Book Study · Week 6 of 6

Sent Out

Acts 13:1-12

Mission and calling

Main Point

The church exists not for itself but to be sent — worship and mission are inseparable.

Application Ideas

What is God calling you to that feels uncomfortable? How can your small group or church take a step outward?

Discussion Questions

What was the church doing when the Spirit called Barnabas and Saul? What does this tell us about how God sends people?

Detailed Sermon Outline

Primary Text: Acts 13:1-12

Supporting Texts: Isaiah 45:22; Jeremiah 23:28-29; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Big Idea: The church is sent by the Spirit to expand God's kingdom beyond familiar boundaries through witnesses empowered for mission.

Target Length: 35-40 minutes

Introduction

The church at Antioch is worshipping and praying when the Holy Spirit speaks: 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' This is the moment the church's mission goes global.

Barnabas and Saul are sent out. They travel to Cyprus, Sergius Paulus' territory, where they encounter a false prophet trying to prevent the proconsul from hearing the gospel.

The main point: The Spirit calls and empowers specific people to be sent out as missionaries, expanding the gospel into new territories and cultures.

I. Calling From the Spirit (Acts 13:1-3; Isaiah 45:22)

The church at Antioch is led by a diverse group: 'Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.' Multiple nationalities, backgrounds, and experiences.

'While they were worshipping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.' This is not a committee decision. It's the Spirit's directive.
In response, 'they placed their hands on them and sent them off.' The congregation affirms the Spirit's call. They lay hands on them (commissioning them) and release them (sending them out).
Isaiah 45:22 declares: 'Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.' The gospel is meant to reach beyond one region, one culture, one people group.

Missionary work is not an optional extra for the church. It flows from the core of the gospel—that God's salvation is meant for all humanity.

II. Opposition and Boldness (Acts 13:4-8; Jeremiah 23:28-29)

Barnabas and Saul travel to Cyprus. They proclaim God's word in the synagogues. Their message gains a hearing. But then: 'they came across a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus.'

This man 'opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul away from the faith.' He sees that Sergius Paulus (the governor) is interested in the gospel, and he wants to prevent that conversion.
Saul (who will soon be called Paul) confronts him: 'You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery... Now the hand of the Lord is against you.'
Jeremiah 23:28-29 addresses false prophets: 'Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully, for what has straw to do with grain? Is not my word like fire... like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?'

The gospel truth is not just one opinion among many. When false messages contradict the gospel, they must be confronted directly.

III. The Proconsul Believes (Acts 13:9-12; 1 Corinthians 12:27-31)

God confirms the gospel message with a sign: the sorcerer is struck blind. Sergius Paulus witnesses this and believes: 'When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.'

Notice the sequence: word is proclaimed, opposition arises, God provides a sign, faith is born. The gospel advances not through human persuasion alone, but through the Spirit's confirmation.
This is the pattern throughout Acts: the apostles speak, opposition comes, God acts, people believe, the gospel spreads.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31 reminds us: 'The body of Christ is not made up of one part but of many... Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it... eagerly desire the greater gifts.'

Different people are called to different roles—some to pray, some to teach, some to evangelize, some to plant churches. But all are essential to the mission.

Conclusion & Appeal

The church's mission didn't end with the apostles. Every generation of believers is sent to proclaim the gospel in their context, to their people, with their gifts.

You don't have to be an apostle or a missionary to participate in the mission. Every believer is called to share their faith, to be a witness, to make Christ known.

The question for you: Are you available to be sent? Are you listening to the Spirit's voice about where He wants to use you? Are you willing to step into the unknown for the sake of the gospel? The Spirit is still calling people today.