Sermons About Barnabas
Galatians 2.11-21: Representing Jesus in the Ministry of Reconciliation
We continue to look at the opposition between Paul and Peter. This was so important to the church at Antioch, to the Galatians and the advancement of the gospel of grace. Today we also deal with conflict, opposition and being stand-offish, which were all present in Galatians 2. This is important for us and the advancement of the gospel of grace just as it was then.
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Galatians 2.11-16: No more masquerading
The scene changes from Jerusalem to Antioch and the mood also changes as Paul confronts Peter. The reason for the public opposition is Peter's double-mindedness and double standards. He would regularly eat and fellowship with Gentiles (the uncircumcised), but as some Jewish leaders from Jerusalem arrive in Antioch Peter withdraws from the Gentiles. His hypocrisy causes others to wear mask as well including Barnabas. Andrew Peterson has said in one of his great songs, the church is the second coming of the Pharisees. At times, that is very true and so it was on this day in Antioch. May we apply and live what we profess to belileve. The gospel of grace, the soul of man and the glory of God is at stake. So, let's throw off the masks.
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Conflict Resolution
Acts 15:36-42 In the church the Holy Spirit uses even disagreements to advance the kingdom of God.
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Galatians 2.1-10: Faith that produces works
Paul recounts his journey with Barnabas and Titus to Jerusalem to meet with the council there. We see Paul on a mission for freedom. He is a freedom fighter fighting for the gospel of grace. The faith that is gifted to one to believe produces works. It is faith that touches the lives of others.
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Being A Multiplying Church
From the story in Acts 13:1-5 where the church at Antioch sent out Paul & Barnabas, we can learn at least three things about how God can prepare us for the work of church planting. First, God equipped his people. Second, the church gave generously and third, the familiar met the unfamiliar.
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Spiritual Blindness
Often our heart's affection is easily directed away from the Giver of good gifts to the gifts themselves. We make romance, money, health, work, and other gifts into an ultimate passion which displaces, or at least diminishes our affection for the Giver. So we seek Him in what feels like vain cries to deaf ears, not because we want Him, rather we want what He can give us. God has become our sugar-daddy and we try to hustle Him and use Him as currency to purchase our idols. We know only He can give it to us, so we beg Him like junkies trying to get a fix so that we can scurry off into a dark corner, away from His sight, to worship the real treasure of our hearts.
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