Paul and Barnabas are sent out by the Holy Spirit
Theme: Living by Faith in Christ Alone
Theme Verse: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:20 NIV
Readings: Acts 13:1-12
Memory Verse: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." (Acts 13:2)
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers (people who were recognized by the Church as having and using these gifts of the Holy Spirit on a regular basis). Now look at the variety of people (Acts 13:1). A word received: Look at this company of saints and their backgrounds -- even someone who was raised with Herod. I can use anyone in my service who turns to me. I can use you. You can be set aside for my service as well as Barnabas and Saul. Barnabas was from Cyprus, Simeon was black ("Niger"), Lucius was from North Africa (Cyrene now called Libya), and Manaen had been brought up with King Herod. These were prophets and teachers at Antioch. Saul was a Pharisee from Tarsus.
For a whole year Barnabas and Saul had been teaching the church at Antioch (Acts 11:26). Then "while they were ministering to/worshiping the Lord and fasting" (there is no indication that this was an unusual activity) the Holy Spirit speaks to the church (it may well have been just the leaders -- the prophets and teachers) while they were serving God in worship. The word translated "worshiping" or "ministering" is the Greek word "liturgeon" which means service. That is why we talk about Sunday services. They were ministering to the Lord, serving God by their worship and fasting. That is what public worship is about -- serving and ministering to God. It is not about what we get out of it (though we will get something if we do it whole heartedly). God gives us everything and what can we give him? -- We can give God service and minister to God through our acts of worship. What is it you think you are doing in the church? Why are we there? How does it make the Lord feel if we're only there out of a grudging "duty"? He sees our hearts!
"While" they were worshiping, the Holy Spirit spoke to them. They made themselves available to God. He told them to "separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." A word received: They were all ministering to me. That is what I want at Christ Church: I want all to minister to me with praise and worship. See what I can do with such service to me.
Verse 2 is a model for Christian community. They were seeking God. A word received: When you seek me you will surely find me. We need to seek the Lord's "face"/presence when we worship. Do we? God has a plan. He calls and sets apart certain people for certain tasks. Once again God takes the initiative. The church responds with obedience by setting apart the men God already called and lays hands on them, praying and fasting for them for God to bless and guide them in their mission. They were asking for a special anointing for Saul and Barnabas. Only two people were chosen but the whole church is involved in the process of sending them out. Prayer: Holy Spirit, please set me apart for the work to which you have called me. Pray about, ask the Lord to show you the work he has for you. God still has much work to do today -- in our generation. Has God ever called you to do something? Have you ever been "set apart" for a task that God has given? (The Sunday School teachers and the mission team to Florida were set apart and hands were laid on them with prayer.)
Reread verse 2: "fasted", "prayed", "laid hands on", "sent". A word received: These are the marks of a mission-minded body. I want to see this at Christ Church. "Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went…" God is the missionary. Remember when Jesus gave the great commission he promised that we are to go with his authority and power as he promised to be with us always. The Holy Spirit goes before the ones he sends and prepares the way. "They went…" They obeyed. It is spiritually very dangerous to know what God calls us to do and not to obey. Notice the reference to John (John Mark, see Acts 12:25) being with them. Barnabas was mentoring his nephew.
They go first to Cyprus, where Barnabas was from. As was their custom they proclaimed the Good News in the synagogue where devout Jews and Gentiles who already believed in the God of Israel would be. Note on verse 9: This is the first time Saul is called Paul. Saul was his Jewish name and Paul was his Roman name.
In Cyprus Paul and Barnabas encounter a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet whose last name was "Son of Jesus/Joshua" (= Bar-Jesus. Jesus or Joshua was a very common name). Perhaps his first name or title was "Sorcerer"/"Wizard"/Elymas. He was not a player of slight of hand parlor tricks; he sought and had power from Satan. There is evil spiritual power as well as good spiritual power. This man had gotten himself a job as an attendant of the ruler of the island and he was fighting against Paul and Barnabas to keep the Proconsul from hearing the word of God -- even though the Proconsul had sent for Barnabas and Saul to hear their message. Just because something "works" or has power does NOT mean it is necessarily from God. Satan can imitate some of God's minor miracles -- but only to catch people like fish on a hook [examples: Ouija boards, fortune telling, witches and spells, Dungeons and Dragons].
The power of God is stronger than Satan's power. Paul was filled with the power (and wisdom) of the Holy Spirit and confronts Elymas directly, straight on. He tells the truth about what he is doing and speaks God's punishment on him -- being blind for a while. This is interesting since that is how God treated Saul for three days when he confronted Saul on the road to Damascus. Why blindness? Part of the reason might be that physical blindness was a symbol of his spiritual blindness. Paul was making his blindness visible. We don't know whether Elymas repented but we do know that this "miracle" (signs and wonders is a more Biblical term) caused the Proconsul to believe the teaching about Jesus. A word received: I always accomplish my purposes.
When God is doing great things, the devil tries to turn people away. This happens today. Hilda gave an example of the second parish Profile Committee, the problems, glitches and the problems of the people who went on the mission trip last summer after they came home. God is more powerful. God is glorified. We need to recognize the enemy's attacks and confront them with boldness, prayer and the name of Jesus. We always need to make the choice to turn away and refuse to participate in anything that is part of Satan's kingdom.
In this lesson we see the power of God, the Holy Spirit, at work and we see the power of Satan at work. Which side do you want to be on? We need to talk about where to draw the line. There will be areas where Christians disagree but there is much that is straight-forwardly the power of evil.
Teaching Ideas for Lesson 08
Please read the Study Guide first. Go over Memory Verse to make sure the children understand it and then if they have memorized it.
Remind them their parents need to sign a report slip monthly if they have read the lessons, so they will get credit at the end of the year.
Make sure they know what happened in the story. Get them to tell you.
Basic points of the lesson for little ones:
1. When we go to church on Sunday we serve God by worshipping Him.
2. God has a plan for His community--when we seek Him we will hear Him.
3. When God tells us to do something, He expects us to obey Him.
4. God can use you for His plans if you give your heart to Him.
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