The Power for Missions
Matthew 10:1 - "He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness." (NIV)
Matthew 28:18-19 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'" (NIV)
Luke 12:11-12 - “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (NIV)
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)
Acts 4:29-31 - "'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (NIV)
Once you begin to venture into the world of missions, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It seems near impossible to change one person's heart, let alone a whole community. And it actually is impossible. The task of missions cannot be completed by good intentions or sheer effort. It requires something else. Power.
When Jesus sends us out, he sends us out with his authority (Matt. 10:1; 28:18-19). In Ephesians 1:19-21, we read about Jesus' power and authority. "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (NIV) It is this same Jesus who shares his authority with us as we go out on his mission. Our submission to the authority of Jesus is the key to unlocking his power in our missionary work.
The Father also sends us a person who is filled with power. When Jesus said that he would be with us to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20), he was referring to his Spirit - the Holy Spirit. The specific purpose for the Holy Spirit coming is to bring power for missions (Acts 1:8). But, we must remember that he does not just bring us inner strength. He brings us relationship with God. It is through this living, breathing relationship that power is released for the completion of the task of missions.
Power for missions also comes through the other missionaries (Christians) that you are connected to. You were never meant to operate as a lone ranger. Ephesians 4:16 says, "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (NIV) We are all a part of the body. Power to play your part in missions will come through your connection to the whole. As soon as you are disconnected from the body of Christ, you lose power.
What will bring you power to accomplish every part of your assigned mission?
For More Study
Thoughts and Questions for Application
Memorization
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)
Matthew 28:18-19 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.'" (NIV)
Luke 12:11-12 - “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (NIV)
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)
Acts 4:29-31 - "'Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.'
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly." (NIV)
Once you begin to venture into the world of missions, it is easy to get overwhelmed. It seems near impossible to change one person's heart, let alone a whole community. And it actually is impossible. The task of missions cannot be completed by good intentions or sheer effort. It requires something else. Power.
When Jesus sends us out, he sends us out with his authority (Matt. 10:1; 28:18-19). In Ephesians 1:19-21, we read about Jesus' power and authority. "That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (NIV) It is this same Jesus who shares his authority with us as we go out on his mission. Our submission to the authority of Jesus is the key to unlocking his power in our missionary work.
The Father also sends us a person who is filled with power. When Jesus said that he would be with us to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20), he was referring to his Spirit - the Holy Spirit. The specific purpose for the Holy Spirit coming is to bring power for missions (Acts 1:8). But, we must remember that he does not just bring us inner strength. He brings us relationship with God. It is through this living, breathing relationship that power is released for the completion of the task of missions.
Power for missions also comes through the other missionaries (Christians) that you are connected to. You were never meant to operate as a lone ranger. Ephesians 4:16 says, "From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." (NIV) We are all a part of the body. Power to play your part in missions will come through your connection to the whole. As soon as you are disconnected from the body of Christ, you lose power.
What will bring you power to accomplish every part of your assigned mission?
- Submission to the authority of Jesus
- Relationship with the Holy Spirit
- Loving the body of Christ
For More Study
- Matthew 10
- Luke 12
- Acts 3-4
- Ephesians 1:15-23; 4:1-32
Thoughts and Questions for Application
- Do you find yourself relying on your own power in sharing your faith? What happens when you rely on your own power?
- Take some time to talk directly to the Holy Spirit and welcome his leadership in your life. Ask him for a specific demonstration of his power in your conversations or relationships today.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to scan your relationships. Is there any area of reserve or disconnection that you can identify? Can you see the link between your relationship with God's people and your power in missions?
Memorization
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (NIV)
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