George Keralis, Dmin Gillette Christian Church 307-682-3316
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George Keralis, DMin Gillette Christian Church 307-682-3316 Leaders That Lift the Lid – Acts 13:1-3 Antioch, a church possibly born out of persecution. Following the martyrdom of Stephen, Christians fled Jerusalem. Some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, came to Antioch of Syria, the third city of the Roman empire. At first, Jewish Christians only spoke the Gospel to other Jews (Acts 11:19). Later, some of these Jewish Christians began to cross cultural lines, speaking the Gospel to Greeks (11:20). The church at Antioch became the first multi-cultural church in the first century. This was the first church that sent missionaries to foreign places (13:4ff). The church also had the distinction of being the first church where the name “Christian” was used (11:26). While some churches chug along, others seem to rise up and accomplish great tasks for the Lord. What makes the difference? Money, talent, location, devotion to God? To some extent, all these elements play a part in the greatness of the church. What makes the difference? Leadership is the key ingredient. Team leadership under the direction of God, lifts the lid that allows the church to work outside its natural boundaries. What does an effective team look like in an expanding congregation? 1. Their focus is on glorifying God and not themselves (13:2-3). A. The team before us serves God through worship. 1. Usually, New Testament writers employ the Greek term proskuneo for worship – to bow the knee before God. 2. However, Luke uses the term leitourgeō. The English term “liturgy” comes from this word. From the Old Testament, the word comes to have reference to prayer as a means of sacrifice to God. 3. The team before us is praying (13:2-3). B. The team before us is fasting (13:2-3). 1. Fasting allows your ears to be open to the ideas of God. 2. People who fast in the New Testament are expecting God to give guidance to their lives (Luke 2:37; Acts 14:23). C. When the Spirit does speak, He does not always give you all the details (13:2). 2. A team is diversified, yet equal. A. This is a group of teachers-prophets. 1. Prophets were not only known for foretelling the future as did Agabus (11:27), but they are al- so known for revealing the will of God. 2. Teachers usually explain and apply the revelation of God. 3. Paul is labeled as a teacher in 11:26, and prophesies in 13:9-11. to Bithynia. However, the Spirit forbade them and they headed towards the continent of Europe (16:6-10). 2. God may give us the general direction. However, He may not give us all the details. C. God designs the teams with varied backgrounds to meet the needs of the ministry. 1. Barnabas, Simeon (Niger), Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen who was raised with Herod the tetrarch, Saul of Tarsus 2. As God directs the work of the church, He changes the makeup and function of the team. 3. Teams are accountable to: (Acts 14:27-28) A. God B. The Church C. One Another Mining the Depths of God Exploring Extracting Exporting COPYRIGHT © 2017 BY GEORGE KERALIS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED George Keralis, DMin Gillette Christian Church 307-682-3316 If we want to accomplish great things for God, then we must learn to work in teams. Being a team player requires that we exercise our gifts, submit to the other members of the team and take our guidance from the Lord through the local elders. Accomplishing great things for God recognizes the fact that each of us is a member of the body of Christ. There are no “inactive” members. “Inactive member” is an oxy- moron. God works through us as we connect with a team to accomplish great things for Him. Mining the Depths of God Exploring Extracting Exporting COPYRIGHT © 2017 BY GEORGE KERALIS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED .