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Missions Begin – Part 1

Scripture Reading: Acts 13:1-5

Key Verse: Acts 13:2

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Everything has a beginning; mission work is no different.  In our scripture for today we are reading the story of the very beginnings of the church’s mission work.  It shouldn’t surprise us to find that God spoke missions into existence.  While the church was worshipping and fasting, the third person of the trinity moved on the church at Antioch.  The Holy Spirit spoke missions into existence by telling this church to send out Paul and Barnabas as their first missionaries.  This was a God-called work, not a work of human origin.

            What should we do with this spoken word from the Holy Spirit?  Well, the church at Antioch fasted, prayed and sent these men off to be obedient to their calling.  We also must be obedient to a God-called mission.  We must expand the kingdom of God, not only by our own individual efforts, but by the efforts of the church.  God still calls some to dedicate their lives to going from the comforts of their home town to spread the Good News around the world.

            Any church that wants to be a New Testament church must learn to be a sending church.  We must continue to send men and women who are called of God into this world to expand the kingdom of God.  Through the efforts of these first missionaries, Barnabas and Paul, we see a massive growth in kingdom building.  Let’s continue to be obedient to the mission.

Father, put your heart and passions in my heart.  May your kingdom come to this earth in fresh energy because of our missionary efforts!  In Jesus’ name, amen.