We had an interesting morning with Daryl & Julia Jones from Grace Baptist Mission last month (even if some of us had to watch online! Daryl ministered the Word to us, focussing on What a Missionary is and also on the nature of, and requirements for a sending church.
From Acts 11: 19-26 we saw how believers were scattered after Stephen’s death, spreading the word not just to Jews, but also to Greeks (Gentiles), and how that ‘the Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.’ Antioch was one of those places receiving the gospel, some 300 miles north of Jerusalem.
Later in Acts 13: 1-3 we see the church there, under the prompting of the Holy Spirit, sending Barnabas and Saul out as missionaries, and later in chapter 14: 26-28 they were reporting back to their supporting church about the things God had done through them.
Three important facts were stressed:
1. The Gospel is for all people – the whole world.
2. The Bible is for all people – mission churches are Bible churches.
3. The Church is for all people – have to live the Bible out with other Christians.
Priorities of a sending church – Has a heart to work together.
- Expecting God to call individuals
- Listening for God
- Confirming God’s call
- Counting the cost
- Remembering it’s God’s work
But to get back to what a Missionary should be:
- A Missionary Loves Jesus
- Is like Jesus
- Loves people
- Team player
- Church centred
- Experienced
- Obedient
God’s call God’s work God’s servants – What will you do?
Comments on this entry are closed.