Acts 13:4 says, “So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.”
In the past few years, there has been a push for teens to go on mission trips. Without being judgmental, I wonder how this ministry has worked out. I usually hear how much the teens enjoyed the experience. They often report how they helped do a Vacation Bible School. Maybe some became missionaries because of the experience, I don’t know.
Recently, a lady in our church shared how God had called her to go on a mission trip that nearly cost her life. She was fortunate to return. She reported on some of the atrocities she encountered. It was not fun and games, but she felt God led her to do the trip.
Paul says in Romans 10:13-15, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”
The question I have today is about the sending. Unless the Holy Ghost does the sending, our efforts are in vain. As we read the Acts of the Apostles, it would be good for us to realize that this is really an account of the acts of the Holy Spirit. Over and over we see the Holy Ghost sending someone somewhere. I think this is often lacking in the church today. I wonder how much true praying and fasting goes into the calling of a pastor or the sending of a missionary? Are we often guilty of going about it with our human understanding? Resumes, popularity, and unsanctified decision makers, have resulted in powerless churches that merely exist with the world’s view of what an organization ought to look like. Does the Holy Ghost still send forth men today? I believe He does.
Jesus said in Luke 10:2, “…The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.” Who is the Lord of the harvest? In the early church it was the Holy Spirit. The Holy Ghost has not changed. Our part is to pray, and even fast. Let the Holy Spirit do the sending.
Praying is a two-way street. We speak to God and God speaks to us. We usually express our ideas to Him—usually wants or needs. Often we do not silently wait upon Him long enough to hear His idea. We are called to walk after the Spirit in Romans 8:1. The closer we walk, the easier it is to hear Him.
Acts 16: 6,7 & 10 is an interesting passage of Scripture. Paul was planning to preach the word in Asia (vs. 6), but was forbidden of the Holy Ghost. Then in verse 7, Paul and his company set out to go into Bithynia, but again the Holy Spirit did not allow them. They continued moving forward. Paul had a night vision of a man calling them to come over into Macedonia and help them. In verse 10, believing this was God’s call, they headed for Macedonia. A well-trained dog will sit and stay, or go on command (a bloodhound or coon dog will not stop once on the trail).
Lord of the harvest, please send forth laborers today into the harvest who are Spirit sent!
Amen and Amen.