Reaching Out
SECRETS OF SUCCESS (4)
Section III: A Precedent
Characteristics of a Missionary Church:
Generous Givers
The prophecy of Agabus (Acts 11:28) led to earnest effort and liberal giving. We are not to think of Antioch's collection as a sudden, impulsive and instantaneous offering. Chronological consideration shows that something like two years elapsed between the prediction and the actual distribution of corn in the famine-stricken districts. Therefore, there was a systematic and sustained collection of contributions for the good cause. Also we have here the first instance, in church history, of a congregation carefully and liberally giving for the welfare of people living in another land. Famine-relief has often played an important part in missionary work.
From a veteran missionary
Another thing that is needed in Nigeria is hospitals. There are very few hospitals. When someone gets sick, four friends put him on a stretcher and carry him on their heads to the nearest hospital, which may be many miles away. All the stretcher bearers trot in rhythm, so the sick man won't be jostled about too much. Sometimes the hospitals are just too far away for sick people to get there. The church ought to have a hospital in this country. Jesus said, “Go out into the uttermost parts of the world and preach the Gospel.” Preaching and teaching may be the first parts of our commission. But Jesus also told his disciples to heal.
A Consecrated Church
Consecration is the key ward. They received a new revelation of God’s will while they were actively engaged in their Master’s service and giving themselves in some special way, to prayer and fasting. Possibly they were seeking guidance as to further developments in the work. At any rate, it was when they assumed the attitude of willing consecration that the missionary message reached them.
The lesson is clear. We must be willing to do our Master’s will if we honestly seek to know that will. There is a close connection between consecration and missionary work.
The obedience of the church at Antioch is equally noticeable with its consecration. The command laid on them was, “Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.” It was their best and most beloved preachers who had to be parted with for God’s missionary work. And they were given up at once, gladly and without murmuring. After further prayer and fasting, a farewell meeting was held, the first of its kind, and they laid their hands on them. They then “released them” (from their work at Antioch) and “bade them farewell.” Here is the question to us from this section: Are we ready to give our best for God’s work abroad, to release our best preachers, to part with our best friends and nearest relatives? The Christians at Antioch continued to regard their own missionaries with special attention and communication with them was well maintained. Truly this church is an excellent pattern to follow today.
