God Invested in the Gentile Church at Antioch [Acts 11]

• 19So then those who were scattered because of the persecution that occurred in connection with Stephen made their way to Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except to Jews alone. 20But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began speaking to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus.21And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.22The news about them reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas off to Antioch. When he arrived and witnessed the grace of God, he rejoiced and began to encourage them all with resolute heart to remain true to the Lord;24for he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith And considerable numbers were brought to the Lord. 25And he left for Tarsus to look for Saul;26 and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
• 27Now at this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.28One of them named Agabus stood up and began to indicate by the Spirit that there would certainly be a great famine all over the world And this took place in the reign of Claudius.29And in the proportion that any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the relief of the brethren living in Judea.30And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.

We praise you God for working through Your Spirit to direct us in Your work. Cause us to be like Peter, Barnabus and Saul and to be blessed through Your Spirit in Your work.