CALLED AND COMMISSIONED (SENT) TO BEAR FRUIT

INTRODUCTION

CALLED AND COMMISSIONED TO BEAR FRUIT

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The call of Christ comes to everyone, and whosoever responds shall be saved (). We are called to Christ (); Called according to God’s purpose (); Called to be God’s people (); Called into one Body (); Called unto God’s Kingdom and Glory (); Called with a Holy Calling (); Called with a Heavenly Calling (); Called into the Fellowship of Christ’s suffering (; ). This is our goodly heritage! I trust to God you responded to that call, that is why you are here today. The lost cannot come to Christ without hearing the message of salvation. There is no message without a messenger. There can be no preacher except they are sent. This is the thrust of . Those who are called have also been commissioned to call the lost back to Christ.

The Great Commission is our task. We are a people on a mission and we have been commissioned! (,; ; ; ). With the command, “Go Ye”, all believers are sent into the world to call lost sinners back to Christ.

The principles inherent in the Lord’s commission to His disciples during His earthly ministry are still relevant today. Heeding them will lead to success on the mission field. Neglecting them will make an already difficult job impossible. Wisdom dictates studying and applying these principles.

SENT FORTH TO LOST SHEEP

SENT FORTH TO LOST SHEEP

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“These twelve Jesus SENT FORTH ... to the LOST SHEEP of the house of Israel” (,).

This is an awesome task. We are sent forth to the lost sheep. Someone has suggested that many Churches are filled with the FOUND GOATS of Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, Scribes, whereas outside the sanctuary are waiting for us the LOST SHEEP of publicans, harlots, sinners etc.

Christ has not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (). We must go after lost sheep and bring them back to the fold. We are commissioned to go and evangelize new territories. Filling our pews with christians “stolen” from other congregations is not going after lost sheep. We need to leave found sheep to enjoy grazing in their present pasture. We must go after lost sheep. The kingdom is not served by sheep stealing.

SENT FORTH WITH LITTLE SILVER

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“Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses...” ().

They were sent forth with lean resources. Although they were not to take “two“ coats, Christ didn't say take NO coat. They were to travel light. However the Lord will make a way for them and bring them the necessary resources to execute the assignment.

We must be content with whatsoever God provides and "there abide till ye go thence” (). Incessant moving, shifting and shuffling may be an indication of unhappiness with divine arrangement.

The main lesson in this injunction is that we should not spend our lives making full provision for self-support before we ever think of obeying God's call. God will support His work and His worker. We should make it a priority to obey God's call when we are called believing that the Lord will take care of the details.

Every missionary needs to be very resourceful on the mission field. Ours is not to complain but to achieve excellence with available resources.

SENT FORTH AS THE LORD’S SHEEP

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"Behold, I send you forth as SHEEP in ffie midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as

serpents, and harmless as doves” ().

We are to reflect the character of the Lord on the mission field. Christ is sending us forth as sheep not as goats. We need to be meek and yet strong, humble and gentle and yet not weak, to be transparent and honest and yet to be wise.

The mission field is a dangerous place inhabited by wolves that have the capacity to devour sheep. Many unwise and overzealous sheep have been devoured by the wolves on the mission field. The bleached bones of many missionaries litter the mission field and landscape. Be wise and gentle!

The two pictures of serpent and dove are very instructive. Serpents never unduly expose themselves to danger or attack and dove never provoke enmity.

SUFFERING FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

SUFFERING FOR THE LORD’S SAKE

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The mission field is never without its challenges. There will be persecution, misrepresentation, opposition etc. It is suffering for Christ’s sake. H has promised to give us assistance in our hour of persecution.

Whatsoever challenges we face on the mission field. Christ is able t see us through. He who has commissioned us is also there to support and to succour us.

Evaluation our Missions Work

· Are we winning souls?

· Are we planting new churches?

· Are we establishing structures that facilitate the mission’s work?

· Are we organizing training for worker’s effectiveness?

· Are we raising labourers and equipping youth for ministry?