The Long View 2: Remember the Lesson

Acts 11:19-30
19Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. 20Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. 21The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
22News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 23When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. 24He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
25Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

This is an encouraging passage for any remnant group! There are a couple of factors. One is that it’s an example of having two groups in the same city: one that is that is going to all nations and one that is going only to Jews. Secondly, it’s encouraging because they are not trained evangelists or apostles, but simply men from Cypress and Cyrene who are on the run from the persecution in Jerusalem.

Consequently, God is inspired by their work and sends them Barnabas who then manages to bring the Paul that becomes the powerful apostle we all know and love.

Antioch became the most or at least one of the most powerful churches in the first century! That’s got to encourage every small group out there who’s been scattered by the bitterness and persecution of our tribulations.

Before I go on: This week we are starting to welcome all the guests to the Gathering 2009: Harvest the Earth! We can’t wait to have everyone in and encourage them!

A month ago I wrote an article called “The Long View”. In it I described the trials and troubles of the original “remnant” under Nehemiah. Even if a fox climbed up on their wall it would crumble! The village Jews near them didn’t believe in them, and sometimes they didn’t even believe in themselves! Without regard for the discouraging situation, Nehemiah rallied the Jews, prayed, posted a guard to meet the threats, and reminded them of how important their faith and their efforts were. They were fighting for their very survival.

Its fair to say that’s pretty close to where we were a month ago. We had been fruitless for a couple months and it was starting to get pretty gloomy… there were plenty of foxes on our wall.

The fact that we had organized to go to the Ukraine conference, we had Kips visit, our special collect, first principles classes, our leaders retreat, had the whole church read “Lion Never Sleeps” and “Master Plan of Evangelism” and our Career Development Workshop and the Global Leaders Conference in LA, all in the space of three months! Each one of those events was spectacular and really built up the church however by stacking them all so closely we shot our evangelistic momentum to pieces. But of course that can’t be the only reason; busy disciples can still be fruitful.

I thought we would turn the whole situation around and kick off to a fresh start with a series of house church style services in the park… it rained.

God forced us to our knees so that we could see that one thing led to our drought, and one thing alone. Matthew 13:58 “And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.” I believe that as a church, due to how busy we had been not to mention other factors that we were struggling with, our faith took a hit. Without faith there can be no miracles…

Last month when I wrote the article “The Long View” ago we all made a decision to repent. Instead of getting further discouraged, turning on one another and turning away from the Lord, we chose to get convicted about the need for more faith, seek wisdom from God, seek accountability from one another and advance with humility and determination.

I’m very proud of the church right now and looking back I’m grateful God put us through the testing that He did.

What is the fruit of our repentance? I am happy to announce that we have six new members in the last month! Two great long time disciples restored: James who has had so much impact in his years as a disciple and our awesome returned brother Mick who was converted nearly 10 years ago. Our four new brothers baptised into Christ (1 Cor: 12-12) John, a former denominational minister of 40 years who’s humility has lifted us all, Ken a businessman and entrepreneur with a new found love of the bible, Craig an energetic young man who wants to be a preacher and Jacob who came from the Pacific Islands to join the British Army and joined the Lords army instead! The church is rejoicing with our new family members and rejoicing to be used by God to reach these amazing souls!

At the same time I remember two months ago saying to one brother: “I’m not afraid that God won’t bless our repentance.. I’m afraid we will forget the lesson…” As I write this article today, in the great apartment of one of our new brothers I am reminded of saying that.

It is my sincere prayer that we all continue to take this lesson to heart and be vigilant against faithlessness so that we may continue to be fruitful! We have to have faith to go to all nations before we go to all nations! Faith takes courage. Will we have the courage to stick our necks out and have faith, or when the pressure is on will we obstinately to try to do things on our own? Let’s pray for the discernment to know the difference between working hard on our own and working hard with faith in God.

Like the church in Antioch we have many changes and adaptations to go through as we move forward. In about 10 months from now our great brother and sister Micheal and Michele Williamson will come to lead this eager, serving and humble group in London. It is my firm belief that this group will grow under the Williamson’s leadership and bring the gospel to many hurting people in London. From London to Birmingham, Manchester, the whole UK and the whole commonwealth, including my own Canada. Do you believe in miracles? I do. With faith, they happen.

Love,

Tim