A CHURCH TO CELEBRATE (18 OF 34)
Scripture: Acts 11:19-30, Acts 13:1-4
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A Church to Celebrate (18 of 34)
Series: Acts
Robert Dawson
Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-4
A prospective pastor preached at an old 1st Baptist Church in a major city. Through the years the city had grown but they church had not. It was a small church with few people in its dimly lit sanctuary. The service was depressing. The people were listless, lifeless and sang the old hymns as if they were a funeral dirge and not great anthems of the faith.
Later in the day he was walking around the downtown area - thinking and praying - and he came across a Grand Opening at a jewelry store. He went inside and it was bright and cheerful. The people were friendly and excited. Happy and upbeat music was being pumped throughout the building. As he looked around he thought, ''If they had given an invitation he would have rather joined the jewelry store than the church.''
We all know churches like that. We have been to churches like that. Most churches have been through stretches like that. Not every church is created equal. Not every church is one we could want to connect with and have our family be a part of because they are a church in name only.
Today I want us to look at a church worth being a part of, a church worth celebrating and emulating. It is the church in Antioch and we find her story in the Acts 11.19-30 and Acts 13.1-3. As we follow this church's story we will find a church worth joining, a church we should aspire to be.
Every city needs a church filled with people who have earned for themselves the title Christian - and demonstrate what it means to be a follower of Christ in their every area of their lives every day of their lives.
The ancient city of Antioch was a city in need.
- Large city - 3rd largest in the Roman Empire
- Cultural and commercial center - melting pot for the Jews, Persians, Indians, Cyprians and Chines.
- It was the birthplace of NASCAR. It was known for its wild chariot races. It was a city of sports gone mad and filled wit ...
Series: Acts
Robert Dawson
Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-4
A prospective pastor preached at an old 1st Baptist Church in a major city. Through the years the city had grown but they church had not. It was a small church with few people in its dimly lit sanctuary. The service was depressing. The people were listless, lifeless and sang the old hymns as if they were a funeral dirge and not great anthems of the faith.
Later in the day he was walking around the downtown area - thinking and praying - and he came across a Grand Opening at a jewelry store. He went inside and it was bright and cheerful. The people were friendly and excited. Happy and upbeat music was being pumped throughout the building. As he looked around he thought, ''If they had given an invitation he would have rather joined the jewelry store than the church.''
We all know churches like that. We have been to churches like that. Most churches have been through stretches like that. Not every church is created equal. Not every church is one we could want to connect with and have our family be a part of because they are a church in name only.
Today I want us to look at a church worth being a part of, a church worth celebrating and emulating. It is the church in Antioch and we find her story in the Acts 11.19-30 and Acts 13.1-3. As we follow this church's story we will find a church worth joining, a church we should aspire to be.
Every city needs a church filled with people who have earned for themselves the title Christian - and demonstrate what it means to be a follower of Christ in their every area of their lives every day of their lives.
The ancient city of Antioch was a city in need.
- Large city - 3rd largest in the Roman Empire
- Cultural and commercial center - melting pot for the Jews, Persians, Indians, Cyprians and Chines.
- It was the birthplace of NASCAR. It was known for its wild chariot races. It was a city of sports gone mad and filled wit ...
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