All in Rope Holder- Sending & Supporting

William Carey, the great missionary to India, said to a body of people, “I will go down if you will hold the ropes.” It’s a great thought. It’s a great mental picture. “I will go into the places where you will never go, but you must hold the ropes. I’ll go down into the caves if you’ll hold on. I’ll go as long as you’re here holding fast, holding tight.”

If you are a believer/part of the church you have a purpose and calling!

No bench warmers in the kingdom

Our purpose is to bring God glory!

1 Peter 2:9 “9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:”

2 Cor 5:18-20 “18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

1 Cor 10:31 “31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

ALL SAINTS ARE TO BE GLORY MAKERS!

-WE got purpose!

Bringing God glory consists of

church, worship, prayer,

ALL GREAT

But within this evil world we bring him glory too! How? We have an active role!

By participating in this ministry of reconciliation

-2 Cor 5:18 “18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

-Acts 1:8 “8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

-John 20:21 “21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.”

Know you are in a war to bring God his glory!

-Tearing down satans dominion

His dominion is awful

Ruins EVERYTHING

Your called to destroy that!

Eph 3:9-11 “9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:”

Eph 6:12 “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

ALL OF US ARE ENGAGED IN THIS!

That is the churches mission! As part of that mission is God calling missionaries!

God calls!

Acts 13:1-3 “1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.”

Eph 4:11-12 “11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:”

It’s a God thing!

Because he’s called we are called to help!

Why?

Missions is hard!

It’s a war

Adversity

2 Cor 7:5 “5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.”

Matt 10:17-23 “17 But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; 18 And ye shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. 19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you. 21 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”

Even their message has opposition!

1 Cor 16:9 “9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.”

1 Thess 2:2 “2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.”

WE AS ROPE HOLDERS ARE PARTNERS WITH THEM

Ground control!

Phil 1:5 “5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;”

Sending and Preaching

Gal 2:9 “9 And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”

-Giving

-Phil 4:14-16 “14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.”

-When they struggle

-Hebrews 10:32-34 “32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.”

Phil 4:14 “14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.”

- Prayer

Col 4:3 “3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:”

Phil 1:19 “19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,”

2 Cor 1:11 “11 Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.”

-Visits

-Acts 28:15 “15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us, they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage.”

Maybe you’ll get called too....