On one occasion, while they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for me to do the work to which I have called them.” Then, after completing their fasting and prayer, they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

Acts 13:2-3 (NCB)

 

The example of Barnabas and Saul from Acts 13 teaches us valuable lessons about how to live as a Christian community with a kingdom perspective and emphasis. As we work together to discern God's calling for our lives, we will discover that we are all called and sent by Christ to reveal and proclaim the love of God to others.

Being kingdom-minded entails releasing people to fulfill their God-given assignments, even if that means losing them to another church or ministry. The gospel exemplifies such eager readiness because we are called to authentic discipleship and intentional disciple-making.

We are to make and multiply disciples, not church goers.

If our mission is simply to seat one more person in a pew, we will miss out on everything God has purposed for the church. This is where Churchianity and Christianity differs. How can we tell the difference between the two? One is about attracting customers, while the other is about raising true sons and daughters of God. Churchianity is more concerned with collecting church members as trophies than with advancing the Kingdom. In contrast, Christianity is more concerned with producing disciples who produce disciples.

Following Jesus inspires us to inspire others to follow Jesus.

If our hearts are fully surrendered to Christ, we will give ourselves up to be His hands and feet of compassion, grace, and hope to the bruised, broken and the battered, and then. As a result, it is not surprising that Barnabas and Saul were able to demonstrate and manifest Jesus' incredible love in the lives of others through healings, signs, and miracles. Similarly, if you listen to Jesus and do what He says, He can do so much more through you and with you.