The annual graduation celebration just happens to fit nicely with the adventures of Barnabas and Saul.

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The Adventure of Going Out

I. Barnabas and Saul enter a new season of service. (v. 3-4)

A. Seasons of life carry new focus.

1. As Christians we are God’s delivery system.

2. Jesus commanded that we go with a set purpose (Matthew 28.19).

(a) Make disciples.

(b) Baptize.

(c) Key aspect is “teaching them to observe.”

3. Walk as an example. Acts as mature sons with lives to be observed.

4. Primary purpose of “going” is the good news. Other reasons are secondary.

(a) William Tyndale, English reformer said:

® There is no work better than another to please God; to pour water, to wash dishes, to be a cobbler, or an apostle, all are one; to wash dishes and to preach are all one, as touching the deed, to please God.

(b) Tyndale was considered heretical. Executed for this teaching and others.

(c) Personal experience.

® Jody and I had to take this idea to heart a few years ago when we delivered newspapers for the Oregonian.

B. Our graduates are now beginning a new season of service.

1. Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the community.

2. Our graduates are also being sent out by the community.

3. The Holy Spirit is involved in the going out of the church.

II. What experiences await those that go out? (v. 4-52)

A. Paul and Barnabas (and John-Mark) make their way to the coast.

1. Book passage to Cyprus.

2. They start in Salamis and end in Paphos, moving from east to west.

B. Face falsehood (v. 6-13).

1. Temptation away from vs. temptation toward something.

2. Interesting that it is at this point John-Mark turns back.

(a) Lost his nerve?

(b) Challenged by having to deal with gentiles?

(c) Just plain soft?

C. Find friendship (v. 14-43).

D. Encounter resistance and rejection (v. 44-52)

E. Discover direction.