“It has seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have therefore sent Judas and Silas, who themselves will tell you the same things by word of mouth.” vs25-27

God uses faithful preachers to preach the word. We all may have the gift of utterance, but only life-laid-down servants are abundantly useful. These men have the Spirit, and they are zealous in word and deed. They speak the gospel sacrificially.

We must be like this as preachers. Strive for this as saints. Bold, uncompromising, and loving testimony of God’s grace is how the kingdom is spread.

First, “We have therefore sent Judas and Silas.” They had the same character as Paul and Barnabas. They glorified God. The church wasn't looking for PhDs in theology. Their interest wasn’t eloquence. They wanted men with submitted lives who teach the gospel… who aren’t just talking, but have experienced the power. 1 Thessalonians 1:5, "for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake." Self has been broken, and Christ reigns. These men were zealous of good works because of internal working! 2 Corinthians 4:13, "Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, 'I believed, and so I spoke,' we also believe, and so we also speak. "

These are not legalists. The Jerusalem council destroyed the law of Moses as the believer’s rule of life. Acts 15:10-11, “Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” We see Christ in every Scripture, and follow him. Luke 24:27, “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.” We are no longer under Sabbaths and feast days. Colossians 2:16-17, “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.” We rest in Christ and feast on him daily. No longer are we under the bondage of insufficiency. We have FULL ACCEPTANCE by faith with nothing added. We are right with God, and follow Christ by faith and love, as he has loved us. John 13:34, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another."

These grace preaching men experienced the power, and laid their lives down with joy.

Secondly, they “also report the same things.” They preach the exact same gospel as Paul. Isaiah 52:8, “The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice; together they sing for joy; for eye to eye they see the return of the LORD to Zion.” There is no alteration and no deviation. 2 Thessalonians 2:15, “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” It was taught as a collective whole and received as such. There was no Arminianism in the early church. Electing grace, justification by faith, and holiness by the gospel was the theme of their song. The privileges of the inheritance were preached. No one stood upon human works, human effort, or human willpower. Salvation is by grace through faith unto good works. This is the gospel in which we stand. Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

It can be hard to stand for Christ. Satan has sown many weeds. He’s sent frogs from the pit, and blinded minds with FALSE GOSPELS that are exceedingly deadly. Many religious people - Bible in hand - are deceived. Don’t cater to them! Don’t broaden your message, or make it palatable to rebellious humanity. Simply preach it as written. It is given to us for faithfulness and not innovation. There are no tricks! Prayer, preaching, and sincere love are God’s tools. We never speak what people want to hear, unless it is God’s whole counsel in Scripture.

Thirdly, it is “by word of mouth.” This is the gift of a preacher. Speaking well doesn't make him spiritual. He is spiritual and able to teach, if he’s sent by God [1 Timothy 3:2].

God enables us to fulfill his calling, so look to him. Do not look to self or rely on self at all. Trust God who sent you to equip you. He can organize your mouth [Exodus 4:11-12].

The whole gospel is God coming down to man, so he raises up preachers to preach him. He saves by preaching, so he consecrates our mouths. He gives us the ability to communicate - not for our glory - so that others can be saved.

Let’s use these faithful messengers. They serve the church. Let’s support them, so they can labor. 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, "We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves."