In my previous post about world missions, we discussed a vision for how we can accomplish the Great Commission. Now, we will discover whom God wants to use to finish the task.
Recently in Turkey I was able to visit Ephesus, one of the major cities the Apostle Paul took the gospel to. It all began by searching for a taxi to take us from the port city to this wonderful ancient city. My sister arranged a taxi driver and we were on our way to Ephesus. Excitement filled the car! The driver began to tell us all about the area. He was eager to explain every detail about this historic place. One phrase he kept using that caught my attention was the way he referred to Ephesus. He would say “In my town”….
It amazed me that I was sitting in a taxi with a man who would refer to one of Paul’s mission hubs as, “my town.” After a day filled with new sights and sounds reflection was inevitable. First, my thoughts focused on how Paul came to Ephesus in obedience to the Great Commission. Secondly, I pondered upon who were those disciples. Who were the men and women who owned the vision for Ephesus?
Just as the driver referred to Ephesus as, “my town,” Paul was looking for men and women who would utter similar words regarding the spread of the gospel. Phrases like, “In my town I want all people to know about the power of Jesus.” Or, “In my town I want all people to hear about the risen Christ.” These are just a few of the phrases the people might have said (although we know it was not English but Greek). When Paul went to this place there were not any seminary trained people available, but only ordinary men and woman. Remember, these were the types of people Jesus used to turn the world upside down. Acts 13:4 says “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary me, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Jesus took fishermen and made them the leaders of his movement.
This was a movement that would cover the entire Roman Empire in a decade. If we look into the Old Testament it should not surprise us that God chose to use men such as this. What kind of work did Abraham do? What about Moses? Or David? All of these great men of God were Shepherds. They were all entrusted to watch sheep. But it is men like this that God chose to lead his people. It is simple men and women that take the kingdom to the world.
In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians he congratulated them with these words, “The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia– your faith in God has become known everywhere” (1 Thess. 1:8). One friend of mine has said that the gospel is not meant to be controlled, but it is meant to be unleashed. The nature of the gospel is found in it being spread. For it to advance and not shrink back. The Thessalonian church lived this out and the results were not only, “my town,” but, “the next town.”
How many of you today have a vision for your town or city? Are you making disciples in such a way that ordinary people can do extraordinary things? Is your church or small group conveying this vision weekly so it will be in the forefront of your mind and written on your heart? Or, are you trying to control the gospel and not unleashing it?
One of the Apostle Paul’s greatest resources was his vision. He wanted to see his disciples do more than even he could do.
June 28, 2010 at 11:25 am
read michael green’s EVANGELISM IN THE EARLY CHURCH. it is a record of the expansion of the early church in the first three centuries. best thing in print about the subject. and very informative for today.
June 29, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Good article Pete. Just talked a villager today who understood and brought to attention how “all of us” Christians are missionaries regardless of socio-economic status, education or national origin. This is exactly what you hope and desire every believer to comprehend.