Inspired and Sent

Date: Monday, September 7, 2026

Take a look at Part 2 of the Bible Project's overview of the Book of Acts as we jump into the second half.

Acts 13 opens with a scene of ordinary spiritual discipline: worship, fasting, prayer. During this, the Holy Spirit interrupts with startling specificity: “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” No burning bush, no audible thunder, just a gathered, praying church attentive enough to hear the Spirit’s direction and obedient enough to act on it. That’s how the first organized missionary movement in church history begins: not with a strategic plan from headquarters, but with a Spirit-led congregation laying hands on two men, affirming their call, and sending them out.

Notice the church didn’t create a new program. Instead, those inspired for the task, were affirmed, encouraged, equipped, and sent. This is what organic, Spirit-directed missions looks like. It’s not an outreach plan. It’s a supernatural commissioning, affirmed by the body of believers diligently praying for direction. Paul later described it this way in his letter to the Philippian church: “it is God working in you, to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).

The chapter’s back half gives us Paul’s first recorded sermon, delivered in a Pisidian synagogue. He walks through the Exodus story, the judges, King David, and lands squarely on Jesus as the promised Son of David who was crucified, buried, and raised. Every institution and figure in Israel’s story, Paul argues, was pointing toward this moment, and this Person, Jesus.

When some in the synagogue push back, Paul and Barnabas respond with a line that reshapes the church’s trajectory: “since you thrust [the truth] aside… behold, we are turning to the Gentiles,” quoting Isaiah’s ancient promise that God’s servant would be “a light for the nations.” I think of missionaries today who leave comfortable careers for hard, obscure places simply because they sense that same Spirit-inspired sending. The pattern hasn’t changed. God still sets apart ordinary, willing people and sends them further than they imagined.

Devotional Prompts:

What would it look like for SCPC to model this pattern of missions?
How does Paul’s sermon structure (Israel’s history culminating in Christ) shape how you read the whole Bible? (Note: this is really the whole focus of this “Year in a Bible” series!)

Prayer: Spirit who sends, interrupt our routines with Your calling, and give us courage like Paul and Barnabas to go where You lead. Surround us with affirming community, devoted to prayer, so that Your light would reach to the ends of the earth through the work you‘ve inspired us to do. Amen.