More than Sunday · 2 of 2

Who gets sent?

It’s easy to assume that being sent is for missionaries and pastors. The book of Acts tells a different story.

After Stephen was killed, persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem. Luke records who left the city and who stayed.

And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.Acts 8:1

The apostles stayed. Everyone else left, and they took the gospel with them.

Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word.Acts 8:4

Planted first

Being sent grows out of being planted. A psalm pictures it as trees growing in a courtyard.

They are planted in the house of the Lord; they flourish in the courts of our God.Psalm 92:13

Some of those scattered believers started a church in Antioch. Years later, while that church was worshipping and fasting together, God spoke to them.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.Acts 13:2-3

Sent by people who know you

Barnabas and Saul were sent by their own church, with that church’s hands on them. Being sent might mean another country. It might also mean the street you already live on, the place you work, or a family that has never heard the gospel. Either way, it comes from a church family that knows you and stands behind you.

Back to the journey Next: Son or servant: what’s the difference?