Through the whole OT, especially the Psalms and the Prophets, we see that the nations would eventually worship the God of Israel. But though we get any number of hints about Jesus and God’s desire to reach all nations that they might praise Him, we are never clearly told how this would ever come about. In the NT we finally find this out. Jesus, after his death and resurrection, goes to back heaven, the Holy Spirit comes in His place, and God begins building His church.
This week Dennis B. shares about the ministry he and his family have had in Ukraine and follows that up with some thoughts from 1 Corinthains 3.
The third stage in the to Christ – in Christ – for Christ vision is where the process comes full circle. At this point the person who has come to Christ is sent out and becomes His witness. The believer now has a ministry of his or her own. We can describe it as:
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
From the example of the church in Antioch we can see how we work together with the Holy Spirit in sending people out to do the work of the ministry.
As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Now separate to Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away. So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. – Acts 13:2-4 (NKJV)
The Holy Spirit called Barnabas and Saul to a specific work. The church then “sent them away” with fasting, prayer and the laying on of hands. Still, the two were “sent out by the Holy Spirit” and not just by the church.
May all our missionary endeavors be so well directed by His hand.
Central Reflections 