Sermon – December 9, 2018
Acts 13:1-3 – The Sending Church (mp3)
In Acts 13, we see an example of the New Testament church putting the Great Commission into action. They have taken the command from our Lord seriously, and fulfill his directions by praying, sending, and going to the unreached with the gospel of Christ.
Pray
As the early church gathered together, they made their focus to fast and pray as part of their worship of the Lord. We may well think that prayer is a small thing; perhaps you don’t think it essential, yet God has ordained that the prayers of the saints are integral to the spread of the gospel. We ought to be in continual prayer for the spread of the gospel, for the IMB missionaries that take that gospel to unreached people, and for how we are to engage in the spread of the gospel around the world. We have many around the world we as a church are connected to, that we may pray for them – and these names are weekly available in the bulletin. Pray for these needs!
Send
Following this example in Scripture, we should be a church that sees its members sent out for the glory of Jesus Christ through the preaching of the gospel. We are not all called to go, to intentionally cross boundaries to preach the gospel and make disciples. But, we are all called to be a part of this process. So, let us go, or let us send! We send through our giving to the IMB and Lottie Moon, so let us give generously! But let us also send our own people as missionaries out from our own numbers. We should be looking to equip people to go on mission across the world. So, encourage and support those who are interested and desire to take the gospel to the nations!
Go
Lastly, if we are to be a sending church, we must be a church that is willing to go. As Hudson Taylor said, “The Great Commission is not an option to be considered, but a command to be obeyed.” The need to go is not for everyone in the church, but we must wrestle with God to see if this is a cross we are called to bear. After all, the Lord of salvation, who gives all things freely to you, is also Lord of your life! As Christians, we ought to always be ready and willing to go where Jesus calls us to go. Are you ready to go?
