CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Every believer has a duty to reach out to others with the gospel. INTRODUCTION The missionary work may require the missionary to live among the people he/she seeks to reach. In most times it will involve leaving a seeming comfort zone to less comfortable ones. Missionaries are passionate about souls and winning souls for Christ means much more to them than worldly comfort. Our brother Paul was called by God to reach out to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). He was enjoying spiritual fellowship at Antioch with some prophets and teachers when the Holy Spirit said “now separate to me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which have called them”. In this study we shall look at how Paul lived among the people and showed commitment to his call (and commission).
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A) MENTION SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES COULD ENCOUNTER.
The missionary is bound to encounter challenges on the mission field. These challenges come in various forms e.g resistance to the gospel (Acts 13:8), the competition of false gospel that have deceived the people and held them captive (Acts 16:17-20), physical maltreatment like beating, torture, lack and want, sickness, loneliness, false accusation even from brethren (2 Cor. 11:23-33). It is worse off when the missionary has to suffer from his own people, his brethren (2 Cor. 11:26). The challenge of being grounded with the word and being full of the Holy Ghost is to be able to combat the enemy of the gospel, the devil and his agent is major. There are also trials of the missionary’s faith. The missionary must never get too busy to forget his source of strength; he must always revert to God for the power of the Holy Ghost. Jesus did not leave the disciples in ignorance of the persecution, rejection, hatred they shall face when he sent them out (Matt. 10:16-31). The typical missionary’s life is a difficult one, sometimes they live in hostile communities and often face dangers (Matt. 10:16-18). Paul testified of this (Rom. 8:36). Some other challenges Christian missionaries can face are issues of indecision, e.g willingness to respond to the call, especially where the Lord’s leading appears to be opposed to the desire of the missionary. Also, the challenges of the church leadership who often focus on achieving their goal with little concern and care for the missionaries with whom the goals will be achieved. In the same vein, there may be pressure on the missionary from the church leadership to perform his function sometimes differently from the way God is leading the missionary to carry out the work. The missionary could be discouraged by the result of his work, especially where so much effort is put in with little or no results of growth in the converts. There is also the challenge of being a men pleaser, so as to get the needed support. The fear of declaring the word boldly like John the Baptist did to Herod (Mark 6:17-19). Sometimes, there is challenge of language barrier in some areas and adjustments when working with people of different cultures and life. A major challenge is that lack or poor support morally, financially, spiritually, etc. especially that of sustaining the family life by providing for the needs of the missionary. The early missionaries in Africa faced the challenges of tropical diseases amongst others. In our contemporary times, missionaries get exposed to diseases/ illness from the field; some may even die from such ill-health probably due to lack of finance for proper medical care or absence of medical facility. Another challenge is mobility; sometimes the missionary has no means of transportation and has to travel through rugged and dreadful paths to reach the interiors to share the gospel. Other challenges include poor or lack of basic necessities like food, clothes and shelter, also basic amenities like quality water and electricity…
QUESTION 1B) OVERCOMING CHALLENGES IN THE MISSION FIELD.
The Christian missionary must realize that he is only an agent/ instrument/ vessel for the work. The work really belongs to God and not man. God is the owner of the work and knows how to sustain the work. With the understanding that God is the true rewarder of those that diligently seek Him (Heb. 11:6), the missionary should be committed to his missionary work (Col. 3:24-25). To avoid a burn out from the temptation of being very busy working for God and neglect walking with God, the missionary must make out time to be alone with God regularly. Where the missionary finds himself hostile, difficult, or unfamiliar terrain, the missionary must be flexible to adapt to the culture of the people he/she is to reach by making adjustments in terms of dressing, food, language, etc.; such adaptation gives the indigenes a sense of belonging and make them to better listen and accept the message of the missionary. The missionary should be patient and must trust God to help him/ her overcome any challenges in the mission field with unwavering faith. Missionaries should emulate Paul who sustained himself with his act of tent making. If necessary, missionaries should learn basic skills/ trade that can assist them in being self-sufficient.
QUESTION 2A). WHAT WAYS COULD INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, CHURCHES, AND THE COMMUNITY IDENITFY WITH CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES? (Eph. 6:18-20; Philippians 4:14-18, 2 Thess. 3:1-2)
The supports the missionary can receive from the listed groups include prayers (Eph. 6:18-20 and 2 Thess. 3:1-2), financial supports, i,e giving to the needs of the missionaries and their families. The Philippian church supported Paul (Phil 4:14-18). The missionaries can also be supported with intermittent visits in the field; this can boost their courage and faith that they are not alone. Such little acts of encouragement could yield great effects in the lives of the missionaries.
QUESTION 2B). HOW SHOULD CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES RELATE WITH THEIR SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS? (Acts 14:26-28, 15:2-4)
The missionary should know that though he is called of God and used by God, he is accountable to those supporting him. Apostle Paul showed this example when he returned and reported back to the Antioch local church, which was their take off point of all the Lord has done though and by them (Acts 14:26-28). This gives a sense of belonging and satisfaction. Accountability is a basic Christian virtue that is lacking in some of our present-day church. Paul, with the level of anointing and exploit done through him, saw the need to recount to the local church that sent him forth how far the Lord has dealt with them. Both the missionary and the supporters should be accountable. The church also is to act as a supervisory body to ensure that the sound doctrine of Christ is not corrupted, ensuring that the work is not only done but properly done (Acts 15:2-4). Again, this played out in Acts 18:24-26 when Aquila and Priscilla had to expound the gospel beyond the baptism of John to Apollos.
QUESTION 3A). WHAT MANNER OF LIFE DID PAUL LIVE AMONG THE PEOPLE HE PREACHED TO? (Acts 28:17-21; Phil. 4:14-18)
Paul as a missionary lived a blameless life among the people. he was not involved in any form of demeaning action and no bad report against him (except for false accusations) (Acts 28:17-21 NIV); this poses a lot of challenge to the today’s missionary/ Christian. It is required that a Christian/missionary have good report and testimony always, especially among the community he/ she lives so as not be a hindrance to the gospel he/ she preaches. The missionary should have a clear conscience towards God and man (Acts 24:16). A very important lesson to learn from the life Paul lived among the people he preached to, is the fact that he never depended on them for his sustenance; even when the Philippian church sent him supplies, it was not under compulsion and he did not use his position as an advantage to place demands on the young converts (Phil. 4:16-18). At some other times, Paul joined Aquila and Priscilla in their tent making business to sustain his needs and did not make himself a burden to the early church/ young churches (1 Cor. 9:12; Acts 18:1-4). He followed the life pattern of Christ and did not covet anybody’s properties (Acts 20:31-38).
QUESTION 3B). HOW DID PAUL SHOW CIMMITMENT TO HIS CALL TO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST? (Acts 20:22-24)
“And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:22-24). Paul did not consider his personal comfort or pleasure in the pursuit of the great commission. The treatment he was going to face at Jerusalem was not hidden from him and having been warned by the Holy Ghost, he had the option of retreating, but he never did. Paul considered accomplishing his purpose of preaching the gospel even at the detriment of his life; he did not consider his safety anything or his life worth more than the gospel. The gospel was a priority for him. Paul was committed to his call and commission of preaching the gospel both to the Jews and Gentiles (Rom. 1:14-15). He established many churches throughout his missionary journeys and beyond planting churches, Paul was committed to ensuring the individual churches were established (1 Thess. 3:5, 12-13, 5:23). Paul also was committed to pastoring these churches, he wrote different letters to the churches that were troubled (1 Cor. 5:9, 2 Cor. 2:3,4,7,9, 7:8,12), he resolved issues (2 Cor. 2:1, 12:14, 21,13:1-2) and as a pastor he took care of the churches. Paul was committed to serve the brethren not because of personal gains and even when he demanded for money it was for the poor (1 Cor. 16:1-4; Rom. 15:26-32). Part of his commitment in visiting the churches he established was to strengthen them and warn the churches against apostasy (2 Cor. 11:28; Gal. 1: 6-9). Paul’s commitment to the gospel was a lifelong one. Paul saw death, as beneficial to him, but for the brethren he needed to be available (Phil. 1:21-26). Paul fulfilled his call land missions (2 Tim. 4:20-22). Beyond the call, we must be committed to run the race to the end and not fall out along the way or be a cast away at the end (1 Cor. 9:27; Heb. 3:12; 2 Pet. 2:20-22).
QUESTION 3C) WHAT CHALLENGE DOES PAUL’S STATEMENT IN ACTS 20:25-27 POSE TO THE BELIEVER AS A PREACHER/ TEACHER OF GOD’S WORD TODAY?
Paul was bold to declare the word. He told the church the whole counsel of God. He did not seek personal gain/ favor but declared the whole counsel of God and even withstood Apostle Peter (Gal. 2:11-14). It is a challenge to today’s teacher preacher not to look at faces in dispensing the word. No one should be a scared cow when it comes to obedience to the will of God. Again, he lived by example; to preach the will of God the preacher/teacher cannot afford to live differently. The preacher/teacher is to first watch over his/her own self before others. Personal salvation needs to be guaranteed before seeking to save others (1 Tim. 4:16). No one is immune from backsliding; so the preacher/ teacher should first take heed to himself least he falls (1 Cor. 10:12). Then they must watch over the flock by caring, providing, protecting from invaders, and guiding the flock rightly (Acts 20:28). It must be known that the flock belongs to God, which he brought with His own blood; hence no mane should lord over the church (1 Pet. 5:1-3).
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION:
God called us individually just like Jesus called the disciples. The call of God from the days of the Bible is personal and there is nothing like a couple/ family call pattern as practices in current dispensation. We must all be committed to the call, whether as missionary outside our nativity or when living among our people; we must be committed to preaching the gospel of Christ and making disciples. In doing so, we are bound to face challenges, but we must be determined not to be hindered from preaching the gospel. The teacher/ preacher must be like Paul who worked to establish, strengthen, and uphold the unity of the body of Christ. Evangelism must be seen as a task that demands our utmost commitment for our eternal reward (1 Thess. 2:19-20). Every believer should seek this reward. Indeed, evangelism is our supreme task. Be an evangelist today, be a missionary to your neighborhood. Paul was an outstanding missionary, and we should emulate his commitment, humility, integrity and willingness to inconvenience himself for the sake of the gospel.MEMORY VERSE: 2 TIM. 4:2“Preach the word be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.”
DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE:
MONDAY: THE BEGINNING OF PAUL’S MISSIONARY JOURNEY. (Acts 13:1-2)
TUESDAY: THE PARTIES INVOLVED IN CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY AND THEIR ROLE. (Acts 13:2-8)
WEDNESDAY: HOW WE CAN IDENTIFY CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES. (Eph. 6:18-20; Phil. 4:14-18)
THURSDAY:HOW CHRISTIAN MISSIONARIES ARE EXPECTED TO RELATE WITH THEIR SUPPORTERS. (Acts 14:26-28, 15:2-4)
FRIDAY: THE MANNER OF LIFE PAUL LIVED AMONG THE PEOPLE HE PREACHED TO.
(Acts 20:17-21; Phil. 4:14-18)
SATURDAY: PAUL’S COMMITMENT TO PREACHING THE GOSPEL. (Acts 20:22-24)