The revealed purpose of God for his church is that it should be the means by which the gospel of his free and sovereign grace in Christ is preached throughout the world (Matt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:45-48; Acts 1:8). Every local church has, by divine mandate, a singular purpose for existence, and that purpose is that it be a lighthouse, a sounding board for the gospel. The church of Christ is to be a preaching center, no more and no less, in which the gospel of Christ is preserved from generation to generation and from which it is preached unto all men (I Tim. 3:15). Every believer is called of God to be a missionary, a witness for him (John 20:21; Isa. 44:8). Our business, our goal and occupation in life is to seek the Lord's sheep, the salvation of God's elect.

I can think of no reason for God leaving his people in this world except to use them for the saving of chosen, redeemed sinners. Every believer is completely fit for heaven (Col. 1:12). We are completely forgiven of all sin, perfectly righteous, and approved of by God through the sin-atoning blood and imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. And we have been given a righteous nature in regeneration. Righteousness has been imparted to us by the Spirit of God. Why then has God left us in this world to live in this body of flesh? It is because he has chosen to use saved sinners to carry the gospel to other sinners for the saving of his elect!

In Acts 13 the Holy Spirit has recorded for our learning the beginning of world evangelism. In this chapter God's eternal purpose that the gospel be preached in all the world began to be fulfilled. Prior to this the center of the church was Jerusalem. From this point forward (in the Book of Acts) it is the Gentile city of Antioch. Prior to this the primary spokesman was Peter, the apostle of the circumcision. From this point on it is Paul, the apostle of the uncircumcision. Prior to this the gospel had been preached basically to the Jews only. From this point on it is preached to the Gentiles. Prior to this the church was still bound with many of the fetters of Jewish legal worship. From this point forward the chains of bondage are completely broken.

Acts 13 marks the point in history when the Lord God began gathering his elect from the four corners of the earth by the preaching of the gospel of his dear Son. In this study we will consider seven things about the work to which God has called us.

First, GOD HAS AN ELECT PEOPLE WHOM HE HAS DETERMINED TO SAVE IN EVERY PART OF THE WORLD. It never was God's intention, desire, will, or purpose that the gospel of his grace be preached only among the Jews. God's church and kingdom is made up of men and women of every nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue upon the earth (Rev. 5:9). There are some among all people to whom God will be gracious, some who must be saved, because God purposed to save them. It has always been the purpose of God to gather his elect from the four corners of the earth. The Israel of God, his church, is made up of his...

"Elect from every nation, yet one o'er all the earth!" The Word of God plainly asserts that God's elective purpose has never been limited to a singular race, or class of men. His purpose of grace includes people from every race, from all parts of the world, Jews and Gentiles, blacks and whites, rich and poor, male and female, learned and unlearned (Gen. 22:17-18; Ex. 19:46; Isa. 11:10; 49:6; Heb. 1:10; John 3:16; Acts 9:15; Gal. 1:15-16). God will fulfill his covenant. He will accomplish his purpose. All his elect must be saved. Therefore, he has sent his church into the world to preach the gospel. What wonderous, condescending grace! Certainly, the sovereign, almighty Lord God could have saved his chosen without the use of means. But he has chosen to use saved sinners to carry the gospel to chosen, redeemed sinners who must be saved (Acts 26:16-18).

Second, THE INSTRUMENT BY WHICH GOD ACCOMPLISHES HIS PURPOSE OF GRACE IN THIS WORLD IS HIS CHURCH (vv. 1-5). God's purpose of grace is accomplished through his church. The church of Christ is separated and called of God unto the work of proclaiming the gospel. Throughout history men have attempted to bypass the church and do the work of evangelism outside and apart from the church. But God's work must be done in God's prescribed way. No organization can replace the church of Christ. No one else can or should do the work God has called us to do. And the work of evangelism cannot be done by any means other than the preaching of the gospel, either publicly or privately. The church of the living God is the pillar of the truth, the preserver of the truth, and the proclaimer of the truth (I Tim. 3:15). We are the stewards of the mysteries of God (I Cor. 4:1-2; I Pet. 4:10). God has entrusted his church with the gospel. It is our responsibility to faithfully proclaim it.

Third, THE LORD GOD ALWAYS RAISES UP PREACHERS WITHIN HIS CHURCH SUFFICIENT TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSE OF GRACE (vv. 1-5). We sometimes think there is a deficiency, but there is not. When God has a work to do, he always raises up the men needed to do it, and gifts them with whatever is needed to do the work. These verses show us five things that are true of all true gospel preachers. (1) They are called of God. (2) They are recognized by the church of God as men gifted and called to the work of the ministry. (3) They are separated unto the work of the gospel. (4) They are filled with and led by the Spirit of God. And (5) They preach the Word of God faithfully.

Fourth, THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS ALWAYS EFFECTUAL (vv. 6-12). None of God's servants labor in vain (Isa. 55:11). Some believe and some believe not (Acts 28:24). Either way, when the gospel is preached God is honored and his purpose is accomplished (II Cor. 2:14-17).

Fifth, GOD'S ORDAINED MEANS FOR THE SAVING OF HIS ELECT IS THE PREACHING OF THE GOSPEL. This is God's method of grace. He has chosen to save them that believe by the foolishness of preaching (Rom. 1:16; 10:14-17; I Cor. 1:21-23; Heb. 4:12; James 1:18; I Pet. 1:23-25). The faithful proclamation of God's holy, sovereign character, man's lost and ruined condition, and Christ's effectual, substitutionary atonement is the message by which the Word of God is preached unto men.

Sixth, FAITHFUL WITNESSES WILL MEET WITH MUCH OPPOSITION AND SUFFER PAINFUL DISAPPOINTMENTS IN THIS WORLD (vv. 6-8, 13). As were Paul and Barnabas, we will be opposed by false prophets and false religion. And we will sometimes be disappointed by our brethren. Men of sinful flesh will disappoint one another, even believers, like John Mark (v. 13; 15:36-39; II Tim. 4:11). But we must not be discouraged. We must persevere in the work to which God has called us, because...

Seventh, THE PURPOSE OF OUR GOD AND THE CAUSE OF CHRIST WILL BE TRIUMPHANT AT LAST. God shall have his elect (John 6:37-40). Christ shall have his ransomed (Isa. 53:10-11). The Spirit shall have the called (Eph. 1:13-14). Our labor is not in vain in the Lord!