Missions

This past Sunday, we talked about missions at our church.

The interesting thing about missions is that we think it is something we go and do somewhere else. Instead, we need to learn that it is something we do wherever we are. We do not have to load a bus or take a plane or drive a van to do missions. We can do, and must do, missions right where we are.

There are neighbors that need Jesus. Missions. There are co-workers who need to ministered to. Missions. There are fellow students who are searching for truth. Missions. There are hurting people right around us that need to see and experience the love of Christ. Missions.

Acts 13:1-3 says:

Now in the church at Antioch …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.” 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off (NIV).

This church was open to hearing from the Lord what their assignment for missions was. For them, it was sending out Barnabas and Saul. For us, the call to missions will be different, but we arrive at the understanding of our call the same way.

Notice what they did…

1. They worshiped and fasted.

2. They heard from the Holy Spirit.

3. They obeyed.

So it will be with us. We need to be seeking the Lord through worship, through His Word, through prayer, and even through fasting – a lost art even for committed Christians. If we will connect with the Lord in these ways, it will open our ears and our hearts for the next step.

Then, when we connect with the Lord, we, too, will hear from the Holy Spirit. He will instruct us, He will guide us, He will grow us, and He will use us. Unfortunately, too often, the volume of our lives are turned up so loud that we cannot hear when the Spirit of God speaks to us. Turn down that volume, slow down that pace, spend some time seeking the Lord, then listen to what He says. He is speaking. Are you at a place where you can hear?

Finally, when we connect with the Lord and He speaks to us through His Holy Spirit, we must obey. That is doing missions. Being obedient to the Lord however and wherever He sends us. The mission might be close. The mission might be far. But, the important thing is that the mission is clear.

Showing the love of Christ to those who have not experienced that love is our mission. Wherever God has us is where we are called to do it.

The church at Antioch had no special secret. All they did was: Connected to Jesus. Listened to the Holy Spirit. And obeyed. Are you doing that? If so, then you are doing missions. If not, why not?