Theme For Open Heavens Devotional 21 June 2019 – THE MISSIONARY CALL.
MEMORY VERSE:
“When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.” Luke 5:8
BIBLE READING: Acts 13:1-5
1.Now there were in The Church that was at Antioch certain Prophets and Teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul.
2. 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.
3. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
4. So they, being sent forth by The Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
5. And when they were at Salamis, they preached The Word of God in The Synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
MESSAGE:
A. Over the years, I have always used every possible opportunity I get to remind my children that soul-winning is not an option for a Christian. It is a necessity.
1. Although God has made provision for The Salvation of mankind, The Holy spirit declares in Romans 10:13-15 that sinners may not have access to Salvation unless preachers are sent.
2. Romans 10:13-15 “For whosoever shall call upon The Name of The Lord shall be saved.
3. How then shall they call on Him in Whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a Preacher? And how shall they Preach, except they be sent?
4. As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach The Gospel of Peace, and bring Glad Tidings of Good Things!
5. This highlights the importance of answering the call to Missions.
6. The call of God refers to God summoning individuals or groups of people to Himself for the purpose of fellowship and service, both in this world and in Eternity.
7. A great example of this is The Call of The Disciples by The Master.
8. In Mark 3:14, which says: “And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach,”
B. The call of God may be tied to a Specific Place, Task or Vocation in life, and it might also be of a general nature.
1. For example, God called Abraham, Moses and Jeremiah for specific purposes.
2. Genesis 12:1-3 “Now The Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:
3. And I will make of thee a Great Nation, and I will Bless Thee, and Make Thy Name Great; and Thou Shall Be A Blessing: And I will Bless them that bless thee, and Curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be Blessed.
4. Exodus 3:4 “And when The Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.”
5. Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I Ordained Thee A Prophet unto The Nations.
6. And after Christ’s successful Ministry on earth, He called all His Disciples to accomplish The General Mission of reaching out to the whole world.
7. Matthew 28:18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All Power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth.
8. Go ye therefore, and Teach all Nations, Baptizing them in The Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Ghost:
9. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:
10. And, lo, I Am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
C. THE PRIMARY MANDATE OF THE Church is to REACH OUT TO ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WITH THE GOSPEL OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST,
1. TEACHING and BAPTIZING them in The Name of The Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost.
2. This is OUR GREAT COMMISSION.
3. Referring to OUR MANDATE, An Author once wrote, “if was A JEW Who brought The Gospel to ROME; A ROMAN Who took it to FRANCE; A FRENCHMAN Who took it to SCANDINAVIA; A SCOTSMAN Who evangelized IRELAND; and AN IRISHMAN that in turn made the missionary conquest of SCOTLAND.
4. No People have ever received The Gospel except at the hand of an Alien”.
5. It is critical to note that Every Member of The Church has an OBLIGATION to Preach The Gospel, because Our Lord said in Mark 13:10: “And The Gospel must first be Published among all Nations.”
6. Soul winners are not born; they are made out of ordinary individuals who possess A Yielded Spirit, Commitment to do God’s Will, Compassion for lost souls, and A Deep Sense of God’s Calling.
7. I pray that you will Not Disappoint God’s Grace Upon Your Life, and that you will become AN INCURABLE SOUL WINNER in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
PRAYER POINT:
Father, Please help me to fulfil my calling as A Soul Winner in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Numbers 23-25
Lamentation 4:17-5:22
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN : MUST I GO, AND EMPTY-HANDED
1. “Must I go, and empty-handed,”
Thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him,
Lay no trophy at His feet?
Chorus:
“Must I go, and empty-handed?”
Must I meet my Savior so?
Not one soul with which to greet Him:
Must I empty-handed go?
2. Not at death I shrink nor falter,
For my Savior saves me now;
But to meet Him empty-handed,
Thought of that now clouds my brow.
Chorus:
3. O the years in sinning wasted;
Could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Savior,
To His will I’d gladly bow.
Chorus:
4. O ye saints, arouse, be earnest,
Up and work while yet ’tis day;
Ere the night of death o’ertake thee,
Strive for souls while still you may.
Chorus:
EMMANUEL=GOD WITH US!
Credit – Pastor E. Adeboye