaded on the bus to head back down the mountain there was notably three open seats. The seat Tiffany would have occupied, Harrison's seat, and our missionaries seat. Where could they be? We looked out the front of the bus and sure enough Jeff and Harrison were engaged in conversation and praying with Gretan.
+And then, the comic relief. Halfway down the mountain, Gretan’s phone rang—on full speakerphone, of course. Her sister shouted in Spanish, “Where are you? What’s all that noise?” And Gretan yelled back, “I’m on a gringo party bus! They kidnapped me and we’re headed for the United States!”
-After praying for Gretan Jeff came on the bus and told us all that Gretan was headed down the mountain and needed a ride. We had an extra seat so Gretan would ride with us. He looked at me and said, are you okay talking with her, the seat was right across from me, "of course" I thought and then like a swift kick I was standing up and told Emily to trade me places and start talking to Gretan. I didn't know why I was making Emily talk but it was like God was telling me "get out of the way!" So Emily and I traded places and guess what it turns out that Harrison and Jeff had been praying for Gretan's hearing. Gretan needed to talk to someone who knew about hearing and it wasn't until Gretan and Emily were talking to each their that any of this made sense.
+We all laughed, but what struck me most was this: earlier that day I’d seen Gretan walking the village looking grumpy and withdrawn. But by the end of the day, she was laughing, joking, and blessed by God in a way no one could have orchestrated except Him.
-So, by God's work Gretan was sitting on a bus for a 30 minutes drive with a hearing doctor.
+So what’s the point? The point is God was at work all along. What seemed like setbacks—like Tiffany’s injury—turned into moments of compassion and care. What felt like wasted effort on Friday became fruitful ministry on Saturday. God redeems. God redirects. And sometimes, God sends a woman named Gretan onto a bus filled with gringos just so she can sit across from a hearing doctor named Emily. That’s the kind of God we serve.
 ==Setting the Stage: (Harrison)==

@@ Line 100: / Line 100: @@
 JosÃ© and Paula are a married couple from Colombia. On Saturday, while we were walking through the village of Grifo Alto, one of the church members, Fernando, stopped in front of someone's yard. "This looks like cilantro," he said. "Do you think it is?" One of our teammates responded kindly but admitted later she was thinking,''"We're supposed to be praying for people, not foraging for herbs!"
-But Fernando wasn't distracted&mdash;he was just being himself. He picked a few leaves, curious to try it. Right then, JosÃ© rolled up on his motorcycle and asked, "What are you doing?" Fernando explained, "Just checking out this cilantroâ¦ and also, we're walking through the neighborhood, praying for people and inviting them to a Bible study."
+But Fernando wasn't distracted&mdash;he was just being himself. He picked a few leaves, curious to try it. Right then, JosÃ© rolled up on his motorcycle and asked, "What are you doing?" Fernando explained, "Just checking out this cilantro and also, we're walking through the neighborhood, praying for people and inviting them to a Bible study."
-That's when the conversation started. JosÃ© called for his wife, Paula, and we invited them to Fernando's home&mdash;about an hour away&mdash;for lunch. They accepted. And here's the amazing part: they didn't know Fernando or anyone else in the group. But over lunch, we had a wonderful time getting to know them. We talked about faith. And the next day, JosÃ© and Paula drove 90 minutes to attend church.
+That's when the conversation started. Jose called for his wife, Paula, and we invited them to Fernando's home&mdash;about an hour away&mdash;for lunch. They accepted. And here's the amazing part: they didn't know Fernando or anyone else in the group. But over lunch, we had a wonderful time getting to know them. We talked about faith. And the next day, JosÃ© and Paula drove 90 minutes to attend church.
 God used cilantro to connect two strangers&mdash;and possibly two new disciples&mdash;to the church.
@@ Line 110: / Line 110: @@
 <br />Will you pray for Fernando? For his boldness, his kindness, his willingness to stop and notice someone?
-<br />Will you pray for JosÃ© and Paula&mdash;that they would continue coming to church, that they would grow in faith, and join the new Bible study?
+<br />Will you pray for Jose and Paula&mdash;that they would continue coming to church, that they would grow in faith, and join the new Bible study?
 ===MTR: Pick someone you learn about today, write down their name, and pray for them this week.===

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 __NOTOC__
-ï»¿
+'''Big Idea: Local churches have responsibility to send those called to go out and those called to go out have responsibility to report on God's work to the local church.'''
 '''Theological Proposition/Focus:The local church plays a vital role in the Great Commission by sending out missionaries, while those sent have a duty to report back, fostering a cycle of encouragement and collaboration in fulfilling God's plan.'''

@@ Line 4: / Line 4: @@
 '''Christ Focus: Christ, in His Great Commission, emphasizes the importance of sending and supporting those who carry forth the gospel message, exemplified in the lives of Paul and Barnabas.'''
-'''Homiletical Proposition/Application: This sermon can help Christians recognize their part in the larger mission of the church—both as senders and goers. It encourages congregants to actively engage in mission work, support those who are sent, and appreciate the importance of sharing what God is doing in the world through their testimonies.'''
+'''Homiletical Proposition/Application: We need to recognize our part in the larger mission of the church—both as senders and goers. We must actively engage in mission work, support those who are sent, and appreciate the importance of sharing what God is doing in the world. '''
 =Introduction=

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-ï»¿
+__NOTOC__
-=Acts 14:26-15:4 Share God's Work=
+'''Christ Focus: Christ, in His Great Commission, emphasizes the importance of sending and supporting those who carry forth the gospel message, exemplified in the lives of Paul and Barnabas.'''
-Nathan Wakefield / General Adult
+'''Homiletical Proposition/Application: This sermon can help Christians recognize their part in the larger mission of the church—both as senders and goers. It encourages congregants to actively engage in mission work, support those who are sent, and appreciate the importance of sharing what God is doing in the world through their testimonies.'''
-Acts 14:26-15:4; Acts 15:30-36
+=Introduction=
-'''Theological Proposition/Focus:The local church plays a vital role in the Great Commission by sending out missionaries, while those sent have a duty to report back, fostering a cycle of encouragement and collaboration in fulfilling God's plan.'''
+==Image: A story from the missions trip==
-'''Homiletical Proposition/Application:This sermon can help Christians recognize their part in the larger mission of the church&mdash;both as senders and goers. It encourages congregants to engage in mission work actively, support those who are sent, and appreciate the importance of sharing what God is doing in the world through their testimonies.'''
+==Need: The local church must understand its vital role in supporting missions and recognizing the work of God through those who are sent out.==
-=Introduction=
+==Subject: The significance of the local church in the mission of God.==
-==Image: A story from the Missions Trip==
+==Preview: Today, we will explore the responsibility of local churches to send missionaries and the importance of reporting back on God's work.==
-==Text: [https://ref.ly/Ac14.26-15.4 Acts 14:26-15:4]; [https://ref.ly/Ac15.30-36 15:30-36] read all at the beginning.==
+==Text: Acts 14:26-15:4; Acts 15:30-36. We will read both passages at the beginning.==
 ==Setting the Stage:==
-This morning, I want to take us back to the book of Act and Paul's missionary journeys. The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of the church, had been radically transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ. And from that moment on, his life was all in&mdash;devoted to spreading the good news to anyone who would listen.
+This morning, I want to take us back to the book of Acts and Paul's missionary journeys. The Apostle Paul, once a persecutor of the church, had been radically transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ. From that moment on, his life was all in—devoted to spreading the good news to anyone who would listen.
-In the book of Acts, we find a record of three great missionary journeys that Paul undertook. Today we will focus on the aftermath of one of those journeys. On his first journey, recorded in Acts chapters 13 and 14, Paul and Barnabas traveled through Cyprus and into the heart of what we now call modern-day Turkey. They preached in synagogues, healed the sick, faced down sorcerers, endured persecution, and even watched as crowds in Lystra tried to worship them as gods&mdash;only to eventually turn on them and even stone Paul when he wouldn't accept the praise. Through it all, they planted churches, appointed elders, and saw the Spirit of God move in power.
+In the book of Acts, we find a record of three great missionary journeys that Paul undertook. Today we will focus on the aftermath of one of those journeys. On his first journey, recorded in Acts chapters 13 and 14, Paul and Barnabas traveled through Cyprus and into the heart of what we now call modern-day Turkey. They preached in synagogues, healed the sick, faced down sorcerers, endured persecution, and even watched as crowds in Lystra tried to worship them as gods—only to eventually turn on them and stone Paul when he wouldn't accept the praise. Through it all, they planted churches, appointed elders, and saw the Spirit of God move in power.
-But here's the moment I want us to sit with today: after all the miles traveled, after all the hardships and victories, Paul and Barnabas returned to the church that had sent them&mdash;the church in Antioch. [https://ref.ly/Ac14.26-28 Acts 14:26-28] tells us they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them, and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. What a moment that must have been! Stories of miracles, salvations, opposition, and the unstoppable spread of the gospel&mdash;shared with the very people who had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them before they ever set out.
+But here's the moment I want us to sit with today: after all the miles traveled, after all the hardships and victories, Paul and Barnabas returned to the church that had sent them—the church in Antioch. Acts 14:26-28 tells us they gathered the church together and reported all that God had done through them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. What a moment that must have been! Stories of miracles, salvations, opposition, and the unstoppable spread of the gospel—shared with the very people who had fasted, prayed, and laid hands on them before they ever set out.
-This wasn't just a travel update&mdash;it was a celebration of God's faithfulness. It was a reminder that mission is not a solo act. It is the work of the whole church, sending and supporting, praying and rejoicing together. And today, as we look back at Paul's report to the church in Antioch, I want us to consider: how is God calling us to be part of His mission? Where is He opening doors of faith in our world today&mdash;and how will we respond?
+This wasn't just a travel update—it was a celebration of God's faithfulness. It was a reminder that mission is not a solo act. It is the work of the whole church, sending and supporting, praying and rejoicing together. Today, as we look back at Paul's report to the church in Antioch, I want us to consider: how is God calling us to be part of His mission? Where is He opening doors of faith in our world today—and how will we respond?
 =Body=
@@ Line 35: / Line 32: @@
 ==''Responsible'' — Local churches have a responsibility to send, the sent have a responsibility to report (14:26-27).==
-The Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas back into the mission field and the local church has an active role as a supportive community in missions. We need to understand our church's responsibility in nurturing and sending missionaries, as well as the importance of celebrating God's work witnessed by these missionaries. It reflects Christ's commissioning of His followers to make disciples, underscoring the church's participation in this divine task.
+The Antioch church sent Paul and Barnabas back into the mission field, and the local church has an active role as a supportive community in missions. We need to understand our church's responsibility in nurturing and sending missionaries, as well as the importance of celebrating God's work witnessed by these missionaries. This reflects Christ's commissioning of His followers to make disciples, underscoring the church's participation in this divine task.
 ===The support and commission of the local church should not be forgotten (26).===
@@ Line 43: / Line 40: @@
 ===The local church should be made aware of brothers and sisters from far away (27b).===
-===Image: Some pictures of those with whom me worked.===
+===Image: Some pictures of those with whom we worked.===
 ===MTR: Pick someone you learned about today, write down their name, and pray for them this week.===
 ==''Encouraged'' — Investment, growth, and edification are needed even for those who have already been sent (14:28; 15:30-35).==
@@ Line 56: / Line 55: @@
 ===MTR: Make a plan; what would it look like for you to be part of encouraging a missionary?===
 ==Repeat — Those who have been sent should always be ready and willing to go out again (15:1-15:4; 36).==
-===The end of one journey was in fact the beginning of another (1-2).===
+===The end of one journey was, in fact, the beginning of another (1-2).===
 ===It is never the wrong time to talk about what God is doing (3-4).===
-===God may send you back out so you better be ready (36).===
+===God may send you back out, so you better be ready (36).===
 ===Image: What if we go back to Costa Rica? What if we go somewhere else?===
-===MTR: Start praying now and asking, "God would you have me go on the next trip?"===
+===MTR: Start praying now and asking, "God, would you have me go on the next trip?"===
-We have this family and our family reunion is the Lord Supper.
+We have this family, and our family reunion is the Lord's Supper.