Monday, May 4: Acts 13- Sent.

The church of Jesus Christ enters a new era with this chapter. Yes, the church has been growing both in number and outreach. The message of Jesus has spread from Jews to Samaritans and to Gentiles. With the Holy Spirit sending Barnabas and Saul, the church becomes a ‘sent people’. No longer is the church to be content to wait for people to come to them or to simply tell people they meet at home or in travels. Now they are intentionally to go and seek people… to travel to them with the express intention of witnessing to and explaining the good news of Jesus.

Listen to Luke’s chapter opening: While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit…(2-4).

When Barnabas and Saul arrived at the places the Lord told them, they preached ‘Jesus’, offering people an opportunity to put their faith in Him. Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses (38-39).

This remains our task, the task of the church to witness to every nation (Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8: tribe, language, people group), so that some might become disciples, too.

Questions fly in my head about how much I am engaged in the advance of the Gospel…

Did the Lord take you to a similar place?   Think about it.

Lord, pressing Your Gospel to the ends of the earth is our mandate. Show me what role I play to make Your dream come true. Amen.