Going on Mission

In what way are you called?

We are certainly all called into Gods service if we are believers. However we may be called in different ways, but we are all called.

Genesis 12:1-5

Abraham was specifically called to leave his country and go to a land he had never seen. He was promised that he would be a blessing to the nations.

Abraham was in this respect the first missionary

Perhaps you feel a specific call as Abraham did

One of my experiences happened before my OM days ( tell the story of my first summer mission)

Perhaps you are more like the apostle Paul he was called to a very wide people group.  The gentiles.  He travelled to countries planting churches.  He went out with Barnabus and John Mark

Acts 9 13-15

Saul/Paul had set out to persecute Christians, but God redeemed him.  He was not told that he was to go to the gentiles but he saw the need to go, yet this was just as valid a calling as Abrahams for we see in this passage that this was always Gods plan for him.

Ananias had to obey the lord, he to, had to go to Saul and you will note that God was speaking to Ananias while Saul was praying. 

God does things when, and sometimes while we pray.

Ananias was told that the lord would show Paul as he was to become what he would suffer.

I wonder if you have considered suffering.  You may have to suffer for the lord

Problems/Forgiveness

We work in team, and humans being sinful creatures there are times when getting along is not smooth.  It is in these times we need Grace

You will recall that Peter asked the lord how often he should forgive his brother, Mathew 18:21-35  Parable of the unmerciful servant.)   would seven times be enough and Jesus said seventy times seven.  He did not mean this as a mathematical formula, he meant that we need to be a forgiving people, and in OM teams that is what we must be.

You may find yourself with a  John Mark.  Paul set out on his first missionary journey with him and barnabus.  Paul disagreed sharply with Barnabus about him, and they parted company,

Acts 15:36-44

Some time later, Paul said to Barnabus, let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the lord and see how they are doing. Barnabus wanted to take John also called Mark with them, but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.  They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company.  Barnabus took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the brothers to the grace of the lord. He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.”

HOWEVER WE ALSO READ THE FOLLOWING

 but we read in  2^nd timothy 4:11 “Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me in my ministry

I can think of someone whom I sharply disagreed with.  Nowadays I am glad he is on my support team

You see that just as Paul could say of John Mark, Once I WOULD NOT HAVE HIM, then later say he is useful in my ministry, so I can say that the man I am thinking of is useful to me.

When God says Go, we must be willing to go at any cost for indeed there will be a cost.  Abraham was human, he could not have left his land lightly, and you to must have thoughts and feelings about going. 

I urge you that if you have questions, ask them of someone, and if you have difficulties on the field talk to someone. We have all been where you are now, and the people you talk to may be Gods instrument to encourage you

Amen