Not you? If you are a born again Christian then, yes you are sent. Read again the Great Commission [Matthew 28]. We have work to do. Equally important is:
“ But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)? And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]? [Romans 10:14-15a]
Do NOT use the excuse that you aren’t a preacher! Look at the definition of preacher – a messenger. Regardless of our gifting, we are the Lord’s Ambassadors [2 Corinthians 5:20-21]. His emissaries, His messengers, His hands/feet/mouth. And the reason is He, the God of the Universe, chose to work through His creation to touch His creation. He didn’t need to, it was His way of inviting us into a meaningful life and the works He has prepared for us to walk in [Ephesians 2:10].
I sometimes wonder if part of the problem about ‘sent’ stems from the fact that we are concerned we will be sent far away from our familiar. The following is MY understanding so read it in that light:
1- we are NEVER asked to do something we can’t do. On some level we can do some of (fill in the blank) on our own BUT the wonderful reality is that we aren’t asked to do it by ourselves – we have a partner in all this. Remember the role of the Holy Spirit?
“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever— the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.” [John 14:16-19, AMP]
He is ready and able to do all this in and for us. Through Grace, Mercy, Love we bring that Good News to others.
2- We are never asked to do something we cannot do. Our Triune God does NOT tempt nor tease us. He knows us far better than we do ourselves. PLUS He provides His armor for protection [Ephesians 6] and He is always there to help us grow through His equipping, enabling, empowering. Remember the encouraging words:
“I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] (Philippians 4:12b-13)
3- The verse that speaks about being sent in the New Testament says:
“But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me] both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.” [Acts 1:8]
First. comes the Holy Spirit to bring you power and ability. Second, you are His witnesses. And then the ‘sent’. And when you consider the places indicated I believe they are examples of the various places we are sent. Not everyone is sent as a Missionary to the unreached. Sometimes the unreached are our neighbors and sometimes our family.
The question that always surfaces in my thinking is – why would we NOT want to share the wonderful news that we have a terrific future and can live abundantly now… in this world. I should probably also add – don’t define ‘abundant’ in material or financial terms. Look at the abundance in our lives that are gifts the Father pours onto us. There are many points about being sent and how to respond to the call… not the least of which is to pray to have ears that hear and a heart that understands. Always remember that we ‘speak’ as much through our actions as through our words.
