Jerusalem or Antioch?

The book of Acts provides us with a snapshot of two congregations of prominence in the history of the 1st century Church. Beginning at Pentecost in Acts 2, we read of the Church in Jerusalem, led at first by the Apostle Peter and eventually by James, the half-brother of Jesus. From its very inception, and through Acts 15, we discover that the Church at Jerusalem was key in providing the foundational teachings of Jesus to new believers as the gospel continued to expand. However, after the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, we also find that the Jerusalem Church seemingly begins to lose its influence. The other church mentioned prominently in the book of Acts is the Church at Antioch. This church, started by those who had come out of the Church at Jerusalem (Acts 11:19-26), eventually superseded its mother congregation as the church through whom the gospel would be sent throughout the entire Roman world. Acts 13:1-3 provides for us the main reason why the Church at Antioch was eventually used by God to impact the entire world, while the Church at Jerusalem spiraled into irrelevancy. The Church at Antioch became a missionary-sending agency while the Church at Jerusalem turned increasingly inward and lost much of its focus (Acts 15). The principle factor determining the relative effectiveness of each church is summarized in this statement: A church’s greatness is not determined in how many people are attending the church, but in how many people the church is sending as missionaries. This biblical principle was true in the 1st century; it still holds true today.

While I certainly want to reach as many as possible for the gospel of Jesus Christ in our community for the simple reason that each soul is infinitely valuable to God, MBC’s greatness is not determined in how many people are coming to our church, but in how many we are sending out to reach others with the gospel. This is precisely why we chose last year to partner with A Better City Church in Toronto, Canada. Through this partnership we are sending teams, providing resources, and working alongside this great church in reaching a culture far removed from our own. One more amazing milestone is reached as we are now sending one of our own, Taylor Smith, to minister in Toronto. In sending Taylor and providing the resources for his ministry this summer, we are being obedient to the mission of sending missionaries to the ends of the earth. While we celebrate God working through us, how can we continue to be a “sending” church in the weeks and years to come?

1. Pray for Taylor. Regularly lift him up before the Lord. He has been preparing, but he will experience challenges for which he could not plan. While God sends him, the enemy certainly desires to sift him. Pray that he grows in grace and that he is bold in his witness and work.

2. Encourage Taylor and his family. This summer will be a challenge for them all. Few will ever commit themselves to such a harrowing task, and so few understand its unique challenges. Keep in touch with Taylor. Send him a note of encouragement. Pray for his family as they also will face challenges of concern for him.

3. Pray for God to send others from our church. Jesus’ staunch command is that we pray for more workers to be sent out with the gospel message (Matthew 9:38). We are not only charged with sharing Jesus with our community, but with the whole world (Matthew 28:19). Are we fostering an atmosphere in which we encourage and celebrate going for Christ?

4. Evaluate God’s call upon you. There is no one for whom the call of Christ does not demand sacrifice. How could you participate in missions? Are you encouraging your family to follow Christ at all costs by going yourself? Some have been given opportunity and resources by God to go, yet they refuse. The only time to obey Christ is now (Hebrews 4:7).

Living Sent,

Jason