DIVINE MISSIONS (Part Three)
Memory Verse
''And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 2:1-24
INTRODUCTION
Like any other work of God, the work of-missions in particular must not be done in the flesh so that frustration, failure and discouragement would not come in. Today, we want to look at the power behind effective missionary activities.
OUTLINES
1. THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MISSIONS
2. THE HOLY SPIRIT AS DIRECTOR OF MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES'
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND MISSIONS
The three Persons of the Trinity are all missions-minded. We have seen God the Father and God the Son in our previous studies. The Holy Spirit cannot be left out in this work of bringing the world to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In fact, the Holy Spirit, the third Person in the
Trinity, is a missionary Spirit. He is a sent One. Jesus had promised His disciples before He left that He would not leave them comfortless and that He would send the Spirit of truth to be with the believers. The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost in a special and unmistakable way although before then He had been active in the world in various ways - Acts 2:1-4; Genesis 1 :2; 2Chro. 20:14; Judges 15:14. He is sent by the Father in Jesus' name. - John 16:7; 14:26, Luke 24:49; Acts 1:4-5; John 14:16 -18, 25-26. His ministry to believers is to teach and encourage them - John 16:13-15. He also has a missionary ministry to the unbelievers in convicting them -John 16:8-11- and in regenerating -John 3:8.
The Holy Spirit and missions are inseparable. Missions work cannot be effective neither can it succeed without the Spirit. Like in any other spiritual activity, the Holy Spirit is indispensable to missionary activities. The Holy Spirit is to missions what food is to the body. If one does not eat well, it will affect the body adversely. In the same manner, if one does not seek the help of the Holy Spirit, he would be labouring for nothing - Acts 8:29.
THE HOLY SPIRIT AS DIRECTOR OF MISSIONARY ACTIVITIES
The book of Acts shows the Spirit of God in action as the Apostles and other believers moved from place to place and nations to nations to preach the good news. The Holy Spirit was so important to the missionary activity of the Church that the work could not begin until the Holy Spirit arrived. As a matter of fact, Jesus specifically told His disciples that they could only carry out the great commission effectively when the Spirit must have arrived - Luke 24:49; Acts 1 :4-5. The Holy Spirit is the power behind missions (Acts 1:8). He is the One that can provide power for the work to stand.
It is significant to note that God decided to send the Spirit on the day of Pentecost when men "from every nation under heaven" were in Jerusalem. Since the message is for all nations, God sent the power to make the message effective on the day men from different languages, tribes and people were gathered. This is very instructive indeed and it shows how important this work is to God. What happened on that day of Pentecost reveals the missionary emphasis of the Spirit. The Spirit also empowered the disciples to speak in the language of all these people - Acts 2:6. Peter preached on the prophecy that God in Spirit was to be poured out on "all flesh" -Acts 2: 16-20 - that whoever called on the name of the Lord would be saved - Acts 2:21 - and said the promise of the Spirit was available to "all that are far off. "(Acts 2:38-39.) Pentecost was the birthday of the missions as well as the Church.
he Spirit sent Philip to speak to the Ethiopian eunuch - Acts 8:29. He told Peter to go to the Gentile Cornelius - Acts 10:19-20 - and authenticated the conversion of the Gentiles - Acts 10:44-47 - to the Jews who did not want to accept them into the Church. It was the Spirit who told the prophets and teachers at Antioch to send out the first missionary team - Acts 13:2 - and the Spirit Himself also sent them out- Acts 13:4. This agrees with the commission given previously to Paul on the road to Damascus - Acts 26:16-18, 23 - and in the Temple (Acts 22:21) and through Ananias (Acts 9:15-16) that he was to be a missionary to the Gentiles. The Holy Spirit prevented them from going to Asia Minor and directed them to Macedonia, a new continent. The Spirit continued to direct their movements. -Acts 16:6-7; 16:8-10, 19:21, 20:22-23.
CONCLUSION
It is unfortunate today that many believers do not reckon with the Holy Spirit any longer. No wonder, the apostles succeeded greatly because they allowed the Holy Spirit to have His way. We should follow their examples.
QUESTIONS
1. What is the role of Holy Spirit in missions?
2. Why must we give the Holy Spiirt free room to operate in our lives?
BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MONDAY: Acts 3: 19 - We must turn away from anything we do that God does not approve of.
TUESDAY: 1 Corinthians 8:8 - Too much of anything is not good so let us control our appetite.
WEDNESDAY: Galatians 5:5 - Too much of uncontrolled freedom leads to bondage.
THURSDAY: Ephesians 2:8 - Salvation is a gift. Our part is to receive if
FRI DAY:· Colossians 3: 1 - Let your thoughts be more horizontal than vertical.
SATURDAY: Ephesians 4:12 - Whatever God has given us, let us use it to His glory.
SUNDAY: Philippians 1:15 - I must preach Christ because I love Him.
DIVINE MISSIONS (Part Four)
Memory Verse
"Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified." Romans 8:30
BIBLE PASSAGE: Acts 26:12-20
INTRODUCTION
In our past lessons on this series, we have had the understanding that the Trinity takes active part in the work of missions. In this final lesson, we want to learn about other things that we need to know to complete our understanding of this topic.
OUTLINES
1. THE MISSIONARY CALL
2. QUALIFICATION OF A MISSIONARY
3. PREPARATION FOR THE WORK
4. YOUR ROLE IN MISSIONS
THE MISSIONARY CALL
If by "missionary" we mean someone who is called to witness for Christ, then every Christian is a missionary. But this is not how the term would be used here. A missionary is one sent across geographical and/or cultural boundaries to proclaim the Gospel. If this is true, every Christian is a missionary. Then one may ask, how do I know I have been called as a missionary?
One of the ways by which you can know is through a burden or a desire. Has God put a desire in your heart to do missionary work? Such a desire may be temporarily aroused emotionally by an eloquent preacher or worker but if the desire or burden persists in your heart and follows you even without the words of others, it is likely that God Himself is putting it in your heart. Another way may be through a dramatic and outward circumstance and the word and the witness of the Holy Spirit whereby certain verses of scriptures on missions are imprinted on your heart. You can also have visions and dreams -Acts 16:9.
QUALIFICATION OF A MISSIONARY
For a person to be qualified as a missionary he must be spiritual, if not, there will be problems. A carnal mind cannot understand the things of the Spirit -1 Corinthians 2: 14. He must be genuinely converted - John 3:3-5, spirit-filled Acts 4:8, 13:9-10; Ephesians 5:18 - must be sure of his call - 1 Timothy 1:12; Romans 1:1-4; Galatians 1:11-12, disciplined in his spiritual life Galatians 2:20; 1 Corinthians 9:27, should be able to adapt to the new culture and environment - 1 Corinthians 9:19-23; Philippians 4:12-13, must be of healthy motive- 2 Corinthians 5: 14, attend missions school- 2 Timothy 2: 15 and have ability to work with others -1 Peter 3:8; Romans 12:18.
PREPARATION FORTHEWORK
It is important that one has a solid training in the word of God before going to the mission field. There are many Bible schools and. theological seminaries around. This aspect is very important because if one does not have a solid background, he may not be successful in the field. Subjects like Biblical Theology of missions, Evangelism, Discipleship and discipling, Cross Cultural Church Planting, Cross cultural Communication, Spiritual Warfare etc should be part of one's missionary preparations. It is important to take the training either in ones country or in the country one intends to do the missionary work. If one decides to go overseas for the training, this may not be good enough because overseas training is aimed at training people from that culture and it might not be appropriate to you as an African.
Once one has decided to be a missionary, one has to decide the organisation one would work with. When considering any mission, one must find out their vision, what training they require, what fields they work in, their financial policies, the authority structure, field policies and any other thing that would make you know whether one would be able to fit in with them. One can belong to a denomination or church that has a mission programme and that sends out missionaries - Acts 13: 1-5. One can also go out independently but then it is important to be sure of prayer and financial support in this regard. Paul had a church supporting him but also had a job (tent-making) to support himself.
YOUR ROLE IN MISSIONS
Every believer has a role to play in making the Gospel reach the ends of the earth. It is true that not all Christians are called to be missionaries; however, there are other ways of taking part in the work of missions apart from going to the mission field. Every believer must ask God to show him His plan for his involvement - Leviticus 24:12-14; Acts 9:6. If you cannot be a full time missionary, you can be a tent-making missionary. This means you can be doing your secular or professional job or be attending a school and witness for Christ through a consistent life and testimony as time and law of the land permits. This would be very useful in countries1hat are hostile to the Gospel where the Gospel cannot be preached freely. Another role you can play is by praying - 2Thess. 5:17; Mark 9:3'8; Luke 18:1; Eph. 6:1819.
Prayer is work. You must be committed to praying for missionaries you know and the ones you do not know. Pray for breakthrough; pray that doors would be opened to preach the Gospel. Pray for countries that are hostile to Christianity particularly Islamic countries. You may also form a prayer group that would meet regularly to pray for the missionary work at home and abroad.
You can also be involved financially or giving money for mission work. There are churches, like the RCCG that are deeply involved in missions. You can send money to the supervising body for the furtherance of the work. Paul's ministry enjoyed the financial backing of friends like Aquila and Priscilla, and the .church, both collectively and individually - Romans 16: 1-5; Philippians 4: 15-18.
CONCLUSION
God our Father has called us to be co-labourers with Him. It is a privilege for us to be in His service. So let us arise and do our part in reaching the perishing. You will only be remembered by what you have done for God.
QUESTIONS
1. How can you become a missionary?
2. If you are not a full time missionary, in what other way can you be involved in missions?
BLESSED WEEK WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT
MONDAY: Psalm 65:2 - God is the best confidant.
TUESDAY: Mark 10:15 -It is easy to receive when we have the faith of a child.
WEDNESDAY: Acts 6:4 - When we put our priorities right, we will be successful.
THURSDAY: Psalm 62:11 - Do not look for power elsewhere. God has it.
FRIDAY: Job 19:25 - God sees all that we are passing through. He will help us.
SATURDAY: 2 Chronicles 20:17 - Let God fight your battle for you.
SUNDAY: 1 Chronicles 4:9·10 - God can change any situation, no matter how bad.
