Sent Out
Notes
Transcript
Turn to and read Acts 13:1-3
Today, as a church, we have the wonderful privilege to see one of our own leave our midst to go to the mission field and begin, what we hope will be, a life-long ministry!
Through the almost 45 years that South Charlotte Baptist Church has been in existence, we have not had this privilege too often.
On February 19, 1984, Bunnie Allamon was commissioned as a missionary to Nova Scotia.
Just recently Mrs Jeanne Kelsey left our midst to join her daughter and son-in-law on the mission field in Tanzania, Africa.
Today, the Catalan Family, is being sent out of this local church to begin ministering in the Philippines.
This morning, as we “say goodbye” to the Catalan Family, I would like to use it as an opportunity to challenge South Charlotte Baptist with the example that has been left for us by the local church in Antioch from which Paul and Barnabas were sent out on their first missionary journey!
To do that, we need to look back and consider how the church in Antioch came to be.
Antioch’s Background
Antioch’s Background
Turn to and read Acts 8:1-4.
After the persecution of the church in Jerusalem, which occurred after the murder of Stephen, the Gospel began to spread.
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.
Turn to and read Acts 11:19-30.
In this “scattering,” the Gospel found its way to the city of Antioch.
In vs. 19, we are told that these “religious refugees” from Jerusalem preach the Gospel to the Jews only.
But then, in vs. 20, we are told that those who were from Cyprus and Cyrene began to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles.
The results?
And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
The church in Jerusalem, upon hearing of the activity taking place in Antioch, sent a representative to get a first hand look at what was happening. They sent Barnabas.
Barnabas, upon seeing “the grace of God” at work in this new church, went to Tarsus to get Saul (Paul). Vs. 26 tells us what happened next...
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
From there, we see that this church became the center of much of the mission activity recorded in the Book of Acts.
Antioch’s Character
Antioch’s Character
The Church in Antioch was founded upon the Gospel!
The Church in Antioch was founded upon the Gospel!
I would like to remind you of the fact that Christ’s ministry was a ministry dedicated to the Gospel!
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
South Charlotte Baptist Church, almost 45 years ago, was founded upon the Gospel message! For these past 45 years, South Charlotte Baptist Church has had a ministry that has been dedicated to the Gospel message!
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
If we are to continue as a local, New Testament, independent, Baptist church then we must keep our focus on the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
The reason that we are sending the Catalan Family out from our midst today is for the sake of the Gospel.
The reason that we are asking for financial commitments is for the sake of the Gospel.
The reason that we support dozens of missionaries with tens of thousands of dollars each year is for the sake of the Gospel.
The reason that we take time each month for Seed Sowing Saturdays is for the sake of the Gospel.
The reason that we have Gospel tracts out in the lobby for you to take and distribute is for the sake of the Gospel.
The Church in Antioch was founded upon the Gospel!
The Church in Antioch was founded upon the Gospel!
The Church in Antioch had an outward focus!
The Church in Antioch had an outward focus!
Turn to and read Acts 13:1-3.
Vs. 2 tells us that these men - these leaders in the church in Antioch - were busy serving the Lord. There was a work that needed to be done in that city and in that community.
However, God knew that there was a work that needed to been done beyond the walls of their local church; there was a work that needed to be done beyond the limits of their community.
I am reminded of what Jesus said in John chapter 4:
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
South Charlotte Baptist Church, we must regularly be reminded to lift up our eyes. We must look up and look beyond our lives; look beyond the walls of this church; look beyond the limits of the communities in which we live. Is there a work to be done here? Yes. But there is also a work that needs to be accomplished in other places!
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
We must lift up our eyes. We must look on the fields. They are white already unto harvest. There are individuals around the world who’s hearts have been prepared; they are ready to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior. They are waiting for someone to come and share with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The church in Antioch saw the need and were willing to send Paul and Barnabas to work in the fields that God had called them to. The Catalans are ready to go to the work. Even as we send them, we must constantly remind ourselves to lift our eyes and look upon the fields that are white already to the harvest!
Let’s determine to be as the church in Antioch! Let’s continue to strive for the faith of the Gospel and let’s keep looking upon the fields both here and far away.
Last...
The Church in Antioch sent them away!
The Church in Antioch sent them away!
As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
This morning, as a church, we are simply confirming and endorsing the work that the Holy Spirit has already done in the hearts and lives of the Catalans.
They fasted and prayed.
They fasted and prayed.
Church family, the Catalans will be leaving on March 21. On that day, I want to challenge each of you to fast for one meal - forgo the physical needs of your body - and instead spend that time specifically in prayer for the Catalans on that day.
They laid their hands on them.
They laid their hands on them.
This morning, in just a moment, I am going to have the Catalan family join me here at the front and will also have the deacons join them, to lay their hands on them. Please understand, this laying on of hands does not/will not confer upon the Catalan’s any special gift or grace. The laying on of hands is merely a symbol of our identification with the Catalan’s and a symbolic gesture showing that, while the bulk of our church cannot go to the foreign mission field, this family is going in our place.
Have the Catalan’s come to the front. Ask the deacons to join them. Ask Roger Christian to pray. Close in prayer.