January 23, 2019

I LOVE missions!  I’m overwhelmingly intrigued by the world! I’ve asked God for many years to allow me to go overseas – and for now He’s said no. I’m pretty sure if Susan and I left Center Point, it would be to follow the Lord into another part of the world.  Please pray that God releases us to do so.

I see my calling here as missions too.  When people ask me what I do, I always say, “I’m a missionary.”  Then they usually say, “Where?” – expecting me to tell of an exotic port of call that I serve in.  I say, “Lexington, Kentucky”. I see what I do as missions. If God closed Center Point Church tomorrow, I wouldn’t assume that my task here was done.  God called me to reach people and disciple them to grow in His grace. That’s what a missionary does.

I wonder what it would look like if every CPC attender took on the heart and attitude of being a missionary? Do you think we could rock Central Kentucky? You bet! It’s what God has called us to do and what He’s called us to be!  If every one of us just won one person to Christ a year – we’d start a revolution! A movement like Lexington has never seen!

Acts 13 is the story of the SECOND New Testament missionary journey.  OK, all you theological Bible students are scratching your heads and saying… “I thought this was the FIRST missionary journey”… NOPE the second.  You see, God only had one Son and He made Him a missionary. That’s the FIRST New Testament missionary journey and Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John tell us all about it.  Now Paul and Barnabas are commissioned for the second.

Verse 4 says they were sent out by the Holy Spirit.  The only way missions works!  Well… ever wondered what good missionaries do?

• They confront sin and stand up for Truth.  (v.6-11)

• They IMPACT people.  (v.12)

• They lead in Worship. (v. 14-15)

• They proclaim the Gospel. (v.16-42)

• They faithfully teach the Word of God. (v.44)

• They endure persecution.  (v.45)

• They take the Word of the Lord to people. (v.49)

Sound like fun?  You can be (and must be) a missionary right where you live.  At your job – at your school – in your neighborhood – in your home.  Up for it? It’s the journey of a lifetime.

By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor