A Spirit Empowered Ministry
Acts 13:1-12
1st Acts 13 marks a significant transition in the book of Acts
2nd Before the church could reach the world it had to grow in maturity and strength
3. The Holy Spirit is the one empowers and directs the church
Acts 13:2, (NIV)
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:4, (NIV)
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit,
Acts 13:9, (NIV)
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said,
1. The Spirit empowers
1st The Spirit empowers by creating diversity
Acts 13:1, (NIV)
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
2nd A Spirit empowered church listens to the Holy Spirit
Acts 13:2, (NIV)
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
Acts 13:3, (NIV)
So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
1 Timothy 4:14, (NIV)
Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.
3rd A Spirit empowered church is directed by the Holy Spirit
Acts 13:4, (NIV)
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus.
Acts 13:4-5, (NIV)
The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
2. Satan opposes
Acts 13:6, (NIV)
They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos.
Acts 13:13, (NIV)
From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem.
2 Corinthians 11:26, (NIV)
I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits,
Acts 13:6, (NIV)
They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus,
Acts 13:6-7, (NIV)
There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God.
Acts 13:7-8, (NIV)
The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
Acts 13:9, (NIV)
Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, "You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right!
Acts 13:10, (NIV)
You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?
Acts 13:11, (NIV)
Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind, and for a time you will be unable to see the light of the sun." Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand.
Acts 13:12, (NIV)
When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
