Now in the church that was at Antioch there were certain prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away." (Acts 13:1-3)

The church at Antioch was flourishing. It is often thought that the church in Jerusalem was the model church. However, the church in Antioch of Syria also provides a great example of a lively, God pleasing church.

The city of Antioch of Syria was founded in 301 BC during the Grecian period. It was named after Antiochus. Scholars tell us it was a city that allowed for a free expression of religion. Thus, the atmosphere was ripe for the enlargement of the gospel. Luke records:  "But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus." (Acts 11:20)

The church in Antioch was blessed with several gifted leaders. Five are specifically noted here. While every local church should be guided by the message of the Holy Spirit, this seems to be strikingly so at Antioch. These gifted leaders were zealously ministering to the Lord. The result is recorded by Luke:  "And a great many people were added to the Lord." (Acts 11:24)  "So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." (Acts 11:26)

All of this activity would ultimately manifest itself in a work that would extend beyond Antioch. "Separate me" is from the Greek word which means to separate for a special purpose, and to a work for which they have been prepared. Paul and Barnabas would be sent to share the gospel of Christ with the Gentile world.  This separation took place after fasting, prayer, and laying on of hands. These were symbols of how solemn the work. Their ministry was not self-serving. With a high and noble purpose, they parted to do the work facing even perils along the way.

Just what was the purpose of this work? That others may know the love of God. That they may believe and obey Christ for the remission of sin. That they might lead righteous lives for God. May we look to the great work at Antioch, with an intent to emulate these zealous disciples.

By George Slover

In that day," says the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast And those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever. (Micah 4:6-7)

“In that day” seems to identify the marvelous promises mentioned here to the Gospel age. Remarkably these prophecies also describe the pathetic state of those who received God's blessings. “The lame” and “the outcast” represent an afflicted people. For centuries the Jews had suffered at the hands of various nations and her own unfaithful shepherds. However the Christ would relieve the afflicted of all nations.

The ministry of Jesus offers a clue as to who would receive his blessings. "He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives.” (Luke 4:18) Among the recipients were a social outcast who had five husbands, a  tax collector, and  a  harlot that rejoiced in the grace of God.

Human monarchs have promised to take up the calls of the downtrodden and have failed because they fail to serve the greatest needs of the human soul.  But Jesus, the King reaches the very heart of human need.  He lifts them from the dregs of sin and makes them a part of his remnant.

The “remnant” includes Jews and Gentiles who trust in Jesus (Romans 9:27-33). They are citizens of Christ heavenly kingdom, a holy nation, God's people (1 Peter 2:9-10).  And they have been chosen to bear fruit for God (Ephesians 2:10).

The Lord reigns over his people in Zion. When he is enthroned in one's heart something very special happens.  There is no one like him.  He heels our woes and gives us a special place with God.

Thankfully God's kingdom has come!  Those of all nations have entered and found righteousness, joy, and peace in the Holy Spirit.

By George Slover

"Yet behold, there shall be left in it a remnant who will be brought out, both sons and daughters; surely they will come out to you, and you will see their ways and their doings. Then you will be comforted concerning the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, all that I have brought upon it. (Ezekiel 14:22)

Imagine looking in the “help wanted” section of your local newspaper and finding an opening that read: “needed, a watchman sent to the exiles of Judah.”  In this job description you are told that your audience will be a stubborn people who will refuse to apply the message.  Your mission will include predictions of a heathen nation that will totally destroy their cities and homes.  Many of them would be exiled to a faraway land.  Would you take the job?

These prophecies of doom would have been discouraging.  Ezekiel must have contemplated the futility of preaching to those who would not listen.  The faithful ones would have been frightened with the prospect of losing their homes and shrines of religious tradition.  Therefore, God gave them a glimpse of the future to incite comfort.

There is consolation in knowing God is just.  The Judge of all the earth will do right. (Genesis 18:25)  God has a righteous object in all of his actions.  A God-fearing remnant would be spared, and the wicked would be ultimately punished.

There is consolation in knowing that God is merciful.  The ultimate effect of the coming judgment would be to purge Israel of evil.  A child cannot always see the end results of the discipline of his parents, but hopefully one day they will look back with appreciation for the good character they have developed.  The disciplines of God are designed to make us into a special people!

If God’s ways seem hidden, wait patiently for one day you will see it has all been good.

by George Slover

So Jesus answered and said to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' it will be done. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22)

Just before his death, Jesus made his final entry into Jerusalem.  His purpose was to expose its religious leaders, and to warn Jerusalem of impending judgment.  A fruitless fig tree represented the pitiful condition of Judiasm.  Miraculously, Jesus cursed the tree and used it to teach the apostles an important lesson about faith and prayer.

The focus of effective prayer is God.  There can be no prayer without faith in a personal God.  The atheist cannot pray.  He has no god to pray to.  The infinite “it”, the god of the pantheist, is unsusceptible to prayer.  The god of the deist is so far removed he does not care.  The Christian can pray believing in a personal God who intelligently listens to his petitions.  He prays to a God who is able to keep His pledge to do whatever He wishes.  

The Apostles were still weak in faith.  Thus, the Lord’s lesson: “have faith in God”; “do not doubt”.  Doubt destroys the strength of prayer, but with faith “all things are possible”.  Absolute trust in the power and good will of God is a prerequisite to effectual prayer.

Effective prayer must also be backed by an active faith.  This faith is reflected in the life of the petitioner.  He must not ask with improper motives (Js. 4:3) He must strive to live according to God’s will.  When you pray what is your real motive?  Is it for personal gain or comfort or that God is glorified?  It is the prayer of a righteous man that avails much.

Prayer that includes these elements can move a mountain.  Remember the Lord’s promises before you pray.  Trust in them and pray with perseverance.  Your challenges may seem like a deep rooted mountain.  Pray in faith, believing in God’s power and love.  With God “all things are possible”.

By George Slover

To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus". (Colossians 1:27-28 NKJV)

As an Apostle and servant of Christ, Paul also served as a model for evangelism.  Paul was a suffering saint and prisoner of the Lord.  All of his strivings were motivated by man’s greatest cause – the cause of Christ.  In his life’s work, Paul can be a model for us. 

The subject of his preaching is Christ.  Paul says: “we proclaim Him”!  His message did not consist of vain philosophy or religious tradition (Colossians 2:8).  Thus, our mission is to uphold Christ – to proclaim his death, burial, and resurrection, to draw portraits of His life, to herald His grace, and to clearly spell out His demands.

The scope of his preaching is all mankind.  Paul says, “We admonish every man”.  C.S. Lewis stated: “There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  But it is immortals whom we joke with, marry, snub, and exploit- immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”  What a sobering thought.  No one is safe without Jesus!  All men are accountable to God.  Thus, our mission is to generously scatter the seed.

The method of Paul’s preaching is practical instruction – “warning and teaching”.  The goal must be to convict the sinner of his guilt (Romans 3:23), and encourage them by the offers of the gospel.  The terms of pardon are "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”. (Acts 20:21) This also includes submission to God in baptism.  (Acts 2:28)

The goal of gospel preaching is to “present every man perfect in Christ”.  The work of the preacher is to mold lives and develop character.  Redeeming the sinner of guilt and saving the eternal soul are important, but the work is not finished with conversion.  It only begins there.  In fact the eternal goals will not be realized unless one grows on toward perfection in Christ.

It was to this work Paul devoted all of his energy.  It is to this same ministry Christians are also called.  There is not a more important endeavor.

By George Slover