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 story of Barnabas and Saul in Acts 13 teaches us a valuable lesson 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 life, we will learn that Christ has called and sent us all to reveal and proclaim God's love to others.

Being kingdom-minded entails releasing people to fulfil their Kingdom assignments, even if it means sending them to another church or ministry. Such willing readiness flows from the gospel itself, for it encourages true discipleship and intentional disciple-making.

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

If our mission is to seat just one more person in a pew, we are missing out on everything God has planned for the church. Here is where Churchianity and Christianity diverge. How do we practically distinguish between the two? The first is about luring consumers, while the second is about raising true sons and daughters of God. Churchianity is more concerned with collecting church members as trophies since it prioritises empire building over Kingdom advancement. In contrast, Christianity focuses on making disciples who make disciples.

Following Jesus inspires us to inspire others to follow Him.

That is the essence of becoming a disciple of Jesus. If we truly surrender our hearts to Christ, we will experience His love for the bruised, broken, and battered, and we will offer ourselves as His hands and feet of compassion, grace, and hope. As a result, it is not surprising that Barnabas and Saul were able to display and manifest Jesus' tremendous love for people through healings, signs, and wonders. Similarly, if you listen to Jesus and do what He say, He can do so much more through you and with you.