FHBC Sermon Notes

Have you ever volunteered for jury duty? No, but I bet you've been summoned. Even so, as Christians we are not volunteers. On our own merit we have no standing. Yet, because of the work of Jesus, we have indeed been called, been summoned. All of us!Last week we discussed the need in all for a savior, a savior from our sin. We found that savior in Christ Jesus. But is did not stop there. We have all been called on mission. That mission is to share this great and good news to all the earth. To go in Jesus name with the gospel to all the world.

Some Observations

1. The call to mission comes in the context of worship. 
We see here in the church that God placed this burden and call on the people while they were worshiping, fasting and praying.  They were gathered together for this purpose, and in this context God gave them a new purpose.  They sung songs of worship, they collecting offerings, they heard the word preached, studying and exalting God in the hearing of word.  Worship is about God.  It is not about us.  There is only one worship leader, Jesus Christ. For only by him do we stand before the throne of God.

They also fasted. This is the setting aside that which is a normal repeated activity, setting aside this time to go before the presence of God, in prayer and study.  We see that in this God an expectation to see the Spirit of God moved. By doing this we see an eagerness for the presence of God.

In short, worship fuels missions.  All the programs, fund raising, new initiatives are nothing, if they do not find their beginning in the worshipping assembly of the church, the family of God, the body of Christ.

2. The call to mission comes by the clear revelation of God. - v. 2
As the church is worshiping and fasting GOD reveals his call to mission.  See who it is that is speaking. It is the HOLY SPIRIT!  God is giving a direct, divine response to the worship given.  Is it that the worship is acceptable in and of itself. No but with Jesus as the worship leader, God responds with the voice of the Holy Spirit.

Well what does the Spirit say? It calls Paul and Barnabus. "Set apart for me Barnabus and Saul for the work to which I have called them."  Verse one mentions five men that are present, perhaps to be called. Why Paul and Barnabus? May we ask what Antioch would have been like if Paul and Barnabus had stayed on as pastors?  No, we see the Spirit has a different mission, for them to go out. to serve, to be imprisoned, stoned, die for the gospel. This local congregation did not withhold their best for the work to which the Spirit called them.

3. The call to mission is affirmed and supported by the church.
In verse three we see the whole congregation, the whole church supporting the call. Not the five men mentioned in verse one, but the whole church.  After fasting and praying, they laid their hands on them.  This isn't a magic spell, but a recognition of the churches good will and encouragement, given by the Holy Spirit, that what God has ordained may actually happen. We sit in the expectation of the work of God to come, knowing that His WILL will be done.  These two set aside are sent as the church, and when they return they return reporting back the work of the church, not the work of Paul and Barnabus.

If we are the church as we proclaim, if Forest Heights Baptist Church is part of the body of Christ, then we are ALL on mission. We are sending out Roland, Aprilia and Daniel. We do not know the fullness of the work, but the Spirit has spoken, and today we send them as ourselves, as the church. Their work will be a part of the larger mission of our body, of this congregation, and of the fullness of the historic and futuristic body of Jesus Christ, his bride, the assembly of those who have believed.

Let us pray! Let us give! Let us also proclaim where we are!
Let us glorify the name of God! Amen!