Seven Values of Newlife Church, using the church at Antioch as a model

Goal:

To summarize the values of Newlife Church
using the church of Antioch as a model
and learn how we can respond

Outline

1. The need for a plan when you are building
2. Seven values from the church in Antioch
3. Our response

1. Evangelism and Growth by God’s grace

19. 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.
20. 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.
21. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

1. Evangelism and Growth by God’s grace cont’d

21. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
22. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
23. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose,
24. for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.
    And a great many people were added to the Lord.

2. A high value on developing people and bringing them to maturity

25. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
26. 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.

3. Strong in all the spiritual gifts

27. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
28. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).

4. Love one another sacrificially and respond to social needs

• Sacrificial love to those in need, demonstrated in practical ways
• A church that loves one another sacrificially and responds to social needs

29. So the disciples determined, everyone according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.
30. And they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.

Outline

1. The need for a plan when you are building
2. Seven values from the church in Antioch
   
   1. New Life—Evangelism and Growth by God’s grace and favour
   2. A high value on developing people and bringing them to maturity
   3. Strong in all the spiritual gifts
   4. Love one another sacrificially and respond to social needs
3. Our response

5. Diversity

• A church whose members are diverse in culture and social position

1. Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers,
   • Barnabas,
   • Simeon who was called Niger,
   • Lucius of Cyrene,
   • Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch,
   • and Saul.

6. Seeking God in Prayer

• A valuing of prayer and God’s presence as our source of their strength

2. While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting,…

7. Missions

• A church that has missions at it’s heart and is a strong sending and resourcing base

2. (cont’d) …the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”
3. Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Values of Newlife Church

1. New Life—Evangelism and Growth by God’s grace and favour
2. A high value on developing people and bringing them to maturity
3. Strong in all the spiritual gifts
4. Love one another sacrificially and respond to social needs
5. Diversity
6. Seeking God in prayer as our source of strength
7. Missions in our heart and a strong sending/resourcing base

Summary

• God’s kingdom come in Toronto, demonstrating
• the love of the Father,
• the truth of Jesus Christ,
• and the power of the Holy Spirit