A Gifted Church
Keith Malcomson teaches that the church must not only be evangelistic but also embrace God-given spiritual gifts and godly leadership as exemplified by the Antioch church.
This sermon delves into the gifted leadership and ministries within the church at Antioch, highlighting the roles of prophets, teachers, and elders. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and embracing diverse ministries within the church, not conforming to traditional structures but allowing God to grant and reveal ministries for the edification of the body of Christ.
Sermon Outline
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I. The Evangelistic Church
- The Antioch church began through scattered believers evangelizing.
- LCC's early experience mirrored Antioch with sinners coming to prayer meetings.
- Evangelism was central despite persecution and hardship.
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II. The Gifted Church
- The church must also be gifted with spiritual ministries.
- Focus on the five ministry gifts given by Christ, not just the nine gifts of the Spirit.
- Leadership and structure emerge through God’s sovereign work.
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III. Barnabas: The Encouraging Prophet
- Barnabas was sent by the apostles to investigate the move of God in Antioch.
- His name means 'son of encouragement' or 'son of prophecy'.
- He exemplified generosity and prophetic encouragement.
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IV. Biblical Church Function
- Reject tradition that hinders biblical teaching.
- Follow Scripture as the authority for church life and ministry.
- Understand church function through Scripture, not human norms.
Key Quotes
“We are called to be an evangelistic church.” — Keith Malcomson
“Barnabas means son of prophecy or son of a prophetic ministry or a prophet.” — Keith Malcomson
“We as a church are not going to conform to tradition, but we are going to follow Scripture.” — Keith Malcomson
Application Points
- Engage actively in evangelism regardless of church size or status.
- Seek and support spiritual gifts and godly leadership within the church.
- Evaluate church practices by Scripture rather than tradition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be a gifted church?
A gifted church is one that embraces the spiritual gifts and ministry roles given by Christ to build up the body of believers.
Why is Barnabas important in the Antioch church?
Barnabas was a key leader sent to encourage and organize the new Gentile believers, exemplifying prophetic encouragement and generosity.
How does this sermon view tradition in church practice?
The sermon emphasizes rejecting traditions that contradict Scripture and encourages following the Bible as the ultimate authority.
What role does evangelism play in the church according to this sermon?
Evangelism is foundational, as shown by the Antioch church’s example of reaching out to sinners even under persecution.
What are the five ministry gifts referenced?
They refer to the leadership and ministry roles Christ gave to the church, such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers.