The Life of Paul Week 7

This sermon, part of an ongoing series on the life of Paul, picks up in Acts 11 and focuses on three key themes drawn from the story of Barnabas being sent to Antioch. Pastor Jordan begins by recapping Paul's journey from persecutor to preacher, then challenges the congregation to examine why we so often question or doubt genuine moves of God, whether in other churches, famous converts, or people we know personally. Rather than skepticism, Barnabas models a better response: arriving in Antioch, he immediately recognized God's grace at work, gave God the credit, and encouraged the new believers to remain true to Christ. The sermon also highlights the significance of Barnabas seeking out Paul in Tarsus, demonstrating the power of mentorship and investing in others for the sake of the Gospel. Finally, Pastor Jordan draws attention to the fact that the term "Christian" was first coined in Antioch, a morally corrupt city, because the believers there lived so distinctly that outsiders could identify them as belonging to Christ without being told. The closing challenge is personal: would there be enough evidence in your daily life to convict you of being a Christian?