2021-08-01
Pastor Jonathan Falwell
Silas – Use Your Strengths to Strengthen the Team
Acts 15:22-27 (CSB) Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. 23 They wrote: “From the apostles and the elders, your brothers, To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: Greetings. 24 Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,,25 we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth
1. Silas was chosen to CONTINUE THE WORK
Acts 15:22 Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers
- The apostles knew by experience the work must be shared to accomplish more
- Silas was known as a “leading man” among the leaders of the church
- Like those we’ve discussed in the previous weeks, only a faithful track record will result in BEING TRUSTED
2. Silas was sent to ENCOURAGE THE DISCOURAGED
Acts 15:24-25a Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your hearts,, 25 we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you…
- Silas was sent to Antioch because there were some who were troubling the church
- Silas was known as a man to be trusted to help bring clarity and wisdom to a troubled people
- Difficult tasks should be tackled by people leaning on BIBLICAL TRUTH NOT CULTURAL RELEVANCE
3. Silas was faithful to bring an ENCOURAGING WORD
Acts 15:30-33 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. 31 When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them
- Silas encouraged because he brought the Word of God
- In a time where people are bombarded by negative words and negative actions, the church should continue to remain faithful to HIS WORD
4. Silas continued to be used by God to bring HOPE TO THE PEOPLE
Acts 15:40-41 But Paul chose Silas and departed, after being commended by the brothers and sisters to the grace of the Lord. 41 He traveled through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
- The ministry of Paul and Silas was used by God to bring hope and strength to a church that was increasingly being attacked
- God uses our faithfulness and obedience to build HIS CHURCH
6. Because Silas lived in truth, he faced TROUBLE
Acts 16:19-24 When her owners realized that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities. 20 Bringing them before the chief magistrates, they said, “These men are seriously disturbing our city. They are Jews 21 and are promoting customs that are not legal for us as Romans to adopt or practice.” 22 The crowd joined in the attack against them, and the chief magistrates stripped off their clothes and ordered them to be beaten with rods. 23 After they had severely flogged them, they threw them in jail, ordering the jailer to guard them carefully. 24 Receiving such an order, he put them into the inner prison and secured their feet in the stocks
- Knowing their actions would have consequences, they could have retreated but they never did
- Regardless of what may come, we must always remain true to the WORD OF GOD and do the WORK OF GOD
What about YOU?
- What are you doing today to influence OTHERS IN TRUTH?
- How are you bringing hope to the DISCOURAGED?
- What are you doing to strengthen His CHURCH?
- What price are you willing to pay TO DO HIS WORK?