ENTERNAL THINGS: Living as a Missionary (part 2)
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
How do we live as a missionary?
Psalm 17:5
My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
A. It has something to do with our steps.
2 Samuel 22:29--37
For you are my lamp, O Lord , and my God lightens my darkness. "For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. "This God--his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him. "For who is God, but the Lord ? And who is a rock, except our God? "This God is my strong refuge and has made my [fn]way blameless. "He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. "He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. "You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your gentleness made me great. "You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet [fn] did not slip;"
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”
The only way to live as a missionary (and fulfill our calling) is to be consumed by GOD’s word!
First fact, when consumed by GOD’s word circumstances don’t matter! (vv. 29--30, 34)
2 Kings 6:15--18
15. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17. And Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
v. 34: When there seems to be no way out...GOD provides a way! HIS Word gets me out of any situation (or sees me “through” it).
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Must get around people who believe! Who has the gift of “faith?” (Believing GOD in impossible circumstances)
B. Second fact, consumed by GOD’s Word means one day it will all make sense! (vv. 31--33)
1. “perfect”: “faultless, upright in one’s conduct, blameless...especially toward God” (Warren Baker, Gen. Ed., The Complete Word Study Old Testament (Chattanooga: AMG Publishers, 1994), 2381.)
2. How?
a) v. 37: “You enlarged my path under me; so my feet did not slip.”
(1) Walking with GOD is not like walking on a balance beam. Illus: Francis Chan holding on to a balance beam.
(a) “holding on...have my nice little family, keep to ourselves, live in a gated community,
make my kids wear helmets everywhere, I’m not going to let them outside because the sun has bad rays... live my life in safety...not doing anything crazy for GOD...go to church on Sundays and maybe give 2%...serve in the nursery because I feel guilty...your greatest prayer, ‘GOD, I would love to die in my sleep’... not even feel it...and just go up to heaven like this... [now dismount].
(b) “The boring, I do nothing crazy [routine] because I don’t want to fall...
(c) [Will GOD say] “Well done.” You lived the safest life possible...you didn’t slip...you
didn’t fall...that’s not the life GOD’s called us to...” (Francis Chan Video)
(2) Small can lead to big.
Matthew 25:21
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
1 Corinthians 13:12
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Psalm 17:5
My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
Psalm 27:11
Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
(3) We look back and things begin to make sense.
II. [Now what?] Application: Where am I living safe? Will I commit to JESUS today to follow GOD’s Word, even if it seems small. Small can lead to big.
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