27th Mar 26 | 16:08
Studies by Book
01 Acts 13 01-03 THE COMMISSIONING OF BARNABAS AND PAUL 12 Acts 13 02 One step at a time
📖 Acts 13:01-03
12 – Wed, 26 Feb 2025 – *One step at a time* - _Acts 13:01-03_ – THE COMMISSIONING OF BARNABAS AND PAUL – _Hebrews 11:10-12_
_Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, *"Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them."*_
The Holy Spirit revealed to the church in Antioch that He was separating Barnabas and Saul for the ministry and that they should be sent away. The next step was to decide where and to whom they had to go.
It was the Holy Spirit who once again led Barnabas and Saul to the next step. _Acts 13:4 So, *being sent out by the Holy Spirit*, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus._ A leading took place, one step at a time. It requires that we learn this lesson.
The Holy Spirit was separating Barnabas and Saul for the ministry to the Gentiles. _Galatians 2:7-9 But on the contrary, when they saw that *the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me*, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter (8) (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), (9) and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, *they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles* and they to the circumcised._
We must trust the Holy Spirit to lead us one step at a time. This is the life of faith. This life is contrary to the ways of the world. The methodology of the world is to have all things planned and worked out. The dictum of the world is – ‘If you fail to plan, you plan to fail’ - This sounds so appealing and rational.
Yet, the Christian life is where we are in this world for the agenda of God. _Titus 2:14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and *purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works*._ / _II Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again._ / _I Thessalonians 5:9-10 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, (10) who died for us, *that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him*._
He has revealed His overall purpose to us. _Ephesians 1:9-10 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, (10) that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him._
It is within this overarching plan of God, that He assigns each of us to different places, cultures, people groups, professions, challenges and needs so that in that particular sphere we can complete His purpose.
He expects us to commit ourselves to the place where we are for God and live our lives as an offering to Him. Whatever we do, we do for His glory. _Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, (24) knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ._
When we are faithful to the Lord in the place where the Lord has kept us, He will move us forward to the next assignment in His kingdom. _Matthew 25:23 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'_
We seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. In doing so all our material needs are met out of His abundance. We need not be anxious. _Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus._ We are free from all encumbrances to seek, to know, and to fulfil His purposes.
_I Corinthians 2:9-10 But as it is written: "EYE HAS NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NOR HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN THE THINGS WHICH GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." (10) But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God._
No human plan can compete with the plans and details that the Lord has for His people. Look at the life of Abraham. How wonderful and glorious that even after 4000 years we are astounded at the way the Lord has continued to shape his destiny. _Hebrews 11:10-12 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (11) By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. (12) *Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore*._
```Just as Barnabas and Saul and also Abraham, let us trust the Lord and learn to move with Him one step at a time. The end will be glorious.```