The Antioch Model Church: The Sending Church

Radiant Church is called to be an Antioch-style church.

Speaker: Pastor Lee Cummings
Date: February 15, 2026

Loving Jesus means loving His people. The church isn’t perfect, but it’s perfected by Jesus. Pastor Caleb Culver shares why spiritual formation within the church is essential—and why you belong in the family of God.

Here's a 5-day devotional guide based on this sermon:

Day 1: Diverse Leadership, United Purpose

Reading: Acts 13:1–3

Devotional: The church at Antioch thrived because of its diverse leadership culture. Prophets, teachers, apostles, and pastors worked together in unity, each bringing unique gifts to build God's kingdom. This wasn't about competition but collaboration under the Holy Spirit's direction. God doesn't call cookie-cutter leaders. He assembles teams with different strengths, backgrounds, and perspectives. When we honor the diverse gifts in our church family, we create an environment where the Holy Spirit can move powerfully.

Day 2: Prayer and Worship - The Greenhouse of Mission

Reading: Acts 13:2–4; Acts 2:42–47

Devotional: Notice the pattern: "While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting... then after fasting and praying." The Antioch church didn't rush into action. They created a spiritual greenhouse through prayer and worship where God's voice could be clearly heard. Mission always flows from intimacy. When we draw near to God's heart, what matters to Him begins to matter to us. The lost, the broken, the nations without the gospel—these become our burden because they are His burden. Prayer synchronizes our heartbeat with heaven's heartbeat.

Day 3: Spirit-Led, Not People-Pleased

Reading: Acts 13:2; Galatians 1:10

Devotional: "The Holy Spirit said..." Not "we think God said" or "the people voted." The Antioch leaders operated with clarity because they prioritized hearing God's voice over managing people's opinions. Leading by consensus or fear of man creates reactive churches. Leading by the Spirit creates responsive churches that move with faith and boldness. This doesn't mean ignoring wisdom or counsel, but it means the ultimate question is always: "What is God saying? Every believer must answer this question: Am I living to please God or to please people? The two will often conflict. Choose wisely.

Day 4: Sent Out, Not Just Gathered In

Reading: Acts 13:3–4; Matthew 28:18–20

Devotional: Antioch measured success not by seating capacity but by sending capacity. They invested in leaders, trained them, prayed over them, and released them—even when it meant losing their best people. This is countercultural. We naturally want to gather, accumulate, and keep. But Jesus said "Go," not "Come and stay." A healthy church is like a dandelion—beautiful in its season, then scattering seeds that multiply across the landscape. You are not called just to attend church but to be sent from church. Your workplace, neighborhood, and relationships are your mission field.

Day 5: Worthy is the Lamb - The Why Behind Everything

Reading: Revelation 5:9–14; John 3:16

Devotional: Missions exist because worship doesn't—yet. The ultimate goal isn't programs, buildings, or even changed lives. It's that people from every tribe, tongue, and nation would gather around the throne declaring, "Worthy is the Lamb!" Jesus didn't die to make your life comfortable. He died to make you His ambassador. He didn't save you to add to your blessings but to multiply His glory through you. Every sacrifice, every prayer, every dollar given, every act of service—it all points to one truth: Jesus is worthy. When you see Him face to face, you won't regret what you gave. You'll only wish you'd given more.