A Church on Mission

Mission Impossible - "Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It"

Imagine the scene: The room is dark. The air is tense. A man retrieves a recording device. A voice begins: ‘Your mission, should you choose to accept it…’ Immediately, the man knows he’s being invited into something big, something dangerous, something that could change the world.

That’s the premise of the Mission: Impossible movies—an elite team tasked with a seemingly impossible mission. These missions are dangerous, involve significant sacrifice, and require extraordinary teamwork.

Now, what’s interesting is this: No matter how difficult the mission is, the team always accepts it. Why? Because the stakes are too high to walk away.

Today, we’re not talking about a Hollywood spy thriller. We’re talking about a real mission, one given to the church by Jesus Himself.

And unlike the movies, this mission isn’t impossible—it’s guaranteed to succeed because it’s powered by the Holy Spirit.

But here’s the catch: Just like Ethan Hunt and his team, we have to accept the mission.

We have to be willing to step out in faith, sacrifice, and obedience to make Christ known in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

So, here’s the question: Will you accept the mission?

Let’s open God’s Word to Acts 13:1-3 and see how the early church embraced their mission.

Main Idea: A church on Mission is a church that Worships, Listens, and Sends.

1. A Church on Mission Worships God Intentionally (Acts 13:2a)

Acts 13:2 (ESV)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting…

Who are the they? The church. Luke even mentions specific members of the church in Antioch.

Acts 13:1–2 (ESV)

Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.

It is important that you see that it is the church of Jesus Christ that is involved in the missional endeavor, not just her leadership.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting…

I want you to feel and sense just how important worshiping and fasting was to this local church.

The act of worshiping / prayer is one of humility. It is expressing God’s worth to him, in this case, with fellow members of the church.

This is a critical part of local church life.

Worshiping God in prayer is approaching Him with humility, understanding who God is and what He has accomplished and what He will accomplish.

It is recognizing the supreme nature of His deity.

That He is sovereignly and providentially in charge.

That nothing that happens to us or His creation without his permission.

Even the position of prayer demonstrates this kind of humility.

But please notice, they were not simply worshiping in prayer, but they were fasting as well.

What is fasting?

It is the voluntary abstinence from food, drink, or certain activities for a spiritual purpose.

It is a practice found throughout Scripture and involves dedicating time to seek God, humble oneself, and focus on spiritual priorities over physical needs.

Fasting is the voluntary denial of a normal function for the sake of intense spiritual activity.

Richard J. Foster

Fasting is intense. It is difficult. Why?

Because denial of oneself is exercising control over the self-centered nature of one self.

When I fast from food, every time I have a hunger pang, it reminds me to pray and seek God’s face for whatever I am fasting about.

The hunger reminds me of my frailty and mortality.

It reminds me of just how weak I am and how much I need God.

Suffice it to say, the church in Antioch recognized her tremendous need for God and his strength.

Prayer is the one hand with which we grasp the invisible; fasting, the other, with which we let loose and cast away the visible.

Andrew Murray

As we will see in the rest of this text, this church was deeply concerned about reaching people for Christ.

Starting in Acts 10 and going forward the disciples are coming to the realization that redemption, salvation, the gospel, wasn’t just for the Jewish nation, but for all tribes, tongues, and nations.

By Acts 13, we see a real passion for the gospel going out to all nations.

This was the church’s prayer.

This is why the church was fasting.

They realized their weakness but they also understood God’s strength.

That He, through them could accomplish the Great Commission.

Let me remind you of Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:20-21

Ephesians 3:20–21 (ESV)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Do you see what I see in this verse?

“…according to the power at work WITHIN US!”

That was them and that is the church today.

Why does the church in America seem to be so weak and so ineffective?

Perhaps it is because we have ceased praying and fasting for things that are important to God!

Let me tell you about the Moravians, a small group of Christians in the 1700s who lived in a community called Herrnhut, Germany. They were so devoted to prayer that they started a continuous prayer chain that lasted over 100 years!

But their passion didn’t stop there. Out of their prayers came a burning desire to share the gospel with the world.

In 1732, they sent their first missionaries—ordinary men and women—to some of the hardest places imaginable, like the West Indies and Greenland.

Some even sold themselves into slavery to bring the gospel to enslaved people.

Their motto was, 'May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.'

Their incredible sacrifice and prayerful commitment sparked one of the first Protestant missionary movements and inspired many others, including John Wesley, to take the gospel to the nations.

The Moravians show us what happens when a church fully embraces God’s mission—prayer, sacrifice, and a willingness to go wherever God calls.

Are we willing to do the same?

The mission God calls us to may not look the same, but the heart behind it is identical.

Let’s look at Acts 13:1-3 to see how the early church responded to God's call to missions.

I wonder if we as a church do a good enough job worshipping/praying for missions.

Do you PRAY and FAST for the missional work of ABC?

Prayer is hard work - a spiritual battle for sure…

Fasting is even more challenging!

How important is the missional work of Allendale Baptist church to you personally?

Does it reach your prayers?

Do you fast for it?

Do we as a church pray and fast for the missional work of ABC? We should!

How much spiritual effort are you willing to put in for missions?

"If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for." - C.H. Spurgeon

Review:

A Church on Mission Worships God Intentionally

2. A Church on Mission Listens to the Holy Spirit Carefully (Acts 13:2b)

Acts 13:2 (ESV)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Imagine in your mind the scene that took place during a worship service in Antioch.

The church was worshiping the Lord, they had been fasting and apparently still were and then, all of a sudden, they hear from God.

The Holy Spirit communicated through one of the prophets at the church.

This is how God communicated with the church until the Bible was completed.

For example…

Acts 8:29 (ESV)

And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.”

Acts 10:19 (ESV)

And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you.

We are not told from the text what they were fasting about, but God moved in their midst.

The Spirit spoke to the church and said something very specific.

This was no subjective prompting of the Holy Spirit that you and I receive.

Nope! God spoke and told them to do something.

Don’t you wish God would do that for you sometimes?

There are days I just want an email from God telling me what to do.

The good news is, He has told us what to do in His Word.

We just need to be diligent to have ears to hear and eyes to see His will that is revealed in His Word.

But here in Acts 13, God couldn’t be more clear.

“Church, this is what I want you to do, I want Barnabas, and I want Saul to do some specific work that I have for them.”

“You need to listen to me. I have CALLED them for this special task. They need to listen to My call and follow me.”

“And you, church, need to send and support them in this endeavor.”

As History teaches, these two men were responsible in part for the fulfillment of the commission God laid out in Acts 1:8

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

God called these men to this special ministry.

But I want you to notice something God told the church - to set them apart.

This is very important and it speaks the the authority of the local church.

I know for certain these men were called of God for a special work - and God certainly made it known to them personally, in this text it was made known to the local church and the local church was to send them out.

The local church has authority. The church has imperium.

The church has the final say in things like sending someone out or calling someone in.

The church has the keys of the kingdom because the local church is the embassy of the Kingdom that is yet to come.

I sensed a call to the pastoral ministry not long after I was born-again in 1991.

This call wasn’t realized until July of 1998 when Lakeshore Baptist Church confirmed this call and brought me on as their youth pastor.

If a church, through the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit, through much prayer and even fasting, doesn’t confirm your call, you are not called!

Three Ways to Know God is Calling You to Ministry

An Inner Conviction from the Holy Spirit: A persistent sense of calling or desire to serve God in ministry that aligns with 1 Timothy 3:1, which describes the desire for spiritual leadership as a noble aspiration. This conviction often grows over time and is accompanied by a sense of purpose and urgency.

Affirmation from Others in the Church: Mature believers, pastors, or mentors recognize and affirm your gifts for ministry, such as teaching, leadership, or shepherding. Acts 13:2 shows the church at Antioch affirming Paul and Barnabas's call to missions.

Alignment of Gifts and Opportunities: Your spiritual gifts (Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-12), personality, and life circumstances align with the work of ministry, and God opens doors for you to serve effectively. This often comes with a sense of peace and confirmation through prayer and Scripture.

Are we listening to the Spirit's direction for our church and our personal involvement in missions?

What might He be calling you to do?

Review:

A Church on Mission Worships God Intentionally

A Church on Mission Listens to the Holy Spirit Carefully

3. A Church on Mission Sends Their Best Joyfully (Acts 13:3)

Acts 13:2–3 (ESV)

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.

The church in Antioch didn’t just pray and listen—they acted.

They laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them out, even though these were two of their most gifted leaders.

Now I want you to think about this for a minute.

If we had men like Barnabas and Saul, we would want to keep those men at all costs!

I mean we are talking about Saul/Paul who wrote the majority of the theology of the New Testament.

I mean as a Jew, he was as close to perfect as they come!

Philippians 3:5–6 (ESV)

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.

He was bold for the gospel.

He was willing to suffer in most any circumstance.

He was a brilliant theologian.

He was a compassionate pastor.

Why in the world would we let a guy like this go?

And Barnabas? This guy was the epitome of accepting people and making them feel part of the church.

That’s exactly what he did with Saul.

Any church would be blessed to have this kind of man helping them be an empathetic, compassionate, grace filled body!

These two were the best of the best. The cream of the crop. It made no sense to send them out.

It made no earthly sense, I should say.

But God knew what He was doing.

He knew what they would accomplish together on their first missionary journey and the separately on their following gospel endeavors.

Paul planted many more churches

Barnabas mentored John Mark and restored him to usefulness in the ministry while he ministered in Cyprus.

God’s ways are not always our ways!

As of November 20, 2024, the Detroit Lions are experiencing a remarkable season, boasting a 9-1 record and emerging as Super Bowl favorites for the first time in franchise history.

This success is largely attributed to the outstanding performances of key players, notably quarterback Jared Goff and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.

In a recent 52-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Goff was awarded the NFC Offensive Player of the Week, achieving a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

St. Brown also excelled, recording 11 receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns.

Imagine the Detroit Lions, currently leading the league with a stellar 9-1 record, deciding to send their star quarterback, Jared Goff, to another team—not because they were dissatisfied with his performance, but because they believed his leadership and skills could elevate a struggling team.

Fans would likely be shocked, questioning, Why would we let go of our best player during such a successful season?

In Acts 13:1-3, the church in Antioch sent out Paul and Barnabas, their most gifted leaders, to spread the gospel.

They recognized that the mission of God required sending their best to reach others.

This challenges us to consider: Are we willing to send out our 'Jared Goffs'—our most talented and dedicated members—to fulfill God's mission, even if it means sacrificing our own comfort and success?

Who are we willing to give up for the sake of the gospel?

Sending the best isn’t easy.

It requires trusting that God will raise up others to step into their roles locally while also using those sent to expand His kingdom globally.

Are we open to seeing our most capable leaders, teachers, and servants called away for greater kingdom work?

Identify: Who in our congregation has the potential to make a significant impact for the gospel beyond our local context?

Equip: How can we actively prepare them to be sent?

Send: Are we ready to lay hands on them, pray, and release them with joy—even if it feels like a loss for us?

Review:

A Church on Mission Worships God Intentionally

A Church on Mission Listens to the Holy Spirit Carefully

A Church on Mission Sends their Best Joyfully

Call to Action:

Pray: Commit to praying for missions during your personal and family worship.

Give: Support missionaries sacrificially.

Go: Be open to being sent, whether locally or globally.

Challenge: Ask, “Are we a church like Antioch—a church on mission?

What role will you play in sending the gospel to the world?”

This is not an impossible mission because God is in it!

I hope we as a church “Choose to accept it!”

"The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity." - Mike Stachura