Preschool
Be strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:10
A True Missionary
Memory Verses
Primary
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10
Junior
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Ephesians 6:10
Background Scripture: Acts 20–21
Lesson Scripture: Acts 20:17–38
Introduction
This lesson is about Christian service. If we are true Christians, our service to the Lord is a labor of love. Such love is the result of our sins being forgiven and having an infilling of the Holy Spirit. When we are motivated by genuine love, it will not matter where we serve or what our service requires of us.
Key Verse
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).
Lesson Scripture
Acts 20:17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.
18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,
19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:
20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.
26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.
35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.
37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Studying the Lesson
Of all the apostles, Paul was probably the least likely to have become a follower of Christ and a fervent missionary. Who would have thought that Saul, the persecutor of Christians, would become an untiring evangelist and missionary? Many of the Christians feared Saul’s arrival in their city, knowing that his band of zealots would ferret them out as a predator does his prey in order to destroy them, hoping to quell the expansion of a movement that he believed was heretical.
As a testimony of His unsearchable wisdom and grace, God chose Paul to be His ambassador. As in so many other examples in the Scriptures, we see how God’s ways are not our ways. The Lord can look into the heart of the vilest man and see the potential for good. What man may call squandered human merit, God views with loving consideration and desires to redeem. Our vision is often nearsighted and bound by human reasoning. Consequently, our judgment is limited and faulty as we reason from an earthly point of view.
Perhaps, contributing to Paul’s irritating thorn in the flesh, which was given because of his abundant revelations, were regrets from his misguided efforts to destroy the believers. As Paul spread the gospel throughout the civilized world, he likely was reminded of the dreadful deeds he had committed during his time of Jewish fanaticism. Possibly he met up with families or individuals whom he had persecuted when he pursued the Christians so fiercely. Could it be that he met widows whose husbands’ deaths he had sanctioned when they refused to recant their faith in Jesus?
As a result of the complete transformation that resulted in the loss of all his earthly honor and profit, there remained a man with one purpose in life: to give himself without reserve or caution to the work of the gospel which he had come to love and appreciate so deeply. He saw himself as the chief of sinners, the least of the apostles. This humility allowed God to miraculously open doors for him to preach the gospel and establish churches throughout Asia Minor. From an earthly standpoint, he who had lost so much in this world had gained a life of true riches and honor in the world to come.
Practical Truths for Today
What is a true missionary? Or what is the difference between a minister, missionary, Christian disciple, prophet, or any other position in the kingdom of God? Should every Christian be a missionary? Is there a difference between the desire to serve the Lord as the result of a new birth or recent consecration and the call to a particular service?
We are living in a world that is absorbed with self-indulgence and pleasure, and this may affect even those who are dedicated to God’s work. Our worldly society is largely unaware of the tragedy of a lost soul on judgment morning. Springing from a God-given conviction of the worth of one soul comes the commitment to leave home, family, and comfort for the sake of the salvation and destiny of mankind. It is a fire of desire that is ignited by eternal values and is infused with the urge to be a faithful servant.
We should define the meaning of missionary for the purpose of this lesson. One definition could be one who crosses boundaries of culture and nationality in order to spread the gospel. This could apply to workers who are crossing those boundaries even in their own country. In that sense we can distinguish the difference between various areas of service in the kingdom.
There seems to be some difficulty to find workers to fill the areas of missionary service that are open. In most other positions of service in the church, an individual is elected by a majority vote of the congregation. Yet when the call comes for missionaries, the individual or couple is expected to make the basis of their conviction known. We cannot imagine such a process for the calling of a minister or deacon. Why do we leave it to the individual in the case of a calling to be a missionary? Without a doubt, one who volunteers is carefully proven. Visits and instructions are implemented in preparation for the work he must do.
Perhaps there is a better way to call forth our missionaries. Just because we have always done something in a certain way does not mean that it is the best way for the future or that it cannot be modified. Is God withholding some blessings because our traditional approach is lacking? Is this evidenced by the great need for workers that continues to hinder the worldwide outreach? Could we have a missionary election in order to call forth our missionaries, either staff or laity, as the need might be? This would be entirely scriptural (Acts 13:1–3), and yet we may stumble at the concept. Why? Could it be evidence of a lack of commitment and consecration? Or is it an indication of an excessive love for earthly things?
Why is it so difficult to find ministers who will go to the developing churches throughout the world? The consideration of the many needs in the home church may make the ideal time to serve elusive and, alas, it may never come. But are these needs greater than the needs abroad? There has never been a time in history when the church has been complete with everything in order.
Many of our problems stem from a lack of spirituality, and God cannot bless or reward carnality and materialism. At its roots, these issues are a matter of first love. When love to God is in its rightful place, a love for our fellowmen is sure to follow. To rekindle a fervent love for God is to awaken the call to the mission effort.
The experience of knowing the blessings of God for being in His service far outweighs the sacrifices. As missionaries share their convictions and adventures, it will infect others with a desire to be a part of the glorious cause of Christ. There is no substitute for humble, heartfelt service to God, and everyone can be a part of it. How can we foster this vision? Young Christians, dedicate your heart, energy, and talents to serving. Begin at home, in your youth group, and then go wherever God opens a door for you to serve. You have heard inspiring testimonies and reports from consecrated youth. With God’s help, those blessings are for you too.
The prophet Isaiah wrote, “I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8). Where is that commitment today? We may have reasons: physical health, personal safety, financial commitments, or family obligations. But there is a very important and vital question that we must answer: Will our reasons hold up when we stand before God on that last day? How big is our God?
Questions
- Discuss the following statement: In order to be a missionary, I would have to ______.
- Why do we not follow the example of Acts 13:1–3 for sending forth workers?
- If a congregation was going to elect a missionary, whether laity or staff, what conditions should be in place for the election to be successful?
- So many new congregations throughout the world are crying out for leadership and guidance. Why are we not sending our home ministers to work in these fields that are white to harvest? Will we be able to say with Paul, “I am pure from the blood of all men?”
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).