Set Apart & Sent Off
Pastor Matthew Nelson
“Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” (Acts 13:1–3, ESV)
I am excitedly awaiting this next week when Pastor Brandon Marschner officially start his work here. After years of praying about planting another congregation, and many months of praying that the Lord would provide a pastor to come and plant here, we get to rejoice together that God has called Pastor Brandon. Even though the work is just beginning, we praise God for His guidance and provision. Let us continue to pray (and maybe fast as they did in Acts 13!) And trust that God will continue to guide and provide.
I must admit that what we are doing here doesn’t always feel as monumental as what was happening in the early church period. We have the benefit of looking back and seeing the miracles and how God worked through history. But we are a part of the same Great Commission as the Apostles and first missionaries. We serve the same God and carry the same message of Good News. God is still in the business of doing miracles, including the most important miracle of saving souls!
A couple chapters earlier than the one quoted above, Barnabas and Saul were involved in another mission opportunity.
“Now those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. 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, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” (Acts 11:19–26, ESV)
It mentions here that Barnabas was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” I would say the same things about Pastor Brandon. Praise God for providing a pastor who is full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and in whom the Holy Spirit is bearing fruit as he abides in Christ. It also struck me of how these two disciples spent a year doing this Gospel ministry together, “preaching the Lord Jesus” and that Barnabas was gladdened by the grace of God and exhorting the people to “remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. May this be true of us as we begin this new season of ministry!
Please be continuing to pray for Pastor Brandon, and for his wife and children. Pray that they would remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose. Pray for their protection from the evil one. Pray that God would establish them in their new neighborhood and home and bless them with His love and protection. Pray that God would give Pastor Brandon many opportunities to preach the Lord Jesus and that many would hear, believe, be saved, and be called “Christians”! Soli Deo gloria!
