Acts 11:19-26

The truth is, the more of Jesus we have in our personal lives, the more amazing the local church will become. Eph 3:10 Reveals that Gods intent was that now through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms. If you need more wisdom, then the good news is that it is available to you in Christ.

Now that I am a father of two children, a husband of 14 years of happy marriage, I have an increasing appreciation of the value of quality time with my family. The more time I invest, the closer I feel to my family. The same is true in youth ministry. After fifteen years as the youth pastor at Abundant Life Church I have the privilege of seeing the blessing of longevity. I think too many youth workers become frustrated when they don't see the results they have been praying for within their first few months of ministry. Give it a few decades and you will see some amazing things happen!

Keep at it, keep loving, and keep serving over the long haul. Find the fatherless, search for those who are sick, always be on the lookout for the lost and when you find them, embrace and love them completely for decades and the results will speak for themselves.

The Amazing Antioch Church

Acts 11:19-26 Contains the incredible story of a local church flourishing at the furthermost geographical distance from Jerusalem. The decision is made to send a representative from Jerusalem to Antioch to help grow this church. Barnabbas, whose name meant son of encouragement, is sent. When Barnabbas arrives he sees what the bible calls "evidence of the grace of God and he was glad".

I think every youth worker needs to commit to become a "son of encouragement." Out of all the people the early apostles could have sent, they selected an encourager to travel to Antioch. What I have decided to bring in recent years to different youth ministries and churches is encouragement. I have learned this from leading Rocknations in Bradford, England, which is located in one of the poorest areas in Europe. In my city, many young people lack encouragement and the ability to believe in themselves. To bring encouragement is to inspire and motivate them against all odds to believe that they can do amazing things.

The Grace Of God Is Visible

Reaching out to achieve potential creates an atmosphere of belief. I have noticed that when young people begin to believe God they can make the impossible become reality. Healings, restoration, freedom from addictions, salvations are happening more and more frequently at RN than they did in our early years because more young people are modeling grace.

When Barnabas saw the evidence of the grace of God it made him glad. Do you want to increase gladness? An essential tool to develop in the arsenal of every youth worker is the ability to RECOGNIZE WHERE GRACE IS. Although God is invisible, what His grace produces can be clearly seen. Thanks to technology it's easier than ever before to see and hear God's grace. Next summer will launch the 10th anniversary of Rocknations. Seeing young people worship, preach, testify, celebrate is evidence to the fact that Jesus is alive and well in the 21st century. I encourage you to travel to places, watch You Tube clips, listen to cd's of youth ministries, download podcasts, it will make you glad!

Amazing Requires Extra Effort

All this will take extra effort, but the payoff is massive! After Barnabas traveled all the way to Antioch, he worked hard and taught many and a great number of people came to the Lord. That was the effort bit. The EXTRA effort was that he then left the comfort of the grace so evident at Antioch and went out in search of someone who lacked grace.

Barnabbas found Saul in Tarsus. Saul was on the run having recently organised the murder of church leaders such as Stephen. Who would have thought that once this young man after having received encouragement and grace would go on to write more than half of the New Testament? How amazing is that? Decide today to put extra effort in finding people who need encouragement and grace you will be amazed at what they go on and accomplish for God. For a whole year Barnabas and Saul (later to be called Paul|) worked together at Antioch. Extra effort looks like believing in people for a long time. If you have the opportunity to give grace, then give it and give it again!

Have you ever wondered how Jesus could give grace to Judas who would betray him? How he could give grace to a thief dying next to him while he himself was wrongfully put to death on the cross? Can you give more grace? Identify who is in need of grace today? Your neighbour? That cheeky young person?

Grace is not cheap love. It is not an excuse to keep sinning. Did Saul keep sinning when he received grace and encouragement? On the contrary, he became the champion of helping broken people transform their lives. After Saul received grace he chose to remember and reflect Gods amazing grace for the rest of his life.

Antioch The First Place That People Called Christians