The same Spirit who was present at creation and caused you to be born again is at work to empower your inner person (that is, your will or heart) so that you might resist sins you couldn’t resist before and do the good things which would otherwise be impossible. Defeatist Christians who do not fight against sins because they figure they were “born this way” or “will never change” or “don’t have enough faith” are not being humble. They dishonor the Holy Spirit who strengthens us with supernatural power.
– Kevin DeYoung in The Hole in our Holiness
The Work of Missions
Acts 14 gives us four essential elements of the work of missions: The work of missions includes:
- The Work of Proclamation (v1-21) – They went about proclaiming the gospel. At times they could launch straight into the gospel. At other times they had to go back and start with the “pre-gospel” – that there is one true God who made and sustains the world. Wherever they had to begin, they proclaimed the Word boldly. And they were humble: they knew they were mere men and refused to be exalted. In the same way, the work of missions today is to proclaim the gospel (and the pre-gospel as needed) both boldly and humbly.
- The Work of Perseverance (v1-21) – They had to flee one town. One man was stoned in another town. But they didn’t quit. They kept preaching the gospel. They persevered. Missions is tough. Missions is war. The work of missions today, no less than in Acts, includes the need to persevere.
- The Work of Planting (v22-23) – They didn’t just proclaim the gospel, but they gathered new Christians into churches where they could grow. They planted churches. This included building up the churches and appointing leaders. The work of missions today still requires planting new churches.
- The Work of Partnering (v24-28) – They returned to their sending church to tell all the great things God had done. They understood that they were not lone rangers, but rather partners with their supporting church. In the same way, the work of missions today includes the need for active communicating partnership with supporting churches.
Turn Up the Heat!
Cold prayers are a sacrifice without fire.
– J.C. Ryle
Missions 101
Acts 13 might be called Missions 101. It not only tells us of the first missionaries sent out by a church, but in doing so it also offers us a good overview of missions for today. We see:
- The Call to Missions (v1-4) – The call comes in the context of worship and fasting. The Holy Spirit gives the call, and clearly gives it to both the called and the sending church. They respond to the call with a period of prayer and fasting. Finally, the church sends the missionaries out, and they go. What a great model for us!
- The Warfare of Missions (v4-13) – They face demonic opposition. Satan doesn’t want the gospel to go forth. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. Missions is war. But God is stronger than the devil. Sobering reality mixed with great hope!
- The Message of Missions (v14-43) – They preach the gospel: Jesus died for sins and rose again as foretold by the prophets and witnessed by the apostles. His death and resurrection make possible the forgiveness of sins to all who believe. This is still the message today!
- The Scope of Missions (v44-47) – The gospel is for the Jew and the Gentile. It is for everyone – to the ends of the earth. There are still people groups at the ends of the earth who need to hear the good news!
- The Response to Missions (v48-52) – Some people oppose the gospel stirring up persecution. Others embrace the gospel with joy. And so it will be today!
Passion Points – Graduation
It is graduation times, so here are some wise posts for graduates – and really all of us – to consider this weekend:
12 Things to Do After Graduating – Matt Jenson (Gospel Coalition)
Preparing College Students for Graduation – Kevin DeYoung
You’ve Been Sent – You Just Don’t Know It – Stephen Witmer (Gospel Coalition)
If King Solomon Gave a Commencement Speech – Joe Carter (Gospel Coalition)
How the World Can Shipwreck a Young Christian – R. C. Ryle
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your church family in true worship of our Lord!
The Lord Pour Out His Spirit
The Lord pour out His Spirit upon us that every chamber of our nature
may be sweetened and perfumed with the indwelling of God,
till our imagination shall only delight in things chaste and pure;
till our memory shall cast out the vile stuff from the dark chambers;
till we shall expect and long for heavenly things,
and our treasure shall all be in heaven and our heart be there.
– Charles Spurgeon
Known For?
For your obedience is known to all…– Romans 16:19a
Is obedience what your church is known for?
Is it what other Christians think of when they look at your life?
Is this even what you would want to be known for?
– Kevin DeYoung in The Hole In Our Holiness
What May I Not Expect?
I put my prayers into Christ’s hands;
and what may I not expect from them,
when I have such an Advocate?
Oh, be sure not to ask a little from God!
– Thomas Adam
Pentecost Sunday
Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday – the day we remember the coming of the Spirit. Where would we be without the Spirit?
- It is the Spirit who applies Christ’s salvation to us (I Corinthians 6:11, Titus 3:5-7).
- It is the Spirit who helps and teaches us (John 14:26).
- It is the Spirit who intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
- It is the Spirit who sanctifies us – making us holy and producing in us the “fruit of the Spirit” (I Peter 1:2, Galatians 5:22-23)
- It is the Spirit who is the guarantee of our inheritance (Ephesians 1:13-14).
We have so many reasons to celebrate the coming of the Spirit!
For more on this, consider: A Pentecost to Celebrate – Ryan Griffith (Desiring God)
Passion Points
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
The Secular Salvation Story – Kevin DeYoung
The secular salvation story is a derivative and deviant version of the older Christian narrative. It tells the story of self, authenticity, and acceptance.
The Curious Incident of Modern Evangelism – Justin Taylor
When Christians meet, they talk to each other about their Christian work and Christian interests, their Christian acquaintances, the state of the churches, and the problems of theology — but rarely of their daily experience of God. (J. I. Packer)
What Do You Do When the Word Leaves You Cold – David Murray
We remember the impact sermons made on us in the past – deep impressions, piercing convictions, powerful drawings – but now we feel like cold lifeless statues as we listen to the same preachers preaching similar sermons. What’s gone wrong?
Prayerlessness Is Selfishness – Tim Challies
If I believe that prayer works, if I believe that prayer is a means through which the Lord acts, if I believe that God chooses to work through prayer in powerful ways and in ways he may not work without prayer, then it is selfish of me not to pray. To pray is to love; not to pray is to be complacent, to be unloving, to be selfish.
Hope you have a great Lord’s Day in the Word, in prayer, and in fellowship with God and your local church!
