Bible Reading: Judges 18; Acts 22; Jeremiah 32; Psalms 1 & 2
Acts 22:21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
A apostle is a sent one. Paul was set apart as an apostle by the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. As Paul relayed his testimony he told the crowd at Jerusalem what Jesus' instructions to him were. He was to go because he was being sent. When someone is sent, they embark on a mission with a specific purpose. It is not a wandering journey. It is not a vacation. Paul had a mission. Just like a military unit that has specific mission parameters in mind when they leave, Jesus sends his people on a very specific mission. Are you on a mission?
Here are the specifics of the mission:
Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me [Jesus].
Romans 15:16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
From the moment Paul met the Lord Jesus Christ, his life was changed. He no longer continued along the original path he had set many years earlier. He was now a man who was bought with a price and he was under orders. He no longer made decisions the same way. He no longer did the same kinds of things. He was now sent to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. Imagine if you were sent on a mission by your superior and he came to check on your progress and found you loafing. At the least he would have to remind you of the mission and encourage you to continue on the right path. At the worst, he would dismiss you and replace you with someone who would stay focused and complete the mission.
As followers of Jesus do we have a mission? Yes we do.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
We are sent – let's go!
In Christ,
Rody
