Barnabas at Antioch
Acts 11:22-23

Introduction:
    A. Antioch— 250 miles from Jerusalem.
        1. Luke and Theophilus probably from there.
        2. Christians fled from persecution there (v. 19)
        3. Disciples first called Christians there (v. 26).
        4. Evangelistic church there. (13:1-3).
        5. Barnabas saw grace of God and was glad there (v. 23).
    B. Text teaches us three things about the grace of God.

Discussion:
I. The Grace of God Can Be Seen — “had seen ...”
    A. By seeing people be saved (cf. Eph. 2:8-9).
        1. See and hear them confess (Rom. 10:10).
        2. See them be baptized (Mk. 16:15-16).
    B. By seeing people change way of living (Tit. 2:11, 12).
        1. Paul (1 Tim. 1:12-16).
        2. Corinthians (1 Cor. 1:4; 6:9-11).

II. The Grace of God Is Reason to Be Glad — “he was glad.”
    A. For his own sake (cf. 3 John 3-4).
    B. For their sakes (cf. Rom. 12:15).
    C. For the church’s sake.
        1. Family of God increasing (cf. 1 Tim. 2:15)
        2. Walls of building built up (cf. 1 Pet. 2:5)
        3. Boundaries of kingdom widened (cf. Col. 1:13)
        4. Army in enlarged (cf. 2 Tim. 2:3.4)
    D. For the Lord’s sake (cf. 1 Tim. 2:4)

III. The Grace of God Needs to Be Cultivated.
    A. By encouraging them to continue with the Lord.
        1. Baptism is just beginning of obedience (Matt. 28:18-20).
        2. Must be faithful unto death (Rev. 2:10).
        3. Can abuse grace (Rom. 6:1-3; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 10:26-29)
    B. By encouraging them to continue with the Lord (cf. John 6:68).
    C. By encouraging them to continue with purpose of heart. - determination.
    D. By encouraging the them all to continue — all need encouragement.
        1. Weak and strong.
        2. Young and old.
        3. Members and teachers.

Conclusion:
    A. How precious the grace of God.
    B. How evident is genuine Christianity.
    C. How important to continue in it.