Today has been a powerful day of God speaking to my heart and confirming many things that He has revealed to me during this sabbatical. I have been praying for God to bring this sabbatical to a close with a powerful message from Him and that’s exactly what He is doing. I can’t wait to get back and begin to reveal how God has spoken to me over the last eight weeks. This Sunday I will get an opportunity to begin that process.
Have you ever thought of yourself as a missionary? Probably not. We usually reserve that title to someone like Kenny and Teresa, those who surrender to the foreign mission field. One of the things that God has been revealing to me is that every person that claims to be a follower of Christ is called to be a missionary. I’m not talking about moving overseas. Although some of you might be. I’m talking about you being a missionary where you are. Taking the gospel to others and at times, even taking the gospel to others in the world.
So who do you know that’s far from God? A friend, a neighbor, a co-worker, a teacher, a student, a relative? You have your own unique mission field where you can proclaim the life saving message of Jesus. If you don’t assume the responsibility of being a missionary, it might mean that they will never have a chance to hear about the only thing that really matters in life. It’s time for you to obey the command of Christ and become a doer of God’s word and begin to live out your audacious faith.
At Sonlight, we have a saying, “Every member is a minster.” However, for far too long we have limited that to mean ministering inside the church building. God has brought a stirring in the hearts of our staff. He’s been communicating that it’s so much more than what we do on Sunday mornings. You are not only to be a minister in the church, but you are also to be a minister in your workplace, in your school, in your neighborhood, in your grocery store and every place you go.
1 Peter 2:9 NLT says, “…for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”
Isn’t that incredible! I thank God that ministry isn’t limited by a building or by having pastors. At Sonlight, our pastors are to help equip the people of God for ministry in this world. Actually, that’s the standard for every church. You are a minister. You are a priest.
This only makes sense because you will come in contact with people that I will never come in contact with. You will witness needs that I will never witness. In those moments, you need to be God’s ambassador and allow the God of the universe to work through you. Isn’t that awesome!? I know it can be risky, I know it can me scary, but when did following Jesus become easy and without risks?
All of us are called to proclaim the gospel of Jesus. We are His hands and feet and voice to those in our circle of influence. When are we going to begin living a life of obedience? “So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20
Have you ever accepted the call to be a minister or are you holding back? Please feel free to leave your questions about stepping out to be a minister.
Filed under: Church, Evangelism
