Tucson is Antioch! And we are here now - Let’s go! Below is an outline summary of the sermon for your further study and deeper reflection.

SERIES: Hopeful: The Book of Acts
TEXT: Acts 11:19-30
TITLE: Grace in Antioch
PREACHER: Tom Wilkins
BIG IDEA: God's grace saves, strengthens, and marks the Church.

POINTS:
I. The Grace of God to Antioch through His Word Proclaimed
II. The Grace of God to Antioch through Grace-gifted men
III. The Grace of God to Antioch through Christians

SERMON EXCERPTS:

“What has been your private reaction to the news? - Multiply that out by God’s incalculable divine reaction! And now you and I can begin to understand, even to a small degree, God’s revulsion to Antioch’s depravity.”

“How is it possible for US citizens of Tucson to be forgiven by a Holy and just God? How is it possible that the Lord in His just wrath would not cause Mount Lemmon to give way and fall on top of us?! The answer is the same - MERCY. MERCY IS THE ONLY ANSWER!”

“Important note on the providence of God - God’s grace is revealed in that it was Saul that led out in the violent persecution of the church. The church was scattered. And in the scattering, some saints land in Antioch and preach Jesus! And NOW Saul, of all people, will be coming in loving, caring for, and teaching this church! This can only be the amazing grace of God! Barnabas gets Saul to help, and it changes world history!”

“I should be looking for evidences of God’s grace in the church - where do I see Jesus preached faithfully? Where do I see “the hand of Lord” that is at work in the church?”

“The character and lives of these growing Gentile saints were so changed and shaped by the Grace of God through the means of discipleship and instruction that even the non-believers took notice. The change was so stark and real that they lived totally differently… now living out their new life in Jesus Christ”

“God has now made a third kind (race) of people. Not Jews… not Gentiles… Jesus people - ‘Christians.’”

QUOTES:
Martin Luther- “If the Word is spoken, all things are possible!”

Derek Thomas - “What emerged in Antioch, a pagan, Roman city, was a community in which Christian values and zeal were so palpable that the unbelievers could see it, even if they derided them for it… Such an environment sifted the wheat from the chaff. Only true Christianity could survive in such an environment. Sooner or later, nominal Christianity will accommodate itself to the pagan culture; it will adopt its values and conform to its levels of acceptability… What showed itself in Antioch was something entirely countercultural. In such an environment, there is no mistaking the true church. When its members are truly committed to Christ, the result is something that shines brightly. It may prove costly to shine for Jesus in a godless society, but in doing so we become the beacons of hope for a dying world. Nor should we underestimate the way such a light can be a draw for those whose lives are engulfed by darkness.”

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE:
Romans 5:13-15, 17
Hebrews 8:12
Galatians 5:16, 19-24
Mark 5:18-20

APPLICATION:
-Do I see my pastors' and brother/sister’s love and care for me in their words of encouragement and exhortation?

- Are we so changed by the Holy Spirit that we are known for being ‘other’ than the world? Is there any marked difference in our nature and character that would be evident even to those outside of the Church - that we would be “Christian?” In today’s culture, to be Christian is not an endearing label anymore. YET they need this GRACE… they need the Grace of God revealed in true Christians that are beacons of hope shining light into the darkness. 

-Christian, do you see the Mercy of God to Tucson in the fact that He has called you, saved you, is changing you? He is with you in the power of the Holy Spirit - do you see this as the GRACE of God to our city? Do you see that the MERCY of God has come to Tucson by holding back his wrath and instead planting this Church in this city? We are HIS means of grace to this desperate city!