Remain Faithful with Steadfast Purpose
My aim with these next several minutes is to open our eyes again to the grace of God, especially the grace of God in our church, through just one verse in Acts 11.
In Acts 11, a church has sprung up in Antioch, and so the apostles send Barnabas to visit the church there and to report back. Verse 23 says, “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” He saw the grace of God. He was glad. And he exhorted them to remain faithful.
First, he saw the grace of God. He saw it. Think about that. As he walked around Antioch, grace was not just a concept or a theological term. He could see grace. He was watching God intervene in a city like ours — rescuing the lost, conquering sin, unleashing forgiveness, reconciling relationships, inspiring love, providing for the needy, building his kingdom. Barnabas was watching heaven break into earth. He was witnessing a miracle community — a sinful people bathed in the mercy of God, declaring the mercy of God, and loving each other in Christ. He saw the grace of God.
So do we? Do we see the grace of God — in our church, in our families, in our friendships? Or do we take it for granted? Are we too busy or distracted to notice anymore? This room, this church, is filled with the grace of God.
If our pastors preach the word of God faithfully, we can see the grace of God.
If our community group carries our burdens with us, we can see the grace of God.
If our life group helps us fight sin and temptation, we can see the grace of God.
If someone in the church has brought us a meal during a heavy week, we can see the grace of God.
If our spouse loves us with a devoted, exclusive, sacrificial love, we can see the grace of God.
If our roommates encourage us and challenge us in our walks with Jesus, we can see the grace of God.
If someone is spending their morning watching our children in the nursery, and telling them about Jesus, we can see the grace of God.
If we can tell that the person next to us loves singing to Jesus, we can see the grace of God.
None of that is natural. None of that is ordinary. If any of that happens, it is because grace happened. We need to learn, like Barnabas, to see the grace of God.
Barnabas, however, not only saw the grace of God; he also rejoiced in what he saw. “When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad.” You might think, Well of course he was glad. But how often do we see the grace of God and yet feel nothing? How often do we grow dull to what God is doing in us and around us? At Cities Church, we want to be the kind of people who not only notice the grace of God, but who rejoice in the grace of God. While others get used to grace, and begin to take grace for granted, we want grace to make us happier and happier in God.
But Barnabas didn’t stop there. Seeing what he saw, what would he say to the church in Antioch? After seeing the grace of God, and rejoicing in the grace of God, what encouragement would he give to the people? “And he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” Let the experience of grace make you all the more hungry for grace. Let all that God has provided make you all the more dependent. Let the kindness of God inspire vigilance, sacrifice, and love.
So, why this verse, this exhortation, for this Sunday at Cities Church? Well, what better time than now to stop and see, really see, the grace of God — from the basement of Bethlehem, to the auditorium at Minnehaha, to the transition at Concordia, and now finally here on Summit Avenue. And through this church to All Peoples Church, and Redeemer Church, and Westview Church.
And not just to stop and see the grace, but to be glad in it — to let our hearts love what God has done.
And what a better time than now, Commitment Sunday, to hear from God what he said through Barnabas all those years ago: Cities Church, “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose.” That is my exhortation for us. Don’t let up now. Don’t coast. Keep making and maturing disciples for Jesus. Keep pursuing souls where you live, work, and play. Keep raising up pastors and planting churches across these cities. Keep loving one another. Keep praying. Keep serving. Keep giving. Keep worshipping. Don’t just be faithful, but be faithful with steadfast purpose.