Have you read the news lately? Debates are raging across the country over controversial issues from Flock cameras to data centers. While personal privacy concerns and responsible land management are certainly important civic matters, the Bible doesn’t contain explicit teaching about these things. Therefore, Christians might find themselves on different sides of the issue. But then there is the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has heightened the tensions over America’s relationship to Israel. 

The question of Israel as a modern political issue goes back to its declaration of statehood in 1948. However, unlike some other hot topics today, references to Israel are found throughout the entire Biblical narrative, including Acts 13, as Paul and Barnabas continue along their first missionary journey.

Upon entering Antioch in Pisidia, Paul and Barnabas first visited the local Jewish synagogue. Certainly they did so for pragmatic reasons. The Jews already had some knowledge of the Old Testament. It was an easy entry point for the spread of the gospel. However, there was also a theological reason, which would become apparent in Paul’s sermon that he delivered when local elders asked him to speak. 

We see that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel. But as the episode unfolds, because of Jewish rejection, Paul then turned his attention to the Gentiles, and many throughout the entire region believed. 

Our author, Luke, makes clear that this was all part of God’s predetermined plan. Just as He had sovereignly chosen Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so too He chose that many Gentiles be saved, as the gospel would go forth to the ends of the earth. The new Gentile mission was a part of God’s unfolding plan for the ages, which will ultimately result in all Israel being saved.

The history of Israel is full of rebellion against God. Political alignment with its government is complicated and requires discernment. However, we should not be arrogant toward the Jews because one day all Israel will be saved.

A campaign is a planned, coordinated series of actions designed to achieve a specific goal. There are military campaigns, ad campaigns, and political campaigns. Whatever the kind, success depends on clear goals, a well-defined audience, compelling messaging, disciplined execution, and continuous learning. 

But as we continue in the Book of Acts, we read about a different kind of campaign: an evangelistic campaign. In obedience to the Holy Spirit, with the blessing of the church at Antioch, Paul and Barnabas set out on their first missionary journey. They would claim unreached areas for Christ, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.

They began in Cyprus, Barnabas’ birthplace. There, they traveled the length of the island, proclaiming the word of God. Luke illustrates the success of their efforts by describing the conversion of Sergius Paulus, the Roman governor over the entire province.

How did the gospel prevail in Cyprus? Many have attempted to analyze and replicate the missionary methods of Paul, such as selecting strategic city centers or targeting men of influence. While some patterns do emerge, it doesn’t seem that he set out with any definite design. Luke doesn’t attribute Paul and Barnabas’ success to a particular strategy. Instead, we see that the gospel prevailed on the island of Cyprus because they faithfully communicated God’s word and boldly confronted Satan’s lies.

So it is for you and me still today. There is an ongoing battle for the hearts and minds of people. But our methods are not political, militaristic, or better marketing. As Paul writes, "The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God." We too deal with spiritual deception by faithfully communicating God’s word and boldly confronting Satan’s lies.

Space missions are organized projects to send manned or robotic spacecraft into space for the purpose of exploration, scientific research, and technological advancement. According to the Planetary Society, the total cost of the Apollo program, which put a man on the moon, was $25.8 billion; that’s approximately $309 billion when adjusted for modern inflation. Space missions are complicated and costly. But is it really worth it? Surely we could invest the money in better ways here at home.

In the book of Acts, Luke describes another kind of mission. In Acts 13:1-3, we read that the church at Antioch got organized and intentionally sent two of its most gifted leaders out into the unknown for the work that the Holy Spirit had called them to. This was the dawn of Christian missions. Still today God uses Spirit-led local churches to launch missionaries who take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Like sending a man to the moon, Christian missions is complicated and costly. But is it really worth it? Besides, you might wonder, why should we send missionaries to faraway places when there are still so many lost people right here at home? Local evangelistic efforts would cost less and perhaps even be more effective.

However, as we drill down into this question of Christian missions, we see that God calculates differently. The goal of all human history is for God to display his glory and receive the praise that He is rightly due. The cosmic scene described in Revelation 5 reveals that God desires worshipers. But not just more worshipers, worshipers of different kinds, from every tribe, language, people, and nation. In this way, God receives maximum glory. This is at the heart of the Great Commission. 

The primary task that Jesus has entrusted to his church is to make disciples. But not just more disciples, disciples of all nations. We should send missionaries to faraway places even though there are still so many lost people right here at home because God receives more glory when he is praised by all the nations of the earth.

Space missions are organized projects to send manned or robotic spacecraft into space for the purpose of exploration, scientific research, and technological advancement. Since the launch of Sputnik and the dawn of the space age in 1957, there have been over 7300 orbital rocket launch attempts and 415 human spaceflights.

Launching rockets into space is complicated and costly. A single active space mission relies on an immediate ground support network of hundreds of people working concurrently. If you consider the broader engineering and manufacturing infrastructure that enables a mission to happen, that number dramatically increases to tens of thousands of personnel.

As we continue in the book of Acts, we read about another kind of mission: taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. Until this point in our story, gospel expansion depended on individual initiative, or it came about as the result of external factors such as persecution. However, in chapter 13 we see that the church in Antioch intentionally sends two of its most gifted leaders to accomplish the work that the Holy Spirit had called them to. 

Paul and Barnabas would spend the next two years traveling, taking the gospel to unreached places where the church did not yet exist. This was the dawn of Christian missions. 

But, like launching rockets, Christian missions is costly and complicated, requiring lots of ground support. In Acts 13:1-3, we see the primary role the local church plays. God uses Spirit-led local churches to launch missionaries who take the gospel to the ends of the earth.

On the evening of September 11, 2012, a group of armed militants assaulted the U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi, Libya. Embassy personnel repeatedly requested urgent help from both local Libyan security assets and U.S. military forces. However, due to insufficient preparedness, lack of clarity in the approval chain, restrictive rules of engagement, and other factors, help never arrived. Four Americans died, including the U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens.

As we continue in the book of Acts, we read that the Jerusalem church came under heavy attack. Herod had James, one of the apostles, killed. He then imprisoned Peter with plans to execute him as well. So the believers interceded on his behalf. But would help arrive? 

As the story unfolds, we see that God indeed answered the earnest prayers of the church. He sent an angel who rescued Peter from prison. Then, some time later, in dramatic fashion, an angel struck their nemesis, Herod, dead. God intervened, which allowed for the gospel to continue its increase. 

This episode answers a fundamental question that many people wrestle with today. Where is God’s judgment against oppressors? Will he answer our desperate call for help? Luke demonstrates God’s responsiveness and complete control even over powerful people intent on doing evil. His Word will not be stifled. Therefore, we can pray earnestly and trust God.

For some time now, we've been in the book of Acts, and at least 3 times the author Luke has introduced us to a character by the name of Barnabas. Barnabas was a guy who was an encourager. That was what his name meant, son of encouragement. We saw how he invited and encouraged Saul into ministry. He went and found him in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch to partner with him in ministry. 

Each time that we've come across Barnabas in the book of Acts, Tim has encouraged you to find yourself a Barnabas. We all need a Barnabas in our life, someone more mature in the faith, someone who encourages us and challenges us to go further, to go further in service and in relationship with the Lord. 

This week, we hear from Dr. Ron Rushing, who is Pastor Tim's Barnabas. Tim met him in his freshman Bible class at Grace College of the Bible back in the '90s, and he was ministering the word. And when Tim went into the mission field, Dr. Rushing personally supported them. Just a few months before Tim returned to the USA, the Lord had also led Dr. Rushing back to the Omaha area where they have some children and grandchildren. So, he still has that role in Tim's life.

The ripple effects from Cornelius’ conversion were felt throughout the entire church. The whole incident revealed not only that a Gentile could be saved just like a Jew, but that they also could enjoy full joint fellowship. The law of Moses, which created obstacles separating Jews from Gentiles, had been fulfilled by Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice. The Spirit now defined the boundaries and character of God’s people.

Luke's retelling of Cornelius’ conversion and the Jerusalem church’s response to it set the stage for the spread of the gospel as far as Antioch of Syria. We read in the second half of Acts 11 that in this Roman metropolis, known for its immoral, pagan customs, the first predominantly Gentile church was born.

Ordinary disciples were spreading the gospel. They were growing in number and in their knowledge of the word. And, in response to the voice of the Lord, they generously gave, sending financial assistance to the church in Jerusalem. As Luke describes the development of the church in Antioch, we see that it was uniquely positioned to take the gospel to the ends of the earth. 

It’s no wonder that God would use them to launch Paul and Barnabas out onto their missionary journeys, showing us still today just what makes for a missions-minded church.

E Pluribus Unum is a Latin phrase that translates to “Out of many, one." It was the first unofficial motto of the United States and, by law, is still placed on all U.S. coins minted today. E Pluribus Unum symbolizes how thirteen separate colonies banded together to form a single, united nation.

Two hundred and fifty years later, we are certainly many, a melting pot. But are we one? Unity is difficult to achieve, especially in a diverse population like ours. But it’s not just a problem of politics. Unity is difficult to achieve anytime you try to bring people together. We have unique backgrounds and beliefs, personal priorities, and problems. 

This was also true in the first-century church. Early on, it was distinctly Jewish, a small but rapidly growing movement within Judaism. The book of Acts tells how the church was first established in Jerusalem and then spread throughout all the surrounding regions of Judea and Samaria. But in chapter 10, we read about a revolutionary development. Luke tells how a foreigner, a non Jew named Cornelius, qualified to participate in the people of God.

Now, in chapter 11, we read that Cornelius’ conversion story would have ripple effects throughout the church. Word got back to Jerusalem that Peter had spent considerable time in a Gentile home and had eaten with them. He’d violated dietary laws, which were one of the distinguishing characteristics of Judaism. 

So Peter retells all that took place to quell the criticism. In Luke’s account, we see that the law of Moses, which created obstacles separating Jews from Gentiles, was fulfilled. The Spirit now defines the boundaries and character of the people of God.

The whole incident revealed not only that a Gentile could be saved just like a Jew, but that they also could enjoy joint fellowship. This was the key that would open the door for the gospel to go to the ends of the earth. Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice and the indwelling presence of His Spirit are what unify the church, making out of many, one.

Forty-eight nations are currently participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup at stadiums throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. It’s an expanded field this year that includes first-time participants like Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan. In order to qualify, teams had to advance out of their respective regional tournaments across the 6 continental confederations. There’s a lot of debate about who should be in or who got left out. 

Like the World Cup, the church is international in flavor, made up of the redeemed from every tribe and language and people and nation. Yet how does one qualify?

The book of Acts describes how the church was born and became a global movement. At the very beginning, Jesus told his disciples that they would be his witnesses to the very ends of the earth. Early on, it was distinctly Jewish. We’ve read how the church was established first in Jerusalem and then spread throughout all the surrounding regions of Judea and Samaria. But in chapter 10, we come to a revolutionary development. Luke tells how a foreigner named Cornelius qualified to participate in the people of God. The whole incident revealed that a Gentile could be saved just like a Jew, by believing in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins.

Cornelius’ conversion story would have ripple effects throughout the church, which we’ll explore in the following episodes. It also highlights the importance of international missions today. No one, not even a good man, is saved simply by believing that God exists or by honoring him in certain ways. The times of ignorance are over; all people everywhere must repent and put their faith in Jesus. Therefore, God prepares you and me to proclaim the gospel so that those who’ve never heard can be saved.

In Sicilian dialect, buddaci refers to the painted comber, a common fish species found in the Strait of Messina. It’s a type of sea bass with a small body and disproportionately large mouth. Buddaci is also a denigrating nickname used to describe the people of Messina. Like the fish with a small body but big mouth, it refers to someone who talks a lot, often making big claims but taking very little actual action.

After telling of Saul’s conversion and calling, Luke concluded with the third of seven progress reports in the book of Acts, informing his readers that the church continued to grow and multiply throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria. Luke wasn’t just blowing smoke. He was no buddaci. 

Here at the end of chapter 9, he provides evidence of the gospel’s reach. Wherever Peter went, he found churches made up of real people with real stories of life change. In Lydda he met Aeneas, who was instantly healed. And in Joppa, a disciple named Dorcas. There was evidence of the gospel’s power both in her life and even more dramatically in her death. When people saw the power of the resurrection displayed, many more believed and turned to the Lord.

So too the gospel’s influence should run deep and wide in our own lives. Not making big blustery claims while taking very little actual action, but rather producing tangible evidence of substantive change.