The Church in Motion: Embracing God's Mission

In the book of Acts, we encounter a powerful truth about the nature of the church: it was never meant to be static. From its inception, the early church was a dynamic, ever-moving entity, guided by the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel far and wide. This perpetual motion wasn't just a historical quirk—it's a blueprint for how the church should function today.

The moment a church enters a "maintenance phase," it begins to stagnate. Like muscles that atrophy without use, a church that isn't actively pursuing its mission will slowly wither. This sobering reality challenges us to examine our own congregations and personal faith journeys. Are we content with maintaining the status quo, or are we allowing the Spirit to propel us forward into new territories of faith and service?

Acts 13 provides a vivid illustration of a church in motion. The passage opens with a snapshot of the church in Antioch—a vibrant, diverse community of believers. This wasn't a homogeneous group; it included people from various cultural backgrounds, social statuses, and even former enemies of the faith. The diversity of the early church stands as a powerful rebuke to our modern tendency to segregate ourselves into culturally or racially homogeneous congregations.

In this diverse gathering, we witness a pivotal moment. As the believers were worshiping and fasting, the Holy Spirit spoke, calling for Barnabas and Saul to be set apart for a special work. This divine interruption teaches us a crucial lesson: the Spirit moves when we seek and glorify God. It's in the context of worship, prayer, and fasting that God often reveals His plans and purposes for His people.

Importantly, this calling wasn't delivered to Barnabas and Saul individually, but to the church as a whole. This challenges our contemporary notion of individual calling, reminding us that God's call on our lives should be affirmed and supported by the community of faith. The church laid hands on Barnabas and Saul, symbolically identifying with their mission and pledging their support. This act of commissioning changed the course of history, launching the first intentional missionary journey of the early church.

As Barnabas and Saul (soon to be known as Paul) set out, they encountered both opportunities and obstacles. Their first stop was Cyprus, an island strategically positioned at the crossroads of the ancient world. This choice of location reveals God's wisdom in reaching the maximum number of people with the gospel message.

However, the path of mission is rarely smooth. The missionaries faced opposition, most notably from a magician named Bar-Jesus (or Elymas) who attempted to turn the proconsul Sergius Paulus away from the faith. This confrontation illustrates a timeless truth: the enemy will always seek to pervert and distort the truth, but he can never ultimately prevent the advance of the gospel.

In a dramatic display of God's power, Paul rebuked Elymas, temporarily blinding him. This miraculous intervention led to the conversion of Sergius Paulus, described as "a man of intelligence." The fact that Luke, the author of Acts, highlights this particular conversion reminds us that the gospel is not just for the simple-minded or uneducated—it has the power to transform even the most discerning intellects.

The account in Acts 13 challenges us to see obstacles not as setbacks, but as opportunities for God's glory to shine through. When we face opposition in our efforts to share the gospel or live out our faith, we can take heart knowing that these challenges are often the very means by which God demonstrates His power and draws people to Himself.

This passage also serves as a sobering reminder that following Christ comes with a cost. As R. Kent Hughes poignantly observes, a life of sincere devotion to Christ will inevitably lead to experiences of rejection, misunderstanding, and even persecution. Yet, these difficulties are far outweighed by the joy of adventure with the Lord of the universe and the spiritual victories that come from living in allegiance to Him.

It's crucial to note that the Christian life isn't promised to be free from hardship. In fact, the New Testament consistently warns believers to expect trials and tribulations. What we are promised, however, is the constant presence of Christ in the midst of our struggles. He will never leave us nor forsake us, and no attack from the enemy can ultimately overcome us.

The mission of God, as exemplified in Acts 13, continues today. God is still a God who seeks to save the lost, and He still calls His church to be the vehicle through which His gospel is proclaimed. Whether it's through local outreach efforts like Vacation Bible School or international missions, the heartbeat of the church should always be to carry forth the good news of Jesus Christ.

As we reflect on this powerful passage, we're confronted with some challenging questions:

1. Are we allowing ourselves to become stagnant in our faith, or are we actively seeking God's direction for our lives and our churches?

2. How diverse is our faith community? Are we intentionally reaching out to people from different backgrounds, or have we become comfortable in our homogeneity?

3. Are we supporting and affirming those whom God has called to specific ministries, both locally and globally?

4. How do we respond to obstacles in our faith journey? Do we see them as setbacks or as opportunities for God to work?

5. Are we willing to pay the cost of following Christ, even when it leads to discomfort or rejection?

The story of the early church in Acts is not just ancient history—it's a living challenge to us today. God is still seeking to save the lost, and He's still calling His people to be part of that mission. May we, like Barnabas and Paul, be willing to step out in faith, face obstacles with courage, and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us into new territories for the sake of the gospel.

As we go forth, may we remember that the church is not a building or an institution, but a dynamic movement of God's people, empowered by His Spirit, to bring the life-changing message of Jesus Christ to a world in desperate need of hope and salvation.