A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY :19-30 :1, 4 • “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church at Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria … Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.” (NIV)

“A Culture of Generosity” ACTS 11:19-21 • “Now 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. Some 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 . The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” (NIV)

“A Culture of Generosity” THE SPREAD OF CHRISTIANITY 8. Antioch

7. Cyprus

3. Damascus 6. Phoenicia

5. Caesarea/Plains of Sharon

4. Lydda/Joppa 2. Samaria

1. Jerusalem/Judea

“A Culture of Generosity” ACTS 11:21 • “The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.” (NIV)

“A Culture of Generosity” GENEROUS WITH THE The people who loved the Gospel, shared the Gospel. The best messengers of the Gospel were those who had similar cultural backgrounds. ACTS 11:22-24 • “News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent to Antioch. When 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. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.” (NIV)

“A Culture of Generosity” DESCRIPTION OF BARNABAS • “He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith.” (Acts 11:24, NIV)

“A Culture of Generosity” A PASTOR’S HEART • “… talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.” (:43) • “… strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.” (:22)

“A Culture of Generosity” GENEROUS WITH RESOURCES Barnabas was in love with the Gospel and therefore, invested his time, resources, and energy into the church. ACTS 11:25-26 • “Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and 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.” (NIV)

“A Culture of Generosity” LOOK (anazēteō) • To search diligently for, to hunt, to look with difficulty • Used only by Luke – Of Jesus’ parents looking for him as a child and finding him in the temple courts (Luke 2:44) – Of Barnabas looking for Saul (Acts 11:25)

“A Culture of Generosity” ACTS 13:1 • “… Simon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.” (NIV)

“A Culture of Generosity” GENEROUS WITH DISCIPLESHIP Barnabas is so in love with the Gospel, that he makes it a priority to partner with and train others in ministry. ACTS 11:27-30 • During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named , stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul.” (NIV) “A Culture of Generosity” A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY • Generosity in sharing the Gospel – Antioch sends their very best to Jerusalem: Barnabas and Saul. – Missionary journeys begin at Antioch.

“A Culture of Generosity” A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY • Generosity in sharing the Gospel • Generosity of the wallet – “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (1 Cor 9:6-9)

“A Culture of Generosity” A CULTURE OF GENEROSITY Be generous with the Gospel Be generous with resources Be generous with discipleship