Paul's Odyssey II #3 - Coming Apart at the Teams
Part 2 of a 3-part study of the life and ministry of Paul. This summer segment will focus on Paul's Second Missionary Journey.
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month. Our next Meet & Greet is July 28th following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Barry County Cares could use donations of the following items which will be distributed to folks in need in Barry County. If you can help, drop items off in the church office.
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Laundry Soap
Dish Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
We're being challenged to "open our door" this summer, but Don Wiser is taking this to a new level as he "opens his boat."
Don is offering three hour long fishing trips for up to two people. This would take place from 6:00-9:00 pm weekdays. This is a chance to catch bass, pike, and an occasional walleye. Fishing would take place at Don's house on Algonquin Lake in Hastings. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, contact Don Wiser (269-804-1918) or talk to him on Sunday mornings. He can be found greeting folks near the front doors.
Don is offering three hour long fishing trips for up to two people. This would take place from 6:00-9:00 pm weekdays. This is a chance to catch bass, pike, and an occasional walleye. Fishing would take place at Don's house on Algonquin Lake in Hastings. If this sounds like something you would be interested in, contact Don Wiser (269-804-1918) or talk to him on Sunday mornings. He can be found greeting folks near the front doors.
Saturday, July 20th - Arian Bond
Sunday, July 21st - Debbie Stroven
Monday, July 22nd - Evie Fisher, Bryan Carpenter, Larry & Trish Miller
Tuesday, July 23rd - Diane Snook
Thursday, July 25th - Lisa Coblentz, George & Amanda Shook
Friday, July 26th - Mike & Jane Norris
Sunday, July 21st - Debbie Stroven
Monday, July 22nd - Evie Fisher, Bryan Carpenter, Larry & Trish Miller
Tuesday, July 23rd - Diane Snook
Thursday, July 25th - Lisa Coblentz, George & Amanda Shook
Friday, July 26th - Mike & Jane Norris
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July through September our series is entitled: Paul's Odyssey II
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Odyssey means "a long and adventurous journey or experience". It is the second of a three-part series about the life and ministry of Paul. The text for these three months will cover Acts 15 - 18, Paul's second missionary trip.
Paul had completed his 1st missionary journey toward the tail end of Acts 14. He had encountered spiritual warfare, human opposition, physical trauma, emotional highs and lows, and a major relational disappointment. But at the same time, they had seen many people, Jews and Gentiles, trust Jesus as their Lord and they had established numerous churches.
Following the journey, Paul re-settled in the Roman city of Antioch.
Acts 14:28
Following the journey, Paul re-settled in the Roman city of Antioch.
Acts 14:28
Acts 14:28
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28 And they spent a long time there with the disciples.
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Last week we looked at Acts 15:1-29. We learned that while Paul and his team were resting and bringing renewal to the Antioch church, a storm was brewing.
A self appointed group of Jews took it upon themselves to try and stem the tide of Gentiles coming into the church. Paul and others went back to Jerusalem for a great council in which all sides were heard, and the spiritual leadership stood by the teaching of God's Word.
Acts 15:11
After this the team returned to Antioch and prepared for their spiritual marching orders.
A self appointed group of Jews took it upon themselves to try and stem the tide of Gentiles coming into the church. Paul and others went back to Jerusalem for a great council in which all sides were heard, and the spiritual leadership stood by the teaching of God's Word.
Acts 15:11
After this the team returned to Antioch and prepared for their spiritual marching orders.
Acts 15:11
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11 On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”
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Today we look at Acts 15:30-41 and break it down into two portions:
First - The CELEBRATION at Antioch.
Acts 15:30-35
Some simple lessons:
1. If we want others to know the message of salvation, we must go to them.
2. The message of the gospel brings gladness as people realize there is hope.
3. Being saved is just the beginning, we must strengthen others in their faith.
4. God has a plan for our lives that He is working out in advance.
First - The CELEBRATION at Antioch.
Acts 15:30-35
Some simple lessons:
1. If we want others to know the message of salvation, we must go to them.
2. The message of the gospel brings gladness as people realize there is hope.
3. Being saved is just the beginning, we must strengthen others in their faith.
4. God has a plan for our lives that He is working out in advance.
Second - The CONFLICT between friends.
Acts 15:36-40
Acts 15:36-40
Here are five observations from the text:
1. Acts 15:36 - Paul says to Barnabas, "let us go back."
In Acts 13 there is a subtle switch in order between these two key individuals. The order had been Barnabas and Saul but changed to Paul and Barnabas as their 1st missionary trip progressed.
Paul as the recognized leader reveals the plans the Lord has given for the 2nd missionary trip. He wants to minister to a specific people and area and wants Barnabas to go with him. You can see Paul's heart for God and people.
1. Acts 15:36 - Paul says to Barnabas, "let us go back."
In Acts 13 there is a subtle switch in order between these two key individuals. The order had been Barnabas and Saul but changed to Paul and Barnabas as their 1st missionary trip progressed.
Paul as the recognized leader reveals the plans the Lord has given for the 2nd missionary trip. He wants to minister to a specific people and area and wants Barnabas to go with him. You can see Paul's heart for God and people.
Acts 15:36
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36 Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”
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2. Acts 15:37 - Barnabas wants to take his relative (John, also called Mark) with them. He was the same guy who left the team shortly after starting the 1st missionary journey. Mark was a close relative of Barnabas and it appears that Barnabas wanted his way. We don't know his motive but it appears that he wants Mark to have a do-over.
Acts 15:37
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37 Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark.
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3. Acts 15:38 - In this verse we see that Paul didn't think it was wise to take Mark because he had deserted them before.
We assume that Paul had good reasoning for not wanting to take Mark, The reasoning could very well have been expressed in 1 Timothy 5:22.
Paul didn't think that Mark was ready for the challenge. Not that he wouldn't ever be ready, but he wasn't ready then.
We assume that Paul had good reasoning for not wanting to take Mark, The reasoning could very well have been expressed in 1 Timothy 5:22.
Paul didn't think that Mark was ready for the challenge. Not that he wouldn't ever be ready, but he wasn't ready then.
Acts 15:38
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38 But Paul thought it best not to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not accompanied them in the work.
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1 Timothy 5:22
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22 Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands and thereby share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.
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4. Acts 15:39 - we read in this verse that they had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. This verse gives us the title of this message, "Coming Apart at the Teams."
Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus. Barnabas may have done this, not out of anger but in agreement that Mark needed more time, more training, and more "to doing" in a less demanding role.
Years later Mark matures and becomes an effective leader. Some people have potential, they just have to prove they are able.
Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus. Barnabas may have done this, not out of anger but in agreement that Mark needed more time, more training, and more "to doing" in a less demanding role.
Years later Mark matures and becomes an effective leader. Some people have potential, they just have to prove they are able.
Acts 15:39
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39 Their disagreement was so sharp that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus,
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5. Acts 15:40-41 - The plan God had given Paul was to go revisit and refresh the people of the prior missionary journey and to do so over land. Paul took Silas with him and they were commended by the people. Paul chose a proven leader who was an effective speaker, one who communicated well with the leaders of the church, and one who was committed to the mission and leadership of Paul.
Acts 15:40-41
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40 but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.
41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
41 And he traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
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At times relationships within the church may become frayed, for any number of reasons. This may lead to a difference of opinion, but must never lead to division.
Key Points to Remember:
1. We must listen to the viewpoints and passion of individuals and seek to understand.
2. We must show respect for a person and their opinion and keep the discussion between those involved.
3. We must defer to those in authority if there isn’t a compromise.
4. We must honor God and stay committed to the mission we have been given.
Key Points to Remember:
1. We must listen to the viewpoints and passion of individuals and seek to understand.
2. We must show respect for a person and their opinion and keep the discussion between those involved.
3. We must defer to those in authority if there isn’t a compromise.
4. We must honor God and stay committed to the mission we have been given.
